The Observer

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 24, 26 February 1881, Page 240

The Observer

Saturday, February 26th, ISSI

It is said that Vogel's latest inspiration is a syndicate to buy up tlie New Zealand railways and the Crown" Lands, and to form the whole into a public company with a capital of forty millions sterling. The inducement to the colony will be relief from debt. The inducement to the shareholders ivill be the profits from the railways (if they can make them) and sub rosa the grand openings for monopoly of trade, which tlie control of the railways and of the railway wharves will secure. Further inducements Avili be the settlement of younger sons on the waste lands, where they can found new families ancl see grow up around them a prosperous tenantry and a happy peasantry, such as England and Ireland now possess. The prospect will be attractive to many wealthy men in England, but as it would also be practically selling the Government of the colony, the control of its trade, and tlie independence of its people, I hope our property will not be allowed to go too cheap.

And I shall want to be a director in such a company, if it comes to anything, or failing a directorship, to be an official or to have a friend at court in some way or other. If not, I .shall decidedly object, and as we cannot all be directors or directors' friends, I hope that there will be many others objecting with me. Seriously speaking, the project is too preposterous. But so seemed at one time the project of borrowing ten millions of money. Who then dreamed we should get ancl take' twenty millions instead, and be groaning now over the interest we have every year to send in hard cash out of the colony ? Schemes like these must be nipped in the bud if they are to be nipped at all. They are generallyproduced as a surprise and carried through with a rush. I can only warn my readers that it is believed something of the kind is being worked up, and thus prevent their being taken unawares. That it would receive much and dangerous support from some of the present Ministry ancl a considerable section of their most influential supporters there can be no doubt.

The Hon. Robert Campbell, member of the Legislative Council, ancl one of the wealthiest land owners of the South Island, is going home ancl intends making arrangements, when in England, for an experimental shipment of. frozen meat from New Zealand. This is as it should be. It is time the landed proprietors took up this question and did something for themselves. If the frozen meat shipments answer, they will be followed by frozen fish,

rozen fruit and frozen produce of eveiy perishable kind. Withi our climate ancl our great capacity for suiting the English taste, the prospect is magnificent. Success means an illimitable and certain market. It means an unlimited capacity for rapidly absorbing population, ancl a permanent value to landed property of every kind. Well clone, Robert ! You ought not to oe left alone by your brother capitalists in to grand an enterprise, ancl I hope to see many emulating your example.

ARCHD

iEACON MAUNSELL.

The Southland people are certainly not sleeping. Mr. Shanks' constituents have more than once asked him to resign, and declare they Avili not rest till he accedes to tlieir request. Mr. Shanks is an auctioneer, and Avili probably giA r e Avay after a little proper delay, as unpopularity and auctioneering do not pull Avell together. Ancl noAv they haA'e gone in for his friend, Mr. Henry Hirst. That gentleman's constituents have heid a meeting, and requested Mr. Hirst to meet them at once. They add that they Avili give him three Aveeks to carry out their request, ancl if he fail by that time, Avili give him no peace till he ceases to misrepresent them in the Assembly. Mr. Hirst is a farmer, ancl an honest but Avrong headed man. He is one of those avlio Avas beguiled into seceding from the Opposition and joining the the GoA'ernment party. Mr. Shanks Avas another.

The Vincent County Council, of Avhich Vincent Pyke, M.H.R., is perpetual chairman ancl founder at £400 a year, are considering the propriety of a county loan for £10,000. AVise Vincent ! When his county Avas formed he managed to secure for it a good slice of the adjoining Canterbury territory, from Avhich a neat sum of £35,000 to £40,000 has thus been gained by land sales. But that money and a good deal more is gone. The county is in debt. It has acquired extra A r agant habits ancl indulged in large expectations. V. P. knoAvs avcll that after this year there Avili be no more subsidies, and he probably thinks there would be no harm in ha\ing a good thumping debt for the General Government to take over Avhen tlie subsidies cease. The only difficulty, I think, Avili be in finding jieople foolish enough to lend tlie money.

