Hawke's Bay Times. NAPIER, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1863.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 92, 23 February 1863, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. NAPIER, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1863.

The Governor's late visit to Waikato, as reported by his trumpet the New Zealander, is further evidence, if further evidence be needed, of the weakness —the hopeless weakness—of the system pursued by that bigdi functionary in dealing with the natives, and is sufficiently conclusive to merit his recall.

That a man deputed by a mighty Nation to watch over the interests of one of

the numerous swarms which that great hive of industry and enterprise has thrown off, should thus, in a manner unbefitting the dignity of his office, and to the destruction of what little dignity is yet left on the side of that section of the great Nation which he represents,—go amongst the enemies of that Nation, while yet they are in open and defiant rebellion, and to talk to them and to be talked to by them, as a friend and as a confidant, is a problem which not even a leader in the New Zealander would be able to make plain and palatable to us. We cannot look longer on the doings of Sir George Grey with patience, and we, for one, amongst the hundred journals which are published in these islands, will not disguise the opinion that Sir George Grey ought to be at once recalled, and that most weak and impolitic of men, Bishop Selwyn, should be required to absent himself from New Zealand until the Native question assumes a different aspect. The damage which these two weak but well-intentioned men have done this Colony in the short space of two years is more than we shall recover in the space of half a century. Where is the fruit of the promise which Sir (jeorge Grey gave us that he would, by peaceable means, effect in less time and at less expense, that which Governor Browne endeavored to effect by forcible means? What, we ask, has become of all the hopes that were held out to this Colony of a speedy settlement of her great difficulty by those means which above all other means would have given the greatest satisfaction.

For two long weary years lias this bleeding and sorely afflicted colony been writhing in her agony, waiting for the balm which her new physician promised to apply to her deep, deep wound, and which was effectually to cure it for ever and a day. But that balm has not been applied,—that promise has not been fulfilled, and she still lays in the same place and the same condition, with the wound aggravated by neglect, mortifying from the want of care, and rapidly extending its deadly influence over her whole remaining healthy parts. Look back, thou fervid supporter of Sir George Grey and Bishop Selwyn, at the state of the Colony at the advent of the firstmentioned gentleman. Smarting under the infliction of a terrible insult to their flag, their honor, and their country, enraged at the desolation of one of their most promising settlements, thirsting to be revenged on a bloody and unrelenting foe, trembling with suppressed rage at the destructive career of an enemy who fought not for his liberty or his rights, but to gratify his thirst for blood and for rapine, a race of men might be seen eager for the fight to wipe away the stain which lay heavy and black upon their name. This was the attitude of the Colony on the side of her settlers. On the other side might be seen a savage, revengeful, wily people, checked in their bloody course, — checked in their advance towards the accomplishment of their grand scheme—the annihilation of the white population, and the revel in their blood and plunder,—divided iu their council—divided in their plans, and in short utterly demoralised ; ready, feeling conscious of the punishment that they richly deserved, to accept any terms, however humiliating, which they could feel certain would be most rigorously enforced, and prepared to lay down their arras and accept peace. This, we repeat, was the state of the Colony on the arrival of Sir George Grey, whom we hailed as the deliverer—the man who would spare us more bloodshedhut who would nevertheless succeed in retrieving our lost reputation, and effectually establish the authority of the Queen, and exact restitution of the property of the plundered settlers of Taranaki. Compare that picture with the present state of the Colony. The same people, unchanged in purpose, and unchanged in their determination sooner or later to effect that purpose, standing still at bay, but not now panting and exhausted by a recent and a deadly struggle, but triumphant, w r ith recruited strength, w r ith recruited means, with abundant supplies for their fighting men, and of weapons wherewith to fight, with magazines of ammunition, and stores of provision, in convenient places all over the country, with fortifications strengthened so as to tax our utmost skill to dislodge the defenders, with a unity existing which before was wanting, and until a feeling of security and success engendered by their long contemplation of us in our attitude of abject submission and penitence.

