THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1899.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11400, 18 April 1899, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1899.

The birth of a, university college at Wellington is an event of no mere pproI ohisd or provincial importance. I'ho ! establishment in tho centre of tins ! e:;!ony of an-institution which will offer n.rUviiitages of university education to i li'.o youug men and women of Weliing- ; toil, 'Parana ki, Hawke's Bay, and Nelson similar to those that are enjoyed in other portions of New Zealand is an occurrence upon which the whole colony may be felicitated. Until the present time a fourth part of our population has been condemned to the lack of educational privileges of the highest value. It is surely gratifying to the colony generally that that disability should now bo removed. Wellington has had its patience sorely tried in its appeal for a recognition of its claims to be a centre of university education. Thirty years ago an agitation was commenced on the subject. Nearly 20 years age a Royal Commission which was appointed to inquire into and report upon the operations of the University of New Zealand and its relations to tho secondary schools of the colony recommended the establishment in Wellington and in Auckland (which had not then got its university college) of institutions which should be affiliated to the University of New Zealand. The com-

mission was composed of gentlemen of tho highest repute in our eihica' tionnl world, tbo late Mr Gisborno, the lato Mr Cuttcn, Sir James Hector, Sir Maurice O'Rorke, the Hon. J. A. Tole, Dr Wsillis, the late Rev. W. J. Habens, Professor Mncmillfin Brown, Professor Cook, Professor Sale, Professor Shand, Professor "Ulrich, the late Dr Macdonald, the Rev. W. E. Mulgaii, and the Hon. C. C. Dowen being members of it. Some of tho witnesses who gave evidence before that commission expressed the belief that the cost of the establishment of university colleges in Wellington and Auckland would be disproportionate to the advantage to be gained. The comment of tbo commissioners upon that objection was as follows: " That the cost would bo considerable is undoubtedly true, but it is equally true that the advantage to bo derived is almost incalculable. Not only would those students who now leave home for tho purpose of obtaining a university education obtain equal advantages at far less expense, but there would be an increase, such as it is almost impossible to foresee, in the number of students who would seek the advantages of a university education if that education were brought home to their own doors." That comment applies with the same force now in justification of the establishment of a university teaching institution in Wellington as it applied in 1880 in answer to the short-sighted objection that " the game was not worth the candle." At so recent a date as 1894 a somewhat similar objection was raised in Parliament to the creation of a university college in Wellington. The Hon. John M'Kenzie, never dreaming that his own halfbrother would be one of the first professors of that college, expressed the opinion that <: we have at the present time quite sufficient universities in New Zealand for the population we have got." Two university colleges in New Zealand, the lion, gentleman thought, would do very good work. So they would, and so they have done in the past, but it must be evident that with a widely scattered population such as there is in New Zealand, the existence of university colleges in Dunedin and Christchurch was of no benefit whatever to struggling youthc resident in tho North Island thirsting for the advantages of the higher education, but debarred by considerations of distance and expense from obtaining them; With a university college established at their doors, as one has been in Auckland for somo years, and another now in Wellington, these young people are enabled to enjoy educational advantages which were formerly forbidden to them. On tho sordid ground of commercial value itself this is a fortunate circumstance. Sir Robert Stout, to whom more than !o any other person is due the establishment of the Victoria College in Wellington, referred to this aspect at the inaugural ceremony last week. "The problems of the future," he pointed out, "would not be solved without the aid of men of culture, and the only hope for democracy and for our social life lay in having the. highest education possible given to our youths, and our education was incomplete and lop-sided as it existed to-day." On every ground, however, the establishment of a university college at Wellington affords matter for congratulation. The specialisation of certain; features 'in the course is a subject which will yet have to be settled by the University Coxincil in Wellington. At our own institution in Dunedin the faculties of mining and medicine are specialised, and at Christchurch the faculties of engineering and agriculture are similarly treated. It would