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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5191, 10 November 1877, Page 2

Another of the pioneers of the colony has passed away—Mr. AlfredLudlam —whoso name is intimately associated with the progress of the provincial district of Wellington, and who represented for many years the Hutt in the General Assembly, and also in the Provincial Council, of which he was at one time Speaker. It was only a few weeks ago that Mr. Ludlam returned to New Zealand from a visit to the Home country, where he had the misfortune to lose hia wife. The deceased was amongst the many useful colonists whose circle is gradually narrowing. To him Wellington is principally indebted for the Botanical Gardens, which, although far inferior to what they should be, form nevertheless an agreeable recreation ground, the want of which would be much felt, and which in tho course of a few years will, it is to be hoped, be made in reality what they are in name. The site is one admirably adapted by nature for the purpose ; and its selection shows both taste and judgment, in which Mr. Ludlam excelled. He also contributed largely at his own expense to stock this domain with choice and rare trees and plants, and on his own estate at the Hutt his love for horticulture was displayed to great advantage. If, to quote a somewhat trite but true maxim, “He is a good patriot who makes two blades of grass grow where one grew before,” Mr. Ludlam is eminently deserving to be classed in this category, and amongst the gradually narrowing circle of “old identities” the loss of the deceased will be much felt. A New Zealand Government Gazette, issued on Thursday, notifies that his Excellency tho Governor has been pleased to accept the services of tile Welliugton Volunteer Fire Police Mr. B. Clapcott is appointed a Commissioner of the Waste Lands Board for the district of Westland. —The designation of the post-office in tho Otago . Provincial District heretofore known as Switzers has been changed to Waikara.—A Government life assurance office has been opened at A.mberly, in the county of Ashley.—A return of land sold, and deposits received in the provincial district of Wellington, from the Ist to the 31st October last, is published, showing that 1577 acres 2 roods 21 porches have been deposed of, for which £l7Bl 15s. 2d. has been received in cash, and £9O in scrip,—Particulars of the estates of deceased persons which have been placed under tho charge of the Public Trustee during the month of October last are published as. follows Hugh McCaffery, Gisborne, value ,ef personal estate, under £2OOO ; John Wm. Bligh, Nelson, under £3OO ; Jonathan Clements, Oilman's Town, Kmriara, under £OOO ; Louisa Edwards, Auckland, under £SO; Gustave Greenland, Auckland, under £5 ; Fred. Winchester, Wellington, under £10; Alexander Adam, Wellington, under £l.

