The Oamaru Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1218, 12 March 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1880.

AsfOTHEK philippic has. relieved the jaundiced system of oar contemporary. The 6th of the present month -will be noted in the history of the Colony as the day upon -which those of our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, wives, uncles, aunts, &c, -who have had -the misfortune to be born and bred in this Colony -were favored by our eontemporary with the polite information they are savages. In the absence of some substantial grounds upon which to bo3e its arguments, our contemporary introduces the subject by telling a little story, " all otit of his own head," upon which to hang an hypothesis. A party is conjectured—two young :men are created—they are made to rspeak, and their utterances are just what the -writer makes them. The !Britisher said that "the distinguishing •characteristic of a gentleman -was consideration for others; and the other, -who had been educated in New Zealand, contended, in sober seriousness, that the pre-eminent characteristic of a gentleman was consideration for himself.'* The drift of the argument so circumstantially conjured up is that an English education makes men the reverse of boors, tyrants, scoundrels, and coxcombs, whilst a Colonial education makes men all those tilings, and ■exposes Britishers to their unexampled • cupidity and self-interest. That is virtually what the writer says. What :a terrible issue to onr expensive .national education. How Colonials •will be relieved of the hallucination tthat they are moderately respectable—•that they have, at least, some ;good qualities. But in the literary jawing of onr contemporary he inserts aa (occasional saving clause. A young New Zealander he says, is "just what his individual instincts make him. 'Thanks for the concession so insensibly made. Colonials will breathe more freely on reading it. Having been informed that, in tin's respect, a •young New Zealander is not different tfroni the rest of humanity, we have only rto ascertain what are Ins " individual 'hkitincte." "We object to tie young New Zealander of onr contemporary IxKng viewed as a representative wan. He may have indulged too freely in the •- supposititious intoxicants of a phantom, party —or he may have inherited mis-: -anthropic notions from his human l •creator. " If we may suppose (says the •writer) that, in speaking as he did in the conversation referred to, the young New Zealander expressed not his own views only but the views of considerable numbers of persons in the Australian Colonies, we may easily guess at the cause of the coarse manners, the

boorishness, the gilded vulgarity of which travellers say they see so much amongst people in good positions in the colonies." How cautiously the writer proceeds with his subject He wishes to create a stir without abraiding his own skin. Allhissupposition. Reversing the old adage, his facts are figures. The little story of the conversation at the homely party is a story indeed. Upon it is hung the expression of a probability that the young New Zealander may have uttered the opinions of a large number of other people, and the travellers who attribute the failing ascribed to us to the "vulgarity orcoarseness of our natures " are incorporated in the person of the writer. We pity the pure-minded, upright, inoffensive, pliable Britisher who has been inveigled into making associates of such social scum as the writer depicts. "We would not be surprised if we were told that the latter received his education in Grgat Britain. If so, it will account for his sentlemanliness —for his consideration for the feelings of others. Let us hope that his early impressions are sufficiently deeply rooted to withstand the blighting influences of the social evils of this Colony. A little further on, however, he again flounders. He alludes to colonists as knowing perhaps " as much as other people abont what may be called the ' bye-words' and external observances of good manners,"but says that they are too selfishly bent upon following their own instincts to indulge in high or delicate consideration for others, and hence they are essentially devoid of manners." The writer herein includes all colonists, irrespective of what country may have been the cradle of their national or educational birth. He does not except himself even, and we, therefore, discover in him additional characteristics of gentlemanliness—humility and justness ; and contrition may we not add, which may be due to his failure to come up to the standard of excellence which he has set up. We really begin to think that he must have been educated in the Old Country. Emerson here comes to the writer's rescue. He gives a rather poetic description of what the writer views as a rara avis in this Colony, and poetry is just what the writer likes. "Coolness and absence of heat and haste indicate fine qualities : a gentleman makes no noise; a lady is serene" says Emerson. It is well that Emerson should be quoted. If Colonists are as bad as the writer seems desirous of showing, almost any means of reforming them woidd be justifiable. We would even daily follow the writer through the labyrinths of his erudite arguments, in order to acquire that amiability which he has for so many months struggled hard fco inculcate in the people of this district. Emerson's ideas are sound if they are tautological, and we do not know that the writer could have filled up the space they occupied with anything of his own better worth reading. The writer, we should think, is a disciple of Emer son. That he is "cool" no one who reads his articles will deny—that he " makes no noise " is equally obvious, How unnecessary—how modest is this remark :—" Looking at ourselves in the light of this declaration (Emerson's), we cannot, with justice, be surprised at the severity of our critics, if they also look at us in the same light; for noisy demonstrativeness in some form or other is a general characteristic of men in the Colonies, and even the manners of our ladies are not universally eliaracterised by serenity and absence of ostentation." By " ourselves," we suppose he means himself; and, when lie says " we cannot be surprised at the severity of our critics," he must surely mean the serenity of our critiques. The writer has a mania for serenity. " The manners of our ladies ore not universally characterised by serenity and absence of ostentation." If he had liad one at his elbow he would have had practical illustration of the fact. But here again surely he has wandered. He first tells us that a lady is serene, and then, almost in the same breath, he tells us that "our ladies are not universally characterised by serenity. Then he—in imagination of course *=- wanders to some institution where girls are spoilt. He says, "We know of at least one grandly named institution devoted to the education of young ladies, and the pupils there taught can, it is said, be known anywhere, not on account of the variety and the completeness of their accomplishments, but by the emphatic loudness of their manners." The young ladies will please keep down their indignation. The ■ writer says that this is not entirely , attributable to the carelessness or native , vulgarity of the parents, " but to the fact that many of those entrusted with \ the education of the young are, essentially, neither ladies nor gentlemen," So that the reason why ladies are not . ladies is somewhat different from the . reason why gentlemen are not gentle- , men, for we remember that the writer . has said that a man " could remain or i become just whatever his individual , instincts made, or his self-interest : allowed, him." But what will the teachers sayl They are, in the majority . of instances, the children of parents ; who have, by the exercise of all sorts of self-denial, contrived to give their off- ; spring such a liberal education that they , have been deemed fit to impai-t instruction i to others. We cannot get (f lady and ; gentleman" teachers in the Colony, if the teachers of colonial birth and train--ing are not ladies and gentlemen. We fear that, unlike the literati, the serene and tranquil teachers of the Old ; Country do not favor us with their presence and their civilising influences. , We have never seen any of these imported teachers of such extraordinarily fine perception 1 Perhaps they are perishable cargo, and deteriorate during the operation of transportation, for when they arrive here they, any more than colonial teachers, are not " gentlemen who do not make a noise, or ladies who are serene." We, at all events, have not been struck with amazement at their superior gentility. On the contrary, we are of those who believe that the worst kinds of moral taint hate been brought to this Colony by the upj>er classes of the Old Country. Bat we are radicals. We do not worship ideal virtues, created in order to institute comparisons unfair and uncomplimentary .to a section of the excfiJknfc people whom jye daily meet, and some of whom are, in a great measure, fulfilling right well the work of forming the ehawgtera of pur .children,. The writer has, it would appear, vea-

