SYDNEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6130, 17 March 1898, Page 4

SYDNEY.

rnwwESFONDKNT " CANTERBURY TIMES."] CO SYDNEY, Feb. 23. THE COMING BESSION. Judging by the slow progress which is beta" made by the Federal Convention, it is doubtful if the closing session of Parliament will be held at as early a date as that which was originally mentioned. Some people, indeed, go so far as to say that it will not be held at all, but that Parliament will expire by effluxion of time before the Convention lias finished its work. This, however, is nonsense. Meanwhile the Governmeut undoubtedly profits 4 to some extent by the delay. The most effective criticism of the Opposition has been directed against the effects of the drought, which, by a strange coincidence, has afflicted the colony during the whole period of Mr Eeid'a term of office, and, as a matter of course, his administration is held responsible. Our exports have diminished because we have produced less, and therefore have not bo much to send away. Having less to sell, we have had to curtail our purchases, and our imports have diminished also. All this affords occasion to the enemy to blaspheme. It is unfortunate, but it cannot be helped. THK BIMETALLIC LEAGUE. The fall in prices which has sent the majority of the pastoral properties in the country into the hands of the mortgagees, is felt with as much intensity as ever. If there has been a slight advance in the case of wool it has been much more than counterbalanced by the shrinkage in production. Under these circumstances the arguments of the Bimetallic League, which attribute the fall in prices mainly to the contraction of the world's currency, which has been caused by the demonetisation of silver, are commanding increased attention. We have been told that the increased production of gold would raise prices. But, as a matter of fact, it does nothing of the kind. They remain at a ruinously low level, and as long as this is the case anything like general prosperity is impossible. Very ridiculous are some of the arguments which are advanced to refute these persistent persons. One financial "authority" gravely informs its readers this morning that " bimettalism would ruin our gold - producing industry." Surely this is the ingenuity of desperation. When was the gold-producing industry more active than in the famous " fifties," when bimetallism was in full swing? No one conceived it possible that the nations of the world would be insane enough to demonetise one-half of their stock of money of ultimate redemption. MADAME ALBANI. The musical -world is excited over the visit of Madame Albani, who is undoubtedly one of the world's best singers, and who, fortunately, is able- to spare time to warble to the Australians. Considerable regret is expressed that we shall not be able to hear the diva in opera. The expense, however, would be too great. Undoubted as are the ability and reputation of Madame Albani, there is a danger that she may suffer ab the hands of some of her well-meaning journalistic comminentators, whose lucubrations, especially when the advertising is liberal, are so ridiculously effusive that they are apt to excite feeling 3 the very reverse of what was intended. There is scope for artistic work even in this form of advertiring. There is no need to lay on the colours with a whitewash brush. Ars est celarc artem. However, the papers know their readers better than I do; and perhaps, after all, there is something to be said for the present style. If the whitewash brii3h could only be kept out of the leading articles something would be gained. JOURNALISTIC GOSSIP. It is not to be expected that men who have so much gratuitous advertisement to do for other.people, should be blind to the advantages:' of advertising themselves. Lately we have heard a great deal respecting the astounding ability and previous history of various journalistic gentlemen who are changing the scene of, their labours. Like the tombstones, ' these notices only inform us of the surpassing virtues of their subjects after they have gone. One. morning daily has lost so many members of its staff that it has been stated that the proprietors intend to set apart a fund from which liberal bonuses may be paid annually to able men in order to induce them to remain. The idea is an excellent one. It is certainly discouraging to slave on year after year for a fixed screw helping to make profits which one cannot touch. At the same time, I entirely fail to see that .the paper in question has suffered in any way by the changes referred to. CONCERNING GAS. Some time ago it was gravely announced that a scientific genius — this is the age in which " science " is invoked as the. sponsor of every fraud — had discovered a way by which water could be made to burn like kerosene ; but out of fear lest we should all wake up some day and find the ocean and rivers in a blaze, he had been bribed by a large sum of money to keep the secret locked within his own breast. When, therefore, it was gravely announced a few weeks ago that two smart Americans had found out how to turn common air into a gas that would burn as brilliantly and give out as much heat and power as the best coal gas, hardly anyone was surprised, and large numbers tumbled over one another to get shares in such a money-making invention. There is a natural affinity between gas and politicians, and it is not surprising (under the circumstances) that prominent men like Mr Jacob Garrard, the Minister of Public Instruction, and Mr J. C. Neild (a gentleman whose poetic ability and political eloquence are of world-wide fame), were induced to act as trustees. A large sum of money was paid to the clever inventors for their patent rights, the price of the £10 shares went up to £80 or £90 (so eager were large numbers of persons to share in this " scientific " discovery), the gas was actually shown burning, and all went merry as a marriage bell. The original and orthodox Gas Company was beginning to shake in its shoes, and to wonder whereunto this might grow, when, suddenly, all the exultation was changed to lamenting, and all the glory to ignominy. Tne prospectus had mentioned that the gas was made by the " decomposition " of common air. As I took the liberty of pointing out at the time, air cannot be decomposed. It consists of two elements —oxygen and nitrogen gas — which defy decomposition. Sydney folks, it is to be presumed, have risen superior to elementary truths of this kind, otherwise they would very promptly have "sized up " the Yankee " invention " at its true value. A cortain professor pointed out this and other little discrepancies to his friends, and they endeavoured to realise, and to induce others to sell their shares also, in the belief that the promoters, to maintain the credit of the concern, would buy them. The promoters, however, at this time discovered that they had urgent business in N6w Zealand, and departed accordingly. Examination showed that the alleged "gas was produced in a much more commonplace and expensive manner than that which had been described. Indeed, it appears to be the i well-known atmospheric gas made from gasolene and other hydro-carbons, which was so fashionable on stations and in houses in. the country a few year 3 ago.' . The. shareholders, -the Minister of Public Instruction included, for the most part are looking at one another in a dazed kind of way, and wishing, no doubt, that they had been a little better instructed before parting with their money. Some of them, however, have mustered up enough energy to take out warrants, and future developments are eagerly awaited. Meanwhile, if any of my readers are about to visit Sydney for the test match, I strongly recommend them not to mention the words "gas from decomposed air" to any living soul until they havre satisfied themselves that their interlocutor is not a shareholder.

Towncnd's Celebrated Cinnamon Cure a Specific for Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, &c. Sold everywhere. Price 2s 6d.— £Advt.] Assessment Court.— A sitting of this Court will be held on April 1 at the City Council Offices to consider objections to the valuation roll of Christchtirch.