FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1871.

Dunstan Times, Issue 494, 6 October 1871, Page 2

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1871.

Dpnomixationalism is the ominously forbidding rock upon which the pro- ' posed Education Act will, in all pro'bahility be wrecked, or from whence •after hard struggles and wasting contention it will irretrievably drift into the shoals and shallows of deferred legislation. Unwisely burdened with the aided schools, reading the Bible, and conscience clauses, introduced as a matter-of expediency to conciliate diverse sectarian parties, rather than as essential elements of an honest, Godfearing enactment, it can be hardly expected to successfully contend against the adverse element of enlightened public opinion. Sailing under false colors, ostensibly basing their attempt at legislation upon a secular •system, and yet in reality resolving mpon a species of semi-denominalion-alism, bristling with incongruities, that would perpetuate in their worst form the erratic ideas of zealous but ill advised religionists, the originators of the Education scheme now under legislative consideration, have Rut themselves/to blame if their cunningly ■devised, but unmanageable craft drifts helplessly away from from their control. Indeed, they seem already prepared for such contingency, and like unskilful navigators at the first omen •ofcoming trouble, are already on the * alert for a reasonable excuse to abandon their charge. At least some such

intention is foreshadowed by Mr. Fox’s declaration to the effect that if the Bill emerges from Committee in a mu tilated form, the Government would consider whether to proceed with it or abandon the idea-until public opinion is better formed. In fact from another pointof viewit is doubtfuleven whether any definite ifitention waseverarrived at to make the .proposed Act an accomplished purpose, duringthe present session of the General Assembly. One of the most important principles involved in the Act is the proposal to appoint a Mini -ter of Education, exercising almost supreme control over the educational institutions of the colony, To fulfil the functions pertaining to such office with becoming dig nity and efficiency, would require rare and exceptional qualities; ardent enthusiasm in the noble cause of science, scholarly ability and business tact and energy, fitted to guide, counsel, and control the varying opinions and wayward proclivities of a host of subordinate authorities. And yet a strong objection is made by the Government to this important position being held by other than a political officer. The Minister of Education must, forsooth, hold rank with the ordinary Jacks in office who sit on the Government benches. Clinging thereto with grim tenacity until an adverse turn of fortune’s wheel casts them out again, at the heels of the chief under whose banner they have for the time gained a fleeting prestige. Clearly in thus proposing to seek among the ordinary rim of political adventurers for a fitting recipient of high and responsible authority is displayed an insincerity of motive, a too evident desire on the part of Mr. Fox and his colleagues to trim their sails for political favor, rathe*- than an ■honest desire to promote the educational requirements of the people. If a Minister of Education is needed, let him be free from all political contingencies. A gentleman and a scholar ; chosen not for blind or interested adherence to the popular political creed of the hour. As for “ denominationalism ”, let the public, the enlightened unprejudiced public : express an opinion thereon with no uncertain soundintroduced in the Educational system, in whatever guise it may assume, it will prove an apple of discord, ever rolling and gathering around it bitter dissensions and fierce sectarian jealousies. The Presbyterian clergy of Otago, 1 not generally accredited with very en- i larged ideas of Christian Catholicity; did, when a new Education Act was : first proposed, strongly advocate the | permanent adoption of the present Otago ordinance, as an undenominational measure ; but they are now discussing what steps should be taken in the event of Clauses 53 and 54 being passed, so that they may obtain for the young connected with their Church a combined secular and religious education. Arguing with good i-how of reason ; as expressed at the recent meeting of the Glutha Presbytery; that as the Bill is purposely prepared to afford to Roman Catholics and to Episcopalians the full advantage of grants in aid, whereby they will be enabled to give a more extensive religious training according to their denominational peculiarities, it is unnecessary that Presbyterians, though favorable for the common good to an undenominational sys tern of education, should deny themselves the advantages purposely a fiorded to those other denominations, and which there is reason to believe will be largely embraced by them. ‘Which means, in short, that they will struggle persistently with all other denominations for a goodly share of the loaves and fishes. If the clauses referred to become law increased taxation for Educational purposes must inevitably result. Where one government school now suffices for the requirements of each district, +hree or four potty estabfishments will, in many instances, start into being; and, like a house divided against itself, our Educational system will be thereby enfeebled rather than strengthened. Avoiding at present all question as to the right of the State to interfere with the religion of the people, and taking a purely practical view of the matter, it is very evident that all necessary legislation will be accomplished by providing a national system pf secular education, rendering it compulsory on the public to support and ®se the schools ; but, leaving the question of religions education entirely in the hands of the local School Committees; the bodies who can beat give effect to the wishes of individual communities. That the Bill will emerge from Committee in a strangely altered guise is very certain. 'I he Superintendent of Nelson alone

dives notice of amendments if adopted which will virtually remodel the entire Act. luone respect he strikes well and boldly when he proposes to add the following proviso to sub section 2 of section 55':— H Provided that such re- “ ligious observance or instruction shall “ be practised orgiven only by direction “ or with the assent of the School Com “ mittee.

