OBSERVATIONS.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume VIII, Issue 493, 14 May 1898, Page 2

OBSERVATIONS.

. ■ »__ . ..■■■■■■* [By Orino.] Class Unions are now the order of the day all over the "civilised world. The last class combination .projected;. ■' in this colony is to bo a sisterhood, whose "heraldic insignia" will consist of a scrubbing brush, a fryingpan, and a wash tub. A Union o£ domestic.servants, whose programme.' is boiJi.moderate and rational, ought to be encouraged by the whole community. The programme does not contemplate any threats against any section of society. Even the •' Missus," who, perhaps, by a stringent application of arbitary rules, has .encroached too far on Mary Jane's perogatives, is not threatened with mutiny. Nor are claws laid bare to coerce MrSeddonto legally sanction measures rectifying the grievances of the sisterhood. Such are the negative virtues'.of the proposed Union. It has, besides, positive advantages which are far reaching in their effects.. The objects of the Union may be briefly stated under three heads. (1) Wages : enough to dress, and in some cases to help needy relatives, perhaps, too, to* put a little _ in the Savings Bank against contingencies. (2) Recreation which will combine mutual instruction /with companionship. ' (3) Organisation which may be called into active play in case of oppression as a class. When we consider the importance 11 of efficiency, not merely in the technicalities of domestic duties, but also in the development of mental and moral accomplishments, contemplated by :the organisation, it is safe to assert that most people will give a willing f endorsement to the' movement. Last, but not least, the fact ought to be kept in view that these 'girls, .will become the wives of our artisans, thereby constituting an important - factor in the building up of the nation. As Sir George Grey would say, their welfare ought not to be left to mere chance. Ta-ta, Mary Jane, the Saints bless your Union. If you succeed in the matter, it will make a man of you.. * * ■ *' ; * Z As most people who know the mental structure of the blustering Maoris up North believed, the bragadocio as to contempt of death oozed out at their fingers' ends when confronted with the armament of our forces. If the settlers of Eawene had held their ground from the very first the matter would have gone no further than a demonstration of yells, capers and grimaces. The object of Hone Toia ..and his gullible followers was not to harm the pakeha, but to harass the Government, in order to coerce the authorities to abolislL-tiio dog tax. Perhaps they also had some other concessions in view, which they thought the Government would rather grant than send an overwhelming force to overawe them. These native impostors from this incident ought to be taught that the Government exists not only to protect the heads of the pakehas but also their pockets. - The designing leaders of these dusky fanatics ought to have a taste of the penalty attached to treason, and be sent to practise their necromar>oy and ventriloquism in the quarries of Mount Edon.

The intelligence that Paeroa is about to establish a Library and Public Reading Room will be received throughout Ohineuiuri County -with much satisfaction. Without entering info minute analysis of the subject, it is no exaggeration to say that in our up-country t6wnships the absence of reading room's been felt both by travellers and citizens as a positive grievance. Such, institutions; redeem a place from-the character of a wilderness, and tend to prevent people from employing their energies in a manner not approved by rigid moralists. In periodical literature youthful genius finds the inspiration that leads to the realms of science and invention. The weary and foxiorn visitor in search of work finds in a good book a friend when all other 'avenues of hope are closed against him.. The trim and well to do citizens of both sexes may find much in such establishments to bring their minds in contact with those of the great and learned of the world. In consideration of these circumstances it is to be hoped that the movement will be 'carried out with the vigour characteristic of the people of Paeroa when they combine for a common purpose.' ' ;' ~V;"'

Confusion and consternation reignea - supreme at Waihi recently. At least, so a refugee from that gold producing locality related at the corner the other night, It appears that a lady expert in the occult sciences of palmistry, ■ phrenology, and" general character reading arrived lately in the township. Such w ras the rush of people to her office to learn theiivfate and fortune that the eminent and fair scientist forgot to carry out the very delicate analysis necessary to accurate conclusions* The result was that the short . fair women were allotted to the tall dark men, while the tall dark _ women were thrown indiscriminately injt'jie arms of the fair short men. Je^Kiiies and distrust resulted from this^Esification to the extent that several gentlemen on the point of matrimony had to take refuge in the neighbouring townships. The last dance, however, brought things to their former level. Several ladies on that occasion were hoard to declare that they would not mind a similar mistako again just for tho fun of the thing.