The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume IX, Issue 515, 7 September 1875, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

Equal and exact justice to all men, OH whatever state or persuasion, religious or political, # * * # # Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1875.

Those who are interested in the welfare of the educational institutions of this Province will learn with pleasure that the Government propose to give exceptional pecuniary aid to those Provinces which are without adequate or sufficiently profitable educational reserves to yield the sum required to place their schools upon a properly efficient basis. In such cases the requisite amount will be supplied out of colonial funds, and the glaring disparity which has hitherto been observable in comparing the educational advantages of one district with the another will, it is to be hoped, shortly disappear. It has been a crying scandal that, while in many parts of the colony — notably in Canterbury and Otago — sums have been lavishly voted for, education in all its branches, for literary institutes, and free public libraries, in many parts of the North Island, and especially in the Province of Auckland the schools have struggled under the incubus of poorly salaried teachers, and a lack of the barest necessaries. Under such disadvantages education has dragged through a precarious existence, and nothing but a spirit of endurance and hope of better things has prevented an utter callapse. We have had in New Zealand for sometime past a state of things in educational and literary matters which was rapidly tending to make the social distinctions between the people of the North and Middle Islands more marked and divergent than even geographical divisions, or the accidental circumstances of their relative political advantages could in themselves have created. On the one hand was growing np a people with all the real power and conscious superiority of efficient education, with all the elevating influences of high class intellectual institutions , on the other, a people struggling to scrape together sufficient means to provide the rising generation with the barest elemene tary teaching. It needed no gift of prophecy to enable a reflective mind foresethe inevitable result of a long continuance

of such a state of things. If knowledge is power, iguorance is weakness. If education fits a people for national greatness, . the want of it has a proportionately powerful influence in the contrary direction. Wo were rapidly drifting into a state of things which "would have largely increfisecl that preponderating influence which the South has exercised in the politics of the country. The old intellectual supremacy of the Athenians in the confederacy of Delos would have fo'md a modern parallel in New Zealand. The North Island might kaye developed a race with all the distaste of literary pursuits that characteiised the Spartans, but without their redeeming military prowess, their endurance, their patriotism, and selfsacrifice. As time wore on, and intellectual superiority asserted its natural sway, the people of this part of New Zealand would have become the modern Helotse of AngloSaxon Colonization, dominated by a race of intellectual and social superiors. It was, and is time that something should be done to end the anomalous and inequitable system that bus existed, and that education throughout the colony shall be placed upon a broad aud national basis The circumst mces of the colony demand that the great duty of educating the peopk should be undertaken by the General Government, instead of being relegated to a number of provinces exhibiting all the extremes of lavish opulence and abject poverty. That which fits a man to beoonie a useful and desirable citizen, rind ; fhe lack of which is the most fruitful source of crime and national decay — the education of a people which is at the basis of their national well-being, is too deeply serious a matter to be exposed to the dangers and vicissitudes of nine little greedy, selfish, logrolling Parliaments, composed for the most part of place-hunters, money-grub-bers, intriguers, and tinker-politicians, with, collectively, a low estimate of the value and importance of education, literature, and intellectual culture generally.