How different tlie state of the Colonists. Apathy and indifference seized upon them, engendered by long deferred hope and bitter disappointment. Tlxe honor of the flag yy-ixiwa liioj tau piuuuij uuttbb UUS VYcIVtJU inumphant in the “ battle and the breeze,” for a thousand years, has ceased to affect them and the only motive which now actuates them it to be allowed to enjoy this world’s goods in the false security of an ignominious and disastrous peace. But look calmly and dispassionately at the state of the Country, and judge from that. Our advertisement sheet daily attests the feeling of insecurity and dissatisfaction that affects the people, property which awhile ago was at a premium, is now thrown into the market regardless of the consequences, so that it is sold. People are fast departing from this war-stricken land, and the population is rapidly dwindling away. All sorts and conditions of men are only too anxious to be gone, and that, too, as quickly as possible, regardless of the sacrifice which they make. In short, a general panic is quickly spreading. And why ? Because it is known, that talk as much as we like about peace, and the settlement of the question of peace, and by peace alone, that it is impossible and becomes more and more impossible every day, and that when the struggle does come, it will be a struggle for life between a people who, in the one wide fight with the desperation of despair, feel by a deep contempt for the deceitful smooth-tongued enemies, who while they had peace on their tongues, carried war in their hearts. And, on tire other side, a people fighting with a resolve to retreive a lust reputation, and to establish for ever that authority which has been triumphantly wrested from their grasp.

Napier, January 27, 1863. Sib, —I have the honor to report, for your Honor's information, on the state of the Schools of this Province at present receiving Government aid under the Hawke's Bay Education Acts. At the beginning of the year 1862 there were seven schools so receiving aid, three of which were in this town, and were “ Denominational”; at present, I regret to say, there are only three, all of which are in the country, viz., at Clive, at Petane, and at TeWairoa: these, however, are all “ Common” schools.

Before that I proceed to notice the three schools at present in active on oration, I may perhaps, briefly remark on thos?iour already alluded to, seeing they all received Government aid during the former part of the year just ended. Of these four, three have been shut up, while one is being vigorously carried on, under the auspices of the General Government.

The three closed schools are those of the Town of Napier :—l. “ Denominational,” or United Protestant, satisfactorily conducted by Mr. Wm. Smith, up to the 3rd of April, 18G2, when it was unfortunately burned down: 2. and 3. are also “ denominational,” or Roman-Catholic boys’ and girls’ schools, which were conducted severally by Mr. D. Hoben, and by Miss M’Garvie, until the 7th of May, when they were suddenly closed through the master and mistress leaving Napier for Auckland. The average daily attendance at Mr. Wm. Smith’s school for the March quarter, was 17‘ (the Register containing 23 names); the average attendance for the preceding (or December) quarter, was 18'73 (the Register containing 27 names). I notice, however, that some of the children who were there in the December quarter, had, with their parents, left the town of Napier. The average daily attendance at Mr. D. Hoben’s school for the March quarter, was 17 - 52 (the Register containing 28 names); the average attendance for the preceding (or December) quarter, was 20‘9 (the Register containing 30 names). The average daily attendance at Miss M’Garvie’s school, for the March quarter, wasl4 - 3G (the Register containing 30names); the average attendance for the preceding (or December) quarter, was 14T5 (the Register containing 2G names). The total amount of Government aid afforded directly to each of these three schools, for the short time they were in operation in 18G2, was —

The last of those four schools is that which was commenced at Te Wairoa (as a second school there) by Mr. and Sirs. Deerness on the 25th November, 1861. This school, or speaking more correctly, these schools, (seeing that Mr. and Mrs. Deerness have daily held two or three at villages some considerable distance apart,) almost entirely consist of young Maories, yet not exclusively so, there being some half-castes among the scholars. During the short time fix. from 25th November, 1861, to 31st March, 1862,) that Mr. Deerness was receiving Provincial Government allowance, these Maori schools gave a daily average of 16-; but the whole number of names of scholars on the Register was much more, being 43, and were steadily increasing. All who have had anything to do with teaching Maories, know, that the sad irregularity of their attendance has ever been one of the greatest obstacles to their advancement. Mr. Deerness, having (since the 31st March, 1862,) become a salaried schoolmaster under the General Government, is no longer in connexion with the Government of this Province; nevertheless, on my visit of Inspection to Te Wairoa in November I gladly examined Mr. Deerness’ schools, and I was gratified with what I then saw, (under very unfavorable circumstances,) and heartily wish Mr. and Mrs. Deerness every success. Were they still in connexion, sir, with the Government of this Province, I should deem it to be my duty to bring prominently to your Honor’s notice several matters for the benefit of the Maori schools under their charge, which would not he required for Europeans. In conclusion, I may briefly add, that several of the little Maories were already reading English, others were learning to -write it, a few were doing elementary cyphering, and a good number of them sang several childrens’ hymns in English very nicely indeed. The total amount of Provincial Government aid tu xtxa, ivcviiicaa iui tuc uciuic-mcu-tioned period, is d£l2 2s. Id. Concerning the three “ Common” schools, of the Province, at Clive, Petane, and TeWairoa, still in.active operation, I have to, report:— I. Of Clive. —The average attendance at this school during the last year, has been 15‘50 (the year before it was 13') ; ,diiring the December quarter, however, the average attendance was 19'; and the names of children on the school Register were 25, —13 boys and 12 girls, of whom one of each sex is a Maori. The master holds an evening school also, which seems to be pretty well attended by those who cannot attend by day. Such a school should prove a boon to the bigger

