The Week in Review

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 21, 26 May 1909, Page 1

The Week in Review

Presidential Colleges. y“DIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERLA NOR in the course of his speech 1 J at the laying of the foundation / atone of the new Patteson memorial wing at St. John’s College, touched on the question of residential colleges. In speaking of the proposed extensions at St. John’s he said: —“I am confident that if those who believe in the Combination of the old phrase ‘a scholar and a gentleman’ come forward and generously support the building fund, we shall soon have here a residential college connected with Auckland College, which will go far to advance in honour and usefulness higher education in this Dominion. Auckland College is increasing in numbers and usefulness, and so Soon as the serious drawback from which they are at present suffering, due to wretched housing, can be removed, it will advance more rapidly still- It is full time, then, that there should arise some residential establishment in connection With it, where the students (like those at Home) can have the enormous advantages of an atmosphere of religious, scholarly and cultivated surroundings. ■No man, whatever his religious belief, »r even want of belief, is the worst of Buch an atmosphere, whilst to 99 out of every 100 it is a moral and material asset secured to them for the rest of itheir life.” He went on to refer to ths residential houses erected and about to be built in Wellington and Dunedin, and Spoke of the ancient traditions and high ideals that clustered round the residential colleges of other lands. ’J*. College Life. His words were well-timed, because Undoubtedly the one defect in our otherwise excellent system of higher education is the lack of residential colleges. To an Oxford or Cambridge man the College U more important than Uib University. It is the College arms that appow on the wonderful fire screens that his owa or somebody else’s sister works for the decoration of his rooms, and ho always says that he was at Trinity or new, or whatever his college was, rather than that he was at Oxford or Cambridge. The degree itself Is not a mat-

ter of so much moment as having been at a good college, and many a man would soon take a pass degree from Trinity or King’s, than an honour degree from those smaller places, bo irreverently nick-named ‘Cats* and ‘Pothouse.’ For it is realised that the value of tradition and ideals is far greater than the value of a degree. In after years we forget much of our book learning. We gladly lay aside our Xenophon and our Caesar and “Pabey’s Ghost,” but we remember the river and the playing fields, the social breakfasts and coffee after hall, the unwelcome little notes from the Senior Dean, the friendships we formed and the heroes we worshipped, and in later times, when life’s path is steep, we like to dwell on those unrivalled days when all the world was young and every bough was green. As far as the intellectual life goes, it is safe to say that a New Zealand B.A. stands as high or higher than the pass degree of the older universities, but in the subtle, elusive charm of college life our non-residential colleges are sadly lacking. A Famous War-horse. It has not infrequently happened that a war-horse has become almost as famous in history as a great general. Buchephalus is as well known as Alexander the Great, and in New Zealand, Major, the valuable charger of Colonel Porter, has had quite a noted niche in our annals. His death from the effects of a severe chill has caused deep regret to many hundreds of South African contingenters, who remembered his remarkable career during the war. His history is thus given by a correspondent of the “Napier Daily Telegraph”:—‘The Dominion’s contribution to the remount horses Bent to South Africa during the war numbered 10,000, and of this large number Major was the only one that returned to New Zealand, after escaping all the hardships of campaigning and the deadly sicknesses peculiar to South Africa. During his campaigning ho treked through the Portuguese territory from Beira to Rhodesia, and Kimberley, Orange River Colony, Transvaal, Natal, Zululand, and Cape Colony, during which he was twice wounded —once in the knee

