PASSING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1762, 29 August 1885, Page 17

PASSING NOTES.

The extraordinary precautions announced for the " capping " ceremony on Thursday evening may be ominous of a storm — in other words, /nay aggravate the evil they are meant to cure The probability is, however, that they will succeed, and that Professor Macgregor will be able to report on Friday morning that " Order reigns in Warsaw." Let us hope that they will not succoed too well. One would hardly care to see the students of the Otago University dragooned into the mute and cowering propriety of small boys at an inspectorial examination. For the boisterous soenes we have been accustomed to in the University Library the authorities of the University themselves have been chiefly to blame. Their arrangements were invariably muddled, fatuous, snobbish, in a word, execrable. The students were mobbed together in a pen at the back end of the room. Dispersed amongst the visitors they would have been harmless; huddled in a mob ihey naturally egged each other on to make a row. Long before the advertised hour every seat in a room too small for the assemblage was occupied, save only a circle of chairs in front of the dais. Approaching one of these chairs, you were warned off by a janitor; it was "reserved." This place of privilege was sacred, apparently, to Professors, and Presbyterian ministers, who, sitting there in a row, " all silent and all damned," offered to the young Bohemians at the other end a most natural and obvious butt for sarcasm — and peashooting. At length, and long behind time — as if to give the disorder opportunity to grow — enter the Chancellor, with more- Professors and more Presbyterian ministers. " Ladies and gentlemen, — and students," begins the Chancellor — which happy exordium is' of course instantly acknowledged by a burst of boohooing. Peas rattle about the cancellarian caput like hail, and proceedings may be said to have fairly commenced. Thus it use&-to be in the Uni-

versity Library ; Thursday will Bhow\tow it iff going to be in the Lyceum Hall. >^ Considering the inexpeosiveness of ParliaV^ mentary Unions and their fortunate incapacity to work us the smallest political harm, I look upon them as the one form of parliamentary institution that deserves unlimited public confidence. When the project of the Dunedin P.U. was broached, my first idea was that it might serve as an escape-pipe for explosive and 1 mephitic opinions. In Sydney there stands on an open space near the centre of the city an exceedingly lofty chimney stalk, detached, solitary, where -no use for such a construction appears. If you' could take a sniff from the top of it, you would understand its meaning. All the \ underground drainage of the city communicates with thai; stalk; the v cloaca maxima, probably, runs immediately beneath it ; up its "hollow shaft goes poisonous sewer gas by the million cubic feet, is dissipated harmless overhead, and blown afar by the winds. Not beautiful, but exceedingly useful in a humble way, is that fireless chimney. Some such function I expected of the Parliamentary Union, For amateur politicians unable to consume their own smoke, an excellent; thing is a central public chimney up which it may be inoffensively discharged. But that is not all. Playing at Parliament is very nearly as interesting as Parliament itself, and incomparably less dangerous. You have your Ministries and Oppositions, your Speakers, Clerks, and Sergeants-at-Arms ; you debate, divide, go into committee, all with the most serious air imaginable ; you bring in bills on any subject you like, make or repeal laws exactly as you please, and yet nobody is one penny the worse ! If only we could reduce the two great palava shops in Wellington to the status and powers of a Parliamentary Union ! Were it not as someone truthfully remarked the other day — that our M.H.R.'s are mostly occupied in fighting each other, they would legislate us to death. In the millennium, Government will be done by some one Carlylean strong man, whilst the rest of us, if we have a taste for it, amusa ourselves by going through the forms of legislation harmlessly in Parliamentary Unions. Whether it is blessing or cursing Ahat the Pall Mall Gazette merits for its articles on social immorality I, for one, am quite unable to say, having had as yet no opportunity of reading them. Here is a correspondent, however, who has read them, and has made up his mind with a vengeance. I print his letter, and if he is on the wrong side I can easily repudiate him later : — In judging the latest enterprise of that most enterprising journal the Pall Mall Gazette the question asked should not be so much " What has the writer done ?" but " How has he done it ?" The latter question can only be answered by those who have read the revelations of this extraordinary moralist in all their vivid, verbal coarseness and brutality. Defoe and Boccaccio never ventured upon such abominable detail us this nineteenth century reformer who writes with the plaudits of a section of the clergy in his ears. To say that abuses however horrible cannot be stated and condemned with some slight decency of language^tftl*, style is absurd, but this was evidently not the aim of the Pall Mall commissioner. His instructions were to sound the lowest depths of obscenity, and he has done so, and appears from his manner to have vastly enjoyed the job. If all pastors, teachers, and moralists are henceforth to go about doing good in this fashion, it is rather alarming to think of the pass to which society will be brought. Supposing that newspaper writers, schoolmasters, and clergymen were all to adopt the plan of first affectionately particularising the details of every evil they intended to denounce, the position of parents and guardians would be a difficult one. Women and children would be constrained to abandon all idea of attending public worship — not that the teaching of their worthy pastor was of anything but the best and soundest description, but because of the uncomfortable habit contracted by the good man of calling a spade a spade — with the best intentions of course. The Pall Mall Gazette has published an execrable narrative,* purposely dressed in a garb to commend it to the most depraved taste that can possibly exist in any reader, and it points conlplacently to the moral at the end as a justification for the outrage. There appears to be a very distinct opinion on the part of a number of our New Zealand legislators that the bonds of matrimony peed loosening. If the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill, which is being so industriously engineered through the House by Mr Samuel, were shaped according to all the suggestions that have been made in Committee, the monotony of the marriage estate would cease to be a ground of complaint altogether, and couples would no longer have to look so warily before leaping. If the knot chafed it could be untied with tolerable facility. Firstly, it could be untied by the parties " cutting " (the highest euchre card to win) in order to decide which of the two should sojourn for seven years in one of her Majesty's gaols. If this place ef abode were objected to, a comfortable private lunatic asylum might be selected instead. But the more Mr Samuelcontemplates the married state the more amendment it appears to him to require, and he capped all these suggestions by moving that divorce might be applied for after husband and wife had been separated for seven years without arbitrarily imposing upon one of them the necessity of residence in a gaol or lunatic asylum. Mr Samuel is not likely to carry any of these liberal provisions, but the fact that he wants to do so, and is supported in his efforts by a fairly large section of the Honse, seems to indicate that the pitfalls and pleasures of matrimony are coming to be looked upon as very nearly evenly balanced. Perhaps Mr Samuel and his followers have been seriously considering a- story which I came across the other day, and which indicates that popular feeling in Ireland is running much in this direction. It is related tjin&t a prieat, examining a confirmation class, asked the question, " What is the sacrament of matrimony ? " A little girl at the head of the class promptly answered, " 'Tis a state of torment into which'

