GOSSIPPY NOTES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 129, 12 October 1877, Page 5 (Supplement)

GOSSIPPY NOTES.

(FROM OUR SYDNEY GOSSIP.)

Aγ, is often the cry, there is nothing rtirring here now. Parliament meets tomorrow (September 18), after an adjournment of a month, consequent upon the et*t of Sir Henry Sparks, and the re-en-■r-i.m;e of Sir John Eobertson. After :<i--king a final kick in the endeavour to ■:!--"dn mipplies, the first-named knight ■.v up the sponge, and the other was for, who has succeeded in getting to;)or a sp'ondid team, half of whom have ;: '->r been in office before, and two of ;:■[>; sit in Parliament for the first time. .■■oof them, the Colonial Treasurer, has „» sil.oiit as much in his head as a cabbage, find the other, the Postmaster-General, essentially the man of letters, can little than write his own name. He was originally a blacksmith, but having ac- ** q'ired great political influence as a leading spiiit in the Orange Institution, from conducting and influencing elections, he proceeded to contest one in his own favor, and was elected, first, a member of our City Council, and since, one of our metropolitan representatives. This is all in some eight years, from a blacksmith to a minister of the Crown, with £1500 a year. He has some little ability, and, while guarded, speaks very well, but on warming up, murders the Queen's English in a most heartrending manner. He has been a faithful servant, and a good whip to Sir John, being now rewarded as we see. The ministerial reelections in some places called forth opposition from the poor man. We have, lately, had formed here, a working man's society, who wish to commit the colony to a policy of protection and anti-immigration. These gentry took the opportunity to oppose five out of tlie seven ministers, but without success in every case, though, in the "West Sydney election the Premier was run very closely by his opponent, Mr'Thos White, a bootmaker who was only 290 votes behind him. There is little doubt that had not the Orange Institution stood by Sir John, he would have been left out in the cold.' It appears certain that at the next general election, early in the new year, the old party cries of protection and free-trade will be revived, and the old battle fought over again. Up to the present time, our experience of freetrade has been good, and, with trade flourishing in all branches, and manufactures rapidly increasing, a return to such • worn out and obsolete doctrines is to be deprecated. However, time will bliow. Commercially, things are looking up again. Wo have splendid rains all over the country, and hearts are lighter, and prospects brighter for the coming season. Speaking of the weather, naturally reminds me of our Government Astronomer, a gentleman of a most kind and affable disposition. One day last week, a lad of, say, from 19 to 20, left a small box, presumably of mathematical instruments, at the Observatory, for Mr Russell. In opening it, he noticed that the lid stuck, and, suspecting mischief, the box was taken into the yard, where it was very carefully opened. The lid was found to be lined with sand paper, so fixed that it would come in contact with, and ignite, sundry matches standing upright in the box, ** which were evidently intended to explode a quantity of blasting powder contained in a gingerbeer bottle, and lying loose in the box, sufficient to have blown the observatory into the harbor. The police are now on the trail, and promise an early apprehension of the offender. No cause can be assigned for the deed, as Mr Russell has won the good will of all, rather than illfeeling. The Rev. Dr. Somerville is at present preaching in this city to tremendous audiences, at the Exhibition building, of an evening, and the Masonic Hall at midday. He is making a tour of the colonies, so you will doubtless see him in New Zealand. Some agitation has taken place here anent the visitation of convents and nunneries. Sundry lectures have been delivered, and pamphlets printed, but I think it will be all in vain, and we shall have no more success here than Mr Newdegate had in England. In theatrical matters, the Sothern and Lyster people are paying well in the " Danicheff," and the Soldene Opera « Company opened at the Royal on Saturday night. Dam pier and his two little girls have been doing " Helen's Babies " at the Queen's.