The Traveller.

Dunstan Times, Issue 993, 29 April 1881, Page 3

The Traveller.

FROM WELLINGTON TO CLYDE.

In my Inst effusion, I principally alluded to the unemployed movement. Before finishing on this subject, T will quote another instance which will go to prove that the majority in tho ranks are impostors A dozen men were asked to go to Geraldinoas harvesters, tho wages to bo 9s a-day and found. The offer was refused, on the ground that tho pay was insufficient, and the place too far from town. Tho unemployed movement is kept alive for political purposes, and the main part of the agitators are frauds and loafers.

The English Cathedral is rapidly approaching completion, and will he ready for holding services in in the month of August. Opposite the cathedral are the Post and Telegraph Offices, also splendid specimens i f architecture The work of the Government Insurance Department is also carried on in this building. Christchurch is the happy possessor of two dai'y papers, three evenings, three or four weeklies, and a weekly “society journal” (save the mark!). The “ Liberty ” was started with an object very common now-a-days. The object of the promoter—Mr Joe Ivess, who is ve-ry well known in tho Dunstan district—was filthy lucre The “ Liberty ” is the only paper of its sort in the colony, and God forbid that another like it should be established. The reading mat ter is mutely composed of indecent, scurrilous skits and disgn.stiiiy, immoral allusions to persons of Loth sexes If the editor— he must be as devoid of common decency and se-ise as a cat is of grammar—had always kept in view the objects for which the paper was started, nothing detrimental to its interest's could be •might forward ; but as it is made the medium of attacking, in a filthy manner, private individuals, and of exposing matters which are sacred to every virtuous woman,! maintain that such a fcurrilous publication should be summarily suppressed by the police. It is worth one’s while to take a trip, by train, to Papanui. The sightseeker is well repaid for his trouble by the scenes and pleasant views he passes.

Christchurch is the home of drapers and jewellers. Their shops are to be seen in every direction—in every hole and corner. The notorious Wicked Marks reigns supreme iu High street, and he has always a splendid slock ot the latest fruits on hand Wicked—he trot this name for selling his goods on Sunday—is an epicure, or a gormouiid. 1 should say the latter, but he professes to be the former I was once staying at a hotel at which MiMarks was staying While there, he made a bet that he would demolish,in fiften minutes, the following articles of food : —4l*-s steak, Idoz boiled eggs, and Gibs chops, besides coffee, bread, etc. Wicked won the bet with hands down.

The principal resort of ihepcop’eon Saturday night is Paddy’s Market. Food can be had for next to nothin? at this place. The goods a ,- e pushed upon you, and yon either have to take them or have your black sw.dlow tail greased by the butcher accidentally (1) knocking up against you with a piece of meat. Opposite the market is the Old Post Office Coffee Palace, where breakfasts, dinners, teas, and suppers can be had individually foi the very modest sum of Gd. A short time aco, Cr Lambert, of the City Council, inf reduced a motion which had for its object the closing of the Coffee Palace on Sundays, because (the mover urged) it was hardly right that the owner shoud be allowed “to cook and sell meals to his customers on Sundays.” A hotel-keeper was not allowed to sell his goods on Sun day, and why should a “hash ” man 1 e allowed to sell his “ squashes, mysteries, and dish-water soups ” on the Lords Day 1 Such was the stupid reasoning brought forward by Cr Lambert against the keeping-open of this place on Sunday. The matter dropped very suddenly, and it was supposed that the Coffee Palace proprietor had given Cr Lambert a ticket (entitling the bolder to a free dinner for six months) to let the matter drop I know the agitation was the means of bringing the palace into prominent notice, and was a good adveitisement for it. Speaking of advertising, reminds ran that the palace-man goes in largely for this commodity. I would take the occasion to remark (hat he is bound to prosper, and he is deserving of success in this life.