youth of Clive, particularly during the winter I sincerely trust all such attempts will he duly appreciated hy the parents. On my visit of Inspection on the 16th December, I found 14 present at the day school, comprising 11 girls and 3 boys. Two-thirds of them read and wrote, and repeated various useful tables tolerably well; six wrote from dictation, and a few were cyphering,—only one youth, however, had made any considerable advance in figures, this one was in Vulgar Fractions. The total amount of Government aid, paid direct on account of this school for the year 1862, is <£B2 11s. 11. Of Petane. —The average attendance ■at this school during the last year has been 11-50 (the year before it was only 8-); for the December quarter, however, the average attendance was 14-, and the names of children on the School Register were 20, of which number 17 were girls, and only 3 boys. On my visit of Inspection on the 28th of November, I found 18 scholars present, (15 of whom were girls,)—of these, 15 were reading, and 11 writing and cyphering. There was one class here of 6 girls, which stood a pretty fair colonial examination in Grammar, Questioning on Lessons read, and in General Geography and in Cyphering; one of this class performed with ease sums in the Rule of Three and in Practice, while the others managed without difficulty sums in Compound Addition, ditto Subtraction, and ditto Division. The total amount of Government aid paid direct on account of Petane school for the year 1862, is £74 3s. Od. 111. Of Te Wairoa. —The average attendance at this school during the last year has been 17 - 75 (that of the year before being 14-), of which number, however, a fair proportion is Maori. The daily attendance at this school has ever been very irregular, and, I may almost say, necessarily so, when considering the scholars and their very scattered places of residence. In the last return for December quarter, there are—European children, 2; half-castes, 11; and Maories, 13—total 26 ; and yet the daily average for the quarter was only 15’ On my visit of Inspection on the 21st of November, (a day previouslj- arranged,) I found only 10 present at school, (including 2 of the children of the master,) of which number of 8, only 4 were half-castes—for whose especial benefit this school was originally built and the master obtained. This had mainly arisen from what I may briefly term a misunderstanding; which “ misunderstanding,” I hope, has been quite rectified, and will not again occur. While, however, I felt anything but satisfied (after such a journey) to find so few present, I was very much gratified on ascertaining the improvement the half-caste scholars had made—the whole of them also being the children of one man* These children read and wrote very well, and cyphered pretty well; and stood a rather severe examination in Arithmetical and other tables. One of them worked two not very easy sums—one in Compound Multiplication and one in Compound Division, —which I had set him, with ease, assigning also, to me, in English, the correct reason for everything he did ; this boy is also a very good writer, and so is his sister, a little older than himself, while his younger brother reads excellently. I brought away (with permission from their father,) a copy book written by each of them for your Honor’s inspection which I have much pleasure in forwarding with this Report. The others that day present, 6 in number, were all learning to read and write. The total amount of Government aid for 1862, paid direct on account of Te Wairoa school, is £B7 ss. 6d. In conclusion, sir, I trust your Honor will pardon my presuming to suggest what I cannot but consider as beneficial to the schools of the Province : 1. That they be inspected oftener. 2. That small rewards for merit of every kind be annually given. 3. That the master regularly keep a list of daily attendance of each scholar, inserting, when absent, the reason of such absence. 4. That the master also keep regularly a Mark-book of Merit, in which shall be inserted meritorious conduct of every kind, such as attention, obedience, industry, quietness, cleanliness, kindness, goodnature, truthfulness, disuse of bad language and bad habits, early at school, keeping place in class, taking care of books, &c., &c., as well as the more ordinary good marks for reading, writing, &c.

