GENERAL MATTERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4146, 4 July 1874, Page 7

GENERAL MATTERS.

SIR JAMES FJ3RGUSSON ON EDUCATION. At the Auckland Grammar School on Juno Ist, his Excellency the Governor, Sir James Fergusson, presented the prizes to the successful competitors among the 130 scholars attending the institution. His Excellency, before ' distributing the prizes, addressed those assembled, and afterwards the scholars. W e make the following extracts from liis interesting speech, as reported in our Auckland contemporaries : HIGHER EDUCATION". I am most glad to attend so as to testify the value I set upon such institutions as these. I believe there is nothing more important to this great and grotring Colony than that institutions for the higher education of our youth should be fostered and encouraged. We must look forward to the great future which is before New Zealand, and endeavor that the young men of the higher and middle classes shalllbe well fitted to take that position which awaits them ; and not only so, but that all, to whatever class they belong, who have energy and the anxiety to rise, shall have the opportunity afforded them by the State. lam glad to know that this institution was early foiuuled by the wisdom of the Government, that it has been sufficiently provided with the means of carrying out its objects, and that -it has met, on'the whole, with a fair amount of encouragement. Of course all institutions, especially in. their early stages, are subject to times of prosperity and depression, and the numbers attending the school have proved that, taking one year with another, there have been times more prosperous than others. But lam gratified that the school is now steadily progressing, not only in numbers, but also in efficiency. It has my very best wishes for its success, and in attending here to-day I am only endeavoring, in the Immble way in which it is in my power, to aid its prosperity and testify my sense of its value. A llow me to point out that the duty of supporting such, an institution as this rests upon more than one section. The Government have fulfilled their part, but it devolves upon the public, by their support and encouragement, to show that they rightly estimate the value of the institution. It belongs to the parents to show they value the education provided for their children, and it belongs to the members of the institution to show that they appreciate the privileges extended to them. EDUCATION OP NATIVES.

I shall not detain you with more than a few words, hut the importance which is attached to the visit of the Governor induces me to think I ought not to pass such a remark without saying some words which appear to me not only applicable but my duty to utter. 'First, with regard to the objects of the institution. I notice by its fundamental provisions that it is intended to be available not only to us Europeans but to the Natives of .the country. Now when I ask how far it has fulfilled the latter portion of its performances, I venture to think it has fallen short of that which its original promoters had hoped from it. In visiting the various parts of the country during my first year of office, and particularly in becoming acquainted with the Native population, I have been struck with the little care that is being taken to fit the sons of the Native chiefs for the position which ough to be theirs. We see, unfortunately, the Natives to a great extent indulging in bad habits ; and how, I ask, can we hope that it can be otherwise if their natural leaders are not fitted to encourage and restrain them from injurious practices ? What could we hopo of our own youth of the better classes were they allowed to grow up in the village schools without restraint or discipline, or without being fitted in any respect to occupy the position of eminence and responsibility to which they are expected to aspire ? And can we look for tetter things-—can we expect so much-—of the children of those who are themselves uneducated, and who in many cases have yielded to the temptations that are calculated to prove fatal to their race ? I think this is a matter which ought to come seriously home even at this day to the Government and people of this Colony. We ought to look diligently for means by which -the sons of Maori chiefs might be brought up to set an example to their people and to take part not only in their management, but in the General Government and service of the country. They ought to have the best education that the country can afford. But to turn even the best bom Maori boys loose in a school like this would be injurious both to themselves and to the school itself. It seems to me that there ought to be, especially here in Auckland, a boarding-house in which the sons of chiefs could be managed in the manner best suited to their condition, their previous education, and their characters, in order that they might attend, under proper tutorship, this higher class of school, and so be gradually brought up to do better than thoir fathers have done before them, to set an example to their people, and to lead them to higher and better things. Unless something of this sort is done systematically, we will not be fulfilling our duty to the Native race. Justice, kindness, and generosity have not been absent in our treatment of the Maoris, but to a great extent system has been wanting.