bo disastrous to duplicate any of these special features in the colony, and Sir James Hector, bearing in mind the advice given him many years ago by Sir George Grey in regard to university education to "give something tangible, something . practical—not mei'ely abstract work, but something solid," —has suggested the specialisation in Wellington of • the faculties of law and technology—not medicine and technology as was erroneously stated in a paragraph from a Wellington paper reproduced by us yesterday. This question of the specialisation of particular features of 'the work of the college will, we may rest assured, be wisely .dealt with by the authorities. The Victoria College has now started on 'its career with promising lists of students, even if it is without a permanent home and even if its endowmennts are at present inadequate, and we wish it eveiy success. The new policy of colonial expansion to which the United States now stands committed forms the text of an article from tho pen of Lord Brassey, which has been simultaneously published in the Australian and American, editions of the "Review of Reviews."- Lord Brassey ventures 3io- direct opinion concerning the probable effect of *.'he policy upon the United fotafces >t:;elf, but, strong Imperialist as he is, he allows the conclusion to be plainly drawn that he sees in the annexation of the Spanish West Indies and Philippines none of the "burden'"' which Rudyard Kipling appeals to the Republic to accept when he calls upon its people "to wait in heavy harness on fluttered folk and wild"— " its now-caught, suflen peoples, half devil and half chile*." Opcm the material advantages to the world svi large of the new departure Lord Brassey lays emphatic stress. 'V'le resources of the captured islands, hitherto oppressed and neglected, viU be opened up as the result of the introduction, of ample supplies of capital. Useful public works will bo constructed, More perfect appliances and machinery will, he made available, and better methods of cultivation will be employed. " A vast trade," Lord Brassoy believes, "will certainly grow up, in which a.-, nations, wul Great Britain in particular, will }>nroicip«.tn." It is anticipated that the United States will not adopt the sum? system <>{■ administration in its *-w«< i*w:ently-acquired dependencies. A government on «.- popular basis will in -'ill probability ?oe formed in Cuba, where it ir, not intended that the military occupation shail be permanent, hui; the Philippines are not in a condition fit to receive such a liberal Constitution. The introduction of European oivilisatioii -rill be the work of time, and. until ttie opportunity for it r> created, sufficient military forces will have to lift n.MJntiiincd in the islands in order to support the Government, which, i--. is suggested, should be formed after the mode! qi' a British Crown colony. Lord Brassey 'j'.aipis for the colonial administration of Great- Britain that it h?.s been in t!.ie ■viaui eminently successful. How, he asks, has <;his success been nehievoc! ? He supplies the. answer in this passage: "In dealing with the Enrfish-speaking colonies, created by the

■Gttiement Ot emigrants rrom me iuuwci .;■ . : :ou!itry in savage and practically un- ', icoplod lands, the secret of success has I nib in tho early and timely devolution | .. >! authority in all local affairs. When, I '; iowever, we turn from colonies acquired 1 J d_Y settlement to those inhabited by na- ( lives or alien races, and acquired by con- I ? :juest, the method of self-government is I -■ lot applicable. . The enlightened despot- <'~ '. ism of a. Crown colony o»n alone securo \,' thp maintenance of order, the develop- I - : inent of material resources, and general :'".. social progress." With regard to the self-governing colonies Lord Brasscy -: quotes Mr Dicey's observation that tho .V. colonial Legislatures are, within their • •■•.■■. own sphere, sovereign bodies, their freedom of action being controlled only by tncii1 general subordination to the; Parliament ol Great Jiritain, and he shows that the same liberal principles which hiive marked the '■ relations of the Imperial Parliament with these colonies : ; have also been observed in her dealings •' with her Crown colonies. The lessons of the unhappy American Rebellion have ;';■ been taken to heart, and the mother country has never laid any of her *de- j l pendencies under contribution, art the ;. ' resources of the, Crown colonies being applied to meet local wants. "It lias , been a large and liberal principle, tho > good results be,ing attested by the rapid ;. advance in wealth <md trada, pnd by the loyal feelings which preva'l equally in overy part of tho Empire." Lord Brassey pays a warm tribute to the class of men whom Great Britain has Gen* out as her administrators in her colonies—> men stirred alike by on honourable ambition for fame and by a patriot-'* sense of duty. The administration of *.'l tha ] British settlements and colonies was,\m <./ their earliest stages, i'O reminds us, I generally entrusted to officers^ of the V navy and army, who have admirably j discharged their .duties until i.he- tima 1 was felt to be opportune for the ap- ' >. pointment of. civilian officials. .The.