The Timaru Herald.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2777, 17 August 1883, Page 2

The Timaru Herald.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1883.

A strange rumor has got abroad, and bas been widely circulated with a great air of circumstantiality, to the effect that the Agent- General has grossly abused his position m order to favor Shaw Saville and Company m their competition with the New Zealand Shipping Company for the direct steam service. It ia stated that m answer to all applications by persons contemplating emigration to this colony, Sir Dillon Bell has given full information about Shaw Saville and Co.'s vessels, and gone so far as to act as a sort of tout for that firm ; while carefully abstaining from any reference to the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamers. It is stated further that he has given a most unfair preference to Shaw Saville and Co. m the way of Government business, and that both the colony and the emigrants have suffered severely through this jobbery. Amongst other matters it is alleged that a large number of passengers who were handed over to Shaw Saville and Co. by the AgentGeneral, took twice as long to reach New Zealand very uncomfortably, as they would have taken to come out m the utmost comfort inone of tbeNew Zealand Shipping Company's boats. The AgentGeneral is also charged with having sent a large and valuable shipment of ferrets for the Government, by Shaw Saville's steamer, with the result that they all died, owing to the length of the voyage, when he might have sent them with every chance of aafety by the qnick line. In short, Sir Dillon Bell is roundly charged with shamelessly prostituting his office of Agent-General, and recklessly sacrificing the interests of the colony, m order to bolster up a private trading company whom he has reasons for supporting, and spite another company whom he has a grudge against.

Now, if this report is true, not necessarily m every minute particular, but m its general tenor, then Sir Dillon Bell has behaved most disgracefully, and is not fit to retain hia responsible position as the representative of the colony m

London. The Government ought immediately to call him to account for his misconduct, and the House ought to insist on his removal. But is it true ? Is it reasonable to suppose that Sir Dillon Bell has been guilty of the scandalous partiality tbat is attributed to him ? For our part, knowing him very well, we should say he is quite incapable of doing anything of the sort. Why should he so entirely change the ordinary tenor lof his way ? Hitherto he has been distinguished by nothing more than by his scrupulous integrity and his single-minded regard for the public interests. There is nothing whatever of a jobber about him. He is the hist man m the world, we should say, to go out of his way to serve a favorite company ut the expense of the colony. He is far too jealous of his good name, for that. On the other bund, n3 to his having n grudge against the New Zealand Shipping Company, he ia not at all likely to entertain any such unworthy feelings. Wo could quite understand Mr Rollcston being influenced by animus against tho Company, because he is the slave of prejudice nnd obstinate to a degree. But Sir Dillon Bell is not a bit like that. He is a singularly fair-minded man, and even when ho has a grievance, for he is undoubtedly sensitive, be never presses it unduly, or seeks to avenge it vindictively. He is very magnanimous, and if he had auy quarrel with the New Zealand Shipping Company, which is extremely improbable, that would be with him a strong reason for doing the Company the fullest justice m his official relations with them. Above all he id a thorough administrator, and devoted to his duties, and nothing would be more offensive to him than the idea of muddling the business of his department m order to give a paltry advantage to a favored individual or company. We can imagine the half-comical disgust with which he will read the news that he is publicly accused o£ jobbing for Shaw Saville and Co.

At the same time the statements aa to passengers having been directed to Shaw Saville's steamer from the Agent-General's office, while they were kopt m ignorance concerning the New Zealand Shipping Company's lino, seem to be reasonably well established, and nre worthy of some attentiou. Tbat Sir Dillon Ecll had anything to do with this preference, or that, if he had, his motives were such as have been described, we caunot believe. But it is just possible that his subordinates may have acted iv this manner without his knowledge ; or that ho bimsulf may have given instructions, the purport and object of which were misunderstood. The Government ought, therefore, to acquaint tho Agent-General with tho statements that have been published m the colony regarding him, and obtain from him a report on the whole matter. We have no doubt he will easily be able to orplain it satisfactorily. It just occurs to us that m his anxiety to encourage competition for direct steam communication between Great Britain and New Zealand, and distinctly with a view to the interests of the colony, Sir Dillon Bell may have been induced by Shaw Saville and Co. to give them such a share of support as he would not have given them if he had been aware at the time of the marked superiority of the New Zealand Shipping Company's line. When two powerful Steam Companies ai-c rivals for the business aud aid of the colony, it is hard for one m the Agent-General's position to escape the appearance of partiality. It is high time for their rivalry to bo terminated by a proper arrangement being made by one or both of them.