The amendments in the Abolition Bill announced by the Government must have been the knell to the hopes of the Opposition. The Bill as it originally Ftood proposed to appropriate the land Fund of each Province to the following objects :—lst,: — 1st, the payment of interest and sinking fund on existing Provincial Loans; 2ud, the management of Waste lands; 3rd, the maintenance of Charitable Institutions ; 4th, the payment of pro rata contributions to Road Boards ; the balance remaining after meeting these charges to be administered by the General Government for purposes of Immigration ahd Public Works in the Provincial District in which the money was raised. Mr Macandrew proposed that in the Province of Ot<go, which in hie estimation is New Zealand — the surplus revenue from Land Fund should be administered by a Board of Works, Major Atkinson capped Mr Maoandrew's proposal by .staling that the Government was prepared to amend the Abolition Bill so as to extend the same principle to all the Provincial Districts. The Government have thus completely taken the wind out of Mr Maeandrew's sails, and we are much mistaken in our estimate of the character of his Honor the Superintendent of Otago if he does not accept the inevitable and leave Sir George Grey in the lurch. Mr Macandrew may not exactly have " got all ho wanted," but he will not be" slow to perceive that, however much he may desire, he has got as mucli as he can reasonably expect, The proposals of the Government arc also likely to satisfy several ptherraal-con tents. They will remove some objectionable anomalies from the machinery w hich is to take the place of the existing Provincial institutions, and calm the fears o f Southern alarmists who pretend to discern beneath the surfacea covert conspiracy to divert that Land Fund which haa become so dear to the hearts of the people of Canterbury and Otago. The alteration will also give a more Colonial character to the measure by removing ground for 1 the perpetuation of those Provincial jealousies that have divided the Colony, dwarfed public opinion, and checked the growth of a national spirit in the people. Apropos of this subject we may refer to the position of the Land Fund n this Province. We know that an impression is abroad that Auckland possesses little or no estate which can yield a Land Fund. The idea has been sedulously cultivated by journals in the interest of the Opposition, but, like much else that emanates from the same quarter, is erroneous. Papers respecting Land Purchase transactions in the Worth Island shew that nparly three quarters of a million acres are being negotiated for in the Thames and Piako districts, the arrangements for the extinguishment of the native title in respect of the land having been almost completed. In addition to sonic smaller blocks on the goldfields of this Province, 148,286 acres have been purchased in the Thames and Piako districts at a cost of £19,35t) ; £1,027 has been advanced in respect to another block of 40,000 acres under negociatioa; £3,916 paid on account of eleven other blocks containing an aggregate of 154,840 acres ; leases are being completed for thirteen blocks containing 250,000 acres ; a block of 67,980 acres has been leased for 50 years ; 43,479 for 25 years ; and 5,600 for 21 years. The incomplete transactions in the Thames and Piako districts alone include an area of 456,410 acres. When the purchase of these extensive tracts of land hai been completed, there will be a large landed estate in this Province, which, under prudent development, cannot fail to yield a handsome annual revenue. Indeed a few years may materially reverse the relative positions of the North and Middle Islands with respect to the Land Fund question. The public estate in the former has been rapidly diminishing during the past two or three years. In the North Island the establishment of a Land Fund on any scale of importance has only recently been commenced, and the vast area of surplus lands still retained by the natives, but whicu will ultimately be alienated to the Government, leaves ample scope for the creation of an estate in this Province, that under judicious management, must far exceed that of the Middle Island, both as regarda extent and revenue.

Late English telegrams briefly refer to the outbreak of serious disturbances in Servia, which is a large province to the west of Balgana, in Turkey in Europe. The upper and southern parts of Servia form high plateaus, partially intersected by the offsets of the JBalkau and Dinario Alps. Servia forms a nearly independent principality governed by its own hospodar, or prince, and owing but a nominal subjection to Turkey. It has an area of more than 18,000 square miles, and a population of a million, who consist almost entirely of Serbes — one of the many branches of the Sclavonic race. The Turks, however, garrison the principal frontier towns. Serria has no towns of any considerable size, but its population are actively engaged in

the various pursuits of agricultural and coranu'rcial industry, and the province has of late years made considerable progress in wealth and general importance. There are valuable mi- eg, including argentiferious copper, lead and iron, in many parts of the province. The virtual independence of Servia is of recent origia, and dates its commencement in a series of insurrections during the early years of the present century — movements prompted by the nongovernment to which the. province had been subject under Turkish sway. The first of these outbreaks, in 1801, was headed by George Petrovitch — known as Czernv, or Black George, who succeeded in obtaining 1 important concessions from the Porte. Subsequent contests, though attended by various fluctuations of fortune, havo ultimately left the Servians in the nearly uncontrolled management of their internal affairs, though they pay an annual tribute to the Sultan. Milosch Obsenoritsch. the successful leader of an insurrection in 1815, was declared hereditary sovereign of the country, but after a vigorous rule of some years vra.B ultimately obliged to abdicate his power. A grandson of Czerny filled the throne of the principality, to which ho had been elected by an assembly of the people, from 1842 down to 1858.

