The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2035, 23 July 1885, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

I'qual and exact justice to all men, 01 \vhatsoc\cr state or persuasion, rcligiout or political, Hero <Vnll tho Prc^s the I'eoplo'* rifjht maintain, LJnancd by influence and unbribed by (»•■>•"

THURSDAY, JULY 23, 1885.

For ono thing, this colony is fortunate in possessing an efficient police system. The regulations of the force are, so far as the public have the means of judging, admirable, while the men are on the whole diligent and circumspect. A policeman is entrusted with much power for good or evil, with more indeed than we should be inclined to trust men in almost any other capacity ; and although we do sometimes hear complaints, it must be admitted that the force justifies the confidence placed in it. This must ever be the case so long as the police are conscious that their duty consists in maintaining peace and order in the community, and in bringing offenders to justice. But it occasionally happens that a policeman, given to magnifying his office, conceives that the main object of his mission on earth is to prevent crime. We are aware that this tendency is to some extent encouraged by the authorities, but it is a dangereus one nevertheless. The axiom "Prevention is better than cure " is quite as applicable to crime as it is to coughs, colds, typhoid fever or smoky chimneys ; the difficulty lies in the application thereof, as Captain Cattle would have said. We may avoid catching colds by keeping out of draughts and stuffy rooms, and we may ward oft' fever by careful attention to matters of drainage and so forth. By parity of reasoning we may prevent the crimp of burglary by having our doors and windows securely fastened. But the police, or some members of the police force, would disagree with us on this point. Their plan to prevent burglaries is to keep on the trail of (" shadow " seems to be the official term) anybody whom they consider likely to break into a house, to wait patiently until he has committed felony, and then to pounce upon him and drag him triumphantly to the lock-up. An incident which happened at Auckland on Sunday morning, resulting in the arrest of the burglar Dunn, has led us to make these observations. Were we assured that the case under notice was mi generis, it would be all right. There can be no reasonable doubt that Dunn is a bad lot, and deserves all he gets. Like the boy we have .somewhere read of, if ho was not in sonu> mischief, he was either just coming out of it or on the point of going into it. But we are seriously afraid that this " shadowing " business is indulged in much too frequently by the quasidetectives who go under the name of " plain-clothes constables." We should be sorry to say anything against these individuals, indeed, we have reason to believe that Constable Herbert (he who "shadowed" Dunn), is a most exemplary young fellow ; but it must not be forgotten that they are under examination, so to speak, and anxious to pass. Their desire to do something which shall win promotion, often leads them astray. Zeal, in such a case, becomes officiousness, and watchfulness ftpionoge. In the case of a man of Dunns sort no great harm could result, but if every man who has sinned against the law and suffered punishment for his offence is to have a watch kept on all his actions — to be for ever haunted by a " shadow," his chances of reform will indeed be small. What portion of self-respect he has managed to retain will soon vanish, and lie will of necessity relapse into evil habits. The police should remember that while it is their function to catch, it is no part of their duty to make or to confirm criminals.

A POINT cropped up during the public examination of Robert Williamson, a bankrupt, in the District Court, Hamilton, on Tuesday last, which we recommend to the attention of those having a tendency towards " filing their shovels." The bankrupt admitted having (through an agent) paid money to his solicitor on account of his bankrupty proceedings, and justified his action by relating his experience of bankruptcy matters, which was to the eifect that upon the filing of another individual some years ago, lie, on the advice of that individual's solicitor, bought from the intending bankrupt a trap, the proceeds of ■w Inch were paid to the solicitor on account of the bankruptcy proceedings. The point, which the bankrupt in his ignorance overlooked, is that under the Debtors and Creditors Act, 187G, a debtor had a right to dispose of as much of his property as would pay his way through the court, but section 231 of The Bankruptcy Act, 1883, has knocked that pleasant arrangement on the head, and enacts that " No bankrupt shall pay any money to his solicitor for costs except such money as may be iec|uiied for cash payment of fees of Court and any ncctssary advertisements, and any money so paid, either before or after adjudication, shall be re«overable by the assignee before the Court in a summary way. No coats shall be allowed in any ease a* between solicitors and their clients." A mental enlightenment on the point by persons having an earnest desire to reliovq them-

helves from embarrassment by having recour.se of " the Act," may possibly move them to be less generous with the money of their creditors.

Thosk who havo taken any interest in the question of sugar-beet culture have by no moans lost heart, as might havo been supposed from their long silence. They have been getting all the information obtainable together, and in the full belief that the industry has a bright future lief ore it, they intend to make this year a pr.ictic.il test, with a view to obtain an approximate idea of the grou ing capabilities of Waikato soil, and the cost of planting, cultivating and marketing the roots They ha\ c therefore formed an association of fifteen, members with a capital of .£l4O, and intend sowing about twenty acres of land, not necessarily in one place, and giving the crop the best attention possible. We believe Mr Gillett has undertaken to superintend the growing. Those interested do not anticipate making any loss as it is estimated that the roots when sold to dairymen will return considerably more than the amount expended on them. Fifteen tons per acre is looked upon as a small crop, and it is understood that the roots can be disposed of for not far short of a pound a ton on the ground. The total cost of growing, raising, &c, is estimated at about .£6 10s, so that there seems to be a fair margin for profit. When Mr Pond got 20 per cent, of sugar from a big root the theory that small beets only are ot any value was exploded, and thus one great objection in the farmer's eyes has been removed. It is hoped that farmers in other districts will follow the lead of Hamilton, and institute trials on their own account, so that the practicability or impracticability of growing beet -roots to pay may be demonstrated with some approach to certainty.