^inwd !■ ■ of Lord Brassey, himself one "of rho ' . !' • most successful of colonial Governors, ■ upon the functions of a Governor are of; j interest. In a Crown colony, of course* <:■ the Governor is personally Charged with }■■ tho duty of administering th? Government. The case of a nominated Gor vernor iv a self-governing colony is veiy different, for he is " not only a very limited monarch, but a limitp.d monarch who comes from outside his kingdom and is not the choice of his subjects.". Two1 leading principles are laid clown by Lord Brassey as necessary to he ever kept iv view. They ore negative rules of, conduct: The first is that a, Governor "must do nothing to interfere with tho right of the majority of colonists to choose their own administrators and ; freely control their own iffairs." In tho second place, "he must d<\nothing to weaken f,he lin£v which . binds the J. . i colony to the mother country"—"th" silken bonds of mutual pride and affec-r i tion," as Lord Brassey puts it in another part of his paper, ''which hare become ' not weaker, but stronger and more enduring with the concessions co wisely made of plenary power over local affairs." .The first of these principles is perhaps not stated with sufficient fulness, because although the greatest free- .'j dam is granted to colonists in the man- •;.. agement of t'neii" wa affairs there are certain qualifications imposed by the Constitution to the rights of self-govern-ing colonies, and the acts of the majority of colonists must be strictly constitutional, just, as in all local affairs the Governor's, public acts must be strictly constitutional! On all Imperial questions, on foreign relations, on the strength, of the Empire, 'and even upon local matters until public opinion is ripe, for parliamentary action, the Governor may'make some revelation of what is passing through his mind. Outside the sphere. of politics, "(me Governor 'md his family have, as Lord Brassey observes, large opportunities. It is according as a Governor embraces or neglects these opportunitit"". thai; he becomes popular in his colony or the reverse. The observations which ho offers upon th« auestion of British colonial administration are submitted to the Government of the TJnited States by Lord Brassey «s a guide to them ifi the solution of their new problem. J.u his concluding paragraph he adopts the prophet's -mantle: "if v?e look- t" the ■ future it is not, perhaps, an idlp dream to conceive of a federation which will embrace all English-speaking peoples. Such-a federation Till exert an indisputable ascendancy in every quarter,of the globe. It "will combine the energies of the youngest and most powerful members of the family of nations with the . splendid traditions and as yet unexhausted energies of its venerable mother." ■ ;■•■■". sagggga^Ba'imßßi-i-'^J ■ . - Dr Thomas Burns was the victim of a very serious and cowardly assault at a very early hour this morning. As lie was entering tho gate of his residence a man about 6ft in htight sprang out from behind the hedge, and. for some reason. unknown, struck tho doctor a heavy blow on the temple. The blow stunned him for a moment, but he at once turned on his assailant, who, however, escaped in the darkness. The police are investigating the matter. ' The civil case, M'Phoe v. Wright, Stephenson, and Co., was resumed at 10 o'clock at the Supreme Court yesterday before his Honor Mr Justice Pennefathor. Three witnesses were called for the defence—viz., John Wrkht, William Hay Morton, and Frederick Oldham. The last witness was under crossexamination at 5.20, at which time an ad' journment was made, as it was becoming too dark in court for the examination of samples by experts. Mr Hosking intimated that ho should not call all the export witnesses he had ■ intended to call, but that when the evidence of two others had been taken the case would he closed. Counsel'expressed the hope that thu evidence would be completed in the morning, and the case closed before the court rises to-morrow evening. ,■■■■.■ The case Howell v. the Queen is to be. taken at.ths Supreme Court on Wedue&day, butowing to the length of time M'P'licc^ v. Wright, Stephenson, and Co. has occupied^ the other cases set down for this wesk are -\ not likely to be heard. His Honor will, however, hold another sitting in Chambers, probably on Saturday next. The man whose body was found in the bush near Mount Cargill appears to have mot with the mournful fate of ending his days as "a stranger in a strange land." From ilie evidence which was given at the inquest yesterday, it would appear that the man was either a Spaniard or a Portuguese. He could not speak a word of English. He came hero as a sailor in an American ship some throe months ago, and although kindly treated by the. captain, a witness stated that