ROADS AND EDUCATION.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3211, 29 May 1871, Page 3

ROADS AND EDUCATION.

to the editor of the independent.

Sir, — In a letter of mine which you inaorfced laafc month, I expressed a conviction thafc ifc was desirable to have the affairs of the province well adminiatered, notwithstanding tho additional expenditure which an efilcient administration would probably create.

I am glad to see that the new Executive entertain a similar opinion, and that they have ■ventured to inaugurate progressive measurea which will put new lifo and vigor into the province, and onable it to compete with other provinces in the General Assembly.

The government of thia province haa cost of late yeara bufc little money ; but on the other hand, it haa cost much in political and aocial progresa, which has been retarded by weak and inefficient legislation. The new taxea which are proposed will fall heavily on somo aefctlera, the majority, however, can well afford to pay them : nnd the minority who are now in a great measure wanting employment will find an improved labor market when the proposed taxes are expended on public worka. Who haa not feft the pressure of hard timea during the last few years ? Yet the evil of which so many complain has developed a BCOreof new aud valuable induafcries in thia province, and called forth an enterprise which was not dreamt of in former years, when money waa abundant, and people thought that land, produce, and labor would be perpetuated at fictitious prices. Compare the cargo of one of last year's ahipa wifch fchafc of one that sailed from here fivo yeara ago, nnd the compensating advantage of hard times will be apparent, Many settlers, indeed, have achieved as much prosperity in the hard timea as they enjoyed in the good ; but then they did nofc, like fche Provincial Government, wait for tho turning of the tide, and allow their business to fall into disorder and confusion. Now, at last, cne may hopo to see enterprising and progreaBive people aided by an enterprising and progressive Executive.

The present Government will, I am euro, have the support of all intelligent aefctlera in fche province to carry their proposed measures, bufc they will meet with opposition from another class, who, being altogether ignorant; of the advantages of good government, will nofc pay for ifc without compulsion. The large suma aponfc annually by it on delefcerioua beverages Bhows, however, fchat the members of ifc aro in a position to pay for the advantages which an intelligent government designs to confer upon them.

I am pleased to sec that large road districts are contemplated. They will bo able to construct roads more efficiently thnn fche littlo road boards, now scattered oasis like over the province. For example, a road leading from the Hutt runs to the top of a hill overlooking Pahautanui, and there stops. Were thia road continued another four milea, a saving of fifteen mileß would be effected in the journey between the East and Weet Coast districts. When largo'diafcricfc boards are eatabliahed, thia and similar undertakings will become practicable.

With regard to the Education Bill, of wbich you have given an abatracfc, I scarcely expect it to meet wifch serioua opposition, fche principles of ifc being so sour.d, so simple, and so well adapted to our wanfcß. Yeara ago, I believe, fche religious difficulty disunited the town and country in fche cauae of education, to the manifest; injury of both. The town of Wellingfcon, well provided with Sunday schools, was anxious for religioua instruction in the Government schools, while the country districts which were badly provided wifch them, were really tho placea where the anxiety should bave existed. The town lost the benefit of Government aid, and the country districts in many inatancea were deprived of any chance of obtaining the slightest amount of religioua training for their children. From long experience as a country district teacher, I am convinced that religioua inetruction, within certain limits, ia almoat essential for the country schools ; and I wiah that the various religious denominations in Wellington would agree among themselvea to aome simple course of Scripture reading or teaching, which would be suitable for both town and country achoola. In conclusion, I wiah hia Houor fcho Superintendent, aud Meaara Bunny and Halcombe, the Buccess they deserve in their present enterprises j and I look forward fco seeing the province, through their inßtrumontality, iv a far higher position than it now occupies, or has yefc occupied.--! am, &c,

Maoistee.

Pahautanui, 25th May, 1871