The return moved for by Mr. Mervyn has been published, showing in the amount collected in each "Province and County under the following heads : —Miner’s Eights, Business Licenses, Rents and Fees for Water Races, Sluices, &e., Gold Mining Leases. Rents and Royalties, Registration Fees, Miscellaneous Receipts, Fees and Fines Wardens’ Courts, Gold Dnty. The Return is incomplete. The figures are startling, and as far as the Otago Provincial Government is concerned, the mal-administration of the public funds thus accruing from the miners’ hard-won earnings is simply disgraceful. Otago shows a gross revenue of 40,520/., Westland, 31’597/. , Auckland, '27,9591. ; Nelson, 20,342/. ;] Marlborough, 531/. ; Southland, 200/. The grand total for the colony is 127,156/. For miners’ rights 19,025/. has been received, Otago’s share of -which is 5,913/., and gold duty 22,148/. Leases are 10,340/, of which Otago contributes 7,000/. Under tbe Leasing Regulations the following revenue received from business licenses tells its own tale;— Auckland, 40/.; Nelson, 3,700/.; Westland, 3,240/. ; and Otago, 1,085/, It has been suggested that an source of inconvenience at the Post-office might be easily obviated. A “too late” letter-box is required. It often happens, especially on a Sunday evening, when tbe mails are made up an hour earlier than usual, that letters are posted; by parties quite unconscious that the telegraph tune inside the office indicates past nine o’clock, and the letters consequently remain unforwarded until the despatch of the following mail. It must often happen that letters thus posted are of importance, and the waters averse to delay. On the other hand, in many instances, the delay for a day or two may bo immaterial. Now, if the “general” box were closed at nine or ten p.m., and the “too late” box opened, the public would know exactly what they were doing, and would have tbe choice of posting their letters too late, or forwarding them by other sources. It would probably be asking but in vain to request the Postmas-ter-General to cause telegraph time to be displayed outside tbe office ; but another hole in the wall would cost but a trifle, and would not materially deface the architectural beauty of the building. Tbe opening up of tbe coal mine by La Fontaine and party, in Cooper’s Gully, will soon be accomplished. The enterprising lessees of the claim have sunk four trial shafts through strata of white and yellow clay, varying in depth from thirty to forty feet, and in each have struck a seam of coal of fair marketable value. The shafts are in a direct line with each other, running due north, and in tbe last put down a thickness of six or seven feet of coal was opened; hut work had then to be suspended, on account of the excessive influx of water. The proprietors are now actively engaged in making a cutting at the foot of the gully, which will terminate in a drive leading direct to the coal seam, serving the double purpose of an outlet for water and for running out coal to tbe surface, thus obviating the tedious method of raising bags by rope and windlass. The catting is about five feet wide and fifteen feet deep at the point nearest the shafts, and already extends some hundred feet or more, and the clay taken therefrom appears to be of excellent quality. The most formidable undertaking in connexion with the works will be the construction of a dray track or tramway, whereby coal may be brought to the township; but this, like all other difficulties as yet encountered, will doubtless vanish before the untiring energy of tbe plucky Frenchmen. We believe the Committee appointed some time since to arrange with the Rev. W. IJ. Beck for the Monthly Services of tbeCburch of England will shortly make an appeal to the public for a moderate subscription, to defray accruing expenses. The sincere esteem freely expressed by all who have had the pleasure of listening to our reverend visitor, doubtless indicates that tbe appeal will be most cheerfully responded to. The Rev. J. Allan, from Wa'hola, one of the delegates from the Glutha Presbytery commissioned to inquire into Presbyterian Church matters in this district, preached to a large congregation in St. Michael’s Church on Sunday last. The Rev. Mr. Chisholm w r as also successful in meeting a good gathering at Black’s. It is presumed that they have fulfilled the object of their mission ; but some litt’e surprise has been expressed that they held no interview with the members of toe original C'yde Committee appointed to co-opsrato with the resident nr mater. Some misconception has evidently existed as to the exact cause or causes that led to their avithdrawal from office, which might have been satisfactorily explained had the information been asked for. Nearly twenty-four hours of steady rain, succeeded by bright sunshine, has nicely freshened up the gardens, and vegetation will now advance rapidly. From present appearances a bountiful fruit harvest may ho expected, and vegetables will be in abundance. The greater number of fruit trees planted this season aro all looking healthy, with the exception of peaches, which do not seem to take kindly to a strange soil. Apple, cherry, and pluni trees are covered with blooin; ’and the homely berry bushes give promise of a heavy yield. Vegetables are alrta ly sold cheaply, the market quotation for cabbage being a shilling per armful.