■ ADVICE TO YOUTH. But while I say these things to our older friends, the public, I would address a few words to those I see before me—the present pupils of this institution. I would ask them to remember that the period of life through which they are now passing is that which is to fit them for their future career ; that if their education is to he thorough it has many sides to it, and that the degree in which they take advantage of it will be, to a great extent, the test of their future success and excellence in life. For in propox-tion as you now embrace the opportunities extended to you, or neglect them, you may depend ujion it to a great extent will be your comparative success, or failure, in after life. The character of a young man is not made in a day ; it grows up like a tree—by slow degrees —and unless the roots are spread deeply, and unless the outward influences are steadily exercised he will not attain that degree of perfection for which ho was designed. Therefore I say to you, with all the earnestness in my power, take advantage of the opportunities now before you ; don’t despise them however small they may seem to you j but remember that you are laying the foundation of the future, and that all your life long you will look back with satisfaction or regret to the degree in which you did take advantage of them. And let excellence be your object. Bo not content with simply escaping censure or talcing a tolerable place. Let each one feel that he has abilities of his own which can bo turned to the best account, and let his one aim and object be to make the best of them. And if you fail in any contest, whatever it is, let not failure discourage you ; because the mere effort to attain success is in itself beneficial, and in failure you see the deficiencies which were yours and those which you have to guard against for the future. X would ask you to remember that you have two separate classes of duties—to yourselves and to others. Every one of you owes a high duty to himself, and, as I have said, the regret which will attend him if he neglects his opportunities will be as long as his life lasts. But you have duties to others not less than to yourselves. You have duties to your parents, who, in many cases, have made great sacrifices for your interests ; you have duties to your masters, whose credit is, to a great extent, involved in the use which ' you make of their teaching; you have duties to your school, that it lose not credit by the faults of individuals ; you have duties to your companions, that no evil example of yours may do them injury. X would ask you to remember that earnestness is everything, and to carry it into your sports as well as into your school duties, and tiiat the best boys are not only those who are most steady in school, but that they are often distinguished by being first in the field. T nr, EXAMPLE OJf BISHOP PATTEHON. I would put before you ono well-known boro, whose name will be honored as long as New Zealand—l would almost say as long as England—lasts : one who waa a hero, a Christian

hero, and a hero as great as any one who has received the thanks of his Sovereign and of Parliament the late Bishop Patteson, (Cheers.) I would ask you to think what Bishop Patteson’s life was. As recently published it is engaging a great deal of attention, and is even most interesting to boys. At school he was the first in games ; he was second in the eleven at Eton ; at Oxford he was the most popular under-graduate ; as in after-life he gained the affection of all by whom he was surrounded. He was not a ‘mere book-worm who had no bright side to his life, but was most earnest in his pursuit of duty, most conscientious in its discharge. He was also beloved and respected in private life. But how was it he was so successful ? In the first place, his abilities, as he told us himself, were not of a first-rate order. It was because he was diligent in the acquisition of scholarship in the first place which enabled him in after life to master languages most difficult to Europeans, one by one, with a facility which he could not have attained had he not been most attentive to his early cultivation. He succeeded because he always set the light thing before them. As his biographer said, his face was always set in the right way. Whatever was his duty, he did it heartily; and whatever was wrong, that he knew to be wrong, he turned away from. I will read you an extract from his life that will show you what his character was. Ex uno ditcc omnes, “ There was no Puritanism in him; he was up to any fun, sang his song at a cricket and football dinner as joyfully as the youngest of the party; but if mirth sank into coarseness or ribaldry, that instant Patteson’s conduct was fearless and uncompromising. A custom had arisen among some of the boys of singing offensive songs on these occasions, and he, who as second of the eleven, stood in the position of one of the entertainers, gave notice beforehand that he was not going to tolerate anything of the sort. One of the boys, however, began to sing something objectionable, Patteson called out, ‘lf that does not stop, I shall leave the room,’ and as no notice was taken, he actually went away with a few other bravo lads. He afterwards found that as he said, fellows who could not understand such feelings, ‘thought him affected,’ and he felt himself obliged to send word to the captain that unless an apology were given, he should leave the eleven—no small sacrifice considering what cricket was to him; but the gentlemanlike and proper feeling of the better style of boys prevailed, and the eleven knew their interests too well to part •with him, so the apology was made, and he retained his position.” (Cheers.) What I wish to point out to you is, that Bishop Patte-» son’s success was not the result of impulse, although in after life he yielded to the call to sacrifice himself in the highest service. Second, as I have said, to no hero—not to disparage those who have been themselves in the service of their King and country—Bishop Patteson’s service was in that of the King of Kings. But he did not rise to such a height by one flight. It was because as a schoolboy he was earnest, as a sou he was dutiful, as a clergyman he was eminent in all that was good, as a missionary he was painstaking and hardworking, until at last he became a sainted hero and a martyr. And although it is not given to all to rise as high as he rose, yet you have examples even here in New Zealand of heroes. Look at the late Bishop of New Zealand, who is as highly honored now as any man in England. Look at many who are following in his footsteps and obeying his precepts, although perhaps in a different walk of life to that which you will travel; yet you have all open before you a career which may be calculated to make you happy in this world and leave a happy remembrance of you when you are gone. (Cheers.)

