The Star. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1897. NOTES AND NOTIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5769, 13 January 1897, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 1897. NOTES AND NOTIONS.

"What has become of the testimonial to Mr "Walkden ? Soon after the late City Surveyor relinquished office some of the citizens, recognising that liis long and valuable services were -tvorthy of special recognition, met and appointed a committee to raise the means for recognising* them in ', va fashion. A good beginiimg was made with a subscription list, and, so far as the public know, that was all. Nothing has been heard of the matter since. Of course, it is possible that a respectable sum has been collected and handed over to Mr Walken in private. ? M so, well and good, so far as he is concerned. Still, the citizens have a right to' know the outcome of the movement, which was emphatically a public one. It is to be hoped that the outcome has been, or will be, satisfactory, i.e., a handsome testimonial to Mr "Walkden, who served the city long and well, and was not too liberally treated, either during his period of office or at its close. Things which are true, though they may not be new, are always worth attention. Therefore Aye reproduce the following, which, though not new, is certainly true: — Tennyson could take a worthless sheet of paper, write a poem on it, and make it worth .813,000— that's genius. Vanderbilt- could write a few words on a bit of paper, and make it worth — that's capital. The United States can take an ounce and a quarter of gold and stamp upon it an eagle and make it worth £o—that's0 — that's money. A mechanic can take material worth .£1 and make watch springs worth .£2oo— that's skill. A merchant can take an article worth 3s and sell it for 4s — that's business. A lady can purchase a hat for 3s, but she prefers one that costs .£5 — that's foolishness. A ditch digger works ten hours a day aud handles several tons of earth for Vs — that's labour.- . Scene at the St Albans loan meetinglast evening : — Chairman : " And now Mr Milton, I " Mr M. : '*' Oil ! 1 was not going to interrupt my friend, only I thought " Mr C. : " You had better not. You might find it a case of Paradise Lost. And, Mr Chairman, so far as the successful floating of the suggested loan is concerned, I think whon all is over you will not find it a case of Paradise Eegained !"

A SONG. The maiden and lad are standing, Under the old oak tree, Telling the old, old story Of lovu— pnre, strong and free. Ihey nover, nevor tire us, They always must inspire us. Who e'er may tell tho story Of love— pure, strong and free*. The maiden nud lad are standing By the sad, sad sea-shoro, " I shall love you, my little maiden Truly, for evormoro ; But tho A'oice which speaks from heaven Is calling me away." " I shall go with you, dearest ; You would not say mo nay." The twain are joined together In holy bonds of love ; Sanctioned, npprovad, yoa smiled on, By the Fat hor wlio loves— above ; And naught, in tho world can sever Two hearts that lovo so well ; Bound them God's nngnls over In loving service dwoll. VOCARHA.

Dear -.i_ijim.ii.iih,— ■ Is dis [ sco in dis day's jmper de bruddorly lovo of Christian Englishmen ? Mr J. li. Robinson, speaking at tho general meeting of tho Robinson South African "Ranking Company, said : — " The not profit for tho yoar amounted to J_4'44fi36, which, considering tho times they had passed through, was very satisfactory. As far as tho mining industry was concerned, in which tho bank had a very largo interest, it had nover been in a better position thau it was to-day. Tho wages of natives had beon considerably reduced, and beforo long thoy hoped to be ablo to reduce thorn another i_r> per cent." I am, dear brudders, anoder brudder who feels very sorry for poor Rruddoi' J. ].. Robinson whon ho meets I. rudder Nigger around de old arm-chair of Fader God.