During the recent flooding of the Manuherikia and tributary creeks, some narrow escapes from drowning were experienced. Travellers on horseback had much trouble in crossing, even under the guidance of Experienced pilots ; and at the creek crossings pedestrians attempting to wade through at the usual fo-ding-plaees were only saved from the chance of drowning by the timely warnings of casual on-lookers. At the Spottisburn, the crossing was for a tiftie most perilous. The expense of putting light foot bridges over these streams would be inconsiderable, compared to the great public advantages to he gained thereby. Under any circumstances it is no trifling experiment for a traveller, heated by a long walk and heavy swag, to suddenly wade breast-high through the water. The owners of horses, cattle, te. , running on the Dunstan Commonage, will be glad to hear that all sheep running on the same will have to be removed therefrom. Police Constable Carrol has been appointed Inspector of Nuisances for the Town of Clyde. We are given to understand that the small sections in rear of Block 20, Clyde, will he offered for sale at the first quarterly sale to be held. These lots would have been put up at the last quarterly sale, had the maps been ready at the time. Mr. Joseph Kilgour of Greymoulh, formerly of Clyde, met with a serious accident a short time ago by a branch of a burning tree falling on him. The Provincirl Government Gazel/ee of teh 27th nit. contains notices of application to register the “ Star of the East” and “ Heart of Oak” Quartz Mining Companies, at the Garrick Ranges, the nominal capital being 12.0007. and 11,0007. respectively, and the amount paid up in each instance is stated at 6.0007. Mr. James Marshall is the Legal Manager of both Companies. The usual monthly subscription night of the Gold-fields’ Building Society falls on Monday next, and we notice by advertisement that the available funds in hand will be afterwards disposed of. Competition is likely *o be brisk. The budding township at the Garrick Ranees, already named Quaitzville, is ex. pending. Among other new trading ven. tures there we notice that Mr. John Grindley has opened a butcher}'. His numerous friends and acquaintances will have pleasure in hearing that the speculation is very promising. The second reading of the Otago Land Bill has been carried by a majority of five. We understand that the members of the Otago Provincial Council liberally subscribed "tie guinea each for copies of the sheet of lithographic portraits of their “noble selves”, recently published by a Dunedin firm. We hope they all feel flattered by their individual presentments. From the report of the Government Annuities’ Commissioner it would appear that a considerable number of assurers will be required to make the Government Life Assurance scheme a financial success. One of the chief inducements to the public to patronise the scheeme was the small expense to he incurred in its operations ; hut the report shows that, 1 on the annual business, already realising.s,Blo7. as receipts or prenrums, the Departmental expenditure is set down at 1,4007., or nearly 25 .per cent, of the income, and in this amount medical fees and commissiun to postmasters is not included. The present Commissioner, holding officer as a Minister, does not draw a salary from the department; but, in the event of a Governmental change, his salary would become an immediate charge in addition to the present expenses. Steadily increasing business would seem to be the only means whereby a reduction in the per centage for expenditure can he realised. Mr. T. L. Shepherd declined to vote upon the question of supply. The Star says; — This sneaking out to avoid divisions is an old trick of Mr. T. L Shepherd’s in the Provincial Council—ride the Education question last session, &c. And it is to he hoped the new members who abstained from voting, do not intend to take the member for the Dunstan as their guide and example upon any future occasion The Victorian Ministry intend placing on the estimates a sum for the purpose of defrayingfhe expenses of an analyst, who shall examine the liquor sold in all pacts of the Colony. It is very advisable that >imilar steps should he taken by the New Zealand Parliament. Referring to the Tichborne case, a London correspondent to the Omani Times writes: — No two persons seem to be able to agree upon the case. “What do you think of the case?” 1 asked of a barristerial friend who had been “watching” the case, as the phrase goes. “Look you,” he replied, “I have been in the habit of following legal in* vestigations for years, and therefore know something of evidence, and you may take my word the man is an arrant impostor.” After him came another hewigged acquaintance, to whom I propounded the same question. “Mark mo,” he said, Eldon-like, “I haven’t any prejudice. I look at the whole business from a judicial point of view and the man who can’t see that he is the baronet is an ass, pure and simple— that’s all.” Go where you will, those are the conflicting opinions you hear. Oamaru Times The Invercargill Times states that on and aftorthe 21st ultimo freight from Winton to Kingston will he at the rate of 37. 10s. per ton, and in the course of the summer it is expected to rule at 37. Four more ships from China, laden with passengers, are now due at Port Chalmers, namely, the Amphitrite, Benny Duukeld, Guiding Star, and another. The Charleston Herald, of the 15th ult., says :—A Wedt Coast “Saxby” assures us’ that’it hah raided in town Every day, some part of the day,- for elevem weeks, and that ■within the eleven weeks it has rained nineteen days continuously from sunrise to sunset, a d that .he sen has only shone at intervals on twenly-throo days out of tho past seventy-seven.

