ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 583, 15 November 1851, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

! WESLEY AN COLLEGE. j To the Editor of the Njcw Zk m.akdkr. | Sin,— l cannot, adequately express the groat gratification which I fell sit hearing the examination of the pupils at the Wesleyan College. Unconnected as 1 am with the Wesleyan body, I feel no hesitation in stating how much is due to them I for the cstahlibhment of such an Institution. A noble effort hns at last been successfully made to place the education of children of the higher and middle chu-sos in this colony upon a footing worthy of the important duties to which, in their future lives, they will be called. When you reflect that in each of those pupils lies an undeveloped course of life, — which vaist be cither beneficial or injurious, a source of good or of evil— of happiness or of woo— of a blessing or of a curse,— you can easily imagine of what importance it is to found it upon proper principles, and train it in a right direction. Seed carefully sown now will be reaped in a thousand-fold, of fruit in a. few years. How lamentable is it, on the other hand, to neglect education of this kind —to leave children altogether destitute of lenrning, except what they may pick up in the \ errancy j of°streets, or in the indolence of home ! Fearful U the responsibility of him who has the meant,, but not the inclination, to educate his children, and thrusts them into this busy -world with, educational deficiencies,— alike a disgrace to their station and a curse to their fellow creatures. | There has yet been here no college worthy of j the name. St. John's College has been but a i sort of ecclesiastical workhouse, llude manual labour, alternated by monastic asceticism, has i been the system. The advantages proposed were twofold. Youths, it was supposed, sublimated in such a purgatory, would make good colonists and good cleigyincn. Moreover it was economical. The expense of their tuition was covered by the price of their industry. The result has naturally been, as regards English scholars, a total want of success. The College is merely a skeleton, a sort I of "Anatomic Vivante." High sounding titles) are still rcta'ned ; Visitors, Head Masters, Bur- j sars, a Curator of Press, Lay Associates, Whytelicad. Studen s, and Appleyard Scholars, nominally exist, but practically are mere " nominis umbrae." Two or three pale English boys and a score of Natives are the only recipients of learning at this extensive Collegiate Establishment. Its " distant spires and antique towers" point a melancholy moral, and adorn a costly tale. Pounded on original pretensions, and conducted on Utopian principles, the only natural part of the scheme was its failure. How gratifying then to turn to the college seedling here— already so flourishing and promising in its growth— where forty pupils recently made such a creditable exhibition of their acquirements, and of the intelligent care which must have been devoted towards their education and real happiness ! 1 remain, Sir, &c., Anglicus.

To (he Editor of tlie Nkw Zlalander. Sm, — It is interesting to find that the approaching contest fbi the representation of Uic Town "Wards, has in one ca<sC given vise to an entirely novel style of political epistle-craft; that in which a candidate is seriously accused of not having written upon certain matters, and censured for never having thought oi" them. I allude to the letter of "A Burgess" in the Soutliern Cross of the 11th inst. The " Burgess," it there appears, is> excited to a state of nervous agitation at the proprietor of the New Zeulander not having in past times been moved to wrath by certain political circumstances -which the said Burgess thinks should have been suflicient to excite the most apathetic journalist — and of this lie makes* his 'plaint, in thirteen chief charges, five supplementary ones and a postscript chiefly composed of italics, inverted Commas, and notes of admiration. It ii> quite out of the question to think of replying to the* charges of the indignant Burgesb. His " ] stly, 2ndly, 13thly, and to conclude," Inn c, together with the matters to which they refer, already occupied too much type, ink, and i V*\>vrTheic arc usually two sides to each question, and while the Soidlici'it Cross runs 1 its (Quixotic tilt at the tlm ? - • *n grievances, there is no occasion ior you <o giie\e at not having challenged the windmills. I cannot think that a violent partizan is a fitting person for a common councillor. A mau of goodljubiness habits, practical common sense and prudence, is as likely to do good in a corporation as one chiefly distinguished by his political acquirements. My intention is far from that of lauding the New Zralanclcr, but 1 must say, that considering the temperate- course which has been adopted and mainl.iiiu'l by thejmnnag.Ms of the paper, no cir 'ii.nsLinre in connexion with \lh conduct, could he fiddur-cd against the fitness of its joint-pzoprietor us a representative iv the Corporation.

