THE PATEA MAIL. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1875.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 32, 31 July 1875, Page 2

THE PATEA MAIL. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1875.

Tun champions of Provincialism have not been lon it in hoisting their colours, which Sir George Grey, in a speech burning with quixotic fervour, nailed to the must. As u mutter of mere tactics the attack on the address in reply was a mistake, as was plainly shown by Sir 1). McLean, who told the Provincialists they would have a better opportunity of airing their eloquence by and bye, when the measure affecting the existence of their cherished form of Government came before the House. The debate had one good mid totally unlocked for phase, and that was the manly stand taken by Mr Stafford, who boldly declared himself an ally of the Government on all vital points. The lion. ~ ~ * ndP'yl'hTs’' Out ffie exigencies of part v warfare have hitherto bound him to the Provincial party, but ho has fearlessly cut the connection, and given in his allegiance to the party whose policy lias all along been peculiarly bis own, in fact it has been often stated that he was the father of it; but that the Vogel Government purloined it and passed it off as their own. Be this as it may, it is a matter for genuine congratulation that the Government have, even at this late hour, received the unsolicited support of so able a statesman as Mr Stafford who, despite his many faults, has a host of good qualities and powers which render his services most acceptable to any party. We should hail with groat satisfaction his acceptance of a portfolio in the present Cabinet, as he would be a most eligible addition to the at present weak ranks of the Treasury Benches. His reply to Sir G. Grey’s foolish speech was a piece of brilliant debating, and had, we understand, a marked effect upon the House. The Superintendent of Auckland does not seem to realise the absurdity of his present tactics, but we think before the close of the Session he

will have moderated Ids tone, and be more careful in Ids utterances. As Governor of New Zealand, be did not trouble himself much about the rights of the people, acting frequently like a very autocrat. When radicals become rich they invariably display conservative proclivities, and people who have wielded large powers, who have to resign them, and go back to the atmosphere of private life, frequently become sudden converts to the rights of the people, whose champion they aspire to be, in order that they may grasp a power stronger than that they have not long prior yielded up. Sir George is a most estimable gentleman in private life, and has a host of friends who view with regret the quixotic tilt lie is now trying to run, and which can only serve to cover this modern knight errant with ridicule. There arc plenty of elderly gentlemen who abhor modern improvements, and who obstinately adhere to what was the fashion when they were young in spite of all arguments or even experience in favour of those which have taken the place of them. They poohpoohed the doctrines of Gullilee; sneered at Stephenson and his steam coach ; and declared the electric telegraph rank blasphemy ; but the present generation not only believe in all these things, but make use of their belief in their every day life. Sir George Grey may therefore set his mind at rest as to the fate of Provincialism in this Colony. It is

doomed and not even his threatened appeal -to the very highest quarters will save it from extinction. He had, therefore, better accept the inevitable with a good grace, and turn Ids undoubted abilities into some more profitable channel in which he may render the p-. o.ile of Now Zealand some sterling sendee' which will keep his memory before its present and future inhabitants for many a generation, as one who was a benefactor to Ins kind, and not a clog upon the wheels of political progress. Monday next being- the usual monthly meeting of the Pntca Education Board, we consider it desirable, in the interests of discipline, to bring under the notice of that body the necessity for the appointment of a pupil teacher for the Carlyle school. It will he remembered that Mr Inspector Lee, on the occasion of his last visit saw the necessity of providing a pupil teacher. Shortly after this genlleinan’s recommendation the Board advertised for an assistant teacher, but the salary demanded hy all the applicants was considered above the Board’s means. We arc of opinion that the services of a female assistant teacher would be preferable in many respects to that of a male, as there are now a number of girls attending the school who could bo better instructed by a schoolmistress. The addition of an assistant would relievo Mr Dyer of attending tu many minor details, and would give a highet tone to theschooi. As the Board will shortly have the power of dealing with the Educational Reserves of this district, wc trust that it will sec its way clear to give this school every opportunity of being considered as progressive as the rest of the district. A petition will bo presented from the residents of (be Kaka--3'HIIICa tvrwl cliofn'o*n. jnclJ'liiy the establishment of a half-time school at cash place, and if the Jigurcs and statements submitted to the Manntabi meeting by Mr Christie the other evening, are not proved to be incorrect, we have no doubt hut that the petitioner’s request will bo complied with as far as the Board’s funds will permit.