GOSSIPPY NOTES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 162, 5 February 1878, Page 2

GOSSIPPY NOTES.

(from the east.)

The Greeks are the Scotch of the south of Europe. They have mostly high cheek bones and prominent noses, and are. altogether an adventurous and keen lot of traders. Little of the beauty ascribed to the women by ancient fable lingers about them.

I bave been over in Stamboul nearly every day, and bave got to know my way about pretty well. Some of the streets have tramways, which I think were originally laid down by British capitalists. Other streets in the older parts of the city are most absolutely filthy and disgusting ; all the garbage is thrown out into the gutters ; the only scavengers are lean and hungry troops of yellow dogs— " such dogs are dangerous," and I am told, but scarcely can credit the story, that they " scavenged " a drunken English sailor the other night! The newspapers don't take notice of such trifles, being principally filled with news from the front, &c. The papers possessing the most influence are the Bassiret and the Vakit, though several others have considerable circulation. Of course I have visited all the principal buildings, and seen the interior of several fine mosques. Giaours are not allowed on any account to enter either the mosque of Saint Sophia or Sultan Achmet. The fact is, the Turks are in an ugly frame, of mind toward- the English. Formerly, I believe, admittance could be obtained to almost any place by an Englishman. The four minarets round St. Sophia are very handsome, as are also the half doseji,. round ; the mosque .of Achmet,. the Jast named being particularly tall s and Render.. Half-a-dozen of us are going r for a sail down the Bosphorus to-morrow, jast io> say, you know, that we have been' on the Black sea. The scenery down this/winding strait is said to be very pretty, ahd.l anticipate much pleasure from the trip. (To be continued.)

FROM OUR TIMARU GOSSIP. . The curious notices that sometimes appear in the "agony" column of the London Times and various other papers, are frequently eclipsed by the efforts of colonial genius. The following "ad," which appeared in the South Canterbury Times of 28th January, suggests, at least, ideas on the subject of baby-farming:—" Business Notices.—Birth.—Rock.—Oh January 27th t the wife of Henry Rock, of a son." At any rate, it is the most curious business notice that has ever come under my observation. Of course it can be nothing but a " typo's " arror, whatever the imagination may suggest. I mentioned in my letter which appeared in your columns on the 15th ultimo, that it was rumoured that the Breakwater Commission would bring forward a plan of their own. Rumour in this case has-been found correct. General satisfaction ha* been expressed at the report, but a feeling exists that some competent authority should report on the Commission's plan. There is every probabilty that the work will be commenced within the year.

The Temukaites, I am sorry to say, exhibit a decidedly dog-in-the-manger spirit and seem determined to do all .they canto thwart the actions of the- Harbor Board. The truth is, that they fondly imagined that when the railway was opened through, that their town would materially increase in prosperity, being the centre of a large agricultural district. The reverse has been the case.- Farmers from that district, and as far even as the Rangitata come into Timaru with their dairy produce, and take away supplies of stores with them, finding that they can both sell and buy better here. This, then, is where the grievance lies. Timaru is draining Temuka, and the Temukaites don't relish the operation. .Harvesting operations are in full, swing. The weather is not the most favorable, the sky being overcast, and the air damp. The reapers and binders are very favorably spoken of by those who have tried them. There are now nearly a score at work in the district.

Some people are never satisfied. John Brown went to England, and left an agent to collect the rent of three cottages for him. He was away for five or six years. He had good tenants all the time. During the last two years of his stay in England he received no remittances, so he thought he would come out and see about it. When he arrived and went to his agents to draw some money, he found he washeavily in debt. He has another agent now—the avaricious man.

A farmer in Temuka has a good idea of a kindly Providence. He sold his grain to a merchant here and took out the sacks for it. A rise in the market occurred, that farmer made his appearace in the merchants office and coolly asked whether, since a good providence had sent up the price of grain twopenae per bushel he was expected to take the lower rate. He was informed that he was expected so to do, for although no sale note had been, drawn out the purchaser trusted to his honor. That buyer doesn't trust to farmers' honors any more on a rising market.