in i' iiall < f'liiiiiittwtv where the prhafe actions and ! nc"> of ci "< iiiciuiK'i 1 fiie necessarily open to the piyingoi' the inquisil'ne, anil where privatu .md personal feeling may so easily influence a journalist, it should be more particularly the care of every one to dibcountevunce an unscrupulous press, ami il i& not to be accounted singular that a large section of this community .•uTonN its support to a paper which it is confident will not assail t le actions of private life, nor oppose, fin* opposition sake, every measure — be it iitKM 1 („ evil, — which may emanate "mm an adverse jh/!i,)i .! party. The ch.'iractev of the community iiteo i* greatly judged in England by the nature of its press, and steady n ihvting heads of families will scarcely think of emigrating to a colony ippi evented by such prints as some which could be named. " lleie'* the Seioer ' Here's the 1 2,000: li of' tiia ' C cwcr ' "Hcja'fi tlic Senp\\ expoauie o{ i\\Q U'all Street G.mj ' and the ice pi 1 * eipo?me oi tlio Washington G.xwj, ! ami the ijucr's exclusive ftccount of a ihpiciui .ict of dislionphty coniinittfd l>v ttie Sccietary of St'itpwlicn lio vms eiglit yrais olil, now comuutnicatpd nt gieat pj,p.'ii<?p bv lii«s o» n nune. llimoS the Sewer l Ileio's tho A T riu \mk Sewer in its 12,()00tU number, with a whole column of New Yotkeib to bf shown U|i anil nllth-n names punted. Horc'a the Setter's article on the judge that tried him the day bofoio y(\-,teiday for libel; nnd the Hewer'i tribute to the independent puy that did'nt convict bun; and the -Stiwei's account of what tl>ey ini«;S>t li.ire txpeced i( thfy h.id. J lore's tho Sewei ! Jleie'a the wide-aw.ilce Setter , always on the lookout, and still a-printmg off." ] One might almost imagine that Dickens was ' conversant with some of the New Zealand papeis when he wrote the foregoing. It is to be de- | plored, however, that colonial journals should not deserve a better character. Hie New York Pnouie Mahler, and the New York Keyhole Reporter were, no doubt, clever journals with rattling, peppery articles on " Niggcio," Black Ingratitude, and Gouging, in condemnation of everybody, and opposition to every- | thing. Bat >t is doubtful if such journals contiibutcd to the respectability of the American ! press, or the thrift of the Confederation.— Yours, ! Sir. Editor, An Eahly Ntaw Zkaland Cotomst. j

To the Editor of the j\ T n\v %j:u,andkr. Sir,— The Onehunga Ward nppcavs to be divided 5n opinion between the rival merits of two candidates for the oflice of Common Councilman, Messrs. JSTormax and Okmsby. Without hinting at anything in disparagement of the former, it; is surprising to me that there should he any hesitation about preferring the latter. I would ask the voters to consider, first of all, -without reference to persons, what qualifications they expect in a candidate, and to ask themselves which of the two possesses those qualifications in the greater degree. J do not insist upon the higher social position of Mr. Okvshy, Jot that, to some of the voters, might bu ,vi absolute objection ; but I do insist upon the difference of education, of acquirement, and of ability io work the measure to the best end, should it oi-t be carried out. Nay, more, he is peculiarly in ted to advise with regard to one of the most important trusts committed to the ; Coiporation, the management of the Road department, and is the only one, so far as we can foresee iha result of the elections, who will bring any practical knowlcdgo concerning that subject, indeed lie socms 1o be the only one in the country who knows much about the matter, if we may judge from what lias been actually dune. Conip«ue, for, instance, the work extending from the junction of the Mount Smart [load with the South lload, to Mr. Fairburn's old stock-yard at^ Otahuhu, by far the most creditable piece of engineering in the district, with any other piece of roadwoik that may be selected, and no doubt will remain of Mr. Obmsijy'j, supeiior efficiency. lie had to contend with a more than usually difficult line of country, necessitating one long bridge and four other causeways, besides other disadvantages which 1 cannot stop to enumerate, and at the end of two years his work is still hard and good, notwithstanding thai the Superintcndant of Roads has never bestowed the slightest attention on it in the way of repairs. The only conclusion we have a right to form, h, that it never needed any. I hope that you will throw the weight of your influence on the side of a really practical, and eflicient man. I am, sir, yours, &c, Z.

To the Editor of the New Zkalandkr. Sin,— Some short lime since, when some idle and foolish person or other attempted to " lnuke fun," in the ibvm of an advertisement in your columns about a missing pair of " flesh-coloured tights," I remember that the amiable and talented Editor of the Southern Cross put on such an indignant frown as might well have scared the perpetrator of this " scurrilous personality." lie further accused the New Zealander, if T recollect aright, of a love of "filthy lucre" in giving such tilings a place in its columns. In short, the Crout all of a sudden was very " moral " and severe, and rebuked the offender in language such as, happily, one seldom sees in print,— except in its own leading articles, and in extracts in its pages from the Weekly Dispatch and other low prints. Now, sir, granting that the C7-oss was right in this case, I should like to know how it can justify the insertion of the attacks on two of the Candidates for the Common Council which have of late appeared in the shape of " Voices from the West "Ward ;" a Dramatic Scene (I fancy it h meant for one), in which the " Geniuß of the West Ward " (suck ta " Genius ! ") talks nonsense in wretched blank verse, and a letter from a " Burgess," who writes I as if he were rather disgusted at not having been invited to become a Candidate. All these productions are so feeble and so stupid that I daresay not six people read them through. The " Burgesb" should ofler to supply " leaders" for the Cross, 60 well has lie caught its querulous tone, and its tiresome way of bringing forward subjects about which no one, now-a-dajs cares to hcav. 1 will not stop to consider the standard value of such productions as " the Voice," and " the Genius." For the sake of human nature I hope they will not be repeated, and the Cross itself is at all times so dull that it is too bad thus to frighten one away from its very advertisements. Such, however, as these productions are, with all their vulgarity and vanity, the Cross has inserted them ; and T only hope it may be well paid by the writers of the trash it printed. l(Tour obedient servant, Spectator.

