C|e Smttfjto femes. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1866.

Southland Times, Issue 611, 28 December 1866, Page 2

C|e Smttfjto femes. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1866.

The Provincial Council will in a few days be again in session. Provincial questions will naturally command first consideration, still it must not be forgotten that the subject of a reform of the constitution is a matter that demands serious and immediate attention. Every Provincial Council in the colony ia called upon to give definite expression to its views as to the reforms in the Q-overnment (general and provincial) it may deem the best calculated to improve the system of Government hitherto in operation. The question of Separation has long been the question of questions, still it has not been unravelled. This is not surprising. Until very recently it could not be said that there was any public opinion in New Zealand ; the colonists of the South had a foggy notion that they were, somehow or another, suffering from their connection with the North, but to what extent no one appeared to know, and few cared to inquire. As far as the Middle Island is concerned, this was not to be wondered at ; the handful of pioneer settlers, in their primitive simplicity, were content with the semblance of self-government which the Provincial arrangement presented, while the new-comers, unable to grasp the complications of the New Zealand system of government, and not having a vested interest in the colony, took but little trouble to ascertain the character of the constitution by which they were ruled. Under these circumstances it is not surprising that the Separation agitations that in past years were initiated should have proved abortions. When we look back and realise the fact that few of the promoters of these agitations had more than a very superficial acquaintance with the history of the colony, or the nature of the laws that they were called upon to obey, it would have been a miracle had any other result followed. Time, that great worker ot wonders, has changed the aspect of affairs ; the dull and leaden stream of inactivity has become, in some parts, a mercurial currant that threatens to entirely change the order of things. The events of the last few months has called forth an amount of political vitality that cannot fail to bring about a great change in the system of government in New Zealand ; what that change may be none can foretell, and in the present instance we feel a difficulty in approaching it. It is certain, however, that we are on the eve of the re-construction of the Grovernlnent — a remodelling of the constitution — which cannot fail to alter very materially the construction of the New Zealand Parliament. The constitution is a complex machine, the parts of which are supposed to be periodically adjusted to each other, and it is fitting that all interested in the future of the colony should form deliberate opinions as to what adjustments should be made. The insularSeparationists may be right in theory, but their working plans ought to be exhibited ; the Provincialists may have some reason on their side, which should be freely discussed ; and the centralisers are called upon to make plain the practical effect of the system of Q-overnment they propose. It is evident the time has come when radical reforms must be made. The question is, what are those refornisi;o be? Anything less than a Financial Separation of the two islands will not meet the necessities of the people, or become a permenant arrangement. The reform demanded by Otago is simply an extension .of the Provincial system — a granting to the larger Provinces the power of more effectually over riding the smaller ones. This must not be ; if change there is, and change there will be, the Provincial system must be abolished. The two islands should be separated ; they cannot work together with satisfaction to themselves or advantage to the colony. "We do not argue in favor of a direct and positive Separation ; what we demand is, that the costly system of Provincialism shall be destroyed, and that the South shall no longer be called upon to pay for the suppression of the native rebellion in the North ; in short, that there must be two Governments and two Governors — one for the North, and another for the South Islands ; these Governments to have entire control over all ordinary matters of legislation within their bounds, and a Federal Council, with power to control such legislation as would prove oppressive to either, or in which both islands were equally interested. Such a reform as this is within the " four corners " of the constitution. The Governor can appoint a Lieutenant- Govern or without an Imperial enactment. What can be advanced against a Separation of the two islands as long as there exists a Federal bond of union? Provincialism is the barrier that prevents unity of action, and is gradually but surely dragging the colony down to the lowest depths of confusion. To increase the provincial powers and reduce the General Government to a Federal Council, would be simply a change but no reform. What is required is a simplifying of the complicated machinery of government that now exists, and this can only be obtained by a Financial Separation of the two islands, the creation of two distinct governments, one for each island, instead of the nine petty states that now exist. This can be accomplished. If the Middle Island Provinces were merged into one, and the North Island into another government, i with a comprehensive municipal system, the Legislative Council might be reconstructed and become the Federal Council. This appears to us the only reform that is calculated to prove satisfactory. To increase the powers of the Provincial Governments or to allow the major provinces to swallow up the minor ones, would not result in good. The same bickering, the same discontent, and the same system of log-rolling that has so long disfigured

New Zealand legislation would still exist, and most probably become more conspicuous and dangerous than ever. This is a subject that should be seriouslythought over, and impartially discussed.

