ON THINGS IN GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11535, 21 November 1900, Page 3

ON THINGS IN GENERAL

THE ONLY OBSTACLE, : In bis speech on Monday night, Mr. Eowlds cave us another glaring example of what Mahuta described as the " masterful forcelulness" of the Premier. Mr. Fowlds told us as plainly as words can tell that the Premier was the one and only obstacle to the assets of the North Island Main Trunk railway being used for tho completion of the railway. The feeling of members generally ■was that it was a fair proposition, and should be given effect to, and the Premier, and only the Premier, so said Mr. Fowlds, barred the way. This is blunt, plain speaking, and coming from a supporter of the Premier it is rather hard to explain away. We all thought the Premie, had a Southern majority at his back in his opposition to the Northern line, but it seems from Mr. Fowlds' account of the undercurrents of the session that even the Southern agitation was wo-ked up by the Premier, and when he had done his best the Southern members were constrained to admit the justice of the claim for the railway assets. Still the Premier stood in the way, and as the Premier is unquestionably boss of the show the Northern railway had to suffer. This is " masterful forcefulness" with a vengeance. It would be too much to expect Southern members to so far interest themselves in this matter as to force the Premier's hand, but surely with the South sympathetically quiescent the North has strength enough to make the Premier stand aside. But this is matter for the next session of Parliament. Meantime it is worth remembering against the Premier's next visit to Auckland that he was the one and only obstacle to this measure of justice to the city and province of Auckland. WIVES PROVIDED FROM FRANCE. Women must be plentiful in Francetoo plentiful in judging by the letter sent by an enterprising Frenchman to the Acting-Postmaster-General of Victoria, offering to provide wives to suit the taste of the most fastidious bachelor in Victoria. The same obliging party has perhaps written a similar note to the New Zealand PostmasterGeneral, who may have thought it wise not to make the communication public, as the supply ol would-be wives in New Zealand is more'than equal to the demand. The Victorian officials to whom the letter was submitted are of opinion that the matrimonial market of that colony is also over supplied. The letter is interesting. It is as- follows : _•' Ministre des Postes and Telegraphes, Melbourne, Oceanica.—For your friends. To gentlemen bachelors, who wish to marry, recompenses en tliverscs branches. —Dear, sir, —I have the honour to inform you that having hoard ot high authorities that your country wants of gentle and serious ladies and bachelors could not easily find good wifes. T have understood to procure to bachelors who will have confidence in my honour, good serious persons fo. your happiness. If you or vour friends, if you are a married man. will write all explanations about the object of their wishes, about beauty, qualities, sensibility. Thrifty, and tell if she must be saving, humble, and submissible. brown or fair, musician, religious— I hope I will find, at your request. Indicate if she must speak English or German. For those of you who can speak French, I think the French ladies present no inconvenience. Please tell me if you prefer English, German, or French origin. You would have to pay travelling, for generally these young ladies arc not fortunate, but most honourable, and it should be understood thatif by arrival you were not agreed, she should be obliged to pay you the cost before in six months of landing," at lie class, 2e class. 3e class. My commission should be established according* to your situation, and according occasions and value of the person. I would forward photography of the interested, and you should send yours with all explanations most true about fortune, habits, family, age, gentle. lam 62 years old, and honourable, and will make a serious_ thbjf, being myself a great father, with children in high situation. I pity all the bachelors, and wish their happiness,. Waiting for your kind answer and ready to give good references, I remain yours respectfully. Absolute discretion promised and required.—E. BICHQ-V/,' "BISHOP" SEDDON. During the course of his political career j Mr. Seddon has been celled all sorts of names —good, bad, and indifferent. He also enjoys many titles and degrees, and has the right to place quite a number of letters after his name, such as M.H.R., P. 0., LL.D. As yet, however, it is not usual to attach the letters D.D. to the name Seddon, though Borne people seem to think that he sums up in himself all conceivable official positions, and the children look upon him as everything and everybody. A few weeks ago a curate was asking the children some general questions. He put the question. "Who was the first Bishop of New Zealand V" to a bright little 10-year-old girl, and received the prompt answer " Bishop Seddon." The curate, thinking she said Bishop Selwyn, patted her on the back, and said "Quite right, little girl." Perhaps the child's answer wa~s influenced by the announcement which appeared in the papers recently that Mr. Seddon was going to address a great gathering of Sunday-school teachers, to be held in Cathedral Square. Christchurch, next month in connection with the jubilee celebrations. The little one, no doubt, very naturally thought that no one but a bishop could do this, but there the girl was mistaken, for Mr. Seddon can do anything. ANOTHER BISHOP STORY. Here is another bishop story—also a true one. Few men know human nature and its little weaknesses better than Dr. Julius, the eloquent and popular Bishop of Christchurch. A few Sundays ago an enormous congregation crowded the Christchurch Cathedral, the Bishop being the preacher. He also read the second lesson, and before returning to his chair he mentioned that there was, as usual, to be an anthem that night. He also told the people that it was customary for the congregation to stand during the singing of the anthem, as it was an act of worship. If it were not (hi act of worship it had no place in the sen-ice of the Anglican Church. He concluded his little speech (which, by the way, was an unauthorised interpolation not recognised in the rubrics) by a sort of casual remark to the effect, that only very old or very infirm people had any excuse for sitting during the anthem. The Bishop's little speech, especially the tailend of it, had the desired effect. Every man, woman, and child stood during that anthem. Grey-headed tottery old men and feeble women," who looked as though they were great grandmothers, jumped to their feet like schoolboys. Very few people like to be thought old or infirm, and this applies to men as well as women, and especially to those who really are old and infirm. It must have proved no little effort to some in that congregation, foi the anthem was an unusually long and not a particularly bright nit The General.