PASSING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1777, 12 December 1885, Page 18

PASSING NOTES.

How other people in their heart of hearts feel about this latest magnificent proposal of Sir Julius Vogel's lam unable to say. I can only speak for myself. And, speaking for myself, I confess with pain and shame that human nature is weak. As the Treasurer dilates on the ease and affluence which will follow our acceptance of his loan of ten millions, I feel like a halfreelaimod toper who listens to the popping of champagne corks, or like a kleptomaniac, conscious of his weakness, who is left in momentary charge of the cave of: Monte Christo. My impulse is to pitch moral considerations to the winds and take the fatal plunge. Conscience protests, but how can conscience go on permanently protesting against a proffered loan of ten millions ! Already am I beginning to sophisticate the inward monitor by arguments— e.y. : You have sunk your money in a business plant (railways, harbour works, &c.) too big for your present scale of operations. Double your annual turn-over, and your fixed capital will begin to pay interest ; eryo, get population, and that ' you may get population, take the ten millions ! And again : Your distance from the great centres of, the old world has been reduced one-half by improved communication, and your vast estate made in consequence twice as valuable as it was ten years ago— if only you get population. Eryo (whementissime), by all that is sacred yet population, and that you may get it, take the ten millions ! Sophistry, all this, I doubt not — and I am reading diligently every leading article I can find on the other side ; — but then human nature is 60 pitiably weak ! How can you hope to reason successfully against a man who offers you ten millions ? The one safe course is that indicated by a correspondent of the Times — Retro Satlianas ! — Get thee behind me, Satan !

The situation, indeed, recalls a certain French saying which embodies a good deal of human experience, military and other — La ville gui parle. et la femme gui ecoute se perdeM. This Colony, I am afraid, is going to be both la ville qai parle, the " town that parleys" with the beseiger, and la femme gui econte, " the woman that listens " to the betrayer — with the usual consequences. It i 6 to be regretted that we have not in this country an excellent usage which, according to Plutarch, existed in one of the small states of ancient Greece. Any citizen wishing to propose a new law was required to appear in the market place with a rope round his neck. If his motion was lost on division, the rope was immediately employed to hang him. No "appeal to the country" was allowed, no opportunity of. exciting the proletariat by stump speeches, or working up a favourable public opinion through a venal Press. The Vogel of the day who proposed a tenmillion loan to cut through the Isthmus of Corinth, or make a railway from Olympus to Cape Matapan, was accorded one respectful hearing — just one— and then, if out-voted, was incontinently hanged out of the way as a dangerous foe to the public content. These facts show how much we have yet to learn politically from the ancient Greeks. If Sir Julius is allowed time to fascinate us with the glamour of his millions, we may become capable of any folly, whereas were heads counted during our first moral recoil from the audacity of his proposals, and the Greek precedent were followed, Sir Julius would assuredly be hanged.

Re University, and the Clerical Consolation Stakes in which the prize is Professor Mac« gregor's vacant chair, an ingenuous correspondent writes as follows :

DeaeCivis, — Sinceyouknow.orthinkthatyou know, everything, perhaps you will not object to explain what precisely are the subjects taught under the name of Moral Philosophy or Moral Science. Is not Moral Science simply the science of morals ? And if so, is not the Professor a moral teacher — in fact, merely a sort of lay preacher ? From this point of view I 6hould think an intelligent clergyman very eligible for the billet. — Yours,

Common Sense. My friend "Common Sense" is slightly wrong from the start. In saying that I "know, or think that I know, everything," he mu6t be mistaking me for one of the candidates for the chair. "Know everything," quotha! If there is one thing that I know, it is that I don't know everything, which piece of knowledge it is that so obviously gives me the advantage over the crowd of fools who have prayed too successfully — " Lord gie us a gude conceit o' oursel's !" Whately is said to have remarked of Whewell — "His forte is science aud his foible omniscence." Whether the three "intelligent clergymen" who are ready to abandon their proper vocation to teach Moral Philosophy can boast any "forte" at all is more than I know, but what their "foible" must be becomes evident as soon as one enumerates tho subjects with which moral philosophy is occupied .- 1. The organ of human thought, the mnid, ot sotd ; psyfchbttrgy.