RECIPROCITY. We published in the course of the mouth a telegram from Tasmania to the effect that the New Zealand Government had concluded with that Colony an arrangement for the reciprocal admission of certain goods. We are informed that such arrangement has not been concluded, but that a circular letter, covering a memorandum approved of in the Executive Council, has been sent by the Colonial Secretary of New Zealand to each of the Australian Governments and Tasmania, suggesting certain products, &0., as those respecting which reciprocal arrangements might be made. We have been permitted to publish the memorandum, which is as follows : “ The Colonial Treasurer and the Commissioner of Customs of New Zealand have jointly had under their consideration the question of what action, if any, it is desirable to take under the powers accorded by 1 The Australian Colonies Duties Act, 1573.’ “New Zealand possessed the power of imposing differential duties before that Act was passed ; but inasmuch as similar powers were previously denied to the other Colonies, the Act for the first time afforded the means to the Australian Colonies of entering into reciprocal arrangements. “ Hitherto, no action has been taken under the Act. The reason for this apparent indifference to a measure so eagerly sought, is not difficult to discover. Independently of the fact that the earnest desire to obtain a particular power does not necessarily imply that it will be immediately used, there are reasons, in the late relations between several of the Colonies in respect to postal services, border duties, cattle importation, and other questions, which explain why it has not been considered expedient, or likely to be productive of useful results, to earlier press the exercise of the powers conferred by the Act. Even now, though it is well the subject should be ventilated, it is doubtful whether there will speedily be any results. “ The Colonial Treasurer and the Commissioner of Customs have, however, come to the conclusion to move the Government to take some action in respect to the Act. “ Past experience shows that Conferences of the representatives of all tho Australasian Colonies lead to misunderstandings rather than to agreements, and the Colonial Treasurer and Commissioner of Customs are of opinion that results are more likely to be arrived at by negotiations between different Colonies, than by the more ambitious attempt to devise plans which will be suitable and acceptable to all of them. Indeed, the circumstances of the Colonies are so different, and the adoption of a common plan would involve so many sacrifices, that the attempt to obtain united action might lead to shelving the measure. On the other hand, any two of tho Colonics would ho able so to consider their own circumstances, as to make negotiations between them comparatively easy. Any arrangement entered into would probably, as far as circumstances did not compel a difference, lead to other arrangements of a similar nature, so that in the end there would probably be a nearer approach to a common agreement by separate negotiation than by attempiting at the outset to secure such a result. “ Should, however, the other Colonies be of a different opinion, tho Colonial Treasurer and Commissioner of Customs think that New Zealand should not stand aloof, but that, on tho contrary, she should invito tho other Colonies to make this Colony the scone of tho Conference. There are reasons, which the other Colonies will perhaps not be unprepared to allow, why a neutral ground like Now Zealand, sufficiently removed from Australia to he free from the territorial prejudices which affect different Governments on one continent, would be suitable for a meeting of the representatives of all tho Colonies, “ The Colonial Treasurer and Commissioner of Customs, however, do not suggest that a Conference should be recommended, but merely that, if it should ho deemed expedient to hold one, Wellington should he tho place of meeting. “ In the meanwhile, it is advised that New Zealand should show itself ready to negotiate with other Colonies.

“ To facilitate such negotiations tho Colonial Treasurer and Commissioner of Customs have considered tho articles about which it is desirable to treat. Any two Colonies desiring to make arrangements would find it tho most convenient course to first agree upon the articles which should become tho subject of arrange.