countered larrikins, hoidens, &c. We have never had the misfortune to meet ■with more of such here than exist in older countries. We cannot, therefore, work our sympathy up to a sufficiently high pitch to produce commiseration for the writer,whose remarks so delightfully harmonise with the characters, supposed or real, to whom they are applied. Perhaps it is hecause we are careful to choose our company. The writer cannot conclude without once more ringing the changes on that saying which must surely be imprinted upon the tablets of his mental organism—- " a gentleman never makes a noise, and a lady is always serene." Seriously, we have no fear for the generation that is growing up in this Colony. " Boys will be boys," and girls will be girls. This is as time of the Colonies as it is of any other place. If people do not like either sufficiently to overlook the peculiarities of their juvenility they can easily avoid contact with them and the contaminating effects which they dread. But we think that the writer in our contemporary has written more from what he thinks exists than what he knows to exist. Association with the gentlemen, and may Ave not say ladies, of Colonial birth and education would convince him that they do not suffer from comparison with the ladies and gentlemen of the Old Country. Their virtue, honesty, and intelligence, are clearly perceptible to alj who do not keep their eyes shut to excellences and open to imperfections.

We are on the ere of an unusually heavy grain season, and the resources of the rail way department will be stretched to their utmost tension. To expect that no hitches will occur in the conduct of such an exceptionally large amount of grain traffic would be to expect top much. Already the farmers of some parts of Canterbury are complaining of the scarcity of trucks $ but thjs cannot be wondered at when it is considered that this year's yield in four Counties only of that district is nearly four millions in advance of that of last year. The correct apportionment of the rolling stock will cost the railway authorities plenty of consideration and activity. We hope that, if the fanners have good cause to complain that their produce is not being conveyed to its destination as it ought to be, they will complain loudly, altogether, and to the chief railway .officer of the district. We have every confidence that Mr. Hannay will rectify all grievances if it is humanly possible to do so. The system of managing the traffic which was initiated last year operated so admirably that the busy season sped over without our knowing scarcely anything of its existence. But the geaspn was a less busy one than usual, and the pre.sent one will he about the busiest one that we have bad since the establishment of railway communication. A meeting of the Committee of the N.CAgndP. Association will be held on the 18th inst, for the transaction of general business.