We are very glad to see that tho grant for public libraries is to be restored, and under conditions which will cause it to be distributed much more fairly than hitherto. Owing to the construction placed on the wording of the Public Libraries Subsidies Act, any library m a town that had a reading room open to the public at the time when application was made for a subsidy, shared m the distribution on tho basis of £ for £. The result was, of course, that the lion's share of the grant went to large and thriving institutions m tho towns, some of which got hundreds of pounds, though they were only nominally public libraries ; while the poor little country libraries, for whose benefit the Act was passed, had to put up with a miserable pittance. It has now been decided that while town libraries are not to be excluded from all participation m the grant, yet the subsidy shall not m any case exceed £50. This will leave the greater part of the vote for country libraries, which will actually get £1 for each £1 subscribed by the settlers. It is to be hoped that those who have hitherto taken an interest m these institutions will make special efforts this year to obtain subscriptions, so as to secure for them a substantial share of the £6000 ; for there is no saying how long it may be before the grant is voted again. The discussion on it on Wednesday night was both long and animated, aud the supporters of the grant had all they could do to carry it. Why there was so much opposition to it, is not very clear, for the session has not, up to this point, been characterised by any ardent desire for economy. The debate, which lasted from half-past eight on Wednesday evening until halfpast one yesterday morning, is said to have cost the country considerably over £100, the expense for lighting alone amounting to £40. This is economy with a vengeance. It is suspected that the Ministers aud their party purposely prolonged the discussion m order to prevent certain private Members' Bills, which they were rather afraid of, from being proceeded with. If that is true, it reflects little credit on the Ministers and their party ; and will certainly not raise them m the estimation of the public, who do not appreciate the smartness of such tactics. It is more complimentary to the Government to suppose that they were, for once, inclined towards economy and sincere m their opposition to the libraries grant ; that the majority were against them ; and that it took five hours and a-half to arrive at a satisfactory compromise. HuNTUfd. — Tho last meet this season of tho Waimato County harriers will bo hold at Mr Rhodes' station, Bluocliffo, to-day. Concebt. — A concert and dance take plac* m tho Pareora schoolroom this evening, commencing at 8 o'clock.

Dru.vke>'SE3S. — A first offender wns fined 5a by the Resident Magistrate yesterday morning.

Fire Insurance. — It is announced m our advertising columns thut Mr F. W. Cook has been appointed tho Timaru agent for the Norwich Union Firo Insurnnco Society.

Aiirkst. — A man named nenry Brown was arrested yesterday morning by Constable Philips on a chnrgo of stealing a pair of trousers from the shop of Mr Snick, pawnbroker. Ho will bo brought up at tho Resident. Magistrate's Court this morning.

DisGitACKiTL Conduct. — Somo unprincipled person or other lias abused the privileges nffordod by the reading-room of tho Mechanics' Tnntiluto by cntting out scraps from one of tho scientific papers, and the Librarian also complains that papers nro takon from the tables. In tho interests of tho subscribers nn exnmplo should bo made of anyone caught m cither of these acts. JCahtuquake ix Enoland. — It is very seldom (says tho Borne Kews) that shocks of cartluuinke* have been felt co plainly m ICnglnud us was tho ense on Monday, Juno 2,")tli, m North Devon. Holsworthy, Bideforil, Hartlaml, Clovelly, and Bude, were all of (hem sensibly shaken. A panic wns fronted, and tlio country folk woro terrified with the notion that the end of the world wns at hand.

