BRIEF MENTION

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 21, 5 February 1881, Page 207

BRIEF MENTION

" How she loves him !"

— Judge Fenton never reads the Herald. — The dashing widow has come out in a jersey, and is the cynosure of all beholders. — Six sharks were caught last week in the place where the White Bros, boat foundered. — On Regatta Day, the majority of the fair sex were anxiously enquiring if " Eva" was on the gui vive. — It is to be hoped the amount of spooning done on board the " Lady Jocelyn" last Saturday, will lead to happy results. It was quite too awfully awful. — It is the intention of Mrs. West to hold a reunion of her music and dancing pupils in the Temperance Hall. — The literary staff of the Star have made a complimentary presentation to Mr. C. O. Montrose, who leaves that office to take charge of the Waikato Mail. — Mrs. and Miss Chamberlain returned to town from Waiwera on Monday last, after a stay of three weeks. — Mr. Cole, whose get up at the Christmas Eaces, created such a flutter amongst the fair sex, is trying his luck at the Te Aroha goldfield. — White Bros, hadn't gone two hundred yards on Monday before the betting which had been 6 to 4 on them veered to 2 to 1 against them. — Willie H. H. R. looks charming in his smoking cap. It is very pretty, and is greatly admired by his lady friends. — Bob Isaacs has announced his intention of presenting a cup for competition at next Regatta. Bravo Bob. — Pawnbroker's sale. — Mr. Arthur will sell at his Mart on Monday, 1-lth February, at 11 o'clock, Jewellery and Clothing. James Eae, Pawnbroker. — [Advt.] — As an acknowledgment of the practical interest he has taken in the Begatta; for the last ten years, Mick Gallagher was loudly cheered at the giving away of the prizes on Monday. — Miss Mary Jane Mills is to be married next week to Mr. John Gilmour, the well-known grocer of Ngaruawahia, Waikato. May they prosper and be happy. — The daughter-in-law of a well known Auckland auctioneer has received intelligence to the effect that a nice little legacy of about £4000 has been left her by a female relative recently deceased. — Mr. C. W. Craig's nautical costume on board the flag ship on Begatta Day, was, with that of the petite lady who accompanied him, the cynosure of all eyes. —As both Vesey Stewart and Robert Graham are interested in the formation of a road from Tauranga to Eotorua via Te Puke, they ought to be able to get~it done. — During the past year no less a sum than £900,000 has been lent on mortgage in the Provincial District of Auckland, and only about £80,000 has been paid off. — Talking over the Regatta people shouldn't forget the name of Mr. Mitchelson of Dargaville, to whose untiring efforts and unstinted generosity its success was mainly due. — Apropos of the St. Paul's meeting re Mr. Swallow, it was cheering to see such stern and decorous puritans as Messrs. Tyler, Dufaur, and Dargaville standing up in the cause of public morality. — Who was the young lady who made up lier mind the other day to go to a dentist's in Hobsonstreet, and have a tooth out, but only got as far as the gate ? It is to be hoped she no longer suffers. — The heat of genuine affection can find no more glowing expression than that of Paddy Doran, ■who when sxiooning with a charming daughter of Erin, was overheard to say, " Arrah, me darlin', I wish I was in jail for stealing ye." — The Regatta Committee make presentations to the Captain and Chief Officer of the " Lady Jocelyn" on Monday. The occasion will be a dinner . given in honour of these gentlemen. The Mayor and the Chairman of the Harbour Board have been invited. — "Well, my little dear," said one of the supervisors to a candidate at the Pupil Teachers' examination last week, " how old are you ? " The reply almost took his breath away: "My little dear" was just twenty-one. — The young ladies in Grey-street, who are trying to learn music and singing, had better employ a competent teacher, as at the present time their, well what shall we call it, perhaps howling, can be beard by those passing up and down the street. — On Regatta day two young bank clerks were heard on the wharf discussing how they could make one ticket for the flagship do for both of them. One of them proposed that they should take turn and turn about for two hours. Nice, wasn't it ? — Robert Graham has paid over £1000 for cartage alone during the erection of Lake House, Eotorua. The building is now all but complete, and ho tells me bis establishment there is larger even than at "Waiwera. — The Saturday Afternoon Recreation Club meet again to-morrow, when the second match of the series will be fired. Some of the best archers of both sexes wilt also take the opportunity to fire the 15 shots for the first match. — W. Rattray and Tom Gillies have been indulging in a treinenduous leg-stretcher. On Thursday week they walked— not rode mind— from the North Shore to Waiwera, returning on the Svtnday by the same route and m the same way. They still live. — What a wretched world is this ! said an old man as he slowly wended his way up Queen-street Only sixpence left ! What shall Ido with it ? Happy thought— Cocktail at the Nevada Hotel ; that will drive dull care away.— [Advt.] —From the North :— The eaves-dropper who can so correctly write what an Auckland lady said to her friend in the North has missed the mark. The intention is evident, i.e., to make a breach between old friends — eaves-dropper has failed in that. — The accident to the "Planet" was the only thing that saved the "Kina" with her crowd of pleasure seekers from being run down by the "Ada." Sad. this occured at least 100 person must have been drowned. — In consequence of the unsettled state of the weather during this summer, some of our city drapers liave yet on hand large stocks of light clothing. It is said that T. McMaster, Queen-street, is offering special bargains to lessen his Btock.— [Advt.] — Now that a certain legal luminary has come out in character of a champion of public morality it; ia to be hoped that a weekly contemporary (which stall be nameless) will ask no more awkward questions about those walks up Cook-street,