And this brings me to ask Avhat Avili our oavii County Councils, our Corporations, our Road Boards ancl our charitable institutions do presently, Avhen these subsidies cease ? Cease they must unless Aye are prepared for further loans. All my informants of all shades of political opinion agree on that point. The proposal of Ministers, last session, to meet this difficulty Avas unique. They Avere Avilling to give to all public bodies full poAver to tax themselves. It was a generous gift, but unfortunately did not then seem to be properly appreciated — by Vincent Pyke especially. He Avas loud in his denunciations, and got into considerable hot Avater in the House. But Vincent Avas Avell feted and cordially received by his constituents on his safe return to their liosom after narroA\ r ly escaping the tender attentions of the Sergeant-at-Arms and the gorgeous mace with AA'hich it is popularly suppose honorable members are knocked cloAvn Avhen necessary by that terrible official.

They Avere on the edge of a breeze in the Education Board at the last meeting. Mr. Moss thought the chairman had made a mistake in not at once issuing the names of candidates nominated, by the 31st January, by the committees. He considered also that the chairman should not have sought a legal opinion to lay before the board without a special request from the board to do so. Members might liaA*e Avished to decide the question on a liberal interpretation of the Act, ancl in accordance Avith its spirit and their oavii common sense. When an opinion from their laAvyer Avas laid formally before them they could not do this. They AA r ere crippled, ancl had to folloAV that opinion or slight their legal adviser. Mr. Peacock considered this a vote of censure on the chairman. Mr. Clark said he Avas quite ready to resign if the members Avished it. Mr. Moss disclaimed his motion being so intended. He thought he had a right to discuss the proceedings of the chairman and executive, othenvise they might as Avell not meet at all. Tlie affair "bleAv over, but at one time the barometer pointed to stormy.

•I -think Mr. Clark Avould do Avell, for all that, to bear in mind that there is more disputing ancl more dissatisfaction at the board \\m\ex his regime than there has been under any other. I leave him to explain Avhy this * shoulel be, and Avhence his groAving unpopularity comes. Of the fact itself there cannot be a doubt.

Who is to fill Mr. Bryce's place in the Ministry ? I hear from Wellington that it is considered the vacancy should naturally fall to an Aucldand man. But to whom among the Auckland members, supporting the Ministry, could the vacant seat be ottered ? The "four " are ineligible from the known aversion Avith which the betrayal of their party is regarded on

both sides of the House. Whitaker ancl White are the only other members. The former is impossible, because his father is in the Ministry. Yet Whitaker pere is certainly not an Auckland representative. He cannot, by the most liberal interpretation, be said to represent any one but the Ministers avlio called him to the Upper House and to the Government of the country. Mr. Whyte has yet to win his spurs. Confidence in each other, among the present members, has been so shattered that it is impossible they can ever Avork together. So Auckland, I suppose, must continue to take a back seat until the roll of its representatives i.s purged by a general election.

TV ully, Wully, Avhence this unwonted modesty ? What are the overwhelming obligations under Avhich, "in times gone by," you laid the Education Board and tlie people of the district you claim to represent ? The Herald, I see, mysteriously refers to them, and mildly reproves Mr. Peacock for his ignorance in not knoAving them. Enlighten us, Wully ! Have it out, and don't let your Avell knoAvndiffidence and self-abnegation stand in the A\ r ay. I pause for a reply.

By-the-bye what has became of the elaborate calculations of Mr. McCosh Clark, showing that the colony owed to Auckland something like a million and a half, and Avhich it was understood that Mr. SAvanson ancl tlie rest of the "four" had arranged Avith Ministers should be paid as part of the price for betraying their party? I hear that the calculations Avere a good deal laughed at in Parliament, and raised for their distinguished compiler the sobriquet oi "Mac Bosh" in that august assembly. But Avhat I Avant to find out is their practical result. And a good many others Avant to knoAv it too. '

What a queer condition the Board of Governors of the Grammar School seem to be dropping themselves ancl the school into. Complaints are made, ancl they ask the Minister of Education to investigate them. Is this a confession of tlieir oavii incapacity? If not, I should like to knoAv Avhat it does mean beyond another chance for a little more patronage to be distributed by Ministers among their oavii very deserving supporters.