A Nr.w E.vvout. — Our Milton contemporary states that largo quantities of turnips are now being exported, to Sydney, where thoy command n ready sale, at satisfactory prices. It is pointed out that this root can bo grown more successfully m tho south of Otago nud portions of Southland than m any other district m the colonies, and that Tasmania, ns well as New South Wales, might be found to bo n good market.

Livehoat Chew. — A meeting oP the crow of tho Timnru lifebont wns held Inst cvoning, Chief-Coxwnin Collis m the clinir. Captain Webster, the newly-appointed HarborMaster wns present, nnil was unanimously elected Cnptain of the erevr. It was decided on the suggestion of Captain Webstor, that regular meetings of the crew bo held every three months, which the Press should be requested to attend. After sonic other formal business the meeting terminated.

Blur Ridbov Akmy. — Tho fourth meeting m Timaru of the Blue Ribbon Army and Gospel Tenipernnco Mission was held m tho Oddfellows' Hi\U last, evening. Tlio attendance wns the poorest since the Army commenced its meetings here. Addresses bearing on the temperance cause were given by the Rev. Mr Sharp and by llossrs Foster and Thompson, Ullfl nt intervals ail united choir sang npproprinto hymns. Several peoplo joined the Army, and donned the little bit of blue ribbon, during the meeting. CO-OTKHATIVE Poi'XDKKEPIXa. — At a recent meeting o£ tlio New Plymouth Borough Council, a member asked why the Borough Pound had not been offered for public tender this year, as usual. Another Councillor answered that the carters and expressmen had nßrecd to club together and lease the pound when it was offered by tender, nnd then they would virtually closo tho pound and Mow their horses to roam through tho streets at will. Tho matter was tlion allowed to drop, and no wonder. Esot.tsii Catilk News. — Tho following special telegrams are published m the Press : — " London, August 15th. Tho Messrs Redmond, m a report on their mission m AusImliii, stato that Archbishop Vaughnn, of Sydney, and Archbishop Goold, of Melbourne, were hostile to them. The Bishops of Mnitlnud anil Goulbourno were, however, favorable to their movement. Thoy also mention that they were compelled to retire from New South Wale?. The Cabinet sympathised with them, and several Catholic members of Parliament, who were nt the first hostile to them, subsequently welcomed tlio mission. — The recent hot weather is improving the harvest prospects. — The French despatches from Tamatave have confirmed thoso received by t'uo English Government. — The panic on "tho New York I riiihrnv slocks continues."

Excursion to Faiklib Cef.ee. — Next Wednesday an excursion train is to be run from Timaru to Winseorube, tho present terminus of tho Fairlic Creek line. Tho train leaves Timaru at 11.15 a.m., and giving nearly four hours at Winscombe, reaches Timaru on tho return at C.50 p.m. Tho fares are very moderate, and business being slack m town, there ought to be n good number taVe advnntngo of tho opportunity. There is very little to be seen m the neighborhood of the temporary terminus, but arrangements have been made for vehicles to be m readiness to take peoplo on to Fairlio Creek, two or three miles further, if thoy desire to go. . It is worth anyone's while who has not yet been m tbat quarter, to run up and ccc the country.

A Comparison 1 . — In an article on tho " Southern Empire " tho Australasian gives figures showing that the export and import trade of tho Australian colonies is of an annual raluo of about one hundred millions, equalling that of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, nnd Spain put together ; that the colonies m 1883 ■will transact n larger commerce by about one-sixth than did Great Britain m 1833, fifty years ago ; whilo with respect to shipping, the nggrognl« inward and outward tonnnge of the colonies m 1882 was over ten and a half millions, and the tonnage of the United Kingdom m 1832 was under seven millions. Tho Australasian thinks that m view of such facts, the representations of the colonies on the subject of extending tho Southern Empire were entitled to the most earnest and sympathetic consideration which the Secretary of State for the Colonies can give (hem. Cricket. — Tho annual mcoting of tlio Otaio Cricket Club was hold at Otaio on Wednesday last, about a dozen members being present. In tho absence of Mr Tesuhemakcr (the President), Mr Rhodes was voted to tho chair. After the minutes of tho lost general mooting were read and confirmed, an account of last season's doings was read, showing that tho Club won 6 matches and lost 2 ; that thoro were 37 mombers, and the balanco-shoet showed £2 Gs lid to tho Club's credit. The ' Chairman congratulated members on the success tho Club had met with m financo and m cricket, and hoped that members would turn out to prnctico this year as well as they did last year. The President's bat for tho best baiting avcrago was won by Mr P. Jones, with an average of 14.7. The host bowling analysis was tbat of Mr R. Pitt, 4.4. It was resolved to open tho season on September 15th. Mr Teschemakcr (President), Jlr Rhodes (Captain) and Mr Reeves (Hon. Socrelary and Treasurer) were all reelected, and tho proceedings terminated with tho usual vote of thanks to the Chairman.

