"TRIVIA."

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 142, 30 July 1872, Page 5

"TRIVIA."

I wonder if Mr Ju'ius Vogel and his “ tail" intend tins session to enlighten the country as to what employment is to be found lor the additional population ah mt to be pomed on to our shores I As Messrs Hrogdeu are importing their own labour, evidently they do not intend to avail themselves of the services of Dr Feathers tone’s “ suitable selections.” It is to bo hoped that the Opposition, if such exists, will evoke satisfactory and conclusive evidence that the “new chums” are not to bo ruthlessly turned adrift to swell the ranks of the “whaling” frater-nity,—-the season for whose peregrinations appears to have commence I. I had a conversation with one of its members, a new arrival, the other day ; and he told me tint after six weeks’ perambulation, with Ids personal estate on his b tek, and ilnding no work, he returned to the depot, wuen lie was coolly informed it would be necessary to continue his travels, as many men carried their swags much long-r in tin's country before getting settled down. Well, if this is a sample of what immigrants may expect, Julius Vogel's pol'cy may be likened to that of the Yankee “Jehu,” who crowds his vehicle to suabeation, shuts the door, and, with a “ git-up,” starts on his journey, philosophically arguing that his passengers will shake down somehow. Such a proceeding mav be profitable t< • the proprietors, but is, I should say, deuced uncomfortable for the fares. I fancy 1 am echoing the general wish of the community when I express a hope that some of the abler politicians of the House may bring Julius to book over this matter, and several others not necessary now to mention, so as to alter the growing belief that, like Crabbo’s perpetual Chairman, lu private business bis commands prevail; On p ibhc themes his reas in mg turn ; the sca’e: Assenting silence soothes his happy ear, Ami, in or out. his party triumph here, i It is rpiite possible that the -Northern Terri-

j tory of Australia will shortly present great } attractions to intending colonists. Should I a rush set in, wliat is more probable than that the newly-imported bone and sinew will i wing its flight to Port D irwin, or the Roper, —unless better inducements are held out in Now Zealand, not only to the new arrivals, but to those already in the county . I fancy things would not look very cheer.ul if an exodus of two-thirds of the mining population took place to the New Eldorado. Then Jet our legislators try to lighten their burthens ; and, should the stampede prove ineviItable, they will have the satisfaction of knowing that it could not be helped. Let them commence by cutting down the miners’ right, the gold duty, and the dog tax. Victoria has found it politic and beneficial to reduce direct taxation on the mining industry ; and New Zealand, although our statesmen seem to be unaware of the fact, lias arrived at that pitch at which it is necessary to follow the j example of her more powerful nei hbour. Miners, now-a-'days, cannot afford, in addition to all other taxes, to pay twenty shi'lings for a miner’s right; and if it we-e reduced to ! ten shillings, it would, I believe, yield equal revenue ; as there would be then no excuse for evasion, which certainly exists to a considerable extent throughout the gold-fields. Tne gold duty is a direct tax up m labour, a ul foe this reason alone, ought tob ? gradually | diminished or abolished. The subject having been recently before the pnbPc, it will ; be unnecessary for me to re-open tiie grievance ; but I hope our representatives will not lose sight of it. Tne dog tax is of course j m >re general in its oj era ami ; but 1 am i bound to say that if comparative returns of j revenue from this source ware available, the j gold-fields would be found to contribute at I least four-fifths of the amount. The dog is j the companion of the digger, who in this rc- } spect remnjds me of the American Indian, ) who believes that lbs dog will accompany him to the happy hunting-ground of a future 1 world ; j And thinks, admitted to that equal sky, I His faithful dog shall hear him company. But lam drifting into natural history. Let me conclude this paragraph by entering my protest against the outrageous charge of ten I shillings per annum, and assuring the Governi incut Unit, as iu the case of the miner’s right, I as large ora larger reremie would accrue from ja reduction; more dugs would be owned, j and there would be less evasion of the law. All collectors arc not so indefatigible as Mr ; Casscks : when he appears, it is awe cAnem. 1 see that some of our receivers of revenue have become candidates for office under i Government without jay. One has been duly elected to serve two years,—Air Ingpen | of luvercaigill,—who, although ho’ding an I ofiice where some slight acquaintance with I book-keeping nv'ght be considered necessary, {appears to have been unable to keep a Dr. I and Cr. account, —or at least to enter cash {received ; and this ignore ice was pleaded by {counsel in extenuation of his peculation. I Memo, for Mr Shepherd : how came this leaver accountant to be appointed? I’he {other, Mr Harbor of Hokitika, met the case { boldly : “he was hard up, and made use of j the money to pay his debts.” His candour ought to tell in his favour; but, convicted ; or not convicted, it will be a “close shave” lin either case for Harbor. I wonder if New I Zealand officialdom holds many such: for {the price wo pay, we ought to expect better { materials. Moral for kleptomaniacs in gene- | ml : Mr P. Larceny soliloquising ; Vtn a cove prigs vot is'nt his’u. You he's notched he goes to pris’n : An ven 1 thinks of vot I is and vot I used to vos, II think I’ve thrown myself away without sutfi- ! went cos. So your irrepressible ex-Mayor has again I turned right side up, apparently iu good case, i ;s it p.issuile, after all bis short cuts and i ibulges, he has really at length arrived at the ! s'i mm mi km>iin of human happiness,—a i competence ? From his well-known chara. - ; t crist : cs, which arc eminently those of the 'chisiof people known as “ slippery,” I am jinchiied to doubt the fact. Laying aside ! s rich moral’tv, wo can afford to be amused | with the vagaries of such as earamouch ; but ; when thrown into the company of any of tiie i snccies, we should foiiowtlie advice of honest i Dogberry,—“take no note of him, but let l him go, and presently call the watch together and thank God you arc rid of a” well, | vortr readers may know tiie piece, and will remember the rest. I Ikul'go, .July 2d. VIATOR.