A FEW THOUGHTS ON OUR RENT TOPICS.

Evening Star, Issue 3798, 27 April 1875, Page 3

A FEW THOUGHTS ON OUR RENT TOPICS.

The genius of capitalists, it appears, has not Irealised all the benefits to be derived from loint stock companies in mining ventures. Jnder the old system they were completely skinned, but by a proposal issuing from a gentleman perfectly acquainted with things, everybody could be made happy by workin" shareholders beiug paid half in cash and half in scrip until gold was struck—a very good arrangement; but I would suggest another clause, not transferable, otherwise, will the gentleman pardon me for saying that, with all the confidence miners usually have in a mine, they might, you know, be tempted to get rid of their sharei? And, although such a proceeding would be very improper, and a deception on the well-meaning and confiding people who support the enterprise, still, will you believe me, air, 1 think such things might happen ? As in war and love, all dodges, it si ems to be speed, are fair in gold-mining ; and those who play at mining must mind their tmraps. “He is being tried for stealing paper from the Government'—the paper on which his memolanda were made.” Ah ! begin that and I fancy magistrates will find employment. When officials use official pens, ink, and paper for private purposes they would be horrified to bear it called thieving j but it looks to’me very much like the same thing as the above. But don’t call it stealing. It’s a way we’ve got in Che army, and the public is—nobody. Dame Partington might mop the Atlantic back from her door, and Dr Mary Walker weld broken legs, but neither had the daring to talk as if capable of managing a railway. That was raseived for New Zealand. They seem to be in ft fix just now in Wellington for the want of proper management on their line. Here’s an opportunity for the lady. While settling about trains, fitting and stickirg notice boards up, things might be so arranged that stoppages weald come m bandy for a gossip, and just in the nick of time for a cup of tea. Shunts and sidings, trucks and breaks would lisp out nicely from pretty lips, and —shall I say it ?—perhaps be an improvement on the usual tea-table talk. Your correspondent is a daring man. He evidently believes that calling a spade a spade has for some time been out of fashion. Reading all the eulogies of the Press on the Bench and of tho Har and Rench on each other and on themselves, I concluded that entire satisfac tion was the verdict, and that the public said ditto. But it appears some things are to be read by Rory O’More’s rule of contraries. The more eulogy the less it is deserved. But may I remind your correspondent who wants things done quirk, that delay to some people is ft very accommodating article —and that were ! on the books my idol would be the Judge who would not be hurried ? X say that it is cruel when a man who owes money has so timed his little arrangements that he knows to a tick the months or years that his annoying suitor may be kept at bay, to find that his well-studied plans may by a Judge who will hurry on, be knocked into a cocked hat. I think that savors of cruelty. Look at the man’s feelings, and feelings should not be outraged, particularly in this refined age. Your correspondent seems not to be troubled with such scruples. He prefers truth and plain speaking. Irishmen enjoy the distinguished n putation of being without rivals at a blunder. But time every now _ and then proves tbat the rule has many brilliant exceptions, and that when prudent Scotchmen indulge Irishmen need look to to their laurels. That slight misinterpretation of the Lord Mayor’s speech by Mr Adam is a splendid sample. One would have to overhaul ft volume or two before finding amongst official documents so exact a specimen of what a man did not say. Councillor Dodson would rather be bung up than apologise. There is the stuff martyrs are made of. In olden times with what a stride he Would have walked to the block or mounted the burning pile. It is true we don’t read of many of thein preferring hanging for choice. But tastes differ, and the subject is delicate. Judges and Magistrates are being treated with scant courtesy of late. His Honor’s proceedings have had to run the gauntlet, and their Worships are politely told that a sly grog-seller may as well plead guilty when before them. The Bench will soon bo a common target. Is the capacity r{ its occupants lowering, or are people getting too intimately acquainted ? Familiarity breeds contempt, the schoolmastersim 6ress on the minds of youth. It would seem as some had not forgotten the lesson. Were you aware, sir, that it was supposed that there existed in our midst scandal-mongers enough to fill a theatre? I had not an idea that such a state of thinks existed. The invitation must have been intended for another part of the world. Scandal in Dunedin ! I call that a libel. In other places the tea table flourishes and tittle-tattle is vigorous, and the Club is an Institution with its delicate attentions to the affairs of others, but Dunedin—Dunedin so engrossed with mercenary business and flourishing enterprise, it must surely be a mistake to imagine that Dunedin could furnish an audience of scandal-mongers. No, my dear sir, the people here have no time for such absurdities. Practice hard life is the question of the day. Scandal they delegate to others. Were there such an officer as a scandal inspector he would unhesitatingly certify that our city does not want dipping. , The proprietor of the ‘ Maryborough Advertiser shouldbe much obliged to the gentleman who so persistently advertises his paper. It must be a journal of great importance that people will wrangle over its admission to a read-ing-room. The editor will begin to imagine he is somebody, and that bis notions are regarded in New Zealand as if they were worth listening to. There are others who suffer from the same delusions. Homilitt.