to them for another and 1 T orld '* " Humph," said the priest, " the K * r P«rgatory." " Put, her down" cried "put her down to the faot'.of the ** "Lave her alone," said the priest, " for you or I know to % the contrary, she pairfeotly right." perseverance of the Government as this West Coast railway must appear like obstinacy in the eyes of those love neither the scheme nor the schemers, which can return to the charge such constancy may not be strong, but it determined. Jn some shape or other is ,resolved that the country shall this pill, and<his latest idea is to cut very little pieces, aud force the House a fragment each session. This i 3 natural sequel of the rejection of the HKg's proposal, and if this is likewise there is every indication that the Gowill take defeat as they have taken — smilingly, and return to the attack another quarter. Something of the j^H is implied by Mr Richardson when he that.the question should "not be dealt as one of party!" He means that there ways than one of killing a cat or cona railway, and that by hook or by Hue, the Government intend to get this line before relaxing their tenacious grip of benches. What will be the next if this insignificant looking little vote be refused? Sir Julius will no Bt be ready with his move. As an absodernier ressort Ministers may array themin moleskin unmentionables, march out picks and shovels, and turn the first sod their own official hands. not eat insects ?" asks a Mr Vincent in the title of a book written to prove insects are very toothsome and nutritious B. Mr Holt has tried them for himself, deBies that he likes them, and submits, as an bill of fare for the guidance of any Bjons who may wish to become insectivorous, : Snail Soup Bj Fried Soles, with Woodlouse Sauce • Curried Cockchafers Bl Fricassee of Chickens with Chryealids BBoiled Neck of Mutton with Wireworm Sauce ■j ' ' Ducklings with Green Peas • Cauliflower garnished with Caterpillars Moths on Toast. B^his is a menu sufficiently refined for the most Explorers in this new and interestfield who have conquered their first predo not stop at woodlice, wireworras, Bils, and caterpillars. One enthusiast writes Hi London" paper that he makes " a delicions ■diment" out of black beetles, and in AraeBl there are already several distinct ways of Bking locusts. Professor Riley of WashingB entertains his friends .with the cicada ■wed in milk, "creamy white and plump," and Hrms that he eats grasshoppers with unfailiug Hish — '• once ate nothing else for two days." Bin the Baptist, I believe, lived upon a diet Hi materially different, for a good many years, ■forced by . these pertinent examples the ■estion "Why not eat insects?" demands Hious consideration, especially by boarding■use keepers. It is true that we are badly Bpplied in this country with locusts and grassHppers, but consider what might be done with ■ckroaches and black beetles, if— instead of ■istefully trying to extirpate them — we studied Be conditions favourable to their production. ■ introducing these novelties to the table the ■perieuced housewife will naturally bethink ■rself of the convenient mystery attending the ■mpositipn of curries and* hashes. I don't Bed to enlarge— a word to the wise is sufficient. IMr Holt is right any boardinghouse keeper Bay, by the use of pounded black beetles, ■dace her butcher's* bills, and at tho same time ■ijoy th.c rare satisfaction of providing a series ■ really popular made-dishes. A correspondent favours me with some leaves om the' diary of a Southland girl, aged 17. he Colonial equivalent for " keeping a diary " often " keeping a dairy ;" the Southland girl, seems, keeps both. She arrived in Southland om the Old Country in February 1879, and ' roceeded without delay to set down the good solutions sne had formed for the regulation of ar new lif e : — " February 13th— My cowb with kindness I will treat, Arid give the hungry pigs their meat ; Whate'er I do, lUdo it well, And then I shall not go to ■bed with the painf ul reflection that I have been eglectful of the brute creation." Two days later she comments on the clilate: — " Feb. 15. — Another charming day, barring the rind and rain. When once you are really coninced that the climate is de.ligb.tfu], you do not otice these little drawbacks. Come to this sappy land, Come, come, away ; Eat meat thatfis not canned Three' times a day. "Come my friends and do not fear, Very cheap is flesh of steer, Sigh not for good English beer, Come, come, I pray." ' Jome time later she visits Invercargill, and at«nds the services of the Salvation Army : I "Sunday.— Day of rest. Have made it so. Spent kometime in composingatrymn for the War Cry:— I'll strive to be a holy lass, And never give my parents sass, I Or yoll and cuise, and kick the cat; Or spoil my gecto-meeting hat.-,; My hair in decent braids shall hang, No longer will I wear a bang ; To fringes I will say " adieu," And to the curling-ironß tew. No captivating glance I'll try To shoot from corner of my eye ; My waist no corset's clasp shall feel — Good-bye to whalebone and to steel. All men agreed that I was nea,t About my ankles and my feefc ; But now mj' skirts shall drop so low They will not even see my foe." And so on, through some other stanzas, conducting to the consummation that is never long absent from the thoughts of a girl of 17— Thus some good man in me shall find A wife'entirely to his mind.