ment; the details of such arrangements would then be arrived at with comparative facility. In the Schedule attached, the Colonial Treasurer and Commissioner of Customs enumerate the articles concerning which they are of opinion it will be desirable to treat. In selecting those articles, they have been guided by various considerations, such as, — “(a.) That they are sufficiently important or useful, or likely to become so, to make it desirable that agreements should be entered into about them. “(h.) That they are not of a nature likely to occasion difficulties by importations of foreign goods being palmed off as native productions. "(c.J That they are articles which it is so essentially reasonable the Colonies should exchange and be dependent upon each other for, that Great Britain and other countries would not be justified in complaining of the arrangements as . injurious to their commerce or prejudicial to their interests. “A practice has grown up in one Colony, if not more, of supplementing Customs duties by heavy wharf dues. As there would be no advantage in the remission of duties if they could be replaced by other burdens, it should be understood that the arrangements made would concern all charges of a direct nature, whether in the shape of Customs duties or wharf or jetty dues. In respect to the latter, it would , be easy to agree that they should not exceed a specified rate. “ If approved in Executive Council, this memorandum might be forwarded to the Government of each of the other Colonies. Some of the articles in the schedule will not be applicable to the circumstances of all the Colonies ; but the general nature of the memorandum will sufficiently explain to any Colony so situated, the necessary inclusion. “ Julius 'Vogel, “William: H. Reynolds, “ Schedule. “ Grain of all kinds, flour, malt, hops, ale and porter. Colonial wines, New Zealand flax, timber, jams, butter, bacon, cheese, fish, fruit.”

NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAPH CABLE. The following are the resolutions agreed to by the Parliament of New South Wales on the subject of a submarine cable from Queensland to Singapore, and New South Wales to New Zealand. The Parliaments of Queensland and New Zealand had previously agreed to the terms settled upon by the representatives of the three Colonies at their meeting in Sydney. The adoption of the resolutions was moved by Mr. Parkes 1. That this House approves of the following conditions of agreement for the construction of a Telegraph Cable between New Zealand and New South Wales, and one between Normantown, in Queensland, and Singapore, as agreed upon by tho representatives of the Colonies of New Zealand, Queensland, and New South Wales, in Sydney, on the 14th February, 1873 ; and empowers the Government to enter into a contract, in conjunction with the other Governments named, upon the terms therein stated, for the purpose of carrying out this undertaking. “Agreement.—Tho following conditions for the construction of a telegraph cable between New Zealand and New South Wales, and one between Normantown in Queensland, and Singapore, are those which the representatives of New South Wales, New Zealand, and Queensland, agree to recommend their Governments to submit for tho approval of their respective Parliaments. 1. The three colonies shall jointly enter into an arrangement for the construction of an electric cable to be laid between some point in New Zealand and some point in New South Wales, and also a cable to be laid from Normantown, in Queensland, to Singapore, tho latter to be a through cable, touching only at such points as may be agreed on, and to be entirely distinct the whole distance from the lino between Port Darwin and Singapore. 2. The arrangement to bo for a guarantee of 5 per cent, for a term not exceeding thirty-five years, upon a sum not exceeding one million pounds for tho cost of the two lines.

3, Twelve thousand pounds per annum to bo allowed to cover in full all expenses. All receipts above twelve thousand pounds to pass in reduction of the guarantee. The contractors to retain receipts in excess of tho guarantee ; but if the profits arc more than 10 per cent., the Governments may require that the rates shall be lowered to amounts calculated to reduce the profits to 10 per cent. 4. The guarantee to be paid only whilst tho lines are in working order: Provided that four weeks in each year will be allowed for repairs. If the New Zealand line only be in order, one-third of the guarantee to be paid : if tho Singapore lino only be in order, two-thirds of the guarantee to be paid. If the lines are not kept in order with due diligence, or if communication should permanently fail, the guarantee to cease.

6. The two lines to bo commenced and constructed simultaneously. 0. The cost per message of twenty words, from New Zealand to New South "Wales, not to exceed fifteen shillings: the charge for each word above twenty being ninepeace. And the cost for twenty words from Normantown to Singapore not to exceed forty shillings for the first two years, and thlrty-ilve shillings afterwards ; the charge for each word above twenty being two shillings. 7. Queensland to undertake to keep the land lino to Normantown open for the use of the other contributing Colonies at rates not to exceed at any time seven shillings for twenty words, 8. The three Governments to act in unison, and to jointly arrange tile details. 9. Tills agreement, after being approved of by the respective Governments to bo subject to ratification by the respective Parliaments ; and the details to bo arranged in London by representatives appointed by the three Colonies.

10. The Governments will require to he satisfied that the contractors have made proper provision for the use of a through line of communication between Singapore and London.” 12, That this resolution he transmitted to the Legislative Council for its concurrence.