and once in the shoulder—but otherwise was never once on the sick lines.. The wound in the knee nearly caused his being destroyed, as, being on trek, all disabled horses had to be shot rather than be left to the enemy. In the evening the veterinary officer reported ho must be shot, but Major was given until the morning, by which time the bullet, which had lodged in the joint, worked out, and so saved his life. The wound in the chest was from a long range, and the bullet did not penetrate beyond the bone, from whence it was cut out; so he escaped again. On another occasion, during an engagement against General Botha, the orderly in charge, after Col. Porter had dismounted with his men, left Major in an exposed position for several hours, during which he received several bullet scratches.” Major subsequently visited London, and took part in the coronation procession, and has been lately at Gisborne, where he died after a truly remarkable career. JU George Meredith. Meredith was one of those to whom fame came late. His first book appeared at the same time as Tennyson’s “In Memoriam,” but more than 30 years elapsed before the general verdict gave him a place with the immortals. This was no doubt due partly to this style, which, though brilliant, was often obscure. There was also a certain contempt for humanity in Meredith’s temper—the contempt of the superior person who despises the vulgar average. But he occupied a position which was unique and conspicuous. He was the most intellectual of English novelists, and appealed to the ear of discriminating culture. In many respects he resembled Landon, who possessed undoubted genius, and was in the strictest sense a great writer, yet failed t ogain popular fame because he had neither the instinct nor the will to address himself to popular taste. But those who love Meredith’s work, if few, are select, and he will always be a favourite with those who like something deeper in their fiction than a mere story cleverly told. , Immigration. The Home papers inform us that Canada is less seught after than formerly as a field for emigration, and that the present trend is towards New Zealand. The figures in regard to Canada are somewhat startling. Last year the departures to that country were only 81,211, ae against 151,216 in 1907, while the influx to New Zealand constituted a record. Inquiries about Canada at the Emigrants’ Information Office, in London, fell off 54 per cent for the year, while those about New Zealand increased G 5 per cent. There can be nod oubt that our Dominion is at present the favoured country, and this fact makes it more than ever desirable that we should be careful as to the class of people obtaining assisted passages to this country. IVo want population, but it must be population of the right sort, and any attempt of the useless class to reach our shores through the kind offices of our Government should be prevented. Several cases have been mentioned lately in which young men have resorted to all kinds of trickery to reach the Dominion as farm hands—men who know

nothing of the work, and who are quite unfitted for colonial life. One English paper pertinently remarks: —“We have no right to foist our unemployed off on New Zealand in this way—no more right than Russia has to dump her unemployed down on Eondon and Manchester. Hie minority of the Poor Law Commission advocates that -the problem of emigration should be dealt with by the Government experts, who would take care that men emigrating should neither be misled by interested shipping agents, nor should mislead the colonies into thinking that they are capable of adding to the productive power, whereas they would merely add to the density of unemployment. New Zealand has certainly some claim on our consideration.’’ Prison Reform. Both Sir Joseph Ward and Dr. Findlay haxe expressed themselves very strongly as being in favour of some measure of prison reform The Premier stated the New Zealand system was 20 years behind the English system, and the English system itself has been frequently condemned as being behind the times. He pointed out that present we failed to effect reform, and lie said that the Government intended bringing its present system up to date by closing the small goals, by making the reformation of the prisoners a principle purpose by making prisoners more self-supporting without coming into competition with free labour, by classifying the gaols, and by establishing reformatory farms where lads, young men, and first offenders would be taught the farming in dustry, and made competent farm hands. Such a long list of projected reforms shows that the Government is in earnest over the matter, and everyone will hope that the programme will be successfully carried out. It used to be thought that the infliction of heavy sentences was the best deterrent to crime, and time was when the theft of any sum over five shillings was a capital offence. But we have now come to see that we must not merely punish; we must also try to reform, nnd that it is more useful to the State to turn a criminal into an honest man than to incarcerate him for a lengthy period at the public expense. One of the most important features of prison reform is the classifying of offenders. Under our present system all classes of criminals ure herded together indiscriminately, and many who might be reclaimed emerge from prison at the expiration of their sentences hardened criminals. A more difficult problem is presented by the fact that the innocent are often made to suffer with the guilty. When a husband is sent to gaol the wife and family are deprived of their breadwinner, and they have to support themselves ns beat they may. If prisoners could be employed on some form of remunerative work, it might be possible to make provision for those dependent on them. It is poor justice that throws a largo part of the punishment for wrong-doing on thane who have done nothing to deserve it. W*ags»«i Old Boys' Association. Few of ire ever forget rnr old school, with Us many memories of pastime and ■work, and its friendship* that so often last through life. 'lke Wanganui Collegiate School Old Boys' Association is

