A Quill for Everyone.

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 949, 6 March 1897, Page 7

A Quill for Everyone.

A gentleman whose loves have figured somewhat prominently of late made application to the Registrar the other day to be wedded to the lady of his final choice. It happened, however, that the young woman is still in her teens, and, failing the consent of parent or guardian, the Registrar was obdurate in

his refusal to sanction the union . It seems, also, that the young lady has property in her own right, which is another reason why the match was not. too hastily concluded. Rumour has it that the consent of the guardian will not be forthcoming.

Who ia to be the new headmaster of the Wellesley-street School ? This is not only a burning question in educational circles but a few days ago .was also likely to become a caws belli between the Board of Education and the City Schools Committee. The .Board. of Education withheld the names of some of the applicants from the Schools Committee, and further came to a decision practically- limiting the choice to teachers at present in the employ of the Board.

Now, ' one of ~ the applicants for the position is Mr John Hastie, the present secretary of the National Association, and a gentleman of high educational attainments. Mr Haßtie was several years ago, and for many years previously, in charge of a school an the outskirts of Glasgow larger than this one of Wellesley-street, and it was considered by some of those who have the best interests of the school and the cause of education most .closely at heart that the condition excluding him was unwise and shortsighted. This waß a view shared by some, members of the Schools Committee, and the attitude .of this body towards the Board was understood to "be prompted by a desire that Mr Hastie's name should be submitted with the others, and not from any frivolous or vexatious spirit of opposition. However, the Committee has recommended Mr B. D. Stewart for the position, and there the trouble will pro bably end.

The yarn comes all the way from Te Aroha anent a certain man who does business in Paeroa. He waa down in Auckland to see Borne friends, and strolled in one day to a Queen-street restaurant for lunch. He was engaged in converea-

tion when a scratching noise in the region of the fire- grate at his back arrested attention. The man from the goldfielda declared it was a rat, and, just to reasanre the other folk, he arose from his seat and gave the damper a vigorous kick. Hardly, however, had he resumed his seat than he arose with a yell, and gave a splendid exhibition of high kicking. And forth from the performer's pants there flew — a ferret. Ye gods and little fishes! the scene that ensued baffleß description. Tables were overturned, brave men flew np the staircase, and lovely women screamed on chairs for the police. To his credit be it said, the mining gentleman nailed the ferret by the nape of the neck. When the panic was allayed it appeared that the ferocious rodent

had been introduced into the establishment for the purpose of clearing out the rats, and in • the honest pursuit of its vocation had got mixed behind the chimney .piece.

There are some Union Company officers on one of the costal. steamers to 'whom it ißn't safe just now to talk abcat 'the lights in the Kaikoara Peninaola.' One dirty night a few weeks ago their ship was steaming from Lyttelton to Wellington, and they were keeping a look-oat for the Kaikonra headland, when suddenly a light was seen, ahead— and of all other places on the starboard bow, where there Onght to have been open ocean. Soon there was another light, and yet another,and the number went on increasing till it seemed evident that the steamer was running dead into a goodsized town. The mystified sea-doga, almost beside themselves with amazement, held hurried consultation as to where they could possibly have got to, and decided to take the obviously necessary jconrse of going full speed astern. But, then, horror of horrors, it was seen that they didn't get away. On the contrary, the town 'seemed to be giving chase to them. More puzzled than ever, they decided that they wouldn't be overtaken, anyhow, and so kept up their retreat. Suddenly,it dawned on one of them like an inspiration that they were on their correct course after all, and that the unusual apparition which had so nearly scared them out of their wits was a squadron of warships. And bo it proved — in point of fact' it was Admiral Bridge and his half-dozen vessels on their way to Akaroa. It must have been an eerie sight to unexpectant mariners, and these fellows won't forget in a hurry the shock it cauaed them.

•••• ■ • • Sir Robert Stout scathingly says we have seen a party calling itself Liberal tied to the tail of a brewer's cart. We in New Zealand have never seen a party calling itself Liberal that was not.