— 'On Saturday week, Bobbie B. of Onelmnga, was in a merry mood when returning home from the Eailway Employees' Picnic. He wanted his boy Sammy to kiss all the ladies in the train. No doubt in the course of time Sammy, by force of parental example, will become an adept at that kind of business. — The action brought by Mr. Firth Wrigley, of Tauranga, against Mr. A. S.'Eathbone for an alleged libel published in the Bay of Plenty Times in October, 1878, has been abandoned. The Times was then Mr. Edgecumbe's property, but Mr. Wrigley fancied Mr. Bathbone was the writer of the objectionable article. — A correspondent asks : Can you tell me how it is that the Education Department/at Wellington, has made such an egregious blunder as to allow the Inspector of schools and the Head Master of the Training College to examine the teachers, at present tip for examination in reading.instead of our talented prof essor. little Gradwell? — It is said there is a skeleton in eveiy house —there were plenty of skeletons (of fowls) at the luncheon on board the " Lady Jocelyn " for those who could not push and crowd in with the first lot of feeders some of whom, by the by, apparently had gone into training a la Tanner, to qualify themselves for a good square meal. — Mr. S. C. Hall having said, in his "Words of Farewell," that he was the only editor he knew of who had founded a publication and edited it for fortytwo years. Mr. B. Chambers writes the Athenamin to say that his uncle, Dr. William Chambers, started Chambers' Journal nearly forty-nine years ago, and edits it still " with unabated energy." — No : that tall gentleman dressed in blue, who acted as Supervisor's assistant at the recent Teachers' Examination, is not a detective or constable in plain clothes, nor is he an ex-officor member of either brauch of the service— he is the much respected Head Teacher of the Ponsonby School. I mention this as the mistake was made by an up-country pedagogue. — Thelady, Avhois at the head of one of the chief dressmaking establishments in Queen-street, does not appear to have paid much attention to the hints given her in this paper with regard to keeping her girls at work after hours. If she continues to do so she may receive a visit from a fine young man who will introduce her (under the Factory Act) to our worthy E.M. — The Sunday School feast in the Domain appeared to be a great success, the youngsters thoroughly enjoying themselves. One clergyman's wife was noticeable for the liberal manner she dispensed good things to the little ones. She always had her pockets full of comforts, and gingerade and a glass in her hands. — Sara Bernhardt took with her to America one thousand dresses, and paid an enormous amount for duty at the Custom House. Had the fragile and eccentric actress paid us a visit, she could have procured any amount of dresses on the time payment system at Munro and Milligan's Establishment, Karangahape-road. — [Advt.] — When the Shah of Persia visited England, everyone was in raptures about his jewellery, especially the fair sex, who said, one and all, they had. never seen the like before. If some of them took a walk xip Vic-toria-street they would see quite ns handsome an assortment of jewellery in Singleton's shop, which is guaranteed good, as he does it all himself. — [Advt.] — The Herald, with a reckless disregard of facts which does its reporter infinite credit, says the totalisator carried on a fLvj business on Eegutta Day. As a matter of fact it did n ne at all. Mick Gallagher who had to superintend the instrument is prepared to swear there wasn't a fiver taken from early morn to dewy eve. — Alas ! Jimmy, the primo basso of the Beresford-street Church choir, has had a little " tiff " with the late leading treble, and I hear terrible consequences will follow. Jimmy apiieurs fearfully down in the dumps, and " looks as if he never could get over it." Cannot some of the other young ladies in the choir cheer him up. — Heathen mythology informs us that Achilles was a Grecian hero, distinguished for his warlike prowess and invulnerability except in his right heel. Paris slew him in the Trojan war. Had he worn a pair of Garrett's strong lace-up boots, manufactured for working men, the lamented deceased might have been alive now. — [Advt.^ — Mr. E. M. Edgcumbe has been down to Tauranga visiting his old friends there, and met with a very cordial reception. A number of folks assembled on the wharf to greet him, and vied with each other in trying to make his brief stay enjoyable. When E. M. E. left Tauranga the residents lost a thoroughly -in-earnest public man. They know it now and would like him back again. — A. rumour got about the town on Tuesday last that the Industrial Home was on fire. Away went firemen, and away went all the tag-rag and bobtail ; but when they arrived no fire was visible, and it appears the only smoke seen arose from the pipe of an old fellow who had purchased a bag of Durham tobacco from Partridge and Woollam's, and was enjoying a quiet smoke. — [Advt.] — Mr. Fenton is one of the most absurdly tetchy and thin-skinned public men in the colony. A word of censure from the Press drives him frantic, in fact if he hears there is any thing uncomplimentary about him in a paper he positively daren't read it. Notwithstanding this, the good judge is always ready to give his friends a nasty " dig," and puts the daily paper, friendly to him, up to all sorts of devilry. — The latest luxury for the house on a warm day is one of the Patent Portable, Self-acting Crystal and Majolica Fountains, useful and highly ornamental not only in the drawing or sitting rooms, but also suited admirably for aquariums, rockeries, conservatories, and well adapted to set off shop windows, tables or counters. As a disinfectant in sick rooms used with perfume, it is unrivalled. The fountains are procurable at Mr. Kessell's in Vulcan Lane, and an inspection will amply repay any visitor. — [Advt.] — A young actress, not wholly unconnected with the Lingard Company, perpetrated a nice little "do" before leaving Auckland. Besides forgetting to settle a few small accounts with tradesmen, she cleared out, owing her landlady a fortnight's rent. The luggage was got away by the help of a friendly washerwoman, and Miss Blank herself went aboard the steamer in two full suits of clothes, which gave her a very curious appearance. Moral — beware of pretty actresses. — Last Saturday, when the visitors were going on board the "Lady Jocelyn" from the steamer, a young lady nearly fell overboard. She was caught in the arms of her " dear Tom," who carried his precious burden up the gangway ladder. Placing her on deck he said, "How light you are, darling!" "Yes," was the reply of the fair one, "I have accidentally swallowed a pneket of Hudson's Baking Powder, and that would make anything light. — [Advt.] — The statement which appeared in last issue to the eifect that Mr. Eller had to pay for extra clerical assistance out of his own salary, was incorrect. It appears that thp Mayor, agreeing that another clerk was wanted, authorised the engagement without consulting the Council, and this led to my informant thinking Mr. Eller had to " pay the piper." I hauled him (my informant) over the coals about the matter, and he says he'll be more careful in making enquiries henceforward. — The celebrated clinical lecturer, Dr. Porter, for many years lived on ono meal a day, which he had at a coffee house in the Strand at half -past four to the minute. The repast consisted of fish, about two pounds of rump steak, potatoes, and bread and cheese, washed down by a quart of strong ale, a bottle of port wine, and a half a pint of brandy to top the lot. After that he would go to the Hospital and deliver one of his famous lectures. Two men tried the one meal system the other day at the Thames Hotel. Commencing with soup, going through the complete bill of fare, consisting of 26 dishes, and winding up with bread and cheese — and. all for ninepence. What a Paradise for the hungry ! Oh, hungry man, go thou and do likewise at the Thames Hotel Dining Booms.— [Advt.] ||