from what could be gathered the crew dealt somewhat harshly with him owing to their inability to make him understand them. He.ran away from the ship while she was in the harbour, but the want of food caused him to return. The captain received him well, and put him to work, but he deserted again, and after tho ship had sailed was found sleeping out of doors and suffering from the want of food. A lady connected with the Sailors' Rest did something to alleviate his condition, but six weeks ago he disappeared, and the next that was heard of him was that his body was found in the dense bush near "Mount Cargill. He had evidently kindled a fire near the spot, but no food was found in his possession. The police have been unable to ascertain liiu name. Another information has been laid against tho Dunedin Jockey Club, and the ease is set clown for hearing on Thursday. It charges an offence on tho part of the club in advertising that money for investment wduld be received at tho town offica. ■

! Au assault case, in which a I'liool teacher :/in tho Milton District High School figured as '..'.! the plaintiff, engaged the attention of Mr ' Hawkins, S.M.. ill Millon yesterday. Tho ■ j ovidencu wont U> show Hint the complainant j' was punished by the defendant for beating the . i hitter's child at school. In giving his do- ".'■■) cisiou in the case, his Worship spoke very ..'■'j strongly in condemnation of the practice of j teachers having recourse to corporal pmiish- '•') ment, except in cusoh where grave morel of- '■■? fences had been coinlnitted; and then, lie '>' said, punishment should only he iniiicled by .■,'J tho allowance of the head master. As rci nurds the assault, his Worship held that it was ;f not justified and imposed a small Jim;, stating '.:$ that he thought the caso should not have boon | pressed, in view of the defendant having hold I out the olivo branch of peace after the oc- | currence. 3 The estiilo (comprising 913 acres) and niau--8 sion of tho late Hon. W. .1. M. Larnach, j5 known us, " The Camp," on tlioPeninsula, was 'i| offered for nalo by auction yoUcrday by Mr 'i Waller Hislop, at tins rooms of Jlessrn Sicv- % wright Bros, and Co. A bid of £10.000 was ;g made by Mr-S. Solomon, whereupon Mr HisI lop said, that with that sum to start with, ho | would accept advances of £1000. No fmihor I offer was forthcoming, and tho auctioneer anI nouneed that the property could he treated 1 for privately. | A case in which Charles M'Veigh, tho hceu--1 see of tho Club Hotel, at Kaitangatu, was I shargod, on threo informations, witli a breach I af the licensing law, was dealt with by Mr R. I S. Hawkins nl Milton yesterday. The case .3 arose through an athletic, club holding n I smoke concert in the hotel, at which liquor | was alleged to havo boon consumed after the "! closing hour. Tho defendant, it appeared, I had obtained a document signed by two members of the licensing committee, which lie .; thought gavo him permission to allow tho consumption of liquor lifter 11 o'clock at tho concert. His Worship, however, hold that • tho document was a perfectly mil' paper, and : fined the defendant for allowing liquor to be consumed in the- premises after 11. Mr N- | Paterson (counsel for tho defendant) intimated J his intention or appealing against tho decision. ' Captain Strang, who for tho past two and a-half years linu been acting as marine super- ! .intentlent of Hie Union Company, in place of j' Captain Cameron, has been appointed traveli ling marine superintendent for New Zealand, Australia, and Tasmania. Tho work has increased of iale so much, particularly in Tasmania, that though Captain Cameron has now resumed his duties it is found necessary to appoint an assistant. AVellington will be Captain Strang's headquarters. He leaves for Sydney in a fortnight. 'rli^South Dunedin, Borough Council spent about tnree-quarlers of an hour last night in discussing a motion tlm the corporation plumber bo employed to inspect and keep in repair all the water taps in the borough. When all the councillors had spoken, some of them on three or four occasions, the mayor sprung a surprise upon the meeting by ruling that the discussion was wholly out of orderly as notico of motion was necessary. This ruling was .derided by several councillors, and after a w»rm argument his Worship smilingly said he would "put the motion for the fun of the thing." The motion, it may be mentioned, was carried. M? D. i 3. Kutton, who for a number of yoar3 hoc been assistant teacher in the Dunedin School of Alrt, has been appointed director of the Wanganui Technical School. When some months ago applications were invited for the position, Mr Hutton was one of the candidates, but at the jast moment it was decided to reappoint the previous Holder of the position. That gentleman having resigned, the Wanganui Education ■Board, without calling for fresh applicants, offered the position to Mr Hutton, who lias forwarded his accoptanoe. This is a compliment of which Mr Hutton has every reason lo be proud.