THE IMMIGRANTS LANDS ACT. The following regulations—or, rather, explanations of the purposes of the Act—have been published by the Immigration Office: — “ 1. Emigrants of the ago of eighteen years and under sixty years, paying their own passages to the Colony, are entitled to land to the value of twenty pounds; and if the heads of families, for themselves and their families, including wives, children, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces, in the proportions following:— Eor themselves and each member of the family over fourteen years, land to the value of twenty pounds ; for each member under fom-teen years, land to the value of ten pounds.

“ 2. The emigrants must be approved by tho Agent-G eneral in London as emigrants suitable for New Zealand, by certificate under his hand, “3. Upon arrival in New Zealand tho immigrants must within sixty days apply personally to an Immigration Officer, and produce to him the Agent-General’s certificate, filling up at the same time an application to be placed on the list of immigrants registered for laud. “i. The Immigration Officer shall then enter the name of the immigrant, and all particulars regarding him and his family, in a register kept for that purpose, and shall deliver to the immigrant' a certificate of such registration ; and forward forthwith a certified copy of such entry in the register to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration.

“5. At any time within five years after arrival in Kew Zealand, the immigrants who have been registered as above may make application to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration to purchase laud for them, furnishing a description of the land they desire to obtain, which must be land open for sale by the Grown, to the value to which they are entitled under their registration ; and in making such application they are to enclose the certificate of the Immigration Officer, or a certified copy thereof. “N.B.—The land either for an immigrant or an immigrant and his family must bo in one block ; and if the land applied for cannot for any reason bo obtained, the immigrants must make a fresh application. “6. A Crown grant of the land will 1)0 issued to the immigrant two years after the date of purchase by the Hon. the Minister, provided that—“(a.) Such land has been continuously occupied by the immigrant and his family. “ (h.) That one-fifth of such land has been laid down with artificial grass, or ploughed and sown with root and cereal crops, or planted as a vineyard or orchard, or with forest trees, or that at least one-fifth has been cidtivated partly in one and partly in another of such manners as aforesaid. A certificate to this effect, signed by two Justices of the Peace, must be forwarded to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration before the Crown grant can bo issued. “ 7. If those conditions of section 0 aro not fulfilled, the land reverts to the Crown.

“8. The interest of a registered immigrant in the land, previously to the issue of a Crown grant to such immigrant, is not assignable in law or in equity, nor can it be devised by will, nor encumbered by mortgage, nor taken in execution/’ COTTAGES FOR IMMIGRANTS. Notices have recently been published as to cottages for immigrants which are being erected in different Provinces, or which Provincial Governments have determined to erect. We understand that some of these cottages are intended for use as up-country depots ; but that the majority of them are being built, or are to be built, under the conditions stated in the following circular letter to the Superintendents' : “ Immigration Office, Wellington, 7th February, 1874. “ Sir, —It is very desirable that some of the immigrants arriving in your Province should at once leave the town and its vicinity and proceed into the country districts, either to become settlers on their own account, or to accept employment from settlers. To enable this to be done, I shall be inclined not only to allow a moderate expenditure for the cost of transit, but also a proportion of the expense for renting suitable buildings, if any are available, as temporary depots for the immigrants, in the country towns or villages. The scarcity of house accommodation is such in many of the country districts, that immigrants, especially families, inclined to settle or seek employment in the country, may find themselves deterred from doing so on account of the want of adequate shelter. It has suggested itself to me that it would be very desirable to erect, at different points where employment was available, serviceable but cheap four-roomed cottages or huts, not exceeding in cost £IOO, for the purpose of letting to the immigrants.

“ Where the Provincial Government have land to spare in the vicinity of railway works, small areas of land might be included, with the cottages, in a lease. This, however, I leave to the consideration of the Provincial authorities.

“ I am willing, as a means of thus settling immigrants, to place a certain amount of money at your Honor’s disposal to build such cottages or huts, on the following conditions : “1. That these be let to newly-arrived immigrants with families. (i 2. That the Provincial Government undertakes and guarantees to return to the General Government the amount expended, with interest at 5 per cent., in four instalments, on the Ist January, 1875, 1870, 1877, and 1878. “ I leave you to make such arrangements for building the cottages, and to let them on such conditions other than those stipulated, as may seem to you desirable. “If you approve of this proposal, I shall be glad to receive any suggestions from your Honor on the subject, as also to learn the amount of money you think you would require during the current year.—l have, &c., “Julius Vogel.”