MR. J. M. DARGAVILLE,

The Herald has earned an unenviable reputation of late for flippant frothy leading \ articles, full of venomous insinuation and pointless scurrility, but utterly destitute of argument. The Avriter of these is Avell known to be Mr. Harrison. Mr. Berry's style is quite different. He never tackles a subject Avithout I being thoroughly Avell up in it, ancl though his leaders are sometimes rather heavy reading, they are almost invariably instructive. Mr. Harrison, on the other hand, tilts at a question •• Don Quixote-like, " Avithout knoAving anything about it, and Avithout caring lioav foolish his ignorance makes the Herald appear. Again ancl again has the Star analysed this Avorthy scribe's precious productions and slioavii up his blundering, but these lessons do not appear to teach him anything, and Avhencver there is a " bee in his bonnet" he Avires in just the same as ever. One of Mr. Harrison's particular bete no ires is Mr. Vesey SteAvart. "Slating" after " slating " has he green that unfortunate gentleman, and I cannot for the life of me make out Avhy. Everybody in the colony knoAvs that SteAvart's special settlement schemes haA'e been successful. That is a recognised fact. Avhich no amount of scurrilous scribbling can rub out. Vesey SteAvart is not a self-sacrificing patriot and doesn't set up for being one. He has done good to tlie colony because it suited himself, and filled his pockets to do good to the colony, but this doesn't strike me as a valid reason for jumping on him. As for pickingsmall holes in big schemes like the N. Z. Land Corporation or the Te Puke settlement any fool can do that, Setting a lot of neAV settlers by the ears, making them thoroughly Hiieomfortable ancl urging them to quarrel with Mr. SteAvart seems, hoAvever, a contemptible game for a paper like the Herald to be playing. Surely Mr. Harrison might employ his time more profitably. There is his friend's, Mr. G. M. Reed's scheme, for instance. Plenty of really big holes might be picked in that, and there Avould be some justification for the attack. In Mr. Vesey SteAvart's case there Avas none.

Those avlio read Mr. SteAvart's letter and Mr. Harrison's leader in Monday's Herald must have smiled over the latter. It Avas the irritable retort of an angry ,man, hopelessly nonplussed ancl doubtful Avhat to say. Mr. SteAvart, on_ the other hand, Avrote logically and to the point. " Here is overwhelming proof," he said, " (1) that the settlers of my No. 1, 2, and Sparties are satisfied Avith me, pleased Avith their homes, and glad that they emigrated and (2) that the terms of my contract Avith the Government have been fulfilled. What more do you want ?"

THE DEMON BOWLER.

The following story has the merit of being strictly veracious. The other dav that wellknown lawyer ancl practical joker, Mr. T., went down to Coromandel about some business. Un board the boat he met young R., off to try his luck at the Tiki goldfield. The two, feeling mischievously inclined, put their heads together, and after talking a bit, resolved that Mr. T. should introduce his friend, in Coromandel, as Mr. Gladstone, nephew of the Premier of England. Now, the landlady of the Hotel at Coromandel dearly loves a sAvell, ancl no sooner did she hear that a distinguished person was honouring her humble roof than she set to work to make the most of the occasion, lea, which happened to be just ready, was kept back in order that something extra might be prepared. A second waiter was hurriedly hired, and the tAvo girls, Mrs. \s daughter and niece, Avere sent upstairs to "tittivxite" themselves. MeaiiAvhile, the imposture was being grandly carried out. People flocked into the hotel from all parts to gaze on "the lrcnner of England's nephew," and some few local notabilities such as Mr. Kenrick, R.M., had the privilege of being introduced to him. After tea, the landlady's daughter Avas asked to play on the piano. At first her Aunt Avouldn't hear of it, but Avhen "young Mr. Gladstone " begged for a little music, the request was immediately granted. As the evening progressed, Mrs. unbent more and more. At nine o'clock she ordered up champagne, ancl, to the astonishment of everybody, • ' stood " the company several bottles. The harmony Avas at its heiglith, Avhen a Avicked young schoolmaster, who had fathomed "the sell" called the landlady on one side, and told in so many Avords that she had been "had." Over the scene that folloAved I Avili draAv a discreet veil. Suffice it to say that those staying in the house had rather a Avarm time of it for a day or tAvo, and that any mention of the "Premier of England " is injudicious even iioav.