Im tf the fc-gesf areccA’.fctn cd Its kind tn New Zealand. and H *erre» to keep in tcxxh with meh echer these utea have passed through thia famous estatkafaxat. Is tfa annual report ise-jed recently wentioe is wxde cf the fact tfat at tfa fast Easter H-su» ever M’? Old Beys were presest frvm all parts cl tfa DmfamMß, and tie t-ld Boys hare urdertake® to tea&i tfa new sefaed chapel towards »lni they base already re wd tie sum cl &.SSM. Tfa repeat ee<ta_ss the feuewing tribute to Mr. Ewpoen, the Ute headmaster:—“Mr. Empseu. who has « kwg reigned ever tie dessiae* cf cur old reboot, has resig&ed the rvias ci c&ee. after a perkd cf 25 years' sersim—a sen <e coveted to the rebec; u»d to tie toys esiiieKed to his* cure, and fast: ng :vt«i tto® the l : g*- psfateple® aid strength ci efaracter which it may be sari are the key-sotes cf the i3fstft=sl.<a Tec ntEch cannot fa said of tie (Treat .xto.ee which is fas exerted ever a_. C-*- Be.'s. to«h at sebosl aid tn their every -Uy ..,’e>. a to to tfaa «e think is wttrifatstoo tie record gatfarixg of CSd Feys at Easier time. a gatfarisg speafairtcj* »« it was reasarfable. aid a trsfaie tc the personality cf their c'd 1- - S t: t't s ■: a is*..rd tae ceep deet si gratitude which aii ef ass owe to Mr. rg-tws and ear ve.y d**; regret at s.s derartureAaehland and Weilisgvca. Hciaee lei's as .< nis first satire that evervewe is - -lined w apcixwd a.is i»eibur's kt- The seLiter ernes the merdsas.t. tie nrerxfaEt the se*dtor, the dxe-Ler ilie i.-t. sgis tor tie «»x---tsv. ato tot peasant toxgs tor me ptoxt'lrss s'f tie town. Mr Frank Merten, state few SM-rtis ago came up to- Aselkafa freat We'tongtcs, and v-s extasstastie ore* tie ui.rr.y adrsatages ef the Nerthers e-.xy. He says that tor tae past few days ie has had a visiter totm A’Jeklito staying wiia I—si is We-~_sg-tec. aac i_s fnexsi is etfaaLly ecavinec-d cf the e-pe—<~'.ty cf tie soatherw tew®. Tt> eenre tc tVelizgie* after ary laag rv-jien.e _a AackUto,” he sai-. “is sa as c~e ease to- life after a Uag aw«a m stme Kizhre vanls cf hoMCL At-A'rtsd is a esty cf oat street. If ita ye»:yie areas sac-re prcepere-» jast are t'ax araze cf year 'Welisgtcxiax-s dci 15 is Merely toeatsse the A- :klxi-is.-s take t in jr.sl stere nteekly. Amklxtic is a I 't street ail a set cf sleeyy sshsrts. SV ; -..'. .rj-cr: .- a nty. When I re atest t" :se stievt-- szi see tie vicrating Lie fa there, I tog.n to feel rey bleed etlr ngafa. Tie T - .- ngten pec tie are fail cf heart: tie A. laa-i pec tie have ao e -aerey I see see tie here ax . *■> mery rugea es tote Srs-iays. Yen cca't get that sect cf thiag fa Aaekfassi. Ne At'k'.in-toc ever walks a t_.le if he caa wi.t tor a irtx: always presided saat there .* a prciifacilty cf a tram, ee x. .-g al«sg w.ti_a a -xsck. 1 ito .t tie sane fa «<t-s-zem ■W»i_sgteffi reea cen'i slaw i> at. .t ato feel away tlzse: l et A cini at- -e o» the I tc 'e t't.it ary <U Sxwe will de. t-.t to: '- r.'. Ke Weifagtoa:’ Tie Shiilfag DtrA. C‘ * : *e x ifa fwtnres cf «sceUl life »-:• - •' i at tie essefieare ef the meal pre’-*! -i tor Mfcst * sure Fct we c- »«•'£ «c smh «f Ute that it reea wtß r t k» t— fe t: ••■'“tie sreptyfae ftx i «t th 1 * y-•«. !• to tekegraphed fre;. i'-fet z tha*. as a resalt cf tea iccare x=st resiaaraat.’ a kcal estaafaassess wwatk fas fafaerto sake & toat.*« cf a sKlicr lis-A hfa faareaae-i tie f re tc egateespeare. A: the sastc t-te * rival resti tratcar wrtre to tae fapers p<wct_cg ««C want fa regard* aa tic faeKrc_:j ci t-e coateaMg ma* *

