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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 5, Issue 274, 5 June 1865, Page 4

_I*EW Zealand. —The relaxation which takes E" ice in the moral principles of the House of mmons when it is uot asked for money to carry its present principles into effect is quite refreshing to behold. Last season, when we were asked to pay for ten regiments in New Zealand, all the settlers were spoken of as lawless men, who needed bridling and curbing by the Colonial Secretary. Now that Mr'Weld asks for a withdrawal of the English troops, and a complete command over native policy-—now that the burden of expense is removed a great change has come over the House of Commons. In the debate of yesterday week, ' on Mr A. Mills’s motion, Mr Buxton actually vindicated the humanity of the settlers, though he reiterated his untenable charge that they had passed a law intending to confiscate the land in loyal and disloyal districts alike, and even Lord No bert Cecil only hinted that English settlers were not to be trusted like other Englishmen Tim solution of the money question smooths the way to a lenient view of our fellow-countrymen. Mr W. E. Forster (who can scarcely have read the New Zealand despatches) thanked Mr Cardwell for sustaining the authority of Sir George Grey, whose ludicrous and discreditable tergiversations in policy have done more than anything else to prolong the war. On Thursday came the news that he had turned back again, and accepted the confiscation policy of the new Minister, Mr Weld, which does not differ in any material respect from the confiscation policy of Mr Whitaker But the natives had not been converted by his amiable vacillation of purpose, and were threatening war on al] sides.— Spectator, Tnh Law of Libel. —We are glad to find that a Bill has been introduced into the Common’s House of Parliament, to amend the law of libel and more effectually secure the liberty of the Press, The provisions of the bill are; —l. That criminal proceedings shall not be taken against a Newspaper for an ordinary libel, except with the sanation of the Attorney-General. 2. it shall be competent for newspaper proprietors to plead as a defence to a civil action the lona fide of any report which may contain libellous matter. At present a newspaper reporting a libelious speech js liable to an action, although the speaker may escape, at the option of the person bringing the action. The defence that the report is lona fide will ■ not, however, avail if the defendant shall have refused to publish a contradiction of the libellous statement, and in as conspicuous a manner as the orignal libel. 3. In cases of libel when the jury give damages amounting to 20s the defendant is to get his costs ; and to carry costs for the plaintiff the damage must exceed 40s. Highland Humour. —“The Highlander never Understands wit or humour; Paddy, despite all his misery and privatiions, overflows with both.” The Highlander’s indolence and aversion to labor —in plain English, his lazy habits—are well known to the Southrons, and are sometimes explained as the result of his ludicrous dignity and Self-importance-—features which present themselves in all grades of the Gaelic population. ‘The Stately step of a piper ,’ is a proverb in Scotland, which reminds mo of an anecdote of a certain pohle Lord when in attendance upon the Queen at Balmoral, a few years ago. Having been commissioned by a friend to procure a performer on the melodious pipes, he applied to her Majesty’s piper—a fine stalwart Highlander—and on being asked what kind of article was required, his Lordship said iii reply/ Just such another as yourself. The consequential Celt readily exclaimed, with more than the wonted humour, ‘There are plenty o’ lords like yoursel’, but very few sic pipers as me 1 ” IjfisH Computation. —A jolly set of Irishmen, boon companions and sworn brothers, had made up their minds to leave the “ old sod” and wend their way to “ Ameriky.” They were five in numi her—-two Paddies, one Murphy, one Dennis, and one Teague. It so happened that the vessel they were to go in could only take four of them. At length honest Teague exclaimed, “ Arrah? I have jt. We’ll cast Jots to see who shall remain.” But one of the Paddies objected, saying it was not “ jouteol” to do that sort of thing. “You know, Teague,” said he, “ that I am an arathmatician, gnd I can work it out by the rule of substruction, which is a great deal better. But you must all agree to ’bide by the figures.” All having pledged themselves to do so Pat proceeded —“ Well, then take Paddy from Paddy you can’t, but take Dennis from Murphy and Teague remains. By my troth', Teague, my jewel, and it’s you that can’t go, do ye mind mo now.” How They Work in Thessaly. —A correspondent of the Chrislain ifirror describes some of the incidents of a tom'recently made in Southwestern Turkey, for the purpose of promoting the circulation of the Scriptures. In Thessaly, he found the most intense laziness ever imagined. Among other instances, he saw a man riding on a donkey while he guided a plough by means of two strings tied to the handles. Caution to Delicate Persons. —Avoid getting the feet damp. When leaving a warm room and going into the cold air keep the mouth shut an breathe through the nostrils, walking briskly for a few minutes. Wear new flannel next the'skin, arid if that is found insufficient to protect the lungs, procure two hare skins. Have them dressed with the fu? on them, and wear one on the chest and the other between tiie shoulders. IS ever Inhale cold air except through the nostrils, and vou will beat the doctor. —[Mem. tried. — Ed. H.B.TJ. A young lady from the country being invited to a party, wg,s told by her cousin to dress up and put hep best foot foremost, in order to catch a beau, as “ she looked so green in her country attire.’ 1 The country lass looked comically into the face of her rather faded relative, and replied, i‘ Belter green than withered.” .There was much sound palpable argument in the speech of a country lad to an idler, who boosted his ancient family, tf So much the worse for you,” said the peasant; “as we ploughmen lav, the older the seed the worse the crop,” Boswell dining one day with Dr. Johnson, asked .bim if be did uot think that a good cook more essential to the cenmunity than a good poet. ** I don’t suppose,” said the doctor, “thftt Uiere’s ft dog in the town but what thinks so.”