Poultry Snow. — Tho second annual show of the Timaru Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association will bo held at Messrs R. Wilkin and Co. 'a horse repository to-day. The doors will be open to the public at one o'clock, remaining opeu till 10 p.m. To-morrow, being Saturday, and for tho purposoof giving our country friends timo to thoroughly inspect tho numerous exhibits, tho doors will be opened at 10 a.m. Wo understand that tho number of entries received is very large — amounting, m fact, to over four hundred ; and that tho show will be, ia more than ono respect, a great deal better than that of last year. Exhibits from Christchurch, Ashburton, and Oamaru were received last evening, nnd others from towns north and south are expected m by rail this morning. Tho members of Committeo and othora were busily engaged last night avrunging what birds had arrived m their respective pens. Local exhibitors are reminded that thoy must send m their birds beforo nine o'clock this morning.

Theatre Royal. — Tho Juvenile Opera Company made their farewell appearance last night to a numerous audience, stalls and pit being fairly well filled, and the drees circle containing a good many occupants. They repealed " Les Cloches de Corneville," and went through it with their accustomed skill nud spirit. Their performance, as usual, was highly enjoyed, and was frequently applauded. To-night they appear at Ashburton m " Tho Pirates," and wo can confidently recommend the inhabitants of that town to go and hoar them. The singing of those who take the chief characters is very good, and tho choruses all go well, while the acting of tho children is such that many of their seniors who make a living on the colonial stage cannot bo compared with them for a moment. "Go and ploy with tho boys " is a common expression addressed to duffers, but to duffers on.the sfago we ■frould not Bay it, — it would bo most unfair to such boys as these.

"The L'ittie Dustpan." — Tho proprietors i of " Tho Liltlo Dustpan" m the Main South Road, announce m our advertising columns this morning that they are selling a lot of bankrupt stock at a great discount. Poiicß Changes. — We learn that Constable Patrick Casey, who has been stationed iv Tiraaru for nearly three years, leaves for Ashburton on Monday, his place being taken by Constable Daley. On his departure from Timaru, Constable Casey will take with him tho best wishes of a large circlo of friends — • despite tho saying that " a Policeman's life is not a happy one." Temuka' Park Board. — Tho usual monthly meeting of tho Temuka Park Board was held m tho Star Hotel, Temukn, on Tuesday last. Present — Messrs A. Wilson (Chairman), J. Meyers, K. F. Gray, S. D. Barker, and J. Paterson. The minutes of tho previous meeting were read and confirmed. Tho caretaker's monthly report having been read and considered, it was decided that the osiers should be cut and planted m places where required ; also tbr.! notice by advertisement should be given that poison had been laid m the Park for the destruction of dogs at large. The Secretary informed tho members that tho amount to the credit of the Board at the Bank of New Zealand was only £15 19s 9d. The Board, after discus- j sion, decided that tho Secretary be instructed to collect forthwith all amounts due to the Board. Messrs Paterson and Gray were appointed Rangers forthe ensuing month. Accounts to the amount of £10 7s 9d wero passed for payment, and the meeting then adjourned.