ie fapcssibie tc reuke beth reds ureef re the me fast nhcllfag. “At the prerest tire*,** be state*. “ a restaumat prepewtcr is buyfag hi* seat at a k wer price tfas he ha* dcae fer years, bread, better. asd ether reerehaaiaMe befag cheap. As regwrds the cost cf the raw Material a caterer uses, that is as cheap te-day a* it fas here tor year*, aad the pries cf sea's sbreM uader Be eireuaostaaev* be raised. As regards tie Artetratire Ccurt award, I way say the wage-* are fair aad rvascaabfa, and the award fas put the eateriwg tiismes-* re a reweb 'setter footfag. It fas gree abrred tfat a private hotelkeeper a®d scree restaurart proprietors fare fad te- ray as saae® as £399 extra wages per anre ec *eecaat of the award. 1 fed pSeasesf. fadeed. to thfak that the award of the Court fas cwugss this dare cf sndivxfaa’, for, previews to the award, fa rewst fave paid siSerato; sweat'ag wages.’ Oci»iews see®: to vary a gecd deal as tc wfatier the cost ef Ifafag has maternity fa<reused er sot. fat the sA-ir'iry meu,' is so universally cstaHfafad tfat we fancy cc?y a very decided faerease fa the rest cf proTasMsaa asd wages xczii reecaeiie tie public to ptyiag a higher price. Gtrwsv axd Eug'ish Sailers. We are apt to thfak tfat la bxval warfare every ~a.gg dep-eaws «® tie fare asd Bnrefeer cf tie si-r-s. a»d we attach too little irepartaa*:e to the perscaael cf tie Meet. As lc-g as we fave Eng-lisi. su. Tors ■»e fare less to fear from feresga DresdBcqghts tfaa we -zaagise. The Lc’dc-a “Skipping Gaztire’ gives tie fcUcwlsg sicry w».seh Stostrates. the differesee b» tweea the Ge raw a sailors aad ear ewa. I; says:—“Ar artist ■'llk a sympatfatae brush Maty fcd a teflirg sisbjeet fa. tfa tragic inehieat rereeded ia ewneeticn with tie sinkisg ci tie Gersma sa..lirg slip Margretfa. A l the way freas l<-r - c~e she sad abeared hessewa-de with ®er aitrate etrge. Sic faj reaeied the Gersaa Cfaan, wfaa at sgit sfa was woawded to the death by a Norwegfaa eteaaer. Cs. beard tie Margretha were tie are-taras wife had ehSd. W'fatfar tie terecr-strtoke® srew fa.i lest wl sesse cf gxZUsiry er c-f pity we k*ew ac-t. He only knew tfat xiae of thfar hasher got fato cae of tie boats, asd that their fast view cf tie decks cf tfalr eld si r showed their ear-tai’ heJdise cut hfa Uttle ebiid avA .-’ry'-eveg thews tc sure It. They say the skip was st’kiag. that tier fe»~d sne weuM e-g’-li their Icat if they ass ssewr eac zgi tor t®e ehiU to re tested to them. We wnst. we swpyese, believe theaa. A&i, after a”, are tie sve» cf sise Gerwas aeareea *a tie heyday cf emfaeaee to re measured •gafast tfat ef a skipyere ehfld’ AU tie sa« we are scisskcw gUd to ra-itzc tfat they were zet Brifahere ts tax, heat. Had they beta they would fare saved tse o’-1-1 cr perished m the *»- texrjt-’