An attempt to perpetrate a very common kind of sAvindle was balked the other day in rather an unusual manner. A young fellow — a neAV arrival— Avho has been staying at the W Hotel, and living as if be had two thousand a year, Avalked into L.'s business premises one afternoon about four o'clock, and presenting a bank draft, written on blank paper, for about ten or fifteen pounds, asked him to be kind enough to cash it, as he Avas short of funds. L. replied that the request Avas an unusual one, and that he Avould rather not comply -with it, but after some "barney "it was agreed that he should advance £5, ancl that his client should return about ten in the morning for the balance. Directly the banks opened next day, L., of course, Avent to make enquiries re the draft, ancl found, to his horror, that his young friend had no funds Avhatever, ancl that the piece of paper Avas, to all intents ancl purposes, a fraud. After this, L. didn't expect to see any more of our friend, but about ten-thirty in he Avalked, as bold as brass, and asked for the balance clue to him. L. politely asked him into a private room, ancl there informed him that the bank draft Avas forged, and that he Avould, in all probability, very shortly make acquaintance Avith the interior of Mount Eden. The miserable boy fortlnvith began to Avhine for mercy, pleading his youth ancl the disgrace his imprisonment Avould be to high connections, &c, &c, &c. This set L. reflecting, ancl by-and-bye he asked the felloAV lioav much of the £5 he had got left? " Tavo pounds " Avas the reply. ' ' Then shell it out " quoth L. ' ' Noav, AA'hat luggage ancl effects have you ?" "Any amount," said the boy, and so it turned out on visiting the W Hotel, he had. L., therefore, took possession of the goods, and has not clone at all badly out of the affair, having got back his £5 Avith a very handsome commission into the bargain.

The popular A'endor of a famous patent medicine has been much exercised in his mind because of certain base imitations of his physic Avhich haA-e been smuggled into the market. The culprits are a firm of chemists Avell knoAvn in Auckland, and the story goes that a lady up country Avrote doAvn to them for a bottle or tAvo _of this Mr. So-and-so's famous patent medicine. Instead of supplying it, they forAvarded a concoction of their oAvn, Avith a similar name, and if the owner of the "real original " is to be believed, the result Avas most disastrous. Instead of getting better, the patient became gradually A\-orse, ancl had the mistake not been discovered in time, he or she (AvhicheA'er it Avas) Avould probably haA'e died. Of course Avhen the real So-and-so Avas substituted, a rapid recoA*ery supervened.

Talking, of patent medicines naturally reminds one of the famous Hitchens and his Blood Restorer. I heard the f olloAving story about it the other clay, and I hope the gallant lieutenant Avon't be annoyed Avith me for telling it. The yarn is a Avery innocent one :— "lt Avillbe remem-

bered that not long ago it Avas observed that there was a strange mortality amongst the fish, and tlie coast, for miles, Avas streAved Avith their dead bodies. Well, it seems that some of our Auckland savans, headed by Mr. Cheeseman, started off to hold a feAV riost mortem, examinations on the spot Avhere the mortality Avas greatest. In course of time they arrived at the WaiAvera, and after having dissected ancl examined to their heart's content, they proceeded to deliberate upon tlie cause of death. One suggested bronchitis, another pneumonia, ancl so on ; till at length up spoke John A . "I perceive," he said, "that no tAvo of you can agree as to the cause of this fish disease, and, to tell the truth, none of you yet have hit upon it; but I can tell you." Instantly the savans Avere all agog. "Noav," proceeded John, " I must tell you that I Avas strongly advised, Avhen last in Auckland, to take back Avith me Ja case of Hitchens' Blood Restorer. I held out against it as long as I could, but at length, to obtain peace, 1 purchased a Avhole case, but at the same time I imvardly made up my mind that the case should never be landed. On arrival at the Hot Springs, I Avaited my opportunity, and had the pleasure and satisfaction of seeing my dozen of Hitchen's comfortably deposited at the bottom of the sea. The case broke on going overboard, and several of the bottles Avere smashed. What Avas my astonishment to see the lish sAvimming from all parts, ancl greedily drinking the far-famed "Restorer." But, gentlemen, they no sooner tasted it than they turned upside doAvn. So sudden Avas the effect that at first I thought this peculiar motion denoted intense enjoyment, but 1 soon saAV that it Avas really sudden death. Ancl iioav, gentlemen, if your noses are at all sensitive, you will have observed in all the carcases that you have examined, a peculiar ancl very perceptible aroma — that aroma is, I need hardly state, Blood Restorer."