« Wb publish in another column a letter from Mr Whitaker, pointing out with considerable perspicuity, tbe inconvenience which will be entailed upon suitors, und the public generally, by the adjournment of tbe District Court until Novem* her next. In addition to the instances quoted by our correspondent, we know of some other* in which the parties will be subjected to pecuniary lota, if not to » miscarriage of justice, by the action of the authorities in Auck'and. In one instance the decision in a Vexatious and loDg pending arbitration oaie is jeopardised, while in another, which has already been once adjourned, tbe delay will be extended to a period of six months before the causa comes to trial. Foisibly so mo excuse existed for postponing the regular bi monthly sitting for a few days, but the adjournment, for a period of two months appears to have been decided upon without sufficient consideration of the circumstances, and most probably without any definite idea of the amount of inconvenience which in entailed upon suitors. We think, when Mr Fenton ii made acquainted with the actual State of affiirs, he will perceive the advisability of holding an early sitting, and thus removing the grounds for that diratis faction which the lengthy adjournment has excited. Justice to be efficacious, far reaching, and easily available, should be prompt. Long adjournments only tend to defeat justice by making legal proceedings unnecessarily costly and vexatious. " The law delays" only tend to perpetuate that "glorious uncertainty." which was so marked a feature in former day% and which the constitution of County or District Courts was intended to remedy. The hardship of unnecessary adjournments is all the greater and more severely felt in country diitricts, where suitors are often obliged to come long distances at groat personal inconvenience, sometimes leaving important agricultural operations temporarily suspended, and incurring dauger of serious loss to cropi or damage to stock.

Sabbath-Bbeahng. — We ar6 not aware ■whether the statute of Charles If. with reference to the proper observance of the Sabbath, has any foice anl effect in tlii9 colony, but, if it has it wouli be well to remind certain youths in the vicinity of .No 2 that, if they do not look after number one, they will become liable to be imprisoned in the stocks. True there are no public stocks in Hamilton at present, but wo daresay Mr MoGovorn, or Constable Haddock could make a sot if need be. Just think of this ye youthful Sabbath-breakers who are iv the habit of profaning the Lord's D>y by indulging in football aud other ungodly pursuits ! Would a few hours exposure iv some public place, just in front of this office for instance— with your lpgs dangling from holes in bonds, and the town dog 3 regarding you with curiosity, be conducive to pleasant rellectiono. Leave off your heathenish practices, ye youthful si'.ners, and g ) to Sunday school like good litl le I oys, with your hair duly p vrted in the mi Idlo, and clean colLiis, and pay propor attention to you ■ collect and catechUm. If ever we catch you playing football again ©n the Sabbath, we shall publish your names in a back list iv the next Times, and do our best to have you put in the stocks.

The Railway. We are glad to learn that operations on the railway are not to be presently confined to that portion of tlio line north of tho proposed Hamilton Station, » party of workmen having encamped on Mr Cox's property with the object of commencing tho formation of the line towards Ohaupo. Three purtiei began work yesterday to complete the line from Hamilton Gully to beyond the race-cour«e, which it it expected will be accomplished in about two m ;nths. In the meantime work will be carried on between Ngaruawahia and the gully, which portion will probably be finished about tho same time. Large quantities of railway iron are lying at Waikato Heads and will be brought up to the required places with as little delay as possible. The Government bare displayed an amount of energy in this matter which must be highly satisfactory to settlor* in this district, as affording a guarantee for the early completion of the line. LkexußE.— The Her J. Smith, of Cambridge, announces his intention of delivering a lecture in Hamilton West, on Friday evening next, at half-pait seven o'clock, and that at the close a collection will be nude in aid of a fand for the purchase of a harrooaium for the Wesley an Chipel, Hamilton West The subject of the lecture will be "The Life and Labors of Fatber Mttthew, the Apostle of Temperance in Ireland." The reverend Mr Smith has the reputation of an able lecturer, and we understand that his remarks will be interspersed with humourous anecdotes, illustrating tbe class of people with whom Father Mathew was brought into contact during his ministrations. We trust the friends of the Temperance Cause and Father Mathew's countrymen will muster strongly on the occasion. Ouida. — The novels of this great writer have achieved * world-wide celebrity, and an extensive circulation. They are writt3n ia a moat attractive style, and evince an extraordinary familiarity with the mysterie3 of fast London life in aristocratic and fashi mable circles. Fastidious critics sjy of %< Ouida's " noveh that that they are meretricious, inasmuch as they attempt to gild over some of the more repulsive features oi modern society. It may, however, be interesting to the admirers of this famed novelist to learn that the lady is now in Wellington A story recently went the rounds of the Press that tho authoress was coming out to be married to a gentleman in Canterbur , and there appeira to be some reason to believe that it was well founded. Mb Lloyd's Successor. — We understand that the Itev. Mr Lloyi will short y transfer his spiritual charge in the Hamilton district to the Rev. Mr Calder. The latter is expected here in about three weeks. Mr Calder arrived in Auckland last month, having been connected for a period of two years with the Hawaian MUsion. It is expected that Archdeacon Pritt will be present at the induction of the Rev. Mr Culder. The Rev. Mr Lloyd will assume charge of the Episcopalian congregation of Lyttleton, and we are sure that tbe best wishes of all sections of the community will accompany him to his new sphere ot labour. Kiwi Flofb Mill. — We ar« glad to learn that the long interval of enforced idleness of this very useful mill bus at length been broken The portions of machinery having bean received from Messrs Musefield and Co., work was commenced on Thursday last. The additional pair of stone* '"ive not been received but are expected to arrive ohortlv.

