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Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9089, 28 April 1890, Page 4

Lord Onslow’s advice to the wealthier colonists may not be palatable to them all, but is very sound and good, nevertheless. He does not think it worth their while to go through that operation known as “founding a family,” for the spirit of democracy is against it, and it will not, in consequence. be able to prosper. As for taking their wealth, or their incomes, to the great metropolis of the world, in search of eminence, he frankly tells them they are not likely to succeed. They may get to Babylon, but there they will be swallowed up. Lord Onslow is an authority on such subjects,having watched the struggles of many a colonist, and heard many a bitter jibe current in society at their expense, and many a spicy story. Society laughs at their desire for titles and honours; the political world refuses to open its gates ; to eminence in other ways there is no royal road. The picture of life that dances before the Colonist who hopes to spend his money in the country of his birth, is delusive as the Dead Sea apple. Better honour troops of friends in your country than dust and ashes in Park Lane. Such is the advice we read pretty plainly between the lines of Lord Onslow’s address at the opening of the Cosfcley Home in Auckland. There is, however,- no royal road, Lord Onslow seems to say, in a Colony to honour. A man most do something to deserve honour, in a country of practical, shrewd, industrious people. He must perform all the duties of citizenship, he must believe in his country, he must help in the good works of the nation according to his means. There is some, perhaps a good deal, of this publicspirit among the moneyed classes in this Colony: as is proved by the Costley bequest, a host of charitable legacies, the latest instance being the late Mrs Campbell’s thoughtful bequest to the Dunedin Hospital. No one has as yet taken for the text of his sermon the doctrine of Mr Carnegie, that all those who die rich die disgraced. But Sir George Grey has, by his munificent gift to Auckland, preached, on that text by example, and in the manner recommended by the American millionaire. If the men who make money in the country or inherit it, follow the example. of many young New Zealanders who prefer to live in the country from which their means are derived, and abide by the advice of Lord Onslow, we shall not have to complain, that, in spite of much good example, our charitable and educational institutions are not as well supported by the rich as they might be.