This promises, at any rate, better things than the experiences of the mad tailor at Tlniaf v who last week committed suicide, alleging as the cause that since his wife bad joined tlio Salvation Army she had made his house " a hdl upon earth.*' The Southland girl will do better than that. My correspondent adds :

A year before this she writes : " Must remember how' wrong it is to kick my mother or bite my father, unless they provoke me." So it is evident she had some serious thoughts before her orthodox conversion by the S. A. If the Southland girl's dairy is as well worth sampling as her diary, I should not be altogether above receiving from her a complimentary hamper of butter, cheese, aud eggs. Civis.

An inquest was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Supreme Court Hotel before Mr L N. Wnfct and a jury of twelve, of whom Archibald M'Moster was chosen foreman, on the body of Matthew Cleland, a patient in the Seacliff Lunatic Asylum. The evidence of Dr Nelson, the assistant medical officer at tho asylum, and that of an attendant showed that deceased died from general paralysis of the system. The deceased was described as a bank manager or clerk, and had no friends in the Colony or elsewhere that the authorities could discover. Prior to his removal to the asylum he was an inmate of the Dunedin Hospital. He was stated to be about 42 yeare of age, and a Protestant by religious persuasion. He was committed to the asylum in February last.

In the course of some remarks made at a Bluo Ribbon meeting on Wednesday evening, the Rev. Dr Rdseby spoke as follows with reference to tho recent social scandal in London :— " We have all read with indignation and horror lof -that awful trade in human souls, exposed by the Pall Mall Gazette lately, and all honour to the Pall Mall Gazette, I say, for its courage in unmasking the wealthy cowards with stars and coronets who eat up the virtue of God's poor children as they eat bread. But look and see how the ready implement, always at hand for the perpetration of this soul murder, was strong drink. This white slave trade in human souls is only rendered possible by what I may call the intoxicating drug." Dr Roseby subsequently stated in reply to an inquiry from our representative, that he had not perused the actual series 'of articles as they appeared in the Pall Mall Gazette.

