MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1914, 9 August 1888, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

A writer m an Auckland paper says :— I could mention a Post-offioe on the railway lice at which only one person's letters are reoeived, and that person actually gets £20 per annum for having h\s own letters brought to his own door- The Post-office with the salary attached was originally got up for his own benefit by a well-known retrenchmentpreaching ex-M.H.R,, and has been continued ever sinoe, though all other Post-offices at flag-stationa on the line are only paid for at the rate of £5 per annum.

I do not know whioh is the more remarkable about the Anglioan females who advertise for governesses and servants, and offer them "Church priveleges," instead of a proper emolument — their oanting hypocrisy or their miserable meanness. Here is a lady who requires an accomplished governess, but she can give no salary, because all her reverend husband's vestments are very costly, so she offers " a comfortable home, washing, and Churoh privileges." Another audacious fleaskinner requires a finishing governess, who is thorough mistress of^Frencb, German, music, Binging, and drawing, and she has the inconceivable effrontery to offer £12 a year, as she " cannot afford more, having a Bon at College," but she oan promise " full Churoh privileges.', Another wants a lady help, who is to be a proficient m all work and m many accomplishments, and she is offered £10 a year, and the inevitable " Churoh privileges," whioh it is really too preposterous to hold out as a bait, as if they were analogous to Papal indulgence or letters of dispensation, as every body who wishes for them can obtain them as a matter of course, whether living m town or m country, unless the requirements are very exorbitant.— •' Truth."

Eleotrioity is now fairly m the field m Melbourne as a competitor against gas for street lighting purposes. Many of the suburbs at present have under consideration proposals for the lighting of their streets by] the new agent, and already eleotrio companies are m active competition for the contracts. A public exhibition of an underground eleotric-lighting company took place on Friday evening. Russell-street was the scene of operations, and I can testify, from personal observation, that the trial was thoroughly successful. , I prophecy that, within Bix or twelve months, Melbourne streets will be lighted one and all by eleotrioity. It was tried some three years ago m Elizabeth street but was a failure ; but of course since then eleotrio-lighting has made vast strides. . The gas is so bad m Melbourne, we shall all welcome the change. The Metropolitan Gas Co., whioh has the monopoly, beams to do what it likes both as to quality and price, and of course every householder is its sworn foe, and would be glad to see it dealt a lethal blow — I among the number. Company-Floating is going on as merrily as ever m town, and each morning's " Age " and " Argus " has a broadsheet or two devoted solely to prospectuses. Now that silver has died away, investment companies quiet, and land, m consequenoe cf the winter season, not very prominent m the market, gold seems to be thrusting itself to the frpnt again. I noticed three new gold-mining companies advertised m Saturday's •' Argus," whilst everyone on 'change tell you " gold is coming " gold'll " boom next." By-the way, talking of companies, my friend the editor of " Table Talk " told me a curious thing. He met a gentleman m Collins street, whose name appeared m the prospeolus of a certain company, and enquired how it was getting on His friend did not know. "But you are a direotor," he said ; •„• surely you ought to know." "I, a director I You are joking," said the other ; but on being assured he was not, rushed off to see what it all meant. Afterwards it turned out that a friend of his had called upon him, and informed him that a company was being formed whioh would pay high dividends, and that he could have a hundred shares without paying for them, if he liked. For that his name was used without further question. Of suoh is the nature of Melbourne Company-floating. Inest sua gratia parvu — little things have their value you pee, m Melbourne just now, even suoh a trifle as one's name,