JJ2. The technical instrument of human thought; logic. 3. The history of human thought, chiefly as applied to ethics, sociology, and the riddle of existence ; philosophy, from Aristotle to Kant. A glance down this list will enable " Common Sense" to appreciate the " gude conceit" of the three " intelligent clergymen." lam reminded of Sir Robert Peel's sarcasm upon Lord John Russell. "The right honourable gentleman," said Peel, " is gifted with that happy versatility which, at a moment's notice, would enable him with equal confidence to take command of the Channel fleet or to cut for the stone." I am free to confess to a momentary feeling of abashment upon reading "Vindicator's" letter in the Daily Times of Tuesday last, wherein " Civis" is accused of antagonism to the White Cross Society, and of having, in fact, done his best to nip the flower of purity in the bud. But upon second thoughts abashment has given place to complacency. The flower has not really been nipped in the bud, the plant has simply been watered with a gentle rain of reasoning, and the process has strengthened it. " Vindicator's " letter itself is an evidence of this. The Society, by its mouthpiece, has developed already a certain vigor of retort which it might never have possessed but for my humble attentions. The half-column appeal to* " Civis " to refrain from banter " an' you love us," may, who knows, do more for the Society than that gathering of twelve in the First Church. I sincerely hope " Vindicator " will be comforted 'with this view of the matter, and shake hands. " These are wise counsellors " says somebody in "As You Like It," "who feelingly remind me what I am." The White Cross Society were feelingly reminded that their weapons were possibly not best adapted for the foemen they had to meet. Voila tout! This surely was the work of a friend — a candid friend, granted; but every friend to be useful must be candid. "Vindicator" will, one of these days, awake to the recognition of " Civis " as a useful critic, and begin to call at the Witness office with, illuminated addresses, silver inkstands, and boxes of cigars.- These will be accepted in the spirit in which they are offered. Meanwhile, if the Society are satisfied with their weapons, let them cut in by all means. They shall have a fair field and no banter. Can I say fairer than that ?

There has been a happy half -hour in the Adelaide Police Court, beside which the scenes during Mr Stead's trial in London are tame. A Government engineer named William Gunby was committed for the abduction of a girl under 14 years of age from the custody of her mother, who " drank." He, like Mr Stead, was actuated by " high motives." But at the conclusion of the case the mother made a movement towards her child, and Mrs Gunby, wife of the defendant, being prepared for the sortie, sprang in front of the girl, and, reinforced by a number of , friendly females, offered a strong defence. Nothing daunted, the mother advanced to the attack, and had got her daughter (who was screaming piteously) by the arm, when the whole of the counsel engaged in the case, and the public generally, rushed into the melie. To quote from the report : —

