A Friendly Critic.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5575, 21 September 1889, Page 2

A Friendly Critic.

So.mk very racy letters are appearing in the "Irish Times " from the pen of its correspondent who has been travelling through New Zealand, he says :— " The young people arc extremely healthy-look-ing, dress neatly, go in strong for tennis and tea. I don't think there is much giving in marriage— at least, I judge this by the preponderance of the young, middle-aged and elderly spinsters to be met with in o day's walk or at the numerous social gatherings. The young eligibles are generally conspicuous by absence, and it would look as if the arrival of half-a dozen men from some other country was

a perfect god-send. There is the usual dead set made on the stranger, especially if he happens to have a handle to his name. There is a kindly welcome for all visitors, and an extension of hospitality truly delightful. One introduction is sufficient, and then you are pretty well captured and the rest of your stay made highly agreeable, in fact people cannot do too much for you. No trouble seems too much for your entertainers, and when necessity or duty summons you to some other part of the colony your advent is already heralded, and the same courteous and irienclly welcome meets you on arrival. He must be poor-souled indeed whose stay in the colony is not brimful and flowing over with pleasurable enjoyment. As in all New Zealand towns, after dark there is no life ; everyone seems to live in his own particular house. There is an utter absence of drunkenness.

The Sydenfiam School Committee have leased the < kldfellow.s" Hall for six months to a-ceoiiimoduU- -<>O scholars ivlio arc nmv crowded nut of Hie school.