A.correspondent informs us that the Otago Hearts (Kaik) School has been closed for a time owing to the ill-health of the teacher, Mr Robert ( J. Lindsay. It is pleasing to note the good feeling that exists between Mr, Lindsay and the parents of the children entrusted to his care. For many months past his health has been declining, and although his friends endeavoured to persuade him to take the rest which he so urgently required, he persistently refused to give up till some of the residents got up a petition, which was signed by all in the district, with the result that the Education Department telegraphed to Mr Lindsay to discontinue teaching for a time. It is to be hoped that he will soon be able to resume his duties.

Mr Frank Mackenzie, a son of Captain F. W. Mackenzie, Waipahi, has passed his medical degrees -with high honours at Edinburgh, and will return to the Colony this year.

Three of the 18 uuionist colliers at Westport charged with assault on non-union men, were discharged. • The ringleader, named Isaac Picklesj was fined £5, and ordered to find sureties to keep the peace. Fourteen others were also bound over to keep the peace.

The police have received word (says the North Otago , Times) that Alexander Cameron, of Stoneburn, Macraes, reported that hn had f ouud the skeleton of a man whilst rabbiting at Redbauk on the 15th inst. Constable Kennedy proceeded 1 to Mr Cameron's residence, and then went to Redbank, where he found in a cleft in some rocks on the top of a high hill a human skull, and on searching beneath it traced the remaining portion of the skeleton. It is evidently (that of a Maori, whicli had, been placed there for the purpose of burial. It had been placed' in a sitting position, covered over with earth, and a large flag of stone (which would take six men to lift) was placed on the 'top of it. By the appearance of the rock and ground surrounding it, and also by the decay of the bones, it has evidently been buried there for a number of years. The forehead of the skull is 'very narrow and receding. The teeth are sound and in good condition. The constable brought the skull tb Macraes for inspection. . A meeting of the Otago Institute was held on Tuesday evening at the Museum, and drew a fair attendance of members. A microscopical demonstration was given by Dr H. Lindo Ferguson and Professor Ulrich, the subject of the former being the preparation of sections of bones and teeth, and of the latter, the preparation of rock sections.

It may uot be' generally known that, undor the Police Offences Act, three horses tied to carts, one behind the other, is prohibited, only two being allowed. The Chrislchurch Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are taking the matter up with a view of stopping the practice there.

Shipping stock to tho Australian market still continues. On Wednesday Messrs A. Mollison and Co. shipped, per the Wakatipu, 30 really first-class draught mares and geldings for the Sydney market. The animals were all in fine condition, and were specially selected by the firm for exportation. It is hoped the firm will be able to land the stock without accident. Mr John Russell, who recently took a shipment of 'horses to Melbourne, has again been unfortunate, having lost the thoroughbred horse Dundee.

Paul Victor, a Napier tradesman, was caught early in the morning making his exit from the back of Banner and Liddel's auction-room. For a long time past all sorts of articles have been missed from these premises, and the police were set to watch. On searching Victor's house, it was found fairly stocked with stolen goods. When caught, he was carrying a lamp in each hand.

Tenders are invited in another column for the right to net trout in Lakes Wakafcipu, Hayes, Moke, and Wanaka. A preliminary announcement of tho sale of Mr James .Shand's Henley Farm stock, implements, &c, by Messrs Donald Eeid aud Co., appears in our advertising columns. ' Mr John Everest announces a clearing sale at Mr Robert? Drysdale's Moonlight Flat farm for the 4th prox. , Mr J. H. Kilgour has seed wheat, oats, and barley and grass seed for sale. •

Messrs Wright, Stephcnson.nnd Co. will sell Yorkshire pigs at the Burnside Yards on Wednesday.

The -.New Zealand Drug Company have bisulphide of carbon on sale.

Tho , New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. will sell a 1480-acre farm in Southland, known as Hampton, on the 16th prox.

Mr C. W-. Eichbaum, Pleasant Point, as agent for the New Zealand Mortgage and Investment Association. 'Offers 11,000 acres of the Waicola Estate for sale by private treaty.

An important announcement appears in our advertising columns, iv -which will be found a nStice well worthy of perusal by farmers, cropperdj and those desirous of acquiring land on easy terms. The New Zealand Mortgage, and Investment Association (Limited) offer for sale by private treaty 11,000 acres dt first-class agricultural land, the unsold portion of the Waicola Estate. The land on this estate is said to be of the very best -description for cropping and grazing purposes. There is a first-class bush contiguous to the land, so that timber for all purposes is available Coal is also plentiful in the neighbourhood. Terms will bo found in the, advertisement.