THE Thames Advertiser WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 1874

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1830, 3 June 1874, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 1874

We are glad to be able to approve of | the latest proposal of the Provincial Govern meat ia reference to the tax for educational purposos. Against the former proposals there were great objections, on the grounds that the rates were too heavy, and that from their nature they were difficult of collection. The chances seem to be, that the Act would sink under the opposition which would have been raised to the taxation, and some people, were uncharitable enough to say that that was exactly what the present Executive wished. The new rating clauses have Dot yet been put before the Council, but last evening the Provincial Treasurer gave a statement of their purport. Judging from that statement, we should soy that the new proposals will pass the Council, and will suoceed in overcoming any opposition which may arise out of doors. It has been decided to adhere to the present uniform household rate of £L On the whole we should have preferred to have seen houses of' high value 'assessed at a higher rate, but in the circumstances we think the Government have taken a wise course. A differential rate according to value involves a troublesome process of valuation, which would have taken away a large part of the money derived from the tax. A good deal can also be said in this casein favour of taxing the smaller class of houses at as

much as the larger, as tnose wno live id the smaller houses are those who receive thegreatestamount of benefit from theeducational system. The proposed tax on bachelors is to be reduced from 20s to 10s, which is also a wise step, although, we may remark, the members of the Government voted for the 20i rate, when it was pitted against 10s in the Council. • The capitation fee is to be increased from 5s to 10?, to which we must yield in consideration of the necessities of the case. This increase has also a kind of compensation in it, as it may make parents somewhat more attentive than at present in seeing that their children attend school. The irregular attendance of children is at present a great obstacle to the success of the system, and we think that the question is now ripe for discussion whether compulsory clauses should not be put in force. Of course, provision will be made by which parents who are not able to pay the capitation fee will beexcused. The Provincial Treasurer stated that this was merely a ; ten> nQi'a,ry W «i RW

system, oil a property basis, would bo elaborated-next session. The Provincial Executive, although repudiating the principle of responsibility to the Council, have been driven to take much more sensible views than they at first professed on the subject of education. The Central Board is preserved with the powers it at present possesses, uLd the District School Committees with theirs. Tho system of luxation is also little changed from the preseut.

The Proviucial Government of Otago, ever alivo to the best interests of the province, have lesolved to apply to the General Assembly for power to borrovr a further sum of £50,000 to complete the harbour -works now iu course of construction at Oamarii. In the neighbouring province of Canterbury, the provincial authorities have now become alive to the necessity of improving the port of Timaru by the erection of a breakwater similar to the one being built at Oamaru. At Napier .also steps are being taken to improve the harbour, and a very large expenditure is contemplated. But at the Thames nothing has. been done, and the provincial authorities do not appear to contemplate auy large appropriation'for harbour works. Here we'have a population greater than, that of Napier, Oamaru, aud Timaru added together, and yet at the present moment we have not the most ordinary facilities for the large passenger trade of the port. At the Thames, moreover, we have do really heavy seas, and do not require the massive works which are necessary, in open roadsteads, but it seems that however urgent our wants may be, (here is no means of having them satisfied without resorting to borrowing, and this can only be done through the General Assembly. ■ Otago; with her enormous revenue, i?,'however,'"in a similar position,'and will ask, and probably obtain authority; at. the next meeting of the Assembly to raise a sum of £50,000 for works at OamVu, And there, wno possible reason why £50,000 or £60,000 should not be obtained on behalf of the Thames harbour works in a similar manner. • A public meeting has been called by the Mayor, for this ;: evening, at the request'■: of a number of citizens, to consider the present position of affairs, and we trust that some practical steps will be taken to provide better accommodation for the shipping frequenting this port.'