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Evening Star, Issue 3234, 2 July 1873, Page 2

When eighty-one girls ask to be placed on a footing with their “ brothers ” in the competition for scholarships, no reasonable objection can be raised that we are aware of. If the highest cultivation of the intellect is beneficial to man, we hold that it is equally so for woman ; and that, in fact, it is more desirable in the present state of education that women should realise its value than men. We were amongst the most strenuous advocates for the establishment of a High School for girls, and cannot but feel gratified that so many who have been educated there recognise the benefits of “ instilling and fostering in their minds ” a desire to still further cultivate the intellectual powers of which they have become conscious. The leaven has begun its work, and our desire is that the whole class—women—may very rapidly become models of refined and highly trained intellect. Were this the case, families and society ■would, be bappier, wiser, and. better; children. would be better trained, and larrikinism, and those dangers to which a low tone of education exposes a community, would be almost, if not entirely eradicated. Whether the institution of scholarships for girls is likely to give an impetus in this direction is, however, doubtful, when so little use has been made of admission of females to the University lectures. It might have been imagined that of those eighty-one aspirants to literary and educational equality with their “brothers,” many of them would have availed themselves of the opportunity of that higher cultivation that attendance at a University cgurse is calculated to induce. But such has not been the case. On this point we feel ourselves disappointed. When we urged the admission of women to the University courses, we considered it only fair that every opportunity should be afforded to both sexes to perfect those studies begun in the Elementary and High Schools. The barrier was removed; but how many have taken advantage of it ? We fear that as so few of the cigbty-one pupils have valued the one privilege, they will hardly avail themselves of the other. Bnt as it is possible scholarships might afford assistance to struggling genius, we think the Provincial Council will do well to institute some for girls as well as boys. At any rate, scholarships might be instituted open to competition by both sexes. The grievance of exclusiveness would then be removed, and, as we hold, the effort to gain a prize induces nearly equal benefit on all the competitors ; the gain would be positive, although the lads might carry off the honors. It seems to us, from the University experience, that the sense of grievance removed, much of the charm with which imagination invests forbidden fruit passes away. We shall be glad if the institution of scholarships effects the flowery anticipations of the petitioners.

The persons charged with manslaughter in the case of S. B. Stiffe, at Christohurch, last week, were liberated on Saturday, on bail. The trial takes place before the Supreme Court on Monday next. The Provincial Engineer is of opinion that the works of construction on the Port railway have been carried out in a more complete and elaborate manner than was stipulated for in the contract agreement. The daily average number of resident patients in the Hospital throughout the past year was 127—102 males and 25 females ; and the average daily coat of each, 2s, which includes the supply of medicines to out-door patients, and to the inmates of the Lunatic Asylum. On June 11, the Superintendent requested the General Government to telegraph to the Agent-General directing Mr Seaton to communicate with a firm in Glasgow with a view to sending out fifty working shoemakers, an equal number of coal-miners, and a number of journeymen tailors. We would remind eur readers that Miss Anstead takes her benefit at the Queen's this evening, when "Miriam's Crime" and the burlesque of "The Willow Pattern Plate" will be played. Miss Anstead is such an established favorite with theatregoers that the mere mention of her benefit taking place should ensure a large attendance. In 1872-3,16,154 tons of goods and 4,405 more passengers were carried over the Southland railways than in the previous year. The total receipts give an increase of L 3.068 8s 6d, and the expenditure of L 2,363 10s sd, or a clear profit of LBOO. The engines ran 31,805 .miles during that time, the average speed per hour, including stoppages, being 16.76 miles. At the usual fornightly meeting of the Dunedin Mutual Improvement Society, held last night in th« lower hall of the Athenaeum, Mr D. R. Hay read an interesting paper on the "Life and Writings of John Milton." The attendance of members was rather limited.

On Saturday last a party of men out pig hunting in the bush near Otepopo, discovered the skeleton of a man. There were boots on the feet, but no vestige of clothing. It is supposed the remains are those of a man who went out alone, nearly three years ago, pig hunting, and who has never been heard of since.

" Eip Van Winkle," with a strong cast, is announced for representation this evening at the Princess's. On Friday evening, the lessees tako a complimentary benefit, tendered to them by the whole of the employes of the establishment: and on this occasion Robertson's admirable comedy of "Caste" will be played. Theatrical business has not been over brisk of late; and Messrs Geddes and Willis must have found it a hard struggle to keep together their company, which is undoubtedly one of the strongest, if not the strongest, in the Colony ; and it would be only a just acknowledgement of their effort" to provide for the amusement of the public if the theatre be crowded in every part on Friday next. The Evangelist for July contains a paper on the Scholarship scheme in connection with the question of the supply of ministers for the Presbyterian Church; a memoir of Bishop Patterson, which will be read with great interest. !No. 5 paper, on the Inspiration of the Scriptures, is intended to prove the Divinity of Christ. The Melbourne letter is smartly written hut in our opinion falsa in doctrine and mischievous in its shadowy argument anent marriage with a deceased wife's sister. Wp cannot understand the bigotry of tie Presbyterian Church in Victoria on this subject. A sensible letter is published from a Sabbath school teacher on Biblical instruction in day schools. With the exception of some poetry and an attack by Tertullian en the head works of the ladies, the remainder of the number is devoted to reports. We/ North Olago Times) have to record another life lost in the Waitaki. It appears that on Friday evening last, after crossing the northern mails, three of the ferrymen, the lessee (Mr Miller) Theodore Smith, deceased, a Scandinavian, only 6ome six months arrived in the Colony, and another man aIBO employed on the ferry, were returning to the Canterbury side. The southern branch of the stream was safely crossed by jjoat, but ia wading "along the shingle spit

