The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 1879.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 140, 26 April 1879, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 1879.

When Sir George Grey’s Government •took office a good many of the opposition members- even some of the opposition papers—wore of opinion that Sir George would take the first opportunity to remove Sir Julius Vogel from his office as Agent-General. Measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves amongst themselves, they were prepared for an exhibition of weakness which they would have displayed to the world had their party been placed in the same circumstances. It was refreshing, therefore, to every right-minded man to learn that Sir George and those gentlemen who formed the Government w r ere incapable of such a selfish action. Notwithstanding all that has been said about Sir George, nothing has been shown to prove that he acts otherwise than for the good of the country. Even in the Marquis of Normanby affair, it is now clearly proved that the late Governor was to blame for Sir George’s coolness. Only a spirit of revenge could have prompted the Government to shelf Sir Julius. It well knew' that it would not he for the interests of the colony to do so, and therefore they" could not do it. Moreover, it wmuld not have been consistent with that spirit of conciliation brought often to the front. The case is now, however, altered. Sir Julius is about to accomplish his long cherished hope—to join a w ealthy firm, and set his heart to making money—the leading principle with almost every Jew. Nevertheless, in Sir Julius’ case, the reward has been well and honestly earned. The Agent-General is the great New Zealand Goliah. He has far outreached in largeness of ability, largeness of mind, and power of grasp any statesman in his time in this colony. The fruits of his fertile brain will not be fully seen or .appreciated until many years have passed away, and perhaps the strong-minded man with them. It is only by placing a picture of what New Zealand was ten years ago alongside of a picture of what New Zealand is now that the contrast can be seen and the magnitude of the venture clearly demonstrated. There were, of course, many croakers wdio predicted sudden ruin to the colony. The more clearheaded saw it otherwise. True, a combination of favorable circumstances helped the great financier, but notwithstanding all this, had some bungler been allowed to interfere all would have gone wrong. The colony had confidence in the Colonial Treasurer, or rather the Treasurer w T as able to keep a firm hold of the reins of the state coach, and consequently w T as able to drive it as he pleased ; had they been in the hands of any other man it might have turned out a great failure. Taking a <rcar view of Sir Julius’ great scheme and the way he carried it out to complete success, we cannot withhold - v our meed of praise, and would not; ‘ could not, condemn any proposal to do him honor. Although Sir Julius Vogel may withdraw himself from any active operations connected directly with this colony, all history supports us in saying lie will, if spared, appear again in our midst. It is in human nature to love applause—the Agent-General not excepted. Anticipations of greatness in a financial point of view may dazzle him for a time, but like most schemes of the human family, anticipations are the sweetest fruits that the sanguine temperaments of men ever gather. The Agent-General may realise his expectations, even then he will not care to leave the world until he has once more walked the streets of the New Zealand capital, and heard the shouts of an applauding multitude. In the event of Sir Julins Vogel retiring from the AgentGeneralship who is to be his successor 1 No newspaper man,however good, should be placed in such a responsible position. Newspaper editors, in virtue of their office, are not the best men for the office of Agent-General. Often overbearing, uncompromising, like a Court bailiff they are elected against any feeling of sympathy, regardless often of principle, they will try to drive a lie down one’s throat, and will not admit a fault, oven when the fact is staring them in the face. Mr Reid, who is just spoken of, is not in our opinion the fittest man that could be got to fill this high and responsible position. Another name is present to our mind at this moment, and one which, as we have sometimes had occasion to unfavorably criticise, we have now pleasure in recommending. That individual is Mr William Rolleston, M.H.R. Mr Eolleston we believe to be a gentleman who would not sacrifice his country’s good. He may, and has often erred, but it was error of judgment more than sinning against Ins convictions. If appointed Agent-General we feel convinced he would turn out to he the light man in the right place. Mr Rolleston is a gentleman well educated, well mannered, civil, considerate, and industrious. If Agent-General he would command respect, and being well acquainted with the needs of both islands he would, we feel sure, deal out equal justice to both. If there is any truth in the rumour that Sir Julius Vogel is about to refre it is to he hoped the Government will keep in view the claims of Mr Rolleston. Although an opposition member there is no enmity between Sir George and himself ; they do not agree as to the way the local affairs of the colony should be managed, but there is no reason why he should not go to England as an officer of the Government to conduct its home business, which we believe he would do most faithfully and successfully. Sir Julius Vogel would still he a good and useful adviser, and if (as indeed must be the case) the present Government go into the. money market for another loan, Sir Julius Vogel would he a power in himself to make the loan a success, lie and Mr Kobe;-,!on would no doubt work heartily together for the interests of the colony. Air Rolleston is a, gentleman in the prime of Ide ; this; also is another recommendation. It will not do to make such an oliiee as this a, sinecure for old fogies to sil and sip their wine in their arm chair dispensing ord'TS to subordinates. Silt .lours Voont.—The telegram announcing Sir Julius Vogel’s resignation of the Agent -Ueneralsliip turns out to have been a concoction. Sijj’i’o.sim Lvoicndiauis.m.— Early on Sunday morning a, stack of ryc-grass and clover hay on the farm of Charles Millar, Rangitata,