It is an undoubted fact that many matrimonial alliances are contracted amongst passengers on board ship, the young people appearing to pair off there Avith a rapidity that is perfectly charming. But, for an adept in the art of making love, I Avould commend you to a clashing young felloAV aa'lio recently arrived here from England. Amongst the passengers were a AvidoAV lady and her three charming daughters, and young H. was not long in making himself acquainted Avith them. They all appeared so beautiful in his eyes that he could not decide Avhich he liked best. He, therefore, made "furious love "to the tliree, ancl sly glances, soft looks, and gentle squeezes, soon made each lady fancy herself the sole object of his affection. Of course, there Avere frequent exhibitions of feminine jealousy, but tliey were only natural. In due time the devoted sAvain found himself engaged to be married to each of the three sisters on his arrival in Auckland. This interesting state of affairs, hoAvever, did not last long. Miss Nellie, the youngest of the fair sisters, could not resist the temptation of imparting, in strict confidence, to her mother and sisters, the secret of her engagement, and it avoulcl be difficult indeed to imagine the scene that folloAved. The stories of two other betrothals folloA\ r ed, and the indignant mother sought out poor H. in order to give him a bit of her mind. The other passengers had Avatched the progress of the love-affairs with interest, but probably none of them ever understood- Avhy the deA'oted young man became a confirmed recluse during the latter part of tlie passage. It may, at anyrate, be interesting to them to knoAV that "matters have been amicably arranged," ancl that he is to be married to Miss Nellie on his return from an up-country settlement, Avhere he has purchased a farm.

The members of the Saturday Afternoon Recreation Club, to the number of about forty, held their usual assembly at Vauxhall last Saturday. The third archery match was shot, croquet engaged in, rounders, played, and a pistol competition arranged ancl carried out. The shooting with the arroAVS Avas at the long ranges, viz., 50, 60, ancl 70 yards, and the scoring Avas much better than one might be led to expect. Misses Lamburn ancl Gledhill and Messrs. F. ShaAv, J. M. Geddis, W. Eady, and C. BoAvring secured the greatest number of points, AA-hile Miss Prime lessened by a rioint the lead Avhich Miss Mackay enjoys in the aggregate. The ladies of short stature complain that their taller sisters are enabled, from their superior height, to shoot better than them, and, Avith a vieAV therefore of making up for nature's partiality in this respect, they stand a-tiptoe Avhen firing, and hold their boAvs as high as their arms Avili alloAV them. The consequence is that the point ofthe arroAV becomes depressed, and falls short Avhen projected from the lioav. Several capital games of croquet Avere played, Avhile in the pistol contest Mrs. Raynes once more sheAvecl that she Avas an unerring shot. The season ends with the month of March, ancl already expressions of regret are being made that the time of hibernation is so nigh. The worthy secretary, hoAvever, to whom the foundation of the club' must be ascribed, is said to have conceived some brilliant scheme of recreation for the winter months, but, as he keeps his own counsel on the matter, not even the ladies have been able to discover its character although some of them have tried hard.

The young ladies of Auckland appear to have deA'oted a great degree of attention to cricket during the last feAV Aveeks. It is iioav a rarity to find one who cannot discourse familiarly of the relative merits of the Australian ancl local men, describe the peculiarities of Spoffort's ancl Palmer's bowling, gush about the batting^ and overwhelm one with sage remarks about ". C11<;---ting to point," "placing a ball in slips, __ "driving to the off," " making a smart return, and dealing out generally Avithout hesitation the terminology of the game. I chanced to hear one fair damsel informing a circle of friends that, from a perusal of the recently published analyses of bowling, it was her firm opinion that Palmer was even a more effective boAvler than Spof. The noble game should certainly have plenty of admirers now that the fair sex are beginning to take such a lively interest in it.

Contrary to general expectation the annual business meeting of the members of St. James' Church passed off quietly. The rev. chairman's countenance wore an anxious and apprehensive look during the meeting as if he dreaded an anticipated storm, and he heaved a great sigh of relief Avhen he closed the proceedings without any squale having arisecl. Mr. T. Macky, senr., Avas perilously near raising the devil when he said the difficulty of raising the wind— some £110 worth— for the annual current expenses of St. James' Hall Avas one Avhich required solution. The frightened looks of his audience, however, as they saAv the hall question looming up before them caused the Avorthy treasurer to drop the subject as abruptly as he had taken it up. Mr. Burns endeavoured to create a blaze of excitement on the subject of " more light " for the church. Mr. Burns Avas naturally veiy Avarm himself on the matter, but his hearers evidently made light of it, and when that gentleman, iired Avith a generous impulse, suggested gathering promisory notes, a la Dr. Somerville, for the amount required to defray the expense, only a fifth of the necessary sum aviis forthcoming. The congregation of St. James' Church evidently " love darkness rather than light." Whether the remainder of the quotation is applicable to them deponent sayeth not.