A concert in aid of the Indian Famine Relief Fund will be given at the Odd Fellows’ Hall on the 16th iust. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday the only business to be disposed of was one case of drunkenness, in which, the day being a general holiday in honor of the Prince of Wales' Birthday, and the offence not an aggravated one, the accused was discharged with a caution. Anniversary services will be held to-morrow in connection with the Primitive Methodist Church, Sydney-street. In the morning the Rev. A. G. Jeynes will preach, and in the evening the Rev. D. Dutton. A tea and public meeting is announced to be held on Tuesday. St. George’s Hall was packed in every part last evening. The programme was commenced by the company appearing in evening dress and singing the solos with chorus of the national song “ God Bless the Prince of Wales,” illustrated by a tableau, which was one of the moat effective efforts of the night. Byron’s burlesque, “ Giselle, or the Night Dancers,” followed, introducing the Zingari Minstrels, and keeping the audience thoroughly amused. Tho double national hornpipe and the triple dance are especially worthy of mention. Among the gifts distributed was a handsome pair of lustres and a silver watch. To-night two burlesques will be performed, viz., “ Ali Baba” and “ Giselle, or the Night Dancers.” With such a good bill of fare, a crowded house may be anticipated. A concert and ball was held last evening in the Polytechnic Hall under the auspices of the Wellington Working Men’s Club. The concert commenced at half-past eight with the overture “Menitier de St. Waast” by Messrs. Isherwood, Parker, Caddy, and Clements, which was received with applause. Several musical selections followed, including a clarionet solo by Mr. Caddy and a violin solo by Mr. Islierwood. Dancing commenced at ten o’clock, and was kept up to au early hour this morning. The arrangements of the entertainment gave great satisfaction, and all present appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves. At the Theatre .Royal last evening there was a great house, all the lower part being crowded to excess, while the dress circle was fairly filled. We would remind our readers that to-night is the first appearance of the Majeronis, when Signor Majeroni will render his grand conception of the “ Old Corporal,” which has gained him nothing but praise throughout the colonies.: “ Tahite,” the leading theatrical critic of Melbourne, thus makes mention of his performance ; “ We have seen Majeroni play the “ Old Corporal,” and have not been disappointed in regard to the greatness of the representation. We had been prepared to expect something great, and we must say that our expectations have been realised to the fullest extent. Signor Majeroni’s acting of the Old Corporal far outstrips anything we have previously seen ;■ his facial expression and gestures were so painfully life-like as to send a quiver through the audience. Indeed, his acting was so realistic as to become painfull.” The Melbourne Argus says The performance of the part as a whole was magnificent, and Signor Majeroni rei ceived the most flattering marks of apprecia- ; tiou from all parts of the house.” The Melbourne Age says:—“A more difficult, painful, or masterly piece of acting it would be difficult to imagine or witness, so perfect was the impersonation, so realistic and vivid were the frantic efforts of the dumb, outraged, broken-hearted man to make himself understood, that he carried the house by storm and received a perfect ovation on appearing before the curtain.” As there are a great number of seats sold, and there is sure to be a rush, we should advise the theatre-going portion of the public to secure seats at Jackson’s. Mr. Gardner is Majeroni’s business manager, and has heralded hia coming in excellent style ; in fact has left nothing undone on his part to ensure success. His Excellency the Governor has signified his intention of being present this evening. Reference can be made to the letters of our Sydney correspondent (observes the Argus) on the industries of New South Wales with the more confidence because come of the manufacturers to whom allusion has been made have written to us to adopt his facts and figures. Their communications have already appeared, and they refute many labored criticisms. Our correspondent deals with the coachbuildiug trade, and his statement regarding this important industry will be perused with interest by all concerned. It is unnecessary to draw any comparison between the position of the tradehere and in New South Wales, for though, apparently, the free-trade colony has a substantial advantage as regards the number of men employed, yet we should only be raising a side issue, and our opponents would be eager to seize upon it, and divert attention from the question really at stake. The fact to be insisted upon is that we have indisputable evidence, such as is calculated to convince all but irreconcilables,' that free trade has not crushed out the coachhuilding industry across the border, but that, on the contrary, the trade has taken strong root, and is making rapid growth. The workmen have nothing to grumble about. The Sydney artisan is said to beraore Jdevoted to fetes and holidays than his Victorian brother, but however this may be, it is certain that he puts by more money. On this point, the accumulative returns are concluaiv. Nor need this circumstance he a matter of wonder. The man’s wages are as high in New South Wales as in Victoria, and his living expenses are lower, and therefore he has a larger surplus, which is the real test of prosperity. The artisan ought to he well satisfied with his lot in the free trade colony, and should congratulate himself that his lines are not set in a protectionist land, and the employers are sats lied. Onr correspondent describes them as hopeful intone, and as thoroughly grasping the situation. No protectionist movement is likely to be originated by them. They are with difficulty kept out of the Victorian market now despite the 22£ per cent, duty, and they see that when they obtain tho same easy access to Riveriua and inteiior Australia which Melbourne enjoys, their cheap productions may command those markets. This is the danger ahead. Victoria in the not far distant future may be as isolated as America, may be confined like the United States to her own glutted markets, and with the same cruel consequences. Dr. Bowker has addressed a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald on the subject of overcrowding in public schools, to which Professor Smith has replied. The former naturally looks at the question as a medical man, the latter as an educator. It is not surprising, therefore, that they differ very materially in their facts and in their conclusions. Dr. Bowker argues that the cubic space per head allowed in the schools presided over by tire Council is lamentably insufficient, and that the health of the community' is seriously endangered in consequence. He quotes authorities to show that from three to four hundred cubic feet of space per head ought to be the minimum allowance for each child, the maximum being from 700 feet to 1000 feet, and then cites an instance in which the cubic feet allowed for each person has been less than 72 feet per head, the ventilation being almost nothing. The doctor stated that the space allowed in the school for one of his patients is 7500 feet for about 80 persons, or 100 cubic feet for each person. To this Professor Smith replies that the Committee of Education in England has laid down 80 cubic feet as the proper amount of space for each child, instead of 860, as demanded by Dr. Bowker, and that 100 feet, which is the usual allowance in this colony, ought to be deemed sufficient. The subject is one on which opinions will always be divided. The truth is that while our metropolitan school accommodation, as a whole, is not seriously deficient, the accommodation in some localities is most inadequate to the necessities of the local population, and the result is that the schools which , are often bad have much more than their (usual share of pupils. For this the Council of Education is not necessarily to be blamed. The Council inherited a large number of schools which cannot be superseded in a year or a decade. The new schools which are being (erected may be supposed to have plenty of room and plenty of air. But there aie localities that must put up with old

schools, and it is too evident that some of these are both overcrowded and badly ventilated, or not ventilated at all. We are aware that there is much difference of opinion as to what constitutes overcrowding. The usual rule of the Council, it seems, is to allow 100 feet of space for each child. There can be no grave objection to this, but in this climate 100 feet is quite little enough, and should if possible be made the minimum. The climate of England is a wholly different one from that of New South Wales, and if 80 feet is the allowance in the one case, 100 feet in the other is by no means a liberal supply. It is but fair to Dr. TJowker, and to the authorities he quotes, to say that a large number of physiologists argue that the smallest allowance of air per individual should be 300 cubic feet, aud that even in that case the air should be changed frequently. Even supposing that thisisaltogethertoo extravagant, and that 100 feet is enough, the statements furnished by dur correspondent, and also by the Council's inspectors, are serious ones. We are told that there are schools under the Council in which the supply of air is much less than 100 feet, and that a serious injury is thus being inflicted upon the public. If these .statements agree with the facta, the course that ought to be taken is plain enough. It may be unreasonable to expect the Council to at once provide all the accommodation and ventilation necessai'y in overcrowded localities ; but it can limit the attendance of children at particular schools, or enlarge such schools, and so provide that 150 pupils shall not attend a school that has not proper space for 100. The trouble and expense of providing against overcrowding may be great, but they cannot be so great as the trouble and expense of not doing this. In his “ Autobiographical Recollections,” Sir John Bowring thus speaks of the celebrated Morrison, the founder of the great commercial house in Eore-street ;—-“ Morrison told me that he owed all his prosperity to the discovery that the great art of mercantile traffic was to find out sellers rather than buyers ; that if you bought cheaply and satisfied yeurself with only a fair profit, buyers—the best sort of buyers, those who have money to buy—would come of themselves. He said he found houses engaged with a most expensive machinery, sending travellers about in all directions to seek orders and to effect sales ; while he employed travellers to buy instead of to sell, and if they bought well there was no fear of his effecting advantageous sales. So uniting this theory with another,' that small profits and quick returns are more profitable in the long run than long credits with great gains, he established one of the largest and most lucrative concerns that has ever existed in London.”