The Cambridge Skating Rink held its usual weekly re-union on Tuesday evening, and was largely attended. There were ft largo number of ladies present.

At the usual sitting of the R M. Court, at Hamilton ycsteiday, the business was of an unimportant ch.uactcr. A few civil cases were disposed of. The Kmkiriroa Road Boaid summoned seveial perKons for allow in;; fin /p to gi ow on the roads, but the case* were adioumed.

The following tenders have been received for the erection of bridge and approaches o\er the Mangaohoi.—Accepted : J. G. (Jifford, £'110. Declined : Lord Bros., £'133 ; Kay and Millei, i'l3"i .~)s. Foi diversion of creek.—Accepted : Corcor.m Bios., £!)!) l.~>s. Declined : Wm. Stewart k Co., £141; Kay and Miller, £17<i.

The Cambridge Town Board is now making extensive improvement- to Lake-Street, between tho National Hotel and the railway crossing. This street has already been formed, but in such a manner that the water lies on it in several places after a shower of rain. Mr Hewitt is supervising tho woik, which promises to bo » capital job.

Last Sunday's rain did considerable damage to the Cambridge (Kfoid road. Several landslip-, occurred, the earth being carried right across the lo.ul. Mi Muiphy, the oveiseer, staited the men clearing immediately, and filling in places where the load had been washed away. The cnlveits along the load me not luilf large enough to uiuy aw ay the water uftei a heavy rain.

Judging from the statistics of last ye.v, New Zealand cannot be a very at tiactive place for the almond eyed Celestial. During the year only 81 armed in the colony ; of the-e L"> were fioin China dnect, 2 fioni Cook Islands, and <>7 from Austialian colonies, all adult males. Tlie numbei of departures was 30(5, thus exceeding the arrivals by 222. Of the depntnies !)7 suled foi China direct, lfoi the Unit-d Kingdom, and 208 for Austialian colonies, all adult males.

The province of Auckland, with a population of lll,Bo<> at the close of 1884, shows 4,232 births, !181 marriages, and 1,440 deaths for that year. The number of marriages in the province for the year named is in excess of that of Otago and Canterbury, notwithstanding the laiger population of the two latter provinces. Tho number of illegitimate births for the year is 128, or a little ov er three per cent of the entire number of births. There were 47 twins, but only one case of triplets. Wellington als-* boasts of one caae of

triplets. It seems that in some parts of the town the survey of Cambndgo is hlightly mixed. Ditfeient surveyors have laid down different line*, and people aie in consequence Homowhat chary in tho matter of building. A proposal has been made that the (Government should be asked to make an official or recognised survey, and the matter will no doubt be hi ought fonvaid at tho next meeting of the board. In hurvnymg the endowments recently handed over by the Government to the town, it has been found that the outhouses of soveial pro-perty-holders on the West side ot Dukestreet aie on the town property and will therefore have to be removed.

The following>pecial messages to the Pre«s Association d.ited London July 21nt luve been published :—Mr J. F. Garrick, Agent-Ger.eial for Queensland, has written to Thu Times denying that his Goreinment were to blame for the labour traffic atrocities.—Lord Geoige Hamilton, First Lord of the Admiralty, denies the accuracy of the repoit that the Government had decided to present H.M.s. Beacon to one of tho Australian colonies. The leport piobably obtained cuuency fioni the fact tli.it the Government of New South Wales were negotiating with the Admualty foi obtaining a naval training ship.—The panic that was caused in Ireland by the suspension of tho Minister Bank is now on tho wane. The Government will not assist the bank in any way.

The people of Licnfield and the uipidly increasing population of that ri.smg district are somewhat disappointed that, notwithstanding thefact that the new telcgiaph line runs thiough the country within u few mdcH of their township, they are not yet to enjoy the advantage of electiic communication. The Government has elected this lino for through work between Wellington and Auckland, Napier being a retransmitting station. We believe, howevor, that the Telograph Dopaitnient is quite piepnicd, as Bf>on as tho requirements of the distuct warrant it, to connect Oxford and Lichh'eld with Cambridge by telephone, carrying the wire along the new lino of posts -u far a« poHmble. Tins we think should satisfy these rising centres.

