Snap Shots.

Southern Cross, Volume 3, Issue 2, 13 April 1895, Page 5

Snap Shots.

Winter comes on apace, and to many it is likely to prove a trying time. In our broad, little-frequented streets poverty does not show itself as it does in cities with larger and more concentrated populations. It does, however, exist, and in a much severer form than is generally supposed. The priest, minister, or clothing club officials could give evidence of that. Unfortunately the most deserving cases rarely come under the notice of the charitably-disposed. Many who have seen better days shrink from .seeking relief, and thus their need oiever comes to light. I would warm the charitably-disposed against giving indiscriminately to all and sundry who apply for assistance. Let them investigate the cases as far as they are able, and in no instance give money unless they are quite satisfied of the genuineness of the appeal ; for there are without doubt professional beggars in our midst, who unblushingly spin dolorous tales of their woes • —woes in fact have no existence. . * * ' Amalgamation is being, attempted in things spiritual. Lord Halifax, the President of the English Church Union (an organisation representing the High Church section of the Anglicans), has left for Rome to confer with the Pope as to the practicability of union with the Church of Rome. The Archbishop of Canterbury has pronounced such a union impossible. In the face of such a dictum, Lord Halifax will find he has a difficult task. It will mean that Rome will not concede one of her practices or ■doctrines, and the only possible method of union will be the absorption of the Established Church. I am not one of those who anticipate such a contingency.

The tradesmen of Newton, Auckland, have gone back to the busy Saturday for keeping open. They ilhad a great demonstration to welcome the, return of the Saturday trade. Reeves wired saying that they were acting contrary to law, but as he ; seems to have full powers of deciding whether the law shall be enforced or not (himself informing a deputation the other day that no convictions would take place under the Fisheries Act if they liked to break it) no doubt the Auckland traders will find means to pacify his feelings, roused by the outrage of breaking a ‘ Hact of Parliament.’ ... # # & Numerous stories of the severity of -the English frost reach us from time to time. The following is too good to be passed over ; —Two boys in diifer■ent parts of England were found tethered by their tongues to the iron 'tail of a fence. They had touched it with their tongues to see what it felt ■Aike, and the intense frost promptly . seized and held them tight. Could we not get some iron rails prepared

at the freezing works for use at borough, county, or other council meetings by those afflicted with a ‘ cacoetaes talkendi.’ : The rail might be extended, perhaps, to the region of afternoon teas. Three governorships vacant. At the same time I don’t advise anyone to apply, for the following reasons : Wanted, a governor—who will apply ? Colonies vacant, so who’ll have a try ? The Cape, for example'—the,climate is hot, And Rhodes rules the roost—’tis a way he has got. ’Twould suit in his dotage'some lordly old fool, But he’ll find on arrival that'Cecil will rule. New South. Wales offers boldly a reduction of screw To a governor, tempted to come o’er the blue. With Parliament rowdy and strikes.as a rule, He’ll find to his horror that. Demos will rule. Then South Australia’s reciprocal shores Are ready to welcome a ‘ guv ’ to their doors ; They cannot assure him a ‘ petticoat ’ rule, But with lack of that garment the women will rule. Kobaic.