'Coxckut at Tbmuka. — On Wednesday evening a concert was given m the Volunteer Hall, Temukn, m aid of the Choir Fund of the Temuka Roman Catholic Church. Despite tlie unfavorable state of the weather the Hall was well fdled, and presented a very pleasing sight, being nicely decorated with (lags and fancy paper work. The promoters and those having the management of tho concert are to be congratulated on the financial results of the evening, for a goodly sum will be left after payment of expenses. It is to be hoped, therofore, thut our Roman Catholic friends will not rest contented with this their first concert, but shortly arwngo another such evening's amusement. The programme, a lengthy oue, was well planned, and certainly pleased everyone who possessed the slightest pretension, to a tastu for harmony. The concert opened with tho Temuka Brass Band playing " The Queen," a composition which enabled the Band to prove to their friends that their eupport is not thrown away, The fantusia " Con A more" was also well* rendered, but hardly equal to their first piece. Both, however, were well received by tho audience. The choir, assisted by a few I members of other choirs of Tcinuka, gave tho chorus " Kyrio Eleison," affording considerable ploasuro to all, 03 testified by the hearty applause bestowed at the conclusion. The choir did justice to their able instructor, Mr Edmonds, for the various voices blended charmingly. The choir afterwards sang " Carnovale," a chorus, and two glees " May Day " and "Yo Spotted Snakes," m good form, especially the first-named glee. Mr Buss made hi 9 first appearance, and acquitted himself m fairly good manner of that very difficult yet taking song " Loving eyes are on mo benniing," retiring amid well earned applause. Miss Innes, an old favorite of Tcinulia audiences, sang " Permot Astliorc," and " Rothesiiy Buy," with spirit. Aneueoro was demanded to the first, but time prevented the request being acceded to. The pianoforte duet " Prince Imperial," was rendered by the Misses Quinn with more than average excellence), the purity of the gradations being very marked, consequently the customary reward followed. Mr Rutland gave " The monarch of the wood" and "Simon the Cellarer," tho latter being undoubtedly one of the best items of the evening. Mifs McXair delighted the audience with her song " Buvnoy O'Uca," an encore being requested. Mr Edmonds, it is needless to say, gave critics no eltaneo to find fault with his song, " The old sexton," it being, as it deserved, well received. Miss Brown was happy m selecting " Excelsior" as her contribution to the programme, for it was one of the successes of tho concert, as was evidenced by the hearty applauso given. Miss Gaffney sang " Liquid gem " witli considerable success. Miss Thomson, it may bo taken for granted, did not fail to meet with approval at the conclusion of her song, " Love m Youth." Mr A. Coira sang, "Non-c-Tcr," an Italian song, his notes being romarknbly clear. Miss G. Rowe's recitation "The Bunch of Primroses," was listened to throughout with the greatest attention. The comic songs of Messrs Wilkinson and Clinch, as is always the caso, created the greatest amuseinont, both gentlemen having to reply to encores. To Mrs Seigert and Miss Ball great prai6C is due, for the very cfliciont help givon, by presiding at tho piano and harmonium. The National Anthem concluded one of tho many pleasant concerts organised at Tomuka.