One clay last Aveek the representatives of the free and independant burgesses of Auckland met in solemn conclave for the purpose of receiving and questioning the various aspirants to the office of keeper of the public books. The applicants formed a rather motley crowd. It included superannuated sailors, retired soldiers, small shopkeepers, etc., etc., and the qualifications Avhich they respectively ur<, p eel in support of their candidature were as varied as some of them Avere original. The Councillors impressed with a full sense of the heavy responsibility which devolved upon themin making a selection subjected the unfortunate competitors for office to a searching cross examination, the most noteAvorthy feature of wliich Avas the utter irrelvancy of many of the queries so sagely propounded. Councillor Goldie Avent in for a. rigid scrutiny of each man's moral character, ancl the assurance Avith Avhich some of them Avere asked if they had not lost situations through drink, if they had not been discharged from sendees for misconduct, if they Avere not addicted to the pleasant exercise of Avife-beating, if they had not on some particular occasion spoken in condemnatory terms of Good Templarism, if they Avere not habitual smokers, etc. — actually called up a blush to the speaking A r isage of the Town Clerk, Avhile little Offer's eyes Avere observed to "become suffused Avith tears. Goldie, hoAveA r er, had been making personal enqniries about the men, and he pursued his examination therefore Avith remorseless vigour. Some of the ansAvers were amusing. One lusty candidate on being asked iioav he Avould endeavour to bring a drOAvning man to shore, promptly replied that he Avould "seize him by the avooI." "But," remarked the Mayor, "supposing he Avere bald." This Avas an unexpected difficulty, ancl so, after ruminating a Avhile, the Avorthy son of the ocean replied that he Avould find means "to get a good grip on him." Another Avould-be keeper, in answer to a similar query, said that he Avould collar the drOAvning person by the hair Avith one hand, ancl by the leg Avith the other. "AnthenhoAV Avould SAvim to land?" asked an astonished Councillor. " Oh," airily replied the questioned individual, "quite easily. I kin sheAv you if you'd like to Icuoav."

The result of the Councillors deliberations Avas that two men Avere selected as being superior to the others, and, as the most satisfactory method of fixing a choice, it Avas resolved to obtain from them an exhibition of their SAvimming ancl diving poAvers. The test took place on Saturday last at the Public Baths, in the presence of the Mayor ancl Councillors (inside), and a numerous and envious assemblage of young larrikins (on the outside). The representatiA r es of the people Avere very desirous of making a trial of the baths themselves, the Aveather being hot ancl sultry ; but the absence of toAvls obliged them to relinquish the idea, despite the urgent remonstrances of Councillors, Avho reminded them that they could easily run about until they Avere dry. The Mayor Avas "burning Avith ardour for a SAvim, and he Avoulcl even haA r e faced the towel difficulty in order to gratify his desire, had it not been suggested to him that the predatory gamins, avlio kept Avatch on the other side of the palings, might steal his unmentionables. The possibility of such a contingency decided His Worship to forbear from troubling tbe Avaters, and the party therefore left. The youngsters scaled the fence immediately afterAvarcls and Avent in strongly for hydropathy.

An amusing scene Avas Avitnessed in front of Morrin's store, in Queen-street, the other clay. A gaily dressed Maori lady of immense proportions, had invested in a pair of high heeled elastic side boots in a neighbouring shop, and having draAvn them on to her not extra small feet, she sailed out into Queen-street. The high heels Avere too much for her though, and she had scarcely gone half a dozen steps when

she sat down on the pavement with a suddenness that was painfully suggestive of orange peel and banana skin. A young man gallantly assisted her to her feet, ancl she resumed her promenade. In another moment she was again sitting on the pavement, calmly contemplating the smiling visages of the passers-by. Hns time she expressed her opinions regarding the "high heelers" in blessings not even to be found in a Maori dictionary. Disregarding the requirements of fashion and society, she hauled the boots off, ancl taking one under each arm, she slowly sauntered down Queen-street in her stockings, apparently Avell satisfied with her efforts to "become civilized."