to the northern branch where the second boat was lying, Smith, who was leading, missed his way: Miller called to him that he was too far to the right, and' Smith then attempted to diverge to the proper track, but it was too late, for in a step or two he was in deep water, and wag swept away by the current. It was nearly dark, and no assistance could be rendered. Up to the time of our going to press there was no news of the recovery of the body. During 1872-73 there were eo’d in the Province 140,371 acres of rural land, 48,140 acres ot land within hundreds, and 1,035 town sections, besides which 22,227 acres were sold by auction. There are now in existence 198 pastoral leases, covering an area of 6,404,498 acres, and one pastoral license covering 20,000 acres. The revenue from transactions completed during the year ending 31st December, 1872, is shown to be L 185.362 19s 2d, being L 79.337 16s lid in excess of last year. The total amount of land revenue received the financial year—lst April, 1872, to 31st March, 1873 — has been 1195,376 5s lOd. During 1871-72 the amount for the same period was L 100,723 Is 7d, being less than 1872-73 by L 94.653 4s 3d. This includes the revenue from Invercargill land district. Lovers of cricket will be glad to learn that in all quarters of this Colony interest in their noble game is extending, and that preparations for next season’s play are being already made in the various Provinces. From the Auckland News we copy in another column, it will be seen that a very influential association there, including Mayors, M.L.A.’s, and M.P.C.’s, has been formed to foster cricket, with the object of sending a team to the Southern Island this coming summer, if possible. From Christchurch, we learn that a leading Canterbury cricketer, about to visit Melbourne, will endeavor when there to arrange for an eleven of Victorian gentlemenplayers, to visit Dunedin and Christchurch in January or February next, to try conclusions with eleven or more, probably fifteen New Zealanders at these places. The Dunedin chibs, we observe, are also stirring: a private subscription list having for its motive to make the South Dunedin Cricket Oval a ground thoroughly fit for the game, and second to no ground in the Colony, is getting extensively patronised ibis week by the admirers of manly recreation. The work has been in progress for some time, and will be quite finished two months before the playing season commences. We understand also that the premier Dunedin Club sent home three months ago an engagement and a prepaid passage warrant, for an able professional coach, who may be expected out in November. At the Christchurch Police Court on Friday last, Charles Hill, John Parker, Mary Hill, and Mary Ann Elliott, who had been committed for trial at the next criminal session of the Supreme Court, on the charge of manslaughter, were brought up before a Bench of Magistrates, for the purp se of being fully committed for trial by the Bench also. The Bench stated that they had carefully considered the matter, and did not think the defendants ought to have been brought before them, or, at all events, the Crown Pr secutor should first have obtained a writ of habeas corpus. Long arguments were used between the Bench and Mr Joynt, Dr Foster, and Mr counsel for the accused, in regard to the course of procedure ; and ultimately, after an adjournment of one hour, Mr Duncan, the Crown Prosecutor, attended, and, after a lengthy discussion, he stated he would not press the application for a committal by that Court, the committal by the Coroner being deemed sufficient, without a committal from the Resident Magistrate’s Court ; although in all cases hitherto where an inquest had been held, resulting in the committal of an accused person, such had been the-custom. All the defendants were afterwards admitted to baM.

The New Zealand herald, commenting on the Maori difficulty, remarks :—" We are nob of those, howeTer, who think that the Government are at all to blame. On the contrary, we thick that the steps already taken have been most prudent. It is easy to be wise after the event, and to aver, as many do, that Purukutu might have been captured any day for a week after the murder of Sullivan. This may be strictly true ; but if the Government had sent out a small force to effect his capture, and they had met with a repulse, what would have been said if the authorities were not in a position to enforce obedience ? Why, the very men who are now loudest in their censure would have been most clamorous in condemnation. The present position of affairs is, after all, most favorable for the authorities. If there is to be fighting, we have had time to make preparation, and cannot, therefore, be taken by surprise ; and as we have all along pointed out, the moral sense of the British public will be with us, The Maori King will have forfeited all claim to respect and consideration, even by the mo3t. sentimental of British politicians; and it will be the imperative duty of the New Zealand Government to suppress him altogether. "We have no fear now for the Waikato settlements Steps have been taken to ensure their safety; and if force is used to prevent the capture of Purukutu, on Tawhiao and his supporters be the blame. The shadow of Maori nationality must disappear for ever, and the country be thrown open for settlement and occupation. In the Provincial Council this afternoon, Mr Shand, amid laughter on the part of hon. members and hisses from occupants of tbe galleries, gave notice of his intention to move to-morrow—" That the Council has no confidence "in the Tolmie Government, because they are not the advocates of progress, and have proved themselves incapable and incompetent in conducting the affairs of this Province." Pr Webster tabled a motion having for its object the alteration of the Executive Council Ordinance, by removing from the Superintendent the power to dismiss his Executive at his pleasure, and making iustead the appointment of the Executive " during.the pleasure of the Council," and that they "should not be dismissed by the Superintendent without the consent of the Council." As an amendment to Mr Fish's motion for removing all toll-bars within three miles of the City, Mr M'Glashan will move that it is desirable that toll-bars throughout the Province should be abolished. The Secretary for Works tabled a series of resolutions affirming the desirability of connecting the Mataura and Clutha railways, and authorising the Government to take steps for that purpose; the cost of rolling stock not to exceed L 150.000; the work to be finished in two years, aud to be paid for by the proceeds of land sold in the district during three years; and affirming the necessity of connecting the Green Island coal-pits with the Southern Trunk line by means of branchlets, such work, if not undertaken by the Colonial Government, to be done by tbe Province. Some twenty oth;r notices were given.