A scene of indescribable confusion ensued, several law clerks, policemen, private detectives, and others who were in the building dashing violently against the mass of shrieking women and struggling men, and giving to the scene the appearance of a general free fight. Backwards and forwards the mass swayed, and as the conflicting parties each had a firm hold of the poor girl, it appeared as though she would be literally dragged to pieces, and theecreams that emanated from her lips, and the deathly pallor of her countenance, went to strengthen that idea. At one time Mr Kingston (one of the lawyers) was seen on the outskirts of the crowd with his high hat knocked from its perpendicular, and Mr E. W. Hacker (another legal gentlemen) was struggling in his arms, the picture of rage, whilst the next minute Mr Holland had seized Mr Nicholson, who had been struggling with great bravery against tho attack of an articled clerk and a musclarlooking policeman, and twisted him round in a manner that at one time threatened to send that gentleman to earth. So professional was the twist, in fact, that Mr Nicholson evidently recognisedjjthe superior abilities of the opposing faction and retired behind the clerk's table, gesticulating wildly to Mr Beddome (the magistrate) who had been stolidly watching the proceedings from his desk. Mr Nicholson repeatedly called out, " Can't you do anything in this matter ? " Mr Beddome, however, remained mute ; and Nicholson, receiving no support from that quarter, returned to the floor of the building and was soon afterwards again conspicuous in the strugfling crowd. The next combatant to retire was Ir Hawker, who, having been relieved by Mr Kingston, had rushed with such valour into the fight that his opponents had considered it necessary to use greater violence, with the result that the face of Mr Nicholson's partner presented the appearance of a pugilist's. This gentleman also considered it necessary to appeal to Mr Beddome for assistance, but the magistrate remained silent. Thiß magistrate, however, is evidently a functionary who knows how to possess his soul in patience. No -sooner had the girl been deftly conveyed out of Court by a burly ex-constable than his Worship calmly remarked, " I will sign warrants for everyone concerned in the riot, and everyone charged shall be locked up tonight." An announcement that operated like oil upon the troubled waters. One by one the solicitors and others remembered pressing appointments outside and vanished. The magistrate was left victor of the field, and he had only struck one blow, and that was with his tongue, after the casus belli had been removed. A genuine philosopher, he knew his voice could not have been heard before, therefore he husbanded his breath and discreetly enjoyed the fun while it lasted. Then he sighed and said, " Well, now to business."

There is vernal innocence about the following communication, handed to me by the editor, which disarms criticism. I suppress post-town and signature ; —

— Devon, England. Blr,— Haying lately seen your paper, I take

the liberty of enclosing a specimen of writing which, if you should wish for a regular contributor, I could easily send as required. I have some of all kinds and subjects in poetry, and occasionally write for a Home paper. Should you be inclined to require my services, I should be obliged for your reply. — I am, Sir, yours obediently,

P.S. — I write under the s : guature of "Esmeralda" in the Home paper, which I should continue.

Here is verse one of an enclosed " specimen " : —

Melody. The bee will kiss the glowing rose, When evening clouds in splendour close The parting hour of day ; So will I woo thee, when the night Shall dreams of love and peace invite And slumber fade away ! There is a difficulty in understanding why slumber is to " fade away " at the precise time when " the night shall dreams of love and peace invite," but this is a critical detail which need not detain us. As an interesting example of what is thought to be a marketable commodity in the Colonies, I might quote the whole of this " Melody," though at the risk, possibly, of receiving the gifted authoress' " little bill," with a request for a post-office order. Taking instead another "specimen," here is the opening of a Dirge on the Prince Imperial : — Toll ! for the heir of a noble lineHe "sleeps at last ; No memory rests in our hearts of him, But the glorious past. Child of so many hopes and fears Thy work is done, &c, &c. Poor " Esmeralda !" It will doubtless be a painful shock to her to learn that in the Colonies sentimental and elegiac verse is positively a drug ; that in the Witness establishment all the year round the office fires are laid with manuscript poetry, and that, in particular, at the vernal equinox, when the young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love, the editor, like Horace, has to be specially purged for the bile (qid jmrgor bilem sub verni temporis horam) because of the rain of " Melodies," " Dirges," " Odes," and " Impromptus " to which at that stimulating season he is subjected. "Esmeralda" must carry her wares elsewhither, or content herself with the " Poet's corner " of her Devonshire local paper. Civis.

The examinations for the Normal School and Senior and Junior Education Board Scholarships commence on the 15th inst. There are 16 candidates for the Normal School Scholarships, 43 for the senior, and 64 for the junior Education Board ones. The centres in which examinations will be held are Dunedin, Milton, Oamaru, Palmerston, Lawrence, Cromwell, and Naseby.

The agitation that has been going on for some time past to get the Lumsden-Mararoa line completed to the township of Mossburn has at last been successful, intimation having been received (says the Western Star) from the Minister of Public Works that the offer of the contractor (Mr J. Concher) for the section at present under way, to complete the extension to the township at schedule rates having been accepted. The present contract carries the line to within four miles, and the cost of the extension is estimated at about £1800.

