Maorilanders.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 298, 24 December 1901, Page 4

Maorilanders.

“ Znmiel ” writes There is always a ceitam fascination in any article on “ our noble selves,” and I read with considerable interest the latest contribution of “ as others see us ” literature appearing in a Sydney paper. The writer, who signs himself Robert Brothers, gives what is usually termed a wealth of information about ourselves which one had never noticed. 1 am glad to know, for example, that the male population of Maoriland’s “a brainy, energetic fellow, who is a ■strange combination of shrewdness and simplicity.” It is also well to he aware, on the other hand, that in the eyes of strangers ” there is a big lot of patriotic swell-headedness ” among us, and that “we opine Maorilaml leads the universe.” Again, Maorilaid it famous, so says our scribe, for politeness. But, he adds,—and the but is a big one—” he is not good-manner-ed ” ; merely, his 11 conversation is bristling with polite mannerisms. If you want to gel past him or her, they will nevei shift ; or if you get in a partly-filled railway compartment, they won’t make room unasked ; and yet if you got saved from death by any of them they would thank you for the chance yot gave them of saving you.” It is interesting to learn also that we on this side are to have a national dress. Living in a place, 1 suppose one does not see the progress of such things. Certainly, 1 had not noticed it; b ,l it is coming, according to our critic. I-Ie observes: “The Maorilatider is even going to be national in his dress. He favors knickerbockers ; and the time is probably not far distant when almost everyone in this country will be dressed in pants fastened at the knee, and will wear knitted stockings."

Naturally, our women folk come in for critical attention. Our girls are “ brown-faced, rosy-cheeked, browneyed creatures, with a great deal more freedom of her actions than you will ever find in Australia,” and to show how one may miss a national characteristic, have you ever noticed that our Maorilaml girl is 11 everlastingly (Hitting back a stray lock of hair behind her car.” It. had escaped me. He also finds that “ woman is too much boss in Maorilaml," an opinion in which this scribe shares, or would share, if ho dared No doubt the fascinating stranger lias a pull over ns poor devils who are mere natives, hut on your railway journeys have you ever noticed that “ when you sit beside her, travelling, she (i.e., our Maorilaml girl) is just as likely to speak to you first, and she is bold and intellectual in conversation.” All that Zamiel can remark is “ these good things never come his way somehow.” But speaking of good things never coming one’s way, it is in my own particular business of journalism that Brother Roberts, I mean Robert Brothers, lias made his most noteworthy discoveries. He remarks : “ But the one ,rr eat and significant feature which must’ strike the travelling Australian is the power and übiquity of the coulter v press. A paper issued from a small village on the New Plymouth lint ifrentjy sold for £7OOO, and the purchaser told me he would have gone higher. It is issued three times a day six days a week. The same man leases another paper (.0 miles away foi £lO a week to his late fore-nan. Merciful heavens can such things he ’ Here we are it, Auckland with daily papers widen only publish once "or twice a day a I the most, and yet, m Taranaki, a papei three times a t'.ay Why was nor, one’s journalistic lot cast in tire Garden of New Zealant.

Quartermaster-Sergeant Vivian II Potter, of the Seventh New Zealand Contingent, writing to his brother. Mr Ralph Potter, of Auckland, under dale of October 10, says he was then in camp in Vryheid, near Newcastle, " up in the ranges as high as heaven.” He says : —“ Africa is a strange place, fu'i of excitement and wonders, but not half so line as New Zealand.’' He states that the force lie is with liars a convoy of mule waggons extending for si.v miles. ‘‘ We are after Botha, and I may say it looks as i' wr will iia"e to stay after him, Localise we can never catcli up to him. Wr are still under Colonels Ciarreti, White, an,l Potter. Our column, as well as Camphell’s, is with Lord Kitchener’s brothel. and all are under him. Kitchener will not allmv our officers or even Colonels Porter or White, to have tents or carry anything or the waggons Thank heaven he will nc-t :e vi'li us always, for that reason, as Co'oiiel Porter is a line clb man for ins men, and it seems awful haul for him at least. I am promoted to he Quartermaster-Sergeant at 8s a day, so I’m doing all right ’ Th.e Continental papers are finding it hard work to digest all the rubbish served up to Iheni from The Hague and the Paris Nouvellcs Agency. Tims, the Viennese Information savs :