Correspondence.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 176, 28 June 1859, Page 3

Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Colonist. Sir,—As it is possible some of your readers might be influenced by the lengthy and labored advocacy of Mr. Wilkie's section, as the best site for the new cemetery, as shewn by the correspondence in your last issue, and in a leading article about the beginning of January, I claim to make a few plain statements in reply. As Mr. Wilkie is one of the principal proprietors of the Colonist, one cannot be surprised to find that you can see nothing bufc advantage in the section offered by him, and imperfections in any other site; but I am rather surprised to'find a newspaper, advocating the principles propounded by the Colonist at its starting, and which every newspaper ought to be guided by, attempting to prejudge any question, or influence any opinion, before such question has gone to issue. But such appears to haVe been done twice by the Colonist,— with what bad taste I need not mention, considering the proprietorship ofthe paper and of one ofthe sites offered —once by an article on the subject, when ifc was understood the question of site was to be referred to the Council, and now again by an anonymous letter, when that Council very wisely left it to the decision of the members interested in the districts to which the cemetery will belong.

I now approach the consideration of the two sites. With reference to the distance, which is a very important consideration, your correspondent speaks of Mr. Wilkie's section as being only a few score paces further than Dr. Ren wick's. True so far, but nofc to the portion accessible, which is about 600 yards further to the spot where you can enter his section, so that there and back is about 1200 yards, or two-thirds of a mile. Again, arrived at the section you have to wind up a steep; ascent-of perhaps another one-third of a mile before you reach the most available part. Bufc perhaps your correspondent may consider it an advantage to lengthen the journey to those who have carriages to reach the last resting place of their friends, bufc I am afraid those who have to walk will prefer the shorter walk and less pleasant carriage drives.

I admit Mr. Wilkie's section, at present, presents a more even surface, from being cleared and cultivated; but having" examined, the two sections carefully, I cannot see any other advantage it possesses. Against this the'difference of price must be taken into consideration, viz., ,6200. It has also been-ascertained by estimate, made by a competent surveyor, that it would be necessary-to widen the road to the furthest aection, which would cost £200, and say £100 more to reach the available part—a sum, at even a much lower estimate, far more than necessary to clear and sow Dr. Uenwick's section; and this once done, ifc would be found that the quantity aud quality of the land in the latter would be quite equal to Mr. Wilkie's, and nofc so steep. Independently of the ten acres sold of Mr. Wilkie's flection, there are other ten acres which would not be available, inasmuch as the drainage from them is direct into Dr. Renwick's land—unless the same evil is perpetuated which has rendered the present moving necessary. " -,As for. beauty of situation for ornamental purposes, plantations, there need be no comparison; Dr. Renwick's section commands a beautiful view of fche city and bay, is very much nearer, the drainage is direct from it to the sea, the cost is less, and, taking all the circumstances into consideration, I cannot see how any preference can be given by an impartial person to the further section.: I will not notice the personal insinuations and inuendos .of your correspondent any further than by making the remark, the truth of which is generally admitted, thafc any cause that requires the support of personal "abuse and insinuation, is deficient in sound argument on its side. I am, &c., JOHN SHARP.

To the Editor of the Colonist.

Sra,-^As the best site for a cemetery is under consideration, and as-one of fche two places on the Waka-puaka-road may be chosen, it would be well to remind those who have the selection, thafc fche river Maitai must be considered in the matter. The present; transitory state of the river banks and bridges (notwithstanding the "controllers"), render ifc extremely probable thafc in floods funerals will be brought to a stand still on the river bank, and thafc we shall still have to make use of the present town cemetery.

My opinion "4a. that a much better site could be found over Greig's Hill, and near the Quarantine-road, where a cemetery some day or other will be. The inhabitants of the Waimea and Richmond (who far outnumber those at Wakapuaka) would be able to make use of it for their deceased friends.

Again, the Wakapuaka-road is so narrow that two vehicles can hardlyl pass, and according to a well known rule, the hearse containing the corpse would have to take the outside, and the consequences of a collision may be imagined better than I can describe it, Further, the drainage from the cemetery would •cross a much frequented road, and fche miasma be blown by the sea, breeze into the east portion of the town.; None of the above objections apply to the site s& Greig's Hill. , I am; Sir, your obedient servant, FORGET MB NOT.

To the Editor of tU Colonist. Sin, —I beg you will be kind enough to publish in your columns the following extract from the New Zealand Spectator of May 28th, concerning jthe important-subject of education. Yours, A FBIEND OF EDUCATION. Nelson, June 22. " We admit that the Government ought not to interfere with the religious teaching of any denomination ; that its chief concern is to take care that the aecularinsfruetion given in any school which receives assistance from the Government is of a •suffickmt character—-that it comes up to the Government standard. But wo-maintain that the proper course tp pursue is, not to refnee aid to all schools, of whatever denomination,' if religion is taught in them ; but to assist all schools, of whatever denomination, if the secular instruction, or, ; as Mr. Fitzgerald (the Superihtendentflf Hawke's "Bay) expresses it, the three great branches of .reading, writing, and arithmetic, taught, are equal •to the Government standard. As the case stands .at present, the Government system represses and .discourages every effort to promote education unJess religious-iJe^ching is excluded, By the ot,her

plan, every encouragement wouldbe given to the establishment of schools throughout the province, by helping those who were willing to help themselves. There would be this further advantage, that as the aid would be given in proportion to the number of scholars at each school, the most efficient schools would receive the greatest amount of encouragement, while tbe Govermnent would he put to the least expense in the distribution of educational grants, since instead of incurring the serious expense of establishing Government schools it would only be necessary to appoint a Government Inspector of Schools, whose duty it would be to see that the secular instruction given in each school receiving Government assistance was of the required standard, and was of a really efficient character. Such a course would be the wisest, because it would avail itself of tlie exertions of all denominations, and call forth fresh activity and greater educational efforts; it would be the most tolerant, because it would not interfere with the religious opinions of any denomination; and it would be the riiosfc economical, because it would make use of the machinery already in operation, imparting to it fresh vigor and usefulness, instead of, as at present, paralysing all attempts to promote education. The principle we advocate has ibeen successfully acted upon for some years past at Auckland, and is now generally recognised as the soundest and most practical in the mother country."