To the Editor of the New Zealander. Sin,--I S ee that the friends of Mr. Clark in the contest for the Middle Ward are using every moans to prove that the other candidate^ Mr. Williamson, has hecn under Government influence and control, and is likely to be so as a Common Councillor if elected. There 'can be no doubt that the paper of which lie is a joint proprietor has in many cases approved of Government measures, and has been moderate in its writings on political subjects, but while its contemporary, the Cross, has always been in ultra opposition. I cannot see that Mr. Williamson can bo blamed for so conducting the paper, especially when it meets with such extended public support. . It is said that the Government is Mr. Williamsons " best friend." No doubt, so long as his contract for printing ib thy lowest, tlio Government will let it remain with Mr. Williamson. But, if 1 remember rightly, a year or so ago, Mr. Williamsons trader for stationery was rather higher than another, and the Government contract went to Mr. Thompson, for so long as he could supply it the cheapest. At Wellington there are, as is generally known, two I'Ctfbpapeis, the Spectator on the Government

siae, <m;l the liithpnwlml against it. '\\\c, flovornment £^i\ os* its printing to tftc Lid/'priii'"/t( oflico, 'tlthough lliat paper it. ah violent in its oppos-ilion as the Crow iKclf— being, lioavc\( v i, rather more aiuubing and -witty. These are my thoughts to you (as the Slaoi'ics say) A KcA»jnn.

To the Editor of the New Zjivlandmi. Sin,— I should feel obliged to you if you would, tlmmgh the medium of jour journal, direct the attention of the l J olice to tho assembling of youths and boys, in and about (.ho neighbomhood of Government Domain, every Sabhath, especially in the afternoon and evening. Their practice is to congregate at the top of the steps leading across Coolahaii'a Dam, and to piocced into the Domain to play cricket, or home other game. Exclusively of their thus publicly desecrating the Sabbath, they arc in tho habit of insulting many persons, especially unprotected females, and on the Sabbath before last some of the c lads forcibly took, from a little boy of mine (about seven yca>-9 of age, who, with his brother, two years older, was proceeding to a place of worship) his jacket and handkerchief, and tried to take a small ornament fiom ilie front of his cap. Last Sunday, I understand, that a little boy, the son of a gentleman living in this neighbourhood, was shamefully beaten by a youth oi about 17 or ]B ; in fact, their proceedings are becoming such a nuisance that I trust some steps will be taken to put a stop to them. — I am, Sir, &c, &c, A SunuituvK Resident near Mount Eden.

To the Editor ot the Ni wZui andi-n. Sih, — I fitated in my last tliat I had been told that two Buigfsses, who mtciuiod to vote lor Mr. Williamson, were obliged to change their mind in coDseijuenci> of having been intimidated by threats of disrui&sal from employment. I was not then in a position lo spe.ik with certainty as to the facts, although I had little doubt on my own mind of the truth of what I had heard. lam now Able to substantiate what I could only before spc.il. of with uncertainty, — in oria case the pioof is clear ; the other may he difficult to bring homo sulisfarlorilif. There is no question, in the one case, of the vcmt having volunteoivd his support to tho^e who were CiiuvabSing for Mr. W., find afterwards having-, on two occasions, called peisonaJly on the candidate, and, without tlio least solicitation, nssurecl him of his vote ; — there is no doubt of Ins afcei w.irds having changed Ins mind, positively assigning as 1113 only refibon, a fear of lufcin» lua situation. It lias been said that my former letter was Die produclion of a liurgcsß latoly connected with the Southon Ctois. Of couise my name ia Known to you, Mr. Editor, winch, if you think proper, you may disclose. The election once over, the tune will have ai rived for my verifying by sulhcient testimony, if necessary, what I now assort; and "Biace," who nffecta so much indignation in the Ctoss, may yet discover, not nt all to his credit, that the above aio not the only instances wliure tin eats and other unworthy shifts have been resorted to, in order to corrupt the Burgesses in this our first essay at electioneering. — Your'a, &c, A Bukolss or the Miudlr Ward.