was discovered on fire. About 200 bags were consumed, together with the haystack, and the owner estimates his loss at LIOO over the insurance. A cottage, occupied by Mrs Ivlausc at Tai Tapu, was burned down on Sunday night. The fire is supposed to have been caused by an incendiary. After the fire the policy of insurance and other papers and valuables, somewhat scorched, but otherwise safe, were found in a cavity under the hearth, ■where they had been placed for safety. The cottage was insured in the National Insurance Company for LIOO, and the furniture for L 25. Magistrate’s Court, Temuka. We understand that an unusual number of cases are set down for hearing at the next sittings of this Court, to be held on the 30th inst., when Mr Guinness, our newly appointed R.M., will preside for the first time. Amongst the number of cases we note one of an unusual nature, viz., that of a charge preferred against a well-known tradesmen of sporting propensities in Temuka for killing a cat. The plaint, as far as we can remember, runs thus ; “To killing-my cat with your dogs at my bouse, £5 ; also to frightening my wife at the risk of her life ” We presume, from the plaint, that the cat is of more importance than the wife in this instance, and consequently the whole of the damages are laid upon the killing of the cat, no amount being claimed for damages done to the wife. All we can say is wc should not like to have been in the plaintiff's shoes when he went home and told the wife the amount claimed for damages to her and that laid for the unfortunate cat. The defendant, we are informed, when applied to for compensation for the damages sustained was quite thunderstruck, and could not believe that his dogs -would be guilty of such a crime, but nevertheless most generously replied, “ My clogs kill your cat my good woman, that canna he the case surely ! Well, well, jist keep yoursel’ easy on that score. Come in ayint the hoose and I’ll soon sattle that we ye ! Here’s a cat and three kitlins, tak’ the lot.” But no, this kind offer would not satisfy the good lady’s wounded feelings for the loss of her pet tabby, and nothing else would alleviate them hut the hard cash. We heilicve there will be a good deal of amusement over the affair, as the case wc understand is to be defended. Tills will bo a nice point for his Worship to decide, as the defendant, acting on the scrip, tural precept, offers to make good the damage by offering to restore four-fold “ an old cat and three kitlins.” Whether his Worship will accept this offer as a “ set off ” it remains to be seen. Penny Sayings Banks. —Wo understand from the Chairman of the Temuka School Commitee that the South Canterbury Board of Education have sent circulars to the various school committees inviting them to establish savings banks in the schools under tboir charge. We are not aware whether or not the Board approve of this project. For ourselves, we must plainly state that we are opposed to it. If our education department have no higher principle in view for the rising generation in this colony than that of teaching them a selfish greed for money, and to foster in them a disposition for hoarding, wc say hotter go back to the cannibal at once. The one indulges in the luxury of eating human flesh, and would not take life but for the opportunity it affords him of satisfying that habitually acquired animal taste ; but in the case of a boy or girl who is daily taught to value money as the all-important study of their life, it would not be wondered at if in after years they will sacrifice everything, even life life, for the pleasure it gives them of always seeing a heap of gold before their eyes. History tells us some startling stories of the extreme length that misers have gone to to protect or increase their hord of the wicked Mammon. Surely our Boards of Education do not wish to see a race of misers spring up amongst us, yet this action of the Board has that tendency. We w r onlcl much rather have seen the Board of South Canterbury denounce this vicious scheme for corrupting our youth, and destroying all natural affection. Has not the aim of every rightthinking parent been to engender in the hearts of their children love to one another ? Instances could be quoted even at our very doors where the parents exercised their children in teaching them to be generous instead of selfish by encouraging them to be ever ready to share with each other rny little gifts of pocket money or present of any kind, and is not this a better training than to teach them to store up such little gifts or presents and to daily fix their minds upon it as the one thing needful ? It is right and good to discourage habits of waste and cai’clossness, even with money, but we would far rather see our sons and daughters sharing with those in need of their substance than see them stand by and coolly say, “ If you bad put as much value upon money as I did you would not have been in need to-day.” To such the Scripture warning applies. Training our children to love one another is better than training them to love filthy lucre. Coursing. —-We are very glad to state that the South Canterbury Coursing Club are in a fair way to obtain permission to course within this district during the ensuing year. The Canterbury' Acclimatisation - Society, at a special meeting held on Thursday, resolved, in answer to an appeal from the Club, to recommend that coursing should be allowed in South Canterbury. The Club, since its inauguration, lias prevented to a groat extent the destruction of game, and we believe it is the only club in New Zealand that lias ever granted money to preserve game. S.C. Coursing Club. —A committee meeting of the above Club was Held at the Royal Hotel, Temuka, on Thursday night last. Present—Messrs Thomson (chairman), Paterson, Wilson, Burrows, and Dr Hays. Ihc minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The chairman stated that a gentleman in Otago had offered to present the Cluli witli a number of hares to be lot loose within the district, provided that the permission of the Otago Acclimatisation So-

ciety was received for that purpose. Consideration was deferred to next meeting. Accounts to the amount of £5 Is 7d were passed for payment. The secretary reported that 104 hawks’ heads had been brought to him wiiring the month. Mr Burrows having resigned the treasarership, Dr Hayes was elected to the office. Sundry other matters having been dealt with, the meeting terminated.