I could easily suggest other, and greater, modes of improvement; but sir, I must not lose sight of the smallness of the pecuniary means likely to be attainable for this purpose. For the present three schools £lO per annum would cover all expenses in the shape of rewards, and would not be thrown away. I may also add, that, having received your Honor’s sanction, I have obtained, and am preparing, books for the purpose of daily attendance and mark books, which will be ready for issue in a few days. In common with the masters of all the schools, I have to deplore the frequency with which children, whose names are on the school Register, are kept at home for little things ; besides those children who are never sent to school. The carelessness of parents who so act, in a country, too, like this, where schools are scarce, and where youth of both sexes commence early to seek their own livelihood, is much to be regretted. I am very sure such unwise conduct will in due time bear very bitter fruit. The school-houses at Clive, Petane, and Te Wairoa, require some trifling repairs, which shoukl, I think, sir, be granted, wholly or in part. And the ground enclosed around the Petane school-house, (originally, I presume, intended for a garden,) should be kept in order and made a proper use of. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Honor’s Most obedient servant, William Colenso, Inspector of Schools, Province of Hawke’s Bay. To * His Honor The Superintendent Of Hawke’s Bay.

Napier, 20th January, 1863. HALF-YEARLY REPORT. Sir, —I have the honor to present my half-yearly report on the state of the Public Works in this Province. The roads are, owing principally to the dry season, in very good order, and as the weather has been likewise favorable for the necessary repairs and the new works, I feel confident that the principal roads will be very practicable during the coming winter ; but the want of rain, combined with the frequent high winds, has had the injurious effect of reducing greatly the thickness of the coat of metal, by the action of the wheels grinding the surface to dust, which is afterwards blown away by the winds. Another disadvantage of the want of rain is, that the newly spread metal does not bind together. On the road from Wailangi to Clive, 62 chains have been formed and metalled, and a bridge has been built over the Tidal Creek. The whole of that road being now metalled, and a good supply of spare metal stacked alongside of it, the expense of maintenance will be very trifling during the next eighteen months.

On the road from Clive to Havelock 90 chains have been lockspitted, levelled out, and tenders called for ; but the contractor for the portion between Clive and the Maori stockyard has been prevented by the Natives from carrying out his contract; and no one has as yet been found to undertake the portion near Havelock at a reasonable rate, but I believe that it will be taken up very shortly.

On the Te Ante line of road the metalling of about 80 chains in different small pieces near the Louise Creek, at Te Matai and near the Silverstream, contracted for during the previous half-year, have been completed! About 90 chains at Te Ahiaruhe, Long Jack’s Bridge, the Southern College BouncU ary, the Corkscrew Gully, and at Waipawa, are now in the hands of different European and Native Contractors, and will be completed in about three months. A portion of the road at Muheke (the swamp between Waitahora and the Puki Puki), which bad settled down considerably, has been raised above the ordinary flood level, and has been widened to twice its original width. This portion has been done by Native labor at day-work, and it will be metalled before the coming winter, provided Natives can be found to undertake the work at reasonable rates. The whole of the old metalled road between Poukawa and the Puki Puki, and through the Te Ante Bush has received a good coat of metal, and some spare metal has been stacked at the sides of the road, so that those portions will be kept in good order at very trifling expense during the next eighteen months. The men are now employed in re-metalling the old road through the college land, after which they will proceed to the road from Waipawa to the Rnalaimvha, which requires thoroughly repair-

ing before the coming winter. The only new work on this road is a culvert bridge over a swampy creek near the Waipawaraata, which is now progressing under contract.

On the Porangahau Road about 65 chains in different pieces, at and near Pukikura are now in the hands of contractors for forming and metalling, and there will be sufficient means available for a small piece of plankroad through the Bush near Motuotaria. When those improvements are made, I feel confident that one man permanently employed will be able to keep this road open during the coming winter, although we must he prepared for very heavy slips on the steep cuttings, of which the large suncracks are a sure indication.

On the road from Porangahau to Tautane , arrangements had been made with the natives of Porangahau for the delivery of the timber for a bridge over the Manga Main, but they were unable to furnish it of the required dimensions. The natives of Eparaima have now been communicated with respecting the timber, and as they seem inclined to come to terms, I hope that the bridge will be built before the coming winter; but I fear that the amount voted for the purpose will prove insufficient, the cartage from Eparaima having not been calculated upon. No new works have been undertaken on the Middle Road, but it has been put in thorough repair, has been widened in some places, and several culverts have been built. It will require the constant employment of one man during the winter to keep it open. On the road from Patangata to Wautukai bridges over 3 very steep gullies are nearly completed, and cuttings leading to the Tula Tula are under contracts.

The side cuttings and other improvements required ou the dray road from Wautukai to Edenham are likewise contracted for, and will in all probability be completed within 2 months.

On the road from Waipiikurau to the Ruataniwha seven culverts aud small bridges are now iu progress, under contract, and a dray cutting has been made down the steep bank of the Tukipo river. On the Tempo Road about 55 chains have been metalled, and a large drain has been dug to carry off the water caused by the occasional flowing of the Tutaekuri. Besides this, the lowest portions of the natural road through the Meanee flats have been formed preparatory to their being metalled, and 2 large culverts are now in course of erection at the Puketapu flats. This road will be practicable during the coming winter, but a good road must not be expected before it is protected against the inundations of the river, which can only be effected by a substantial embankment.