We are requested to call attentien to tho sale by auction, this day by Mr "William Todd, of Mauritius sugars, ci " Lady Darling" at the Jetty Sheds. The sale commences at 1 2 o'clock. ™The crime of arson, according to British law, is punishable by death, but we have no record of the extreme penalty having been carried out in any of the colonies up to the present time. It is, however, at length to be put in force. We take the following from the Neio Zealand Herald, 11th December : — " The December Sessions of the Supreme Couvt, for criminal cases, closed yesterday. The la?t and most important case was that of John Eleoek, charged with arson. There were two counts in the indictment, and ho was found guilty upon both. TJnon the one sentence of death was recorded against him, and upon the other penal servitude for life. This sentence will have, we may hope, a j very salutary influence in checking the spread of a crime which was becoming too common amongst us. To rob a bank or an insurance company is thought by too many, we are sorry to say, a very venial offence as compared with th^t of robbing an individual, and yet either a bank corporation or an insurance company is hut nn aggregation of individuals, who, as shareholders, one and all suffer, and if, in the ense of the crime of incendiarism, tho losses fall so heavily on the in suranoe companies that tho whole of the profitsare swallowed up in meeting them, a person may be robbed of his whole income for the time being, for there are many whose property is entirely invested in such shares. The very committal of Elcock had a palntary effect. But one clear case of incendiarism hns occurred since then in Auckland. "Few. however, looked for so heavy a sentence as that which has been passed upon this man and it will no doubt, as it was -wisely intended that it should do, strike terror into the hearts of those who may meditate such a crimeTt is an ugly and a foarful thm<r for a man to have sentence of death recorded asninst hi , even though he knows fhat the rope will not be placed around his no^k, but that he will only suffer the sentence of penal servitude for life. "No man, too, when he commits arson in a city the greater number of the houses of which are of •" ood, can tell but what he may really run the risk of the punishment of death. He cannot tell but that, as in the case of tho recent fire at Ch ist church, some person may through his act meet with loss of life. In such a case the sentence is not merely recorded, but is actually carried out. In the recent series of fires which have taken place in Auckland there have teen several very narrow escapes from such calamity. The examination of the public school, Riverton, taught by Mr Dugal Cameron, took place on Friday lnst, 21st inst. There were present the Hey James Clark, Dr Martin, Messrs Crerar, M.P.C., Austin, Young, Ireland, and Lyon. There was a lack of ladies, Mrs Clark being the only one present. The examination began with the younger classes. They read with fluency and ease. They were examined on the subjects read, and the manner in which they answered, showed how well they understood what they read. The spelling was equally good. The further advanced pupils were examined in Bible history. Their knowledge was exact, and pretty extensive, showing that a considerable attention is paid to the storing of the youthful mind with religious truths. The examination in geography, physical and political, was searching, highly satisfactory and instructive, shewing that the mind as well as the memory is cultivated. The exercises in mental arithmetic were gone through with great accuracy and quickness, reflecting great credit on the intelligence of the children : and skill of the teacher. Tho writing was creditable. Several wrote from dictation with ease, and great correctness considering the age of the children. The work of the day was enlivened with several pieces of music sung with considerable taste. Several of those present expressed themselves highly satisfied with the appearance of the school, reflecting great credit on Mr Cameron's skill in " teaching the young idea how to shoot." There were 47 children present. Mr Austin supplied theachildren with fruit, &c, which added very much to the enjoyment of the day's work. — Communicated. "In another column will be found an advertisement of Mr Buxton having reference to Provincial made drain pipes. We are in possession of a sample of the 4 and 2 inch pipes, and can certify that they of firat-rate quality. From the price at which they are offered, it is evident that for the purpose of drainage they are much cheaper than timber. This is a new branch of industry that ought to be encouraged. - 1 The Christmas holidays in Invercargill have not assumed a festive character. All has been " stale, flat, and unprofitable." No public picnics have been organized, not the semblance of the joviality wo were won't to see has been displayed, and scarcely a green leaf has decorated any public esablishment. In fact, oiu* Christmas has been dull to a degree. We beg to acknowledge " G-rif," a Christmas story, from the pen of B. J. Farjeon, Esq., author of " Shadows on the Snow," &c. It is a well got- up work of over 250 pages. The late hour at which we received it precludes our giving such a notice in our present issue, as from a glance at the opening cheapter leads us to think it merits. We shall take an early opportunity of reviewing it at length. ■* The question is continually asked, " why is not the Bluff Harbor and luvercargill Railway opened?" We are in a position to state that the only drawback to the opening of the railway for public traffic is some slight alteration iv a small portion of the line on both sides of the disputed boundary which has to be made before the Engineer's certificate will be granted. The contractors and the government have amicably adjusted all difficulties, and Messrs Smyth, Hoyt and Co. have undertaken the construction of tho railway terminus upon the aite that has been so long desired by the people of Campbelltown, the government having agreed to the solicitations of the residents of that township. We understand that owing to the non-arrival of expected communications from the General Government, tho Provincial Executive have deemed it necessary to recommoud His Honor the Superintendent to farther postpone the timo for the meeting of the Council for a few days. Notice of tho time fixed for the meeting of the Council will bo stated iv a future isgue,