AN UNPLEASANT REFLECTION.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIII, Issue 541, 9 January 1868, Page 3

AN UNPLEASANT REFLECTION.

(Melbourne Argus, Dec. 5.) Now that our Royal visitor has left us for a time, aud the loyal excitement evoked by his presence has partially subsided, the public may not be indisposed to give heed to certain words of caution which a correspondent addressed to us some days since, but which we held over until a change of circumstances gave him a chance to be heard patiently. There is, no doubt, much

truth in what he says, however exaggerated may be his fears, and crabbed ins r-.fyle Our correspondent observes: —“I think. Sir, you are incurring no slight responsibility in encouraging as you do the wild extravagance of the present time. Instead of giving publicity to every act of folly, and so encouraging others to follow the bad example, you would do better by the public if you either passed over in silence the new extravagances that each new day brings to light, or sharply censured the authors for their imprudence and wastefulness. It is a crying shame that, at a time when the colony lias need of all the capital it can command, countless thousands should be expended in mere idle display and empty gaiety; but how settling day is to be faced is more than I can guess. Perhaps arrangements might be made at once for the erection of a new and more capacious Insolvent court, for undoubtedly there will be a stampede in the direction of that institution when the drapery bills being incurred fall due. Would there be any impropriety in naming the new building the ‘Alfred Hall,’ and procuring the assistance of his Royal Highness in laying the foundation stone ? No one is more pleased than I am at seeing the Duke of Edinburgh amongst us, and no one can have greater respect than myself for his Royal mother, or more sincere attachment to British governing institutions. But it does not follow that therefore I should launch out into expenditure which my means do not warrant. Many others unfortunately for themselves, have not been restrained by such considerations. Endless tales are afloat, which if only half of them are true, show that during the past week or two the reins have been thrown upon the neck of Folly, and Extravagance has pursued her mad career without guidance and without check. Hundreds of families have involved themselves to such an exteut that they will never be able to extricate themselves without the aid of Mr Commissioner Noel—for whom, by-the-bye, the future presents but a dreary prospect, Others have quite exhausted their borrowing powers, the various ‘credit’ establishments of the city having had sharp run to sustain. One lady, who appeared at the Governor’s ball resplendent in silk and lace, was understood to have her piano on her back; and another had her drawingroom furniture in the shape of a string of pearls, twisted into her hair. I do not know whether it is strictly true, but I Lave been informed that the publishers of a certain periodical iu which the particulars of all registered bills of sale are set forth, will give a double supplement with their next issue. Knowing by unpleasant ex« perience how difficult it is to get in money in ordinary times, I look forward to the next few months with the greatest anxiety, fearing that payment of professional services will be impossible to obtain. Greatly given to wastefulness and indulgence at the best of times, the Melbourne people have of late greatly exceeded their usual extravagance, and I fear they will break out as bad as ever when the Duke comes back. Cannot ' you, Sir, do something to stem the , torrent of vain display and prodigality? ' [f the good Prince only knew what an , embarrassing to-morrow he is preparing for Victorian heads of families be would do nothing that he can help to encourage the prevailing folly.”