The Petane Road has been kept in good repair, a man having been stationed there during the winter. Several culverts have been built on the portion to Petane valley, and about 20 chains of side-cut-tings with 2 culverts have been made between Mumfs Point and Atkinson’s. A small bridge near Mr. Isaac MTvain’s is now in progress, under contract; and about 10 chains near the school house, and 5 chains between Air. Stevens’ and Munn’s Point will be formed and metalled as soon as contractors can be found for these works. On the road from the Kaiwaka to the Polmi Bush about 40 chains of side cuttings will be undertaken as soon as the natives of that neighbourhood, who are now otherwise employed, are ready for it. On the bridle track to Mohaka, several bridges and about 50 chains of side cuttings have been made between Tipenui and Mobaka, but nothing has been done between Tongoia and Tipenui, although improvements are very much wanted on that portion, especially at the Waipatiki and the Waipapa Creek. The natives through whose property the road runs have repeatedly been offered employment in repairing it, but they refuse to work or allow others to do so, unless at least 40 of their men were employed at the rate of Gs. per day. As not more than 10 men can work to advantage on a narrow bridle track, nothing has been done, and I fear that that road will become almost impassable and even dangerous during the next winter.

On the bridle track from Mohaka to the V/avroa the native contractors have nearly completed about 200 chains of side cuttings, and 7 bridges over the worst creeks, which is all that is required on this line.

On the road from Mohaka to the head of the MoJiaka Flats about 120 chains of side cuttings and 3 small bridges are now in progress, under contract. On my next visit to that neighbourhood I will mark off the line of road across the Kiwi Creek to the Tan ranga Bush and the Mangaharuru, and I hope to get sufficient work done this season, to open up this district.

On the road from Aorangi to the Kereru Bush about 12 chains are now being cleared through the little Kereru Bush preparatory; to further improvements.

The clearing of the Mangaone River & now progressing favorably. Some delay has been caused by the Natives striking work, but at present they work well, and seem to be contented. The principal impediments will he removed by the middle of March, provided that no unforeseen hindrance do occur.

Of the Town Tennyson-street, Customs-street, and the lower portion of Waghorn-street have been formed and metalled, and Milton-road, from, the saddle to Mr.. Catchpool’s, has been formed, the Provincial Government giving a grant m aid. towards the latter work. The old made portion of Milton-road and Carlyle-street have- been remetalled and widened in several places, and a party of 9 men with 3 carts are? now employed in re-metalling Hastings-etraett After this Shakespeare-road and Waghom-street-will be thoroughly repaired. The only other public works undertaken during the past half-year are the buiM&ig of a Post Office at the Eastern Spit, of a Shed, for Fire Engines in Shakespeare-road, and. of a new Ferry Punt for the Ngaruroro,, which latter will be ready for use in aboutthree weeks. It was necessary to delay theputting together of the Punt to give more,time for the seasoning of the timber. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, Charles Weber, Provincial Engineer.. His Honor the Superintendent, Napier.

Crown Land Office, Napier, sth February, 18G3. No. 63-14. Sir, —I have the honor to report to you as follows on the Survey executed during the half-year ending the 31st December, 1862. Mr. Bousfield has been employed in filling • in the detail of the Ahuriri Block, having surveyed about 20,000 acres at a cost of £448. He will proceed to Moeangiangi immediately, to make the Survey of that and the Arapawanui Block. Mr. Locke has been engaged in staking out numerous Selections in the Hapuku Block, and in surveying Unagricultural land to go ■ to Auction. Total surveyed and staked out,, about 18,900 acres at a cost of £316. I have had under mine own special surveillance a survey party headed by Mr. F.. Cherry, staking out selections at Eskdale, and in the Puketapu district. Total surveyed, about 13,000 acres at a cost of £IBO. In conclusion I beg to call the attention of the Government to the necessity of having a fire-proof room, as a fire in this office would probably involve a pecuniary loss of not less than thirteen thousand pounds, (£13,000,) independent of the serious inconvenience that would occur to those who have purchased. land from the Government. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, H. S. Tuffen, Chief Provincial Surveyor. -

To Mr. Win. Smith’s 19 0 To Mr. D. Hoben’s 8 5 2 To Miss M’Garvie’s 7 4 2 Total £21 8 4