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Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 286, 14 August 1886, Page 4

tastes wbat sort of an animal lie likes to keep. Butchfis and drovers usually have horde of mongrels at tlioir heels, varying in breed, according to cross from a kitchen in op to a quaff/, crushing hattery; mil they claim that a; the e dogs are indispeiusible to them, to enable them to carry on their trade, that they should he free. I'crimps they are right to a certain extent. Other-;, who delight in deer stalking, rit citc'iing and such like manly diversions, claim that all .sporting dogs should bo free. That sentiment I don't chime in with. Since if a swell can afford the time and expense of a day's' shooting he ought to be able to pay the registration fee on the necessary bull pup. But Mr O'Conor soars above all these distinctions. From the persistent style in which he urged his opinions, and the determined maimer in which he divided the House, I have come to the conclusion that he is the happy possessor of two dogs : one a mastiff, and the other a Prince Charles' spaniel. During the debate he proposed an amendment that " house dogs " should be exempt. The amendment was lost. If he had proposed they be destroyed he would have had my sympathy. I interviewed a *'house dog" one night (by accident) and left the foundation of one of my garments in his possession. However, Mr O'Conor next divided the House on the exemption of " ladies' pet dogs," but the i erious falling off in the revenue would not allow the members to forego even that small concession to him and the ladies, and he indignantly informed the House that he fully expected they would inflict a tax on cats next, and thus ingloriously liad to give in. And they call this Legislation. Bah! Financial prospects. Parliamentary labours have come to a close, and the session has had no remarkable features about it, beyond utter dreariness. The latest revenue returns are just published, and disclose a woeful tale. In the two main items of revenue, Railways and Customs, there is a deficit at the rate of about .£IBO,OOO per annum : anything but a cheerful outlook for any Treasurer but Sir Julias. He ot course is not likely to be downhearted at such a trifle, whilst he has carried his Loan Bill for a million and a half through the House. I think our borrowing days are drawing to a close. Although Fronde the historian has had piles of abuse heaped upon him by the Colonial press for his opinions on New Zealand Finance, and although he saw things here, tinged a good deal with the opinons of Sir George Grey, yet one cannot help acknowledging that there was a good deal ot truth in his remarkg. Undoubtedly our burdens are heavier than we can bear, except by the expedient of paying interest out of loan. And the agony is likely to be piled on more and recent speculations in District Railways, which will not pay running expenses in those parts of the Colony where the rabbits have assumed possession. Making due allowances for depression prevailing all over the world, I think we can pride ourselves on being in about the worst fix of any country. The "leaps and bounds" which Sir Julius prophesied three years ago to an appreciative audience at Ashburton, have <jome off, but they have been a sort of J back summer-saults. One does not like to pose as a Jemmy Dismal, but uuless an extensive new gold field breaks out, or wool trebles in price, or the Midland Railway proves abetter thing than it looks just now, there will be a very ugly word enter into Parliamentary debates before long—Repudiation, either that or what would be better, the foreclosure of all mortgages, public and private in the Colony, and the advent of the British bondholders to reside on their Colonial estates, and ride in their bones-haking railways, and the privilege of paying their property tax assessment to themselves. New Zealand would then get a