Acclimatization.— A dozon brace of quail have been sent up by Mr Morrin to be liberated on his farm at Piako. This speoies of bird it much in favour with sportsmen, and as they thrift well in the Waikato they will doubtless •000 become numerous. Mr Calder also, was tie bearer of a number of qoail fur his own form.

The Airec Tuoupa.—Thig troupe gave a second entertainment on Saturday evening in the- Hamilton Hnll whioh. irai well attended. The programme was more ample and varied than that of the previous craning, more time h»vmg been afforded for the necessary preparations. The bat trick, several rery graceful card tricks, and other slight of hand we*« cleverly performed by Professor Jaeobi. H« Tentrioioquial feats were also better than on Friday evening. In addition to the amusing performances of the two droll figure?, he exhibited hia powers by simulating the Toice of a person outside, gradually ap proaching through the roof, and entering the building, and again retiring. Professor Aireo repeated his extraordinary feats on the swinging trapeze, and in walking tne ceiling. In this class of aeriel performance he is facile princeps. Last evening the Troupe gave an excellent enter tainment in Hamilton East, introducing a change of programme. They will appear at Alexandra on Tuesday and Wednesday, at Kibikibion Thursday, and at Te Awamutu on Friday and Saturday, and again at Hamilton on Monday next, when Madam Airec will appear on the tr-ipeze, and Mr Alexander, the famous Irish Comedian, will sing torn* of the choicest longs in liia extensive repertoire. Football. — Mr C. 0. Wood, Captain of the Hamilton Football Club, has received a challenge from Sergt. C. D. Macintosh, to play a friendly game at Hamilton, on Saturday next, against a scratch team of Cambridge, the Union rules to be observed. The challenge has been accepted. Some of the best kickers of the Hamilton Club will be absent, but an excellent match may be expected. Touching. — The following delicious morceaa was picked up outside the Times office, yesterday : — " Lives there a man with soul so dead, "Who never to himself hath said, I'll pay before I go to bed, The debt I owe the Printer ! Yes, there are come I know full well, Who never such a talecould tell, But they, I fear will go to — Well! the place where there's no , Winter."

Sons op Ulstrb, L.OL.— -By an absurd printer's error it was stated in our issue of Saturday erening, that the regular monthly meeting of the No 9 Sons of Ulster L,0.L., would be held " to-morrow " (Sunday) erenlng. Of course those who know the Sonf of Ulster, nerer believed them capable of such infraction o the foui^k commandment, and attributed the mistake to the right cause. The regular monthly meeting will be held on the 11th, Saturday next. Alexandra Public Hall.— A public subscription ball in aid of the funds of the Alexandra Public Hall, is announced to take place on the erening of I uesday, the 14tb init. The moderate price of the tickets should be an inducement to the settlers of Alexandra and the surrounding districts to muster iv goodly number* on th» occasion.