CITY GOSSIP.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 347, 1 August 1885, Page 12

CITY GOSSIP.

By Camdria. And all alone To-night we'll -wander through, the streets, and note The qualities of people. Shakespeare, I have heard it frequently stated by Auckland clergymen during the present year that, at no time in the world's history, has Christianity been so active and powerful as it is at present. This may be a fact, but it appears to me, taking this city as a fair basis of comparison, that infidelity has never been more assertive and progressive. How the two statements can be reconciled is a mystery. Freethought is now a recognised institi^on in Auckland. Able men promulgate its principles, and crowded houses listen to the arguments advanced by them. I at once admit that I have not either listened to the speeches or read the j>ublications of the Freethinkers, not from any preconceived opinions, but simply from want of time. Still, a glimpse of the daily papers occasionally gives one an idea of some of the views held by Freethinkers, and I can't say that they very speedily commend themselves to the favor of the majority of people. Take, for instance, Mr Dennes' remark the other night, that he wished the Opera House. was their x^roperty, so that they might wind up the evening with a dance. :o: With most people Sunday is a day of rest Though they be not churchgoers they feel grateful for the respite from daily toil, the rest for the harassed brain, and change of scene and fresh air that please and invigorate the senses. I do not think that many men would feel enraptured with a Sunday night ball, the first effect of which, would be to start them on the new week's work already fatigued. Far more welcome and grateful would be a pleasant walk through green fields, and even to a Freethinker the tinkle of a convent bell, or the solemn swell of a mighty organ, would bring a sweet x^leasant sensation. It may be a sign of want of mental vigor on the part of those who stick to the faith of their fathers. Be that the case or not, it is, in some respects at least; superior and more precious than the new ideas now so broadcastly distributed. The old hallowed associations, the delicious bygone memories have a charm that chains the soul for ever ; and when wandering through the world, far, far from home, it is with a sweet, sad pain we think of — The English hedgerows, Scottish hills of heather ; Old Eriu's emerald sod ; The Sabbath bells ; the worshippers together f Chanting their hymns to God.

The rumour that, after all, Preller was not murdered by Maxwell or anybody else is indeed a most startling one. And yet, when one carefully thinks it over, he can not denythat there is a strong possibility, if not probability, about it. Preller, however, was such a good, young man, one of the sect, I believe, known as Plymouth Brethren, of whom we have a few in Auckland. It is strange that such a model young man could be suspected of complicity in such a criminal design, and so far as our information goes he always had plenty of money allowed him by his people. Some people place a deal of importance on the fact that the Life Assurance Company have declined to pay the amount of the policy pending further enquiry. No stress need be placed upon that circumstance. Did anybody ever know an insurance company thafc did not eagerly seize any pretext to enable them not to part with the money ? Even in our own modest way

■in Auckland we have had instances of that policy. — — — — ,Q.— — — — Should Preller really turn up a living man, another curious question — or rather set of questions — will crop up : ' Who was the corpse ? Was he murdered by Maxwell and Preller, or by -either or neither ? ' This promises to be one of the most interesting cases known. It is a link in the chain that binds us to the United States, and has introduced to our shores two talented policemen who might otherwise have remained in compjyeative ignorance of this colony and people. Mr Yaile will either effect a complete re- i volution in railway management or go mad in the attempt. Ido not think that many people closely follow the great agitator in ; Ms long letters on this subject; but in his •last to the Herald, he reveals an interesting piece of information regarding the way things are done down South. It seems that in the Canterbury province all sorts of dodges are contrived to favour that pet district. A twenty-mile stretch is deemed to be fifteen, a forty-miles distance is deemed to be thirty, and so on. By-and-bye we shall see that an eight- shilling per ton rate is deemed to be eighteenpence. I reckon the Hon. Mr Richardson will be inclined to anathematise little ' Sammy ' when he sees the last letter. Little dogs have long tails, and it is not always wise to hold them too cheap. Strange that Mr Mitchelson did not apply this deeming policy to Auckland when he had hold of the ropes. The Herald the other day in speaking of the late Mr Mackelvie penned the following sentence : 'The use of the word ' bequeathed' inferred that Mr Mackelvie was dead.' Hundreds of people make this mistake, not knowing the distinction between the words infer and imply, but it is singular that our influential morning contemporary should fall into the error. ' While speaking of Mr Mackelvie one cannot but admire the business-like foresight that prompted him to place his bequest in the care of trustees. Had it gone to the direct tender mercies of the Council, we should have had Councillor Bums shaving the head of some valuable XDrint, while his fellowcouncillor, Garratt, would be sparring at the - the spirit of justice. It is very pleasant to see that some of the Southern Chambers of Commerce and members of the House have generously and nobly stood up for the San Francisco Mail Service, not allowing their judgment to be warped by the admitted fact that Auckland is principally benefited. One prominent exception is Mr Holmes, ot Christchurch, who, judging by his actions since he became a representative, has not one atom of fair play in his composition. Self, S elf_nothing but self— has been his policy ever since he faced the Speaker. We may have some duffers amongst our lot, but we have not one, thank goodness, of his narrow, intolerant class.