—The « « Tarn o' Shanter " picnic last Saturday proved more successful than most of the excursions undertaken that afternoon: The affair was under the able superintendence of Messrs. Hitchens and Cahill wno conducted the games, &c, with immense spirit and took care there was not a dull moment. Mr. Buckland very kindly assisted in getting ashore the picnicers and coming home Mr. and Miss W. enlivened the passage with songs, &c. Altogether the outing was most enjoyable. —The Newton "boys" ha-se discovered the mournful fact that one of their number, recently the popular and esteemed master of ceremonies of the district dancing class, has " gone and hanged himself," or in other words, got married. The deed was unexpected, and was a pleasant Christmas surprise to friends. The lady is decidedly pretty, waltzes divinely, and has been looked upon as a desirable and charming partner for a square dance. — A little knowledge is' allowed to he a dangerous thing. Some time ago at a ball in Auckland a lady said to her partner. "Now telljme Captain — , who do you think is the 'belle' of the ball." Unfortunately she pronounced " belle "asif it were two syllables. He glanced round the room and just at that moment a gentleman, Mr. A., entered. Now Mr. A. is a man of aldermanic proportions. "Well," innocently replied Captain , "I should say that undoubtedly Mr. A. should carry off the prize in that particular against all comers." —Mick Gallagher (mindful of that transparency of his which lies stowed away in the cellar at the Thistle) couldn't stomach the Referee's account of the Hanlan-Triekett boat race which was published in the Observer. After cogitating muchly, he procured a Sx>ortsman from which he extracted, with a lnrge pair of scissors, the report of Lnycock's victory in the Hop Bitters Contest. This has been neatly published in pamphlet form, and is now circulated free gratis for nothing amongst the aquatic sports who honour Mick's house with their frequent presence. — Mr. G. A. Brown has formed a discussion class of a number of his followers and they meet every Tuesday evening. When the members are sufficiently advanced as speakers and debaters they intend to run a muck against all the churches and parsons in the city, and challenge them to discuss publicly the questions of conditional immortality, eternal punishment, &c. Should these challenges not be accepted, which is most probable, the various literary and debating societies will receive similar invitations. G. A. B. is evidently determined to make things lively. — It is in contemplation to erect the following tombstone at the Wade : — In memoriam. Sacred to the memory of the Chairman for 1880, of the Wade Public School Committee, (no weeping or gnashing of gums — kauri) who intimates his intention to flee this classic region for fresh (fields) and new schools through the ingratitude of the inhabitants in not electing him their chairman after 10 years' faithful attention to the teacher at the school-house. His pen was always ready — flower and fruit ad lib. His last words, "Never more," EIP. — A new semi-radical semi-society journal called the Liberty has been started in Christchurch. It is a very poor affair so far, which seems a pity as there is undoubtedly a good opening for a journal of the kind down south. By-ancl-bye I shall expect to see an improvement. The fact of the matter is it is not so easy as people imagine to collate the scraps of local tittletattle and gossip which sell a society paper. The editor has necessarily to rely, in a great measure, on outside contributions, and till people have confidence in his keeping their names, <fca, strictly private, they don't care to send in anything. — If an editor omits anything, he is lazy. If he speaks of things as they are, people get angry. If he glosses over or smooths down the rough points he is bribed. If he calls things by their proper names he is unfit for the position of an editor. If he does not f urnish readers with jokes he is an idiot. If he does, he is a rattle-head, lacking stability. If he condemns the wrong, he is a good fellow, but lacks discretion. If he lets wrongs and injuries go immentioned, he is a coward. If lie exposes a public man he does it to gratify spite, is the tool of a clique, or belongs to the " outs." If he indulges in personalities, he is a