THE GLOBE. MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1648, 2 June 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. MONDAY, JUNE 2, 1879.

The Globe is this evening presented to its readers in an enlarged form. Originally started exactly five years ago, namely, on the Ist of Juno, 1874, for the purpose of supplying a want that was felt to exist, the Globe has, hy the increase in its circulation, and by the appreciation in which, we may fairly say, it is held, justified the expectations of its proprietor. No greater proof can ho given of the soundness of the hopes entertained from the very commencement as to its future than the fact that, during a period of groat commercial depression such as at present obtains, the proprietor finds himself justified in enlarging his paper. That such enterprise will meet with due appreciation from the public wo cannot for an instant doubt. The public has, moreover, recognised with approval the spirit of liberality which has induced the proprietor of the Globe to enter into an arrangement with certain other papers to obtain direct from England, at a heavy cost, the latest reliable intelligence. This special feature will iontinue to characterise our pages. The increase of room in our columns for advertising purposes, and the possibility that now exists of introducing much original matter that

would otherwise bo crowded out, will much enhance the value of the journal both for advertising purposes and as a medium for diffusing useful and entertaining information. In introducing the Globe in its now form, the proprietor takes the opportunity of thanking the public for the kind manner in which they have met his efforts to render the paper a credit to New Zealand journalism.

A debate was lately held at a meeting of an Auckland Debating Society—the Pitt-street Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Association. The subject of discussion was the question, “Is the Grey Ministry worthy of support ? ” Mr. W. Mitchell, who commenced operations, spoke generally in support of the motion. Mr. William Cooper immediately joined issue, and stated his belief that—“ No Mimistry is worthy of support which does not fulfil its promises; that no Ministry is worthy of support which promises what it has no right to perform ; that no Ministry is worthy of support which does not protect and encourage the commercial interests of its people; that no Ministry is worthy of support which is divided against itself.” Moved to the heart by this vigorous onslaught, a gentleman, presumably of Maori extraction, named Mr. Sydney Taiwanga, rose and spoke in high terms of Sir George Grey, and concluded a fervid oration by stating that be was not only prepared to support Sir George to the utmost of his power, but also to die for him. Nothing more satisfactory can be imagined; although, on the whole, there was not much risk in making the assertion, Mr. Sydney Taiwanga must be aware, from the study of historical works, no doubt to be obtained in the library of the Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Association, that, even should the present Opposition como into power, there is not much danger of his being called upon to seal his faith with his blood. They manage things otherwise in Burmah, but, in English-speaking communities, it has quite gone out of fashion for a new Ministry to indiscriminately massacre the ousted party. Moreover, even if such tactics were to bo adopted, it is probable that an exception would be made in favour of the members of the Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Association, and more particularly in favour of Mr. Sydney Taiwanga. There is something so touching in the latter’s suggested sacrifice of self for a gentleman who, although declaring himself the possessor of a largo amount of floating sympathy, has a remarkably keen eye to the main chance, that wo feel confident Mr. Taiwanga’s verdant ardour would always secure him from molestation. Mr. Taiwanga should really read the Rev. J. Buffer’s new book. He would there find a charming little anecdote. Sir George Grey was pressing on a leading Native the necessity of laying up riches in another world by the process of giving largely to the poor in this. The leading Native asked Sir George if he was in the habit of acting np to his own advice, and Sir George was forced to confess that ho had not as yet been, but that he would certainly think of beginning at once. Mr. Taiwanga would hero observe that the Premier’s sympathetic humanity is not so practical as, at first blush, it appears to be, and he might modify bis views as to the desirability of dying for a gentleman who would hardly appreciate the sacrifice.

It is wonderful how the true “loafer” will scheme to obtain means of employment suitable to his peculiar propensities. A fact came out the other day at a meeting of the Hasting Agricultural Society, in Napier, which will not assist in endearing this objectionable species to the general public. The case is thus described by the Napier “ Daily Telegraph ”: —“ A systematic attempt has been made by maliciously-disposed persons to introduce the rabbit on the local sheep-stations, and their efforts have been to a certain extent successful. It is not to bo wondered at that some of the gentlemen at the mooting wore inclined to bo sceptical when this statement was made; but one after another of the speakers was able to testify to having found ‘ ear marked rabbits ’ on his property —a discovery, to say the least, somewhat puzzling in the absence of an explanation. Some of our local sheepfarmors, however, are in possession of positive information which may yet bo used somewhat to the discomfort of the miscreants who have already placed themselves under liability to the very mild and inadequate penalty of six months’ imprisonment with hard labor under the Rabbit Act of 1876 and 1877, One of the “ring” lately in a fit of drunken garrulity confided to a local sheepfarmer that he “expected to make £2OO a-year out of him soon,” and, on being asked in what manner, replied that it would be for destroying rabbits. It was replied that Hawke’s Bay was safe for some years from the rabbit invasion, when ho intimated that active measures wore already in progress to introduce the enemy; and, proud of the opportunity of imparting a little exclusive information, ho very readily disclosed the whole modus operand!. The rabbits were forwarded by an agent in the Wairarapa district to Ropua by coach, and from thence by rail to Hastings, where they wore received by tt»o parson who had charge of their distribution. This latter process had been carried out in a very judicious and impartial manner, the animals being turned loose in the spots most favourable to their natural increase. Acting upon the information received, the sheep farmer made a search, and was rewarded by the discovery of a number of oar-marked rabbits of both sexes which had already made themselves at homo by burrowing upon his property, and similar discoveries were made by other landholders in the vicinity, The uninitiated will naturally enquire why the rabbit distributors should take the trouble of oar-marking the rabbits. The reason is simple enough—the distribution is made by night, and the ear-mark affords a ready means of discriminating the sexes, and ensuring that a duo proportion of each should bo sot at liberty. The male rabbits have been found to bo marked with a hole punched in the ear, and the females with a notch.” The enterprising loafers who have been acting as described above, are apparently of a sporting turn of mind, and wish to open up a now and profitable line of employment. The article in the “Daily Telegraph” also suggests that the rabbits have boon introduced, with the view to the “ bursting up of large estates.” It is unlikely, however, that any political motives have entered into the beer-besotted brains of the rabbit introducers. They or their confreres would hardly be the men to profit by the event of laud being put into the market. It is only a fresh instance of the pains and risks many men will take to avoid being driven into working honestly by the sweat of their brow.