SNAP SHOTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6099, 4 June 1881, Page 6

SNAP SHOTS.

Was it wise of the Rev; Mr. Macnipol to refer at the last meeting of the Auckland Presbytery; to "newspaper cant" because the public prints say that the clergy do not perform their duty? The reverend gentleman was unfortunate in his term, because, whatever else may be the faults of the.Tfess, cant isn't one of them; and, besides, it is unfortunately suggestive with regard to protestations touching the Bible which are not supported by performance. With all respect for Mr. Macnicol—and his discourtesy to an important institution doesn't entitle him to it —would heliketpseealist of all the work done during the year of each minister of religion in Auckland? Does he believe that there is an entire devotion oa the part of the clergy to the work of God? Can he say that the clergy; have over made an adequate effort to impart religious instruction, except from the pulpit ?' The proceedings of the clergy are never closely investigated, because there is a fear that religion might suffer by the process; but if reverend gentlemen, who always take quite too exalted a position whenever they are referred to, challenge, comment by offensive remarks, they may invite a review which'would bo anything but agreeable to a good many of them, for all are not earnest, and some are something much less than that. • : ' : .

Is it that Republican feeling is spreading in the'colonies, or that knighthood is becoming too cheap, that so many .persons refuse the honour ? Chief Justice Lilley, of Queensland, does not think that a rose— that isj a lily—by any other name is just as sweet, and has refused a handle to his name. Evidently the value of a knighthood is falling ■in the market, and a baronetcy, or something of that kiud; will have to take its place. To be a somebody for a day, and leave all your successors to be nobodies for over, is rather a mean sort of thing. It must be an awfully disturbing thing for a modest man to find himself embarrassed from the rising to the setting of-the sun with a puerile titular distinction. What the domestic peace of the Chief Justice may be after this refusal to change plain Mrs. Lilley into "My Lady," is quite another matter,- and yet all must be right, for even a ChieE Justice would not dare to confront the anger of a wife desirous of a step in the social scale. Evidently the Chief Justice thinks of the Lilleys of Queensland as of other lilies, that knighthood is not required, Solomon in all his glory not being arrayed like any of these. . .

It is well for Mr. Edger that he does not aspire to Parliamentary honours, for his proclivities in favour of the Chinese would summarily settle such a pretension. The gentleman would act up to the maxim "Let justice be done, though the heavens should j fall." Unfortunately, his justice is all for the Chinese, and none for the Europeans, If the fates so will it, he is quite content that the European workman should give place to the Chinaman, the Christian Church to the josshouse, and knives and forks to chop-sticks. If New Zealand should become a junior China, Parliament a Chinese Representative Assembly, Mr. Edger can't help it, but is satiafied.that it was pre-ordained for some good purpose. Ho seems to have forgotten that there is another maxim, " Self-preser-vation is the first law of nature." Visions of Britiah subjects'striving for work and finding none, and begging at the door of complacent Orientals, do not trouble the expansive soul of Mr. Edger." Cheap" labour, though it bo national ruin, is the watchword for this gentleman. ' Fortunately there is but ono Edger, but that one should.be enshrined in n. Chinese joss-house, if gratitude be not altogether foreign to the Mongolian nature. , Public-houses abound everywhere, the facilities for getting drunk are illimitable, and because there is a. proposal to erect one coffee .palace, in Auckland, and let people remain sober .who have the inclination, there is a murmur,'and the voice is neither sweet nor low. ' Considering that the law provides facilities for mental aberration which mistakes the object of a lamp-post and obscures the judgment as to the difference between a paving-stone and a feather pillow, some people'may be allowed to take their money home to an industrious housewife instead of projeoting deleterious and fiery compounds dowu their throats, begetting, spirituous babies who shall transmit an hereditary tendency: for', brandy. Success to the coffee palace—those who like a wee drop in their e'e can have it, but it's a queer taste, ' '..• TOBTT TWINKLE.

, New comers wishing to furnish quickly can do so in one day by purchasing from tho largo stock at,tho;City Hall Arcade. Tho proprietors study to. koop furnishing goods to suit all classes, andsell at cheap ratesi An immense assortment of bed-room furniture, which, ivith few exceptions (such as iron bedsteads, toilet glasses, etc), are.manufactured by themselves at their factories iu Lorne-street. The greatest variety of carpets in the i* orth Island can be shown by Garlick and Cranwell. Tapestry, from 2s lid per yard ; Brussels, from 4s lid ; jute, from SW. Novelties, just arrived: the "Royal Axminster" carpet, with handsome border; the Worcester stair carpet, made of horsehair, very durable; handsome coverings for drawing-room suites, and latest designs in Brussels. Buyers got 5 per cent, discount for cash at timo of purchase on all furnishing goods Tho drapery and clothing departments are conduetec on tho Co-operative Cash System, and goods arc marked at a email advance on cost, and it is only on the very largo turn over of capital that the business • is made remunerative. Support the cash system, and purchase from Garlick and Cranwell, City Hall Arcade/and you Will not bare to pay for ottier people's baddebtai ■ .'