NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 235, 6 October 1886, Page 1

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

By way of Fiji, we learn that H.M.S. Miranda has returned from Samoa, bringing back his Excellency tho Acting Governor from the International Conference at Apia, but nothing concerning this has been allowed to transpire. The business is regarded as being of a strictly private and confidential character, and will only servo as the basis. of a further conference to be hold at Washington. As soon as the Miranda, with tho British Commissioner on board, entered Apia Harbour, the American flag which had been kept flying over the Samoan standard was hauled down. The Samoan flag now flies alono. Everything was represented as going smoothly enough at the time of tbe Miranda's departure. The Europeans were delighted with the prospect of permanent tranquillity, the Samoans were fraternising like long-lost and newly-discovered brethren, and even the two Consuls were said to be just as thick as dignified officers should be who have in charge the honour and interests of mighty and friendly states.

Men who have been compelled at one time of their career to avail themselves of tho protection of the Bankruptcy Courtoften succeed in business afterwards, but it is vory rarely indeed that their sense of honour prompts them to make a just restitution to those who have suffered by their previous failures. An honourable exception, however, has just been recorded in Wellington. A merchant who has for a very long timo carried on an extensive business in that city was several years ago compelled to take advantage of the protection of the bankruptcy laws. He readily obtained it, and resumed business, which has since ptosperod so well with him that within the last few days, actuated by a high spirit of honour, he ha. been enabled to pay off his creditors, who, of course, had no legal claim on him. The amount which he has thus paid is several thousands of pounds. Such an elevation of moral principle over legal responsibility is worthy of all admiration. If the standard of commercial morality were higher, however, tbe example fet by the Wellington merchant would not be so rarely followed.

His Excellency the Governor has been reading tbe wealthy men of Wellington a lecture upon tbe duty of those who have amassed wealth to assist in promoting a taste for art. It is flattering to us that His Excellency was able to quote Auckland as an example to the colony in this matter. Ho said : *' Hitherto, the wo.lthy citizens of Wellington have not done much to show their gratitude for the prosperity which they have experienced. A few email scholarships and a drinking fountain, which is scarcely to he regarded as a work of art, although for that the donor is not to be he'd responsible, constitute, we think, all the benefits for which the public of Wellington are indebted to its rich citizens. It is different in Auckland. There, the Costley bequest, the splendid art donations of the late Mr Mackelvie, and the magnificent gift of hie library by Sir George Grey have placed the city in the van, as far as New Zealand is concerned, in iho matter of art and culture. These will soon be lodged in an institution of which the city may well be proud ; one furnished -Kith many treasures, and forming a magnificent memorial of the liberality of those who have endowed it." Auckland, as Sir William Jervois says, has been very fortunate in the bequests which have come to it through the liberality and cultured taetes of some of its leading citizen?. Such acts of public munificence are doubly blessed. They are a source of direct pleasure and profit, and by tho force of example stimulate others to go and do likewise.