BY THE BYE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume VI, Issue 1901, 19 September 1873, Page 2

BY THE BYE.

The printed report furnished to the Borough Council by Mr Millar, on the water supply of the Virginia Lake, is evidently compiled from careful measurements, and with a view to imme-

diate operations. Although written in rather too florid a style for a scientific analysis, it yet carries the stamp of scientific ability, and displays a considerable knowledge of Hydrodynamics. At a comparatively small outlay, water of the purest character, and in practically inexhaustible quantities, can be obtained for all sanitary, domestic, and useful purposes. When we look at the great distances from which water has to be brought into the large cities, at an enormous outlay, we have every reason to congratulate ourselves, that nature has been so prodigal in her gifts. Instead of the driving showers of sand, which render the streets ofWanganui in the summer almost unbearable, and create a most unfavourable impression of the place ia the minds of strangers, wo shall have clean and well-watered thoroughfares. Fire will be divested of half its terrors when we have the means at hand to check its ra-

vages. In fact, looking at the question of water supply in whatever light we may, we can only remain in astonishment at our supinenea? and want of energy in not having long s i nce made practical use of the natural cistern so conveniently situated to our hand. The concluding portion of the report, in which Mr Millar alludes to the services of the men employed under him, is slightly irrelevant. It is quite possible that the explorations to the North West entailed a gvtat deal of hardship, and the incessant labor of sounding may perhaps have told severely upon the health and temper of the men ; the patriotism also displayed by Mr O'Hanlon in placing his boat at the disposal of the Engineer for a whole month cannot hesuhiciently extolled ; but still these are matters which scarcely come within the limits of a professional report. That Mr Millar has gone into the whole subject con amove, is perfectly true, and the result is creditable alike to his reputation and his industry.

Place aiix dames was not the guiding motto of the Dublin tradesman mentioned by iEgles in the Australasian. Mrs Whately, the wife of the Archbishop of Dublin on one occasion, drove up in her carriage to a shop in Nassau Street, and sent her footman in to tell the proprietor that the Archbishop's lady wished to see him on business. The reply, more pointed perhaps than polite was, " tell the lady, that if she was the Archbishop's wife I must decline to n ttend to her outside." He was not perhaps a wise man in his generation, but he was at all events aii~independent one. And candidly speaking it is not a pleasing sight, to see a respectable man standing on the pavement ■without his hat at the risk of a coup de soleil or neuralgia, in order that some fine lady may be spared the trouble of leaving her carriage.

What wonderful unanimity there is in the Council at the present moment. The members like Falstaff have agreed to " forswear sack, and live cleanly." The civic crown has been placed with all clue solemnity on the head of Mr Hutchison, and he has promised to wield the sceptre with an impartial hand. (Kings generally do promise.) To the boisterous gales that have blown with such violence, there has succeeded a portentous calm, and all eyes are turned to the new star which at present shines with considerable lustre. How long this blissful state of things will continue is a matter of conjecture. The curtain has fallen on the last; act of the " Tempest " and the scene shifters are busy behind. What new piece is in course of preparation is only known to the initiated ; rumour has it, however, that the next play is to be the " Comedy of Errors," and I think this is more than likely.

In one of the numbers of the late Graphics there is a cut taken from an original oil painting, entitled, " Le Roi e'est mort, vive le roi," and is well worthy of a close study. In the foreground is seen a group of Courtiers, many of them old. with the various insignia of office. These figures arc depicted as bowing down to the very ground before the new sovereign, and their faces are expressive of the utmost anxiety for his welfare. Immediately behind them is the chamber where the dead king has just breathed his last, and from whence they have evidently rushed in disorder to pay court to their new liege lord. A dog held by a page is the only creature that appears to remember former kindnesses, and his steadfast aiul longing gaze upon the quiet; features of the dead king carries with it a world of meaning.

Bonhomie is an excellent thing in its way, but, as a worthy friend of mine sometimes remarks, " there is a limit, my dear boy." The followingwill afford, a good illustration. Some years ago, a gentleman was standing talking with some friends, when a party whom he had only casually met, stepped brisking up, and, addressing him by his Christian name, held out his hand. To his great astonishment, 'instead of responding, the other coolly remarked, "By the way, were we at college together?" "No," was the reply. "Then why this cursed familiarity 1 :> Argus.

THE NATIONAL AGKICUOTURAL LABORER'S UNION. The following rather interesting letter has been presented to Parliament, along with other papers on the subject

of immigration :■ —

Ib the Honourable the Legislative Assembly of the Colony of New Zealand. " The undersigned, being members of tlie committee of the National Agricultural Laborer's Union, are authorised to address yo-i in the interests of the Association. The condition of the farm laborers of this country, as you are doubtless aware, has for some years been on« of poverty and privation. Their homes have, in many cases, been wretched in the extreme ; their wages insufficient; and their food scan"; and unwholesome. It has been impossible for them to educate their children; to avoid the miseries. of debt ; or to make provisions for old age ;—and the result has been that after years of hopeless toil, during which they have had largely to appeal to public charity, they have been compelled to end their days as paupers in the Union Workhouse. Of late the sorrows of their unhappy position have been aggravated by the increased price of provisions, coal, and other necessaries of existence; and it has become absolutely essential to take steps towards redressing the grievance from which they they suffer. The National Agricultural Laborer's Union has been formed with this view, and, so far, has to some extent realised its end. It is found, however, that emigration affords, perhaps,, the speediest solution of the many difficulties which lie in the way to their real and lasting improvement, and already many laborers have gone forth to Brazil and other countries to which free passages are given. The committee we represent cannot but regard it as most undesirable that thenfellow countrymen should settle amongst people who are aliens in customs, language, and religion, and should emich other soil hy their labor when there is urgent need for them in a land where their own tongue is spoken and their own government and customs prevail. It is however, vain to expect that the laborer will, unaided, iincl his way to English Colonies; and we therefore, appeal, through you, to the country you represent, urging that free passages from an English port, if not from their homes, be provided for all eligible laborers and their families who are willing to seek your shores ; and further that provision be made for their reception and for their transfer to fields in which their labour may be most in demand. Should it be possible for your Government to meet our wishes, and so to attract to its own land the tide of immigration now flowing to Brazil and other countries, our Committee will do all in their power to see that only proper parties are allowed to avail themselves of your privilege.

Joseph Arch, Chairman. Henry Taylor, Secretary. Fredk. S. Attenborough. Congregational Pastor, and Treasurer of Warwickshire Labourers Union. John S. Wright. Chairman Birmingham Liberal .Association. Dated at Leamington, this 15th clay of May, 1873.