blackguard. If he does not, his paper is dull and insipid. — On Saturday last, two happy young fathers attended by their blushing brides and 'en cumbered each of them with a first-born in long clothes, went down to the Hot Springs in the s.s. " Eose Casey." intending to return the same day by the " lona." When it was discovered that the latter boat had gone on to the Kawau and didn't intend to call at Waiwera at all, the dismay of the once happy but now alas most unhappy pairs, became ludicrous to witness. For themselves they cared not at all, but what, oh what wore they to do without the dear, darling babies " clothes." The impression left on my mind was that " it's nice to be a father." — On Friday fortnight as the Waitaki, "bound for Wangarei, was rounding the North Head the passengers were surprised by the engines suddenly stopping. Going on deck they saw the light of a vessel apparently coming straight towards them. This eventually proved to be the Government s.s. " Stella," which on coming close ran deliberately across the bows of the "Waitaki." But for the care exercised by Capt. Edie, [a collision would most certainly have eventuated. He (Capt. Edie) shouted " Where the d are yoxi going," but no reply came from the " Stella " Now the question arises ought this sort of thing to pass unnoticed and why didn't Capt. Edie report the " Stella? " — The picnic of the Loyal United Friends on Eegatta Day proved to all intents and purposes a complete fiasco. The "lona "was advertised to visit the Hot Springs, and many intending to stay at Waiwera from Saturday to Monday, went down in her. Judge therofore their dismay on hearing that the weather was too rough to go to the Springs and that the destination had been changed to the Kawau. On the way to the island many were sick owing to the motion of the vessel and coming home things turned out ever so much worse. A heavy swell had set in, which made the steamer roll heavily and upset even the strongest digestions. Those who wanted tea could get none owing to the impossibility of keeping anything on the table and at last a waiter put " a set " on the matter by tiltingthe contents of a large dish of sausages and beefsteak full into the lap of an unfortunate and very seasick female. After this, gloom and silence reigned, and everyone felt glad when the wharf was reached. — At the time of the collision between the "Ada" and the "Planet" those on board the latter vessel showed infinitely the most pluck and self-posses-sion. Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Bonnet dived coolly into the water and swam abont until the fellows on the cutter had sufficiently recovered to think about throwing them ropes. Mick Gallagher, who can't swim a stroke, was going to follow their example, when young Von Stunner called to him not to, so diving through an abyss of steam, smoke and wreckage, he managed to scramble on to the " Ada." At this time the cutter's crew were clustered as far astern as possible, fearful that the " Planet's " boiler would burst. By and bye, however, some one suggested helping those in the water, and Messrs. Bennett and Whitaker got hauled aboard. Mr. Whitaker, who never even lost his glasses, took the accident with philosophic indifference and was none the worse for his immersion; but Mr. Bennett appeared somewhat exhausted. — The annual picnic of the Baptist Sunday School teachers on Eegatta day was not so successful as usual. The intended destination was Home Bay, Motutapu, but the skipper of the steamer which conveyed the party down, after carefully scanning the physiognomies of his passengers, came to the conclusion that Drunken Bay was the most appropriate spot for the picnic and accordingly set down the party there. Tho pleasure-seekers on landing immediately engaged in the delirious excitement of French tig. This fascinating and highly exhilarating game was followed by general spooning, and in due time the latter gave place to eating. In the afternoon a delightful variation was effected by taking the spooning first, then French tig, and finally eating once more. The place was about the most unsuitable that could have been selected for a picnic, and this circumstance, combined with the absence of the Eev. A. W. Webb, who was expected |to take part in another foot race, caused the whole affair to be rather dull.