Mails for the Australian Colonies per Albion close at Hokitika on Saturday, 13th inst., at 5 p.m. At Wednesday's meeting of the Otago Unjv.ei'gity Council the Chancellor said he ljae} been i;equested by Professor Ulrich to advertise the School pf Mines more largely than had been done last ypar. He said it was quite time the University g.oursg was advertised, and the two could be put together. After some discussion it was de=cided to advertised forthwith.

The managers of St. Paul's Church will be in attendance at the Church this evening from half-past seven till nine o'clock, for the Eurpose of Jetting seats to present seatolaers.

The Kailway Department has made special arrangements for the running of trains in connection with the Oamaru races, to be held on the 17th and 18th inst. Full particulars are gi%*en in another column, and tfom these it will be seen that the department b,as studied the convenience of residents in all the surrounding districts, so that conntry visitors will be able to remain in town until the last race is run and still return home the same evening. While the TJmaru, Dtmtroon, and Ngapara trains will -each bfi detained for fully an hour, a special ti-ain will bp despatched south as far as Hampden for the convenience of residents at the several townships on the line, and special trains will alsp be run at intervals to the racecourse. Ordinary singje.-faro tickets issued at any of the stations will be available for return until 12th instant.

At the meeting of householders held at Kakanni on the 6th inst., the following gentlemen were elected a school committee : Mfiaars. M. Morton, A. Thomson, F. Bromley* w - J- In S lis > B. Battersby, James Mitchell, .and Captain Matheson. The committee met on "Wednesday evening, and elected Mr, W. Mortpn as chairman, and Mr. A. Thomson as sepFetary and treasurer. The commission of Sub.-Lieut. CJgrJf., of No. 1 Company 0.R.V,, has been gazetted. The local representatives at the New Zealand Rifle Association meeting at Nelson, returned by the express train from the North y.esterday afternoon. The return cricket match between the Oamaru and Excelsiar Clubs, commenced last Saturday, will be continued to-morrow afternoon, at two o'clock, ami the jjlayers are requested to attend punctually. The Presbytery of Oamaru met at Otepopo on Wednesday, when there were present the Eevs. J. H. Cameron (Moderator), J. Christie, J. Summers, A. B. Todd, and J. Clark, ministers, and Mr. M - Farlane, elder. It was reported that at the last Synod the Upper Wnjtaki district was created a full ministerial charge, and that the Rev. Mr. Steven, in accordance ijath the instructions of the Presbytery, had visited fhe district. It was agreed that Mr. Gilbert should remain for two months longer in the district to give him an opportunity of looking out for another appointment, as the district would now be entitled to an ordained minis--ter, and jt was further agreed to recommend to the Church Extension Committee to give employment to Mr. .G/iifcerib in snojjjier district. Plans and specifications for a pew church to be erected in South Oamaru were laid upon the table. The larger of the plans was approved of, and it was agreed to recommend that, as the building was only likely to be of a temporary character, it should be constructed of wood. It was resolved to recommend that the general treasurer should pay LIOO of the grant for a site for this church, agreed to by the last synod, as soon as possible. The first Sabbath of April was appointed for thanksgiving for the abundant harvest. Ni'tice of motion regarding the demoralising effects of racing and gambling was given, the matters to be discussed at the next meeting. Thp Presbytery then adjourn'd till the 9th June next, at 11.30 a.m., when it will meet in Oamaru,

As a railway siding is about to be opened at Whitstone, and it is thought that mistakes may occur in consequence of the simir larity in sound and form of its present title to Weston, which is only two miles distant and also has a siding, we learn that it is intended to call the Whitstone siding by another and more distinct ve name. If the settlers in the locality would like to suggest a name, they skauld communicate with the railway authorities at Oamaru, who, we presume, would he happy to receive and consider any suggestion they may make as to the proposed change in name. Oddfellows will be interested in an adver? tisement which appears in our advertising columns, announcing the annual meeting of the Otago District to be held in the Oddfellows' Hall here to-morow, at 1 p.m. Delegates from the lodges of Otago are expected, and all financial members of the Order are invited to attend. From the business paper we notice amongst the items to be considered, the Grand The fire in ThameS'Strecfc this mornipg destroyed one of the telegraph posts, and caused the breakage of the wives and interruption of communication with the North, Directly the fire had been reduced to burning embers, the Department at once took steps to repair the injury, and to the credit of the officers be it said that communication was restored by a quarter before 10 o'clock.

Master's, address, and the reading of .the balance-sheet and auditors' reports, election of officers, &c. Being the first time that the annual meeting'of the Order has been held here, it will be interesting to the members of the Manchester Unity who can make it convenienb to attend.