The SpArbovv Pest. — Opinions iv New Zealand are divided (19 to whether the English sparrow is a boon or n curse. Possibly tho following clipping from a recent Home paper may tend to satisfy the public mind on the matter : — "A change has come over tho feeling with which the English apurrow is regarded m tho United States. No settler received a warmer welcomo than ho when he was first sot free m New York, but now scarcely anybody has a good word for him. His piquant, saucy ways, which wero at first very attractive, now aggravate his offences. It appears that he is now without a friend, universally execrated and denounced, and grave men aro devising schomes for getting rid of him as an impertinent, dangerous, and troublesome little nuisance. Ho rapidly spread und multiplied over tho country, and from a diet of insects and worms ho passed on to fruit, wheat, and rye. The damage is represented as enormous, and Legislatures of States are framing Bills against tho sparrow. Texas and lowa have led the way, drawing up an ironclad Bill, m which ho is depicted m his true light as a bird of bad habits and infamous character of inordinate appetite, too much given to wheat and particularly to fruit, which he ruins by pecking out tho best portions for himself, a communist and a polygamist, and tho enemy of all tho native American birds, whom he has completely driven out of their own country. Ho is accused furthermore, of lining his nests with feathers, which breed obnoxious insects, which infest those houses to which theso nests ore attached. Altogether, the prospects of tho jaunty English sparrow m the Now World are very bad." Polled Angus Cattle. — Tho North Olaga Times of Wednesday says : — The Wakatipn on her July trip from Sydnoy had on board a Mr Hogarth, from Queensland, who came over to Now Zealand purposely to look for Polled Angus cattle. It happened that Mr Hogarth was bo pleased with the Totara herd that ho selected a young bull and heifer, paying the high figuro of 240 guineas forthepair. Itappearatbattheyoungstrangers made a favorable impression on the other sido, as immediately on arrival of Mr Hogarth cabled tho Now Zealand and Australian Land Co. to send him over another young bull of tho same class, and the animal was despatched by the Wakatipu from Lyttolton on Monday last. Polled Angus cattlo now are attracting considerable attention m Australia, whence the company receivo numerous enquiries, and aro receiving orders from Victoria as well as Now South Wales, and Queensland. These cattlo are m great demand m America, which is doubtless due to tho advantages they possess over horned cattlo for sending long distances by rail or steamer, and to the evenness with which they lay on flesh, and for their hardihood. The Totara Polled Angus herd has only been m the Oamaru district for about a year, having been removed from Edendalo, whoro it was originated about 20 years ago ; and it now comprises some 50 head of pure-bred females, -with a couple of importbd bulls. Cattle fanciers would enjoy and perhaps benefit by an inspection of the Totara herd, and, for tho benefit of thoso who cannot visit tho estate, wo hopes the company will bring these cattle more prominently before the public than they have hitherto done, and that visitors will see them on. the bliowground this nest season. Aon op Houses. — Wo wonder whether tho following remarks m a Kansas paper find any application m this colony. "An old farmor onco said j ' What a year it must h&ve been for colts seven years ago this spring.' No person who has never attempted to buy c, horee can appreciate the remark, but if he will

let it bo known that lie ■wants to buy a good horse, he will be struck with the circumstance that all the horses that nre of any particular account were born seven years ago. Occasionally there ia one that is six year* old, but they aro not plenty. Now, those of us who lived around here seven years ago did not have our attention Called to the fact that the country was flooded with colts. There were very few twin colts, and it was seldom that a mare had half-a-dozen colts following her. Farmers and stock-raisers did not go around worrying about what they were going to do with so many colts. The papers, if we recollect right, were not filled with accounts of tho extraordinary number of colts born. And yet it must have been a terrible year for colts, because there aro only six horses m Milwaukee that are over six years old, bnt one of them was found to have been pretty well along m years when he worked m Burnham's brick yard m 18-18, and finally the owner owned up that lie was twenty-six years, What a mortality there must have been among horses that would now have been eight, nine, or ten years old . There are none of them left. And a year from now, when our present stoik of horses would naturally be eight years old, they will all bo dead, and a new lot of seven-year-old horses will take their places. It is singular, but true. That is, it is true unless horse-dealcra lie, and wo would be slow to charge so grave a crime upon a useful and enterprising class of citizens. 'We leave the subject for tho youth of the land to ponder over. It beats us."

Locusts is Russia. — A lato Home paper says the inhabitants of various Russian provinces nre aghaßt at the devastating ravages of locusts. Intelligence just received from Charkoff states that m that district tholocusts are swarming over and utterly destroying tho crops of a fertile trnct of 50,000 acres. In the neighborhood of Taganrog tho same frightful destruction of the crops is proceeding. Xhe most energetic measures lo stamp out this plnguc arc being taken. In Taganrog tho grain nnd locust 3 have been burnt together m order to stamp out the pest. From Borissoglebsk the latest intelligence is still more lamentable. The locust 3 m this government are ravaging a tract of some 70,000 acres. Six thousand soldiers Bent to tho assistance of the inhabitants aro powerless to check the appalling destruction committed by these ravaging nnd insatiable insect legions. They have also appeared m other governments.