We learn from the Herald that the primmer Dunn was brought up at the Police Couit on Tuesday on the charge of burglariously entering the Oxfoid Hotel, Harding-street, Auckland, and stealing about t'2 fiotn it. He piesented <i most pitiable appearance, having a laige bandaged wound on the right temple, and .i pan of black wyes, with contusions about the face, showing conclusively vvh.it a severe stiuggle Constable Herbeit had with him. On tlie application of Scigeruit I'i.itt, Dunn was lomandedto Monday, 2~th inst., in older that investigations might bo made into other chaige* likely to ariso against tlie accused. When being removed, Dunn wished to lay a charge of felony in open Court against the constable, but as it had no refeience to the iefus.il of a lcm.iml, the Bench, Mcssis. W. (!. D.ildy and J{. W. Moody, declined to hear it. The Couitroom was crowded.

The New Zealand Times the other day contained tlie following : —At tlie interview between the Colonial Tieawirer and tho deputation from the County Council Conference, foni of those present were rather startled by tho figures which Sir Julius Vogel read out as being their contributions under tho Roads and Budges Construction Act. Sir Julius told Mr button that, as Hawke's Bay County had

received £11,000 dining the thieo ycais the Act w.ik in force, it was only natural that Hawke's Bay should lemain loy.il to the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. Mr ftutton replied that he did not behove his county^had ieceived t'">000. Sir Julius Vogel remarked that the figures were supplied by tho officials, and were indubitable. Still Mr Sutton remained unconvinced. He telegraphed that afternoon to Mr G. T. Fannin, the County Clerk, for information, and revived a reply to the effect that tho total amount received under the Roads and Budges Constiuction Act was £tS39. The other delegates assort that Sir Julius Vogel's statistics with regard to thoir counties are equally inaccurate. These curious little slips on the pjit of such an eminent financier ha\o,i tendency, it must he confessed, to shake one's confidence. |

The Minister for Education (Mr Stunt), dehveied his statement m the House on Tuesday evening. The state inent is a long document, and deals with all matters affecting education in detail. Afti'i quoting statistics lelating to the number, cost of working, <fee, of schools, the I'iemiei proceeds to refer to what seem to him the weaknesses of the system. It is weak in threo respects. First, there has not been proper graduation between primary and secondary schools ; secondly, there has bfen more attention paid to the literary pait of education than to scientific ; and thudly, technical instruction has been almost entirely ignored. Reforms in education, however, like refoims in everything else, must come slowly, and it is impossible for any Minister for Education to do at once all that he thinks ought to be done to make an education system complete. He thought that before much can bo accomplished in the direction of doing »way with elementary teaching in secondary schools, population rmwfc become more dense, and that standards for primary schools must be slightly altored, ho that pupils can more easily change from a primary to a secondary school. He then spoke on scientific education, and was glad to state that in secondary schools considerable advance has been made m providing for scienti^c education. .Several of them have *cienco masters, and all of them are doing something to teach science. Speaking of technical education, all that they could hope to do in pumaiy or secondary schools i-> to so teach boys the theory applicable to any trade that the practice may become easy to him, and also to so tiain him that he may have ,i bias towards industry. Tiaining may peihaps include, where circumstances will permit, some pr.ictic.il exeieiscs in the handling of tools. Refetnng to the difficulties laiscd in small schools by the number of standaids ho sketched out a scheme by which he pioposed to group the subjects, and so render tuition easier. Drawing is to be a compulsory subject, as this is the fiist .step in technical education. Technical teaching is to vary in character according to tho district in which it is imparted. Thus in country schools teachers should be able to give a special bias towards agriculture, and in schools in various town districts special bias may be given towards those manufactures that have been or are likely to be established in those tow us, He entertained a hope that peihaps from private munificence, if not Government aid, we miy nee established, at all events in each laige centio, some woiking schools where tho handling of tools may be taught to clnldien, if only for an houi <u two a week. The statement refers favouribly to the working of native schools and industiial schools, though it is hinted that the Government intends to take stt ps to compel caielcss and negligent parents to pay towaids the suppoitof their children. The iexults of the Sunnier Deaf and Dumb Institution are stated to bo highly .satisfactory. The statement concludes with a defence of National Education. Mi Stout looks forwaid to the time when the State functions in respect to education will become moie limited. As civilisation advances people will lecogniso the obligation under which tliey rest to educate their children, but until then the State must provide. In answer to the objection that the system is a Godless one, he said that religion was taught m the schools at the present time, and instanced several books which were the medium of such instruction, including Nelson's Royal Readers. He put in a plea for secondaiy schools, which he said requned more aid than primary schools, and concluded as follows : —"And now let mo just add that I leeogniso, as I have stated, that oui system is not perfect. I hope, however, that the alteiation in the syllabus of oui priiuaiy schools will make our educaeion bottei and moie practical. Scientific education and technical education will not be tieated as nifeiior to hteraiy education, and as oui Univcisity and secondaiy schools follow on the same lines, w-c can look fon\ ud to a gieit lmpioveinent in .ill our schools and colleges m methods and lesiilts; and peihaps succeeding Ministeis of Education, when called upon, as our system develop-., to attempt fuithei lefoims, may be able to acknow ledge that what has been leceutly done by the department has helped to m.iko his path easier, and lighten Ins laboui."'