When Hampden was proclaimed a Municipality, the Borough Council applied to the Government, asking that a reserve, consisting of some 3000 acres.which had been Crown granted to the late Superintendent in trust for the benefit of the town pending its formation into a Municipality, should be handed over to them. To this application the Government replied as follows: " General Crown Lands Office, "Wellington, December 23, 1879.—Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th inst., and, in reply, to inform you that the Hampden Road Board, the members of which body were appointed to manage the reserve, object to the commonage being handed over to the Borough of Hampden.— I have, &c.—D. J. P. Bliott, Under Secretary. —The Town Clerk, Hampden, Otago." The Council has now forwarded the following communication to the Government in reply:— " Hampden, March 8, 1880.—To the Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington, New Zealand.—Sir,—l have the honor, on behalf of the Borough Council, to acknowledge the receipt of letter dated 23rd leoember, 1879, signed by the Under-Secretary in your Department, stating that you decline to vest the commonage reserve under the management of the Borough Council on account of the Hampden Road Board objection. The Borough Council, on behalf of the burgesses, respectfully request.you to re-consider the matter on the following grounds -.—That the Hampden Road Board have no legal right or title to the reserve, and the power given to them under section 6 of the Public Reserves Act of 1877, on the 16th of September, 1878, by a former Minister of Lands, we consider was only temporary and ceased, to exist on the Bth of September, 1879, the date on which the Borough was proclaimed, and in accordance with section 352 of the Municipal Corporations Act of 1876, and section 8 of the Public Reserves Ap.t pf 1877, That under these sections we respectfully submit that the Borough Council are legally entitled to the management of the reserve. That on the 7th of January, 18S0, a deputation from the Borough, consisting of Messrs. Wm. Murcott, (Mayor), A. C. Weir, and J. Doreen, (Councillors); waited upon the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, in reference to the reserve, who said that it apr peared to him, from what the deputation had stated, they had made out a good case, and he would consult you on the matter. Nothearinganythingmoreabout it, the Mayor again waited on the Hon. the Minister of Public Works, on the 9th of February, when he informed him that he had brought the matter under your notice, and advised that the Borough ppuncil should wrifce fa you again. Theßorougti Cquncil, therefore, beg that you will without any further delay, be pleased to recommend to His Excellency the Governor the granting of their request, as the Burgesses have already sustained a grea£ loss, and are still doing so, through the mismanagement pf the reserve. —I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant, William Mttrcott, Mayor.

Everyone who has been present in Court during any of the many trials that the notorious John Madden has undergone will freely admit that he is a clever, though misguided young man. He can cross-examine a witness in a manner very nearly approaching that of a lawyer, and knows as well as here and there one when he has gained a point. This morning, however, he came out in a new character, and had th,e confjdenpe—not to say audacity—to argue law points with his Worship and Mr. Newton. At the close of the case for the defence, Mr. Newton stated that he would call a witness to relate evidence given for the defence. To this Madden objected, saying that the case for the prosecution was closed, and that further eyidenqe could not be called. His Worship, however, differed from the prisoner upon the point, and said thai; rebuttmg evidence, wag properly admissible. Madden then de.lared the proceeding to be unusual and irregular, Mr. Newton coolly remarked that, had not the case been one of importance, he might have bowed to the superior knowledge of the law possessed by the prisoner—knowledge obtained, no doubt, as the result of great research. Madden plaintively replied that he could neither read nor write, and that he could not, therefore, stvidy the law. Mr. Newton rejoined that the' prisoner's knowledge of the law was the result of personal and practical experience. This was too severe; Madden quietly subsided, and Mr. Newton scored a point against the wily rascal.

Writing from Rochdale to a correspondent in Sheffield, Mr. Bright says :"I think trade in this country will revive, and if the revival in the United States is followed by good harvests here we shall have all que industries restored to activity and to health. As to emigration, it is a questiqn on which it is hardly safe to give 'advice, so much depends on the emigrant, on his health, his character, his means, and his family. For workers in iron and fa all metals, th.e States are a better field than any of our Colonies, as they offer a greater and a more varied field of employment. For men connected with the land, as farmers or laborers, Canada and the States are much the same, except that in the north the winter is so severe, but this is moderated as you go south. I hear good accounts of Nebraska and Colorado, and there is room for millions. New Zealand has a fine climate, much superior to that of North Xmerisa, but the distance is great, and the cost of going' is consequpntly greater. I should say that a young man,'healthy, active, steady, and sensible, may do well for his children, though he may have to face some rough work and hardship. With a revival in America and better seasons and harvests in India, our prospects are better, buf we must have good harvests here before we see qav home tracje active and prosperous. I hope before long we may have a Government whose policy will not be such as. to, aggravate all the misfortunes which bad seasons here and abroad must neoessarily bring upon us."