Llie dispute between the Railway department and tin- New Plymouth Harbour Board lias been brougiit to a head by tiie General Manager or Railways giving notice to the Union Company that after May 1 passenger trains will only run to the road crossing at the foot of the breakwater, and that the working of the goods traffic between Now Plymoiith and tlio breakwater will cease. This slep is of serious import to the district. The effect o? vne stoppage of railway traffic on the wharf will be thai the department will refuse ij carry goods booked for shipment beyond the New Plymouth station, and will only accept incoming goods from that station, to which places the Harbour Board will have to carry thorn! vJndcr these circumstances; it is pointed out that the New Plymouth Board will endanger its goods traffic, which will probably be diverted to "Waitara.

A novel fact, has come to/>ur knowledge (says a contemporary) in connection with the Old-age Pensions. In the small settlement of Takaka, in the Nelson Province, an old settler and his daughter have both qualified for, and are in receipt of, pensions. The father is 95 years of age, and the daughter must be over 65J We very much doubt if there is a parallel ease to this in the colony. . ■It is understood that Sergeant O'Neill will assume the duties of his new position at Invoreargill about the end of the week. The sub-inspector appointed to hold office in Dunedin is expected here in the course of a few days. Three cases of drunkenness were brought before Messrs A. Mercer and F. Meenan, the presiding justices, at the City Police Court yesterday. In one case the accused was a first offender, and, not appearing, was fined the amount of hi? bail, 10s. George Brooker was fined ss, or 24- hours' imprisonment; and a charge against Herbert Metford was remanded till next Monday. In this case the sergeant explained that Metford had been drinking heavily for some days, and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. The sergeant did not think he would be able to appear before a week's time. The Berlin correspondent of the Morning Leader give 3 currency to a story that the Russian Government has ordered an amended form of the fifth Commandment to be taught in the elementary schools in Russian Poland. The amendment takes the form of a supplement, which runs, "and show respect and obedienco to the ruling monarch and his officials." Instructions have beon issued enjoining school teachers to pay particular attention tc this, and to Fee that all children learn Hie revised Commandment and repeat it. The new programme at the Waxworks by the sterling Vaudeville Company appearing there has "caught on." Last night everything in the varied programme was encored. '' Quiet Apartments," the concluding item, ■creates great merriment. _ +- Messrs Park, Reynolds, and Co. will to-mor-ww continue the sale of bicycles. Mr H. S. Valentine will sell to-day household furniture, piano, etc. Nominations of candidates to represent Ravensbourne Ward in the West Harbour Borough Council close at noon on Wednesday 26th inst. Messrs Dalgety and Co., in conjunction with ;ho National Mortgage and Agency Comrjany, will sell sheep and horses at Glenkenich station on Monday, 25th inst. The Licensed Victuallers' Association invite competitive designs for an efficient and safe This evening Mr Alfred H. Burton will adopt for the fifth of his " Evenings With Great Authors" the subjects (among others) of ' British Patriotism" and "The English Rustic," as illustrated by readings from Tenuyoon, Carlyle. George Eliot, Rudyara Kipling, Thomas Hardy, Newbolt, and others. John Hrsr.oi'. eldest established Watchmaker and Jeweller, 74 Princes street. Good assortment Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles suit all sights.—Advt. G. and T. Young, Jewellers, Princes street, are making a special display of goods suitable for Wedding and Birthday Presents, and offer exceptional value. Repairing and manufacturing by skilled workmen.—Advt. Carter and Co. have just landed ex Papaiuii their third shipment new drapery. Grand variety; lowest prices. Try Carter and Co.— idvt. M-o-s-t R-el-i a-b-l-e! For punctual time iry Peter Dick, Watchmaker and Jeweller, opposite Coffee Palace, Moray place, Dunedin. Charges strictly moderate.—Advt. Massagk and Electricity.—Air and Mrs E>. Edwin Booth, Massage Institute, Stuart street, Dunedin.—Under" the patronage of the wedical gentlemen of Dunedin.