When the girl Kate Nolan, who had been arrested at the Bluff, was brought up ' at the Hotham Police Court, her brother, who had laid the information, did not wish to press the charge of larceny, notwithstanding the protestations of the police. He agreed to pay the expenses incurred, £17 Bs, and the Bench simply ordered the girl to be imprisoned till the rising of the Court.

A case of wholesale poisoning is reported to have occurred in the town of Vistabella, province of Castellon, Spain, where a couple of well-to-do people were recently married, and celebrated the event with a grand dinner. All who ate of that dinner, including the bride and bridegroom, and the poor, among whom the remains of the feast were distributed, were suddenly seized with symptoms of poisoning. No fewer than 17 died, and over 60 were in a critical condition. From a local paper it appears that the father of the bride owed a small sum of money, which he would not, or could not, pay. The creditor wen I; to see him just as the dinner was being prepared, and threw some poison into one of the dishes.

The following is the result of the tenderings for the Otago Inland Mail Service for 1886 : — Hugh Craig and Co., of Lawrence, are the successful tenderers for the undermentioned services in the Dunedin Postal districts : Cromwell and Bendigo, weekly ; Cromwell and Pembroke, via Bendigo and Hawea Flat, weekly; Cromwell and Pembroke, via Luggate, weekly ; Cromwell and Queenstown, thrice weekly; Lawrence and Cromwell, thrice weekly ; Naseby to Clyde, via St. Bathans and Cambrian, twice weekly ; Palmerston and Naseby, via Macraes Flat and Hyde, weekly; Palmerston and Naseby, via Waihemo, twice weekly. The aggregate sum to be paid for all these services is £3280. The firm, as contractors, have thus secured tb^e whole of the contracts.

The Official Assignee presided at two meetings of creditors on Thursday at Balclutha, in the estates of Seaton Porter and Gilbert M'Kay. In the former case £100 was accepted for the whole estate, and in the latter a sum equal to 7s 6d in the pound to the unsecured creditors, subject to the guarantors being satisfied in regard to title.

Pastoral leases in the Wakatipu district 'will be offered for sale on January 5.

On tho 24th inst. the freehold estate known as Berkeley Farm, containing übout 1750 acres of the well-known Henley Estate, will be sold in small farms on the ground. At the same time the stock and implements with which the estate was worked by Mr Shand will be sold. * Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. will sell draught horses on Saturday. The Taieri Agricultural Society's annual show will be held on the 29th inst. at Outram. Entries close on the 23rd inst.

Messrs Donald Reid and Co. will sell the Traquair Estate, containing 15,001 acres, well known as Mr Shand s property, on the 17th inst. at the Chamber of Commerce Hall.

A list of runs liable to forfeiture is given elsewhere.

Messrs Donald Reid and Co. offer Mr John Murdoch s farm at Saddle Hill for sale by private treaty. J L

Mr Montagu Pym will sell Mr Flamank's properties in the Rock-and-Pillar district, Hyde, &c, and Mr Drysdale s properties at Moeraki, by auction, on the 21st inst.

The address ot Alexander Petrie is inquired for. Messrs Fleming and Hedley will sell Mr William Clark's Cave Valley farm, together with stock, &c, on tho 12th inst.

We have been shown an exceedingly neat portable medicine chest, patented under the name of " The Acme," by Mr Bridge, of Kiverfcou. It stands onty about 1 loot high and is 15 inches in width, by about 8 inches in depth, but in this small compass is contained a very complete supply of such drugs, simple surgical appliances, &c, as are likely to be moat frequently needed. The interior arrangement of the uhest is very compact and ingenious, and the invention will no doubt be found exceedingly useful by those who are much up-country at a distance from any chemist or druggist's store. Mr A. Moritzou is the Dunedin. agent.