— The police made a fine raid on the sly-grog shops last Tuesday. Amongst others, Miss Julia Wilson's private boarding establishment was visited, ana sufficient evidence obtained to make the poor young thing's presence at the Police Court necessary. It is said a gentleman in a well-known house of business, who happened to be paying a call on Miss Wilson at the time, will be the principal witness.

—Some days ago, the wife of a Queen-street tradesman died and two jolly Bonifaces, Messrs. H. and E. determined (as the deceased's husband was a friend of theirs) to attend the funeral. One of them chartered a cab ("for the f uneral this afternoon" he told the driver) and about two o'clock they set off. At four they returned much pleased with themselves. The affair had been unusually grand and the monrners had seemed greatlyflattered by their presence. Meeting his barman shortly afterwards R. asked him sternly why he didn't go to the funeral. " I did go " responded the barman grinning, "it was you that wasn't there." "Confound it, sir," said the now irate Boniface, " I tell you I was there. H. and I went in a cab and there were no end of folks present all in regalia, scarves and things." "What," shouted the barman now roaring with laughter, " that wasn't Mrs. funeral but the Orange affair. You and Mr. H. went to tlie wrong one."

— Now that the valentine season is drawing on, people are naturally beginning to look around for suitable novelties. For my own part I think the old way of sending elaborate figments of paper and tinsel rather a foolish one, and not to be compared with the custom, lately come into vogue at home, which has converted the valentine into an article both pretty and useful. Purses, jewellery, gloves, chatelaines and articles of vertu neatly packed in suitable boxes form the most favourite valentines now-a-days, and are far more pleasing to the recipient's than the ordinary cards, &c. Mr. Goodson, of Queen-street, who is always first in the field with anything new, has imported a number of these useful valentines which, together with, more than 5500 descriptions of the old ones, may be seen at his emporium of wonders in Queen-street. Not half a bad plan is to buy one of the new kind of valentines and place a pretty card with some nice wish or picture engraved thereon upon the top. It combines the advantages of new custom with the prettiness of the old,, — [Advt.]