A motion has been pla/ed on the order paper of the House of Representatives, by Mr. Steward for leave to bring in a Bill for the better defining of the lawof libel as affect, ing the newspaper press. It is high time that newspaper proprietors and editors know definitely how far they may safely publish impartial statements and comment thereon. The Post informs us that the proposed Bill will provide for the protection of newspapers When publishing bona fide reports of meetings recognised by law, and when commenting thereon so long as the remarks are in accordance with the facts of the case. In the case of reports of and comments upon the proceedings of meetings other than those recognised by law, actions are to be first brought against the writer if such can be found. In the event of the publisher being proceeded with ho shall be held harm’ess if he prove that his reports or comments are fair and in the interests of the public. A new industry has just been started in Auckland, which owes its existence mainly to the Californian Service. A Mr. Hailey, of that city, ascertained in Honolulu there existed an annual demand for some 100,000 barrels, each capable of holding a hundredweight of sugar. Hitherto this want has been supplied from Boston, in the Uniied States; but it occurred to Mr. Railey that the requisite supply of barrels could be sent from Auckland, in successful competition with the Bostonians. He accordingly tried the market, and found that it would be tc his advantage to secure that trade. By the Nevada, a second consginment of sugar barrels was made, the number sent being seven hundred and. twenty. Mr. Kaileyis now getting powerful machinery fitted up for the purpose, so that the production of t'ne barrels will he as cheap as possible. This new industry will consume nearly one million feet of timber annually.— Star. The amount of wool exported from New Zealand during the year ending the 30th of June 1871, is officially stated to have been 35,901,271 lbs., of the declared value of 1,476,6397. From the report (just published) of the Registrar-General of Land for the year ending the 30th of June, 1871, it appears that four hundred and nine applications have been made to bring land under the provisions of the “ Land Transfer Act,” representing an aggregate value of 100,3317. Ss. The number of transfers registered was twenty-five, and mortgages forty-one. Only five applications were withdrawn or rejected. The fees received by the Land Transfer Department amounted to 0117. 2s. 7d., and brokers’ licenses realised 3007. In his report, the Registrar-General says : —“ So far as I have had an opportunity of judging, the legal profession generally has not been more, zealous in its acceptance of the measure than might have boon expected by those who are in a position to judge of the extent to which the interests of the lawyers were likely to be affected. A.s a rule, the eminent lawyers of the colony unhesitatingly confess the very great boon which this measure has been and is likely to he to the public, and have assisted greatly in introducing business into some of the offices ; hut the material profits of conveyancing practice will be so seriously disturbed by the public acceptance of Mr. Torrens’s scheme, that it i» not natural to expect to see lawyers as a body voluntarily exchanging the present emoluments of practice for the comparatively insignificant fees derivable under the “ Laud Transfer Art ” .... After the Legislature has effected some necessary amendments in the Act, 1 would advise that the Government sanction the publication of a hand-book, illustrating in plain language the advantages of placing properties upon the reinster-hook, and giving an explanation of the practice of the department. As may be gathered from my estimate of the amount of business for the next financial year, I am very confident that the system will be in New Zealand a very great success. By correspondence with the Registrars-Gencral of the neighboring colonies, I have ascertained that, in no case, has the success of Mr. Torrens’s system been at all equal to the rate of progress made in New Zealand during the first few months of its working. The Wellington correspondent of the Evening Star says: — Mr Donald Reid and his faithful few are not likely to afford any strength, except numerically, to their party and judging from their performances up to this time, are likely te decrease in influence proportionately to their attempts to convince the House. They have hardly a distinct speaker amongst them, whilst they muster in their ranks the dreariest and most impudent bores who have ever afflicted any Parliment.