An Intolerant School Board. — The Pall Mall Gazelle gives the result of a contest between ft local school Board, nnd the parent of a child who had been expelled from the school for wearing the badge of total abstinence, as follows : — The issue of the contest wa3 doubtful until her father summoned up sufficient strength of mind to -write to the Education Department on the matter ; but from that time victory inclined to her side. The officials at Whitehall wroto to tho school board that the wearing of tho ribbon was not n sufficient reason for exclusion from the school ; but all they received was an answer that but for an informality m the by-laws the father would have been summoned for not sending his child to school, and the information that nine more children had been sent home for donning tho obnoxious ribbon. The Department at once scut a peremptory intimation that if children wero still refused on these grounds tlie annual grants would bo withdrawn, and the members of the school board would be liable for tho expenditure. At this decision the three members who insisted upon the ribbons being discarded resigned their places on the school board. The possibility that they might bo called on to pay for their unwisdom whs too much for their courage."

Colonial Annexation- Scheaies. — If lie could return to enrth (says tlio Gnphic), Captain Cook would possibly be surprised to find the prodigious results of his voyages of exploration. A hundred years ago there was not, it may be presumed, a single white man permanently located m Australasia. ?sow there are some three millions of them, nnd they are beginning to make themselves heard. The young li€+S> of the Antipodes are roaring for prey. " Queensland has | annexed Is r ew Guinea?' whereupon Victoria says, "Why ehpuld not I annex something too ?" And so she proposes to tako possession of tho Solomon Islands and the New Hebrides. 'Worried by these troublesome children of "hers, tbe overburdened old Mother Country feels inclined to say, " First cultivate^our own gardens, my dears ; there's plenty of waste ground there, I'm Burc." To which her children reply, "There's a great ugly Frenchman loafing about, and if we don't tako these islands he will." Tius-»i3 really a very serious matter. The newly-born colonial ambition of France, which had lain dormant since tbe fall of Quebec and the death of Dupleix, seems to have come nearly a century too late. All tho really colonisable parts of tho carth — that is, places where. Europeans can live, and labor, and multiply— are already m the hands of other nations. These Pacific islands, with their limited area and damp heat, can never be genuine colonies. But they might be utilised as penal settlements ; and they might be developed into formidable military and naval stations. Now, to cither of these contingencies Australia strongly objects. She knows the virus of convictism only too well, and she doos not want to bo inoculated with the French variety of it, and she certainly docs not want to bo surrounded by a chain of forts and harbors which, m tho event of n war between England and Fi-anto, might render tho invasion of her territory, and even tho seizure of her chief cities, a probable consequence. It is from prudential motives, then, rather than from greed, that she cries for annexation. Tho question, m its broadest extent, ought to he seriously considered by our Government without delay, or, while they aro deliberating, other people niay be found acting. SYNOPSIS OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Maclean and Stewart— Hold usual weekly sale of horses, drays, harness, etc., at their Bazaar tomorrow ; notify that Mr Hatficlil's salo of property and stock Is postponed until Thursday, the 30th inst. W. Collins and Co.— Sell by auction at their rooms to-morrow a large quantity of dress material, articles of jewellery, etc. R. Turnbull and Son- Hold a large clearing salo of first-class household furniture on Thursday next. 3. Mundcll and Co., Oeraldine— Sell sundries and live stock at their rooms to-morrow. Manager Otaio Estate— Has land to let for cropping. Proprietors " Little Dustpan"— Announce they have bought the stock of a bankrupt, ■which they oil or to tho public at very low prices. Traffic Manager New Zealand Railways— Notifies that an excursion train leaves Timaru for Winscombo on Weduesday next, fares as published. C. H. Verity, Albury— Has ploughing to let ; invites tenders for carting fencing material. Hon. Secretary P.P. and C. Association— Notice re Annual Show.

Wanted— Ono notice,