3

D.—6

when the railways now in course of construction are opened up, and the resources of splendid coal mines in the Nelson Province, on the West Coast, as well as Canterbury, Otago, and Auckland Provinces, are thoroughly developed, coals will be as plentiful and as reasonable in price as they are in the old country. Gold mining also gives employment to a large number of miners, and when the new company now being formed for working the apparently almost inexhaustible iron-ore deposits at Parraparra, Collingvvood, Province of Nelson, are got into working order, it will undoubtedly furnish employment for a great number of hands, and prove a source of great wealth to the colony. So also will the iron-sand upon the coast of Taranaki. CIVIL AND BELIGIOUS PEIVILEGES In the Colony of New Zealand are equal, if not superior, to our own. The colony is governed by English laws. Nearly all religious sects are represented. But there is no State Church; each denomination stands upon its own merits. This system is found to work admirably; there is more religious freedom and equality than there is in a country where priestcraft is predominant, and, as a consequence, the religious life is more healthy and vigorous. EDUCATION. The system for acquiring a good liberal education is easy, and within the reach of all. Wherever twenty-five children can be collected together a new school is erected and a schoolmaster appointed. Every householder residing within a radius of three miles from the school has to pay a rate or sum of £1 yearly, and a further sum of ss. for every child between the ages of six and thirteen years, till the number reaches four ; all in excess of that number will be schooled free. Thus by paying £2 a year a man can get the whole of his family educated, if they are ever so numerous. Then, as a stimulus to industry, there are prizes awarded every year to the successful competitor, so that to any lad possessing tact, energy, ability, and perseverance there is nothing to hinder his acquiring a college education ; and, indeed, he can rise from one post of honour to another till ultimately he may occupy the position of Prime Minister. PEOVISION FOE THE SICK, INFIEM, AND THOSE BEEEFT OF SEASON, Is made by the Government, in the erection and efficient maintenance of hospitals, benevolent institutions, and asylums These noble institutions are liberally supported, aud are a great blessing to the colony. THE FBANCHISE, OE QUALIFICATIONS GIVING A TITLE TO VOTE. Each owner of a freehold worth £50, or tenant householder—in the country at £5 a year, or in the towns at £10 a year rent—providing he is 21 years of age, is qualified to vote for, or to be a member of, tho House of Eepresentatives. CLIMATE. Much has been said and written with regard to the climate of New Zealand, but the general opinion is that it is one of the finest and healthiest in the world. I may say, however, that it is extremelyvariable. Probably the shape and position of the island go a long way towards explaining the changeableness of the climate. Extending over nearly 14 degrees of latitude, and of no very great breadth, the climate must of necessity be extremely variable. The temperature of New Zealand may be compared either with England or Italy, only with this difference, that London is 7 degrees colder than the North Island, and from 2 to 4 degrees colder than the South. In the North Island snow never falls, except in the southern extremity, and then it never remains any length of time. The ice is seldom thicker than a penny piece. In the South Island the winters are more severe than in the North. But you can form some idea of the New Zealand winter when 1 inform you that the trees are green all the year round, and the sheep and cattle live in the paddocks in the winter as well as the summer, so that the necessity for housing the cattle during the winter months does not exist, t scept in the extreme south of the island. The winds in spring and autumn are strong, and occasionally disagreeable, and rain falls as plentifully during the year as it does in Great Britain. Then, as New Zealand lies at the antipodes, rising up out of the Pacific Ocean, in the Southern Hemisphere, the sun goes round by the north, and the seasons are the reverse of those in England —thus spring commences in September, summer in December, autumn in April, and winter in June. The summers are longer in New Zealand than in England, although scarcely ever warmer, and the nights are always cool and refreshing. Then, as to time, they are a day in advance of us —thus, when it is Sunday morning in England, it is Sunday night in New Zealand. Obnoxious animals and venomous reptiles are conspicuous only by their absence. New Zealand is as free from them as is Ireland itself. LAND LAWS. Land is as yet easily accessible. Each province has its own land laws. Thus, in the Province of Otago, land can be purchased under the " hundred system," at £1 per acre. Then, the " deferredpayment system " I consider to be infinitely better for men with small capital. Under this system land can be purchased at 255. per acre, the payments to extend over a period of ten years, at 2s. 6d. per acre rent. Then, if a few other minor conditions are complied with, and at the end of ten years all payments having been duly made, the occupier can apply for a Crown grant, and the land becomes his own freehold property. In Otago alone, 30,000 acres are annually disposed of under this system, in 200-acre sections each. Canterbury has but one land law. All lands are sold at a fixed price of £2 per acre. This system has worked remarkably well, and, as a consequence, Canterbury is one of the most prosperous provinces. Lands are cheaper in Auckland Province. There first and second class lands are sold at 15s. and 10s. per acre, respectively. Third-class lands are sold at ss. per acre, or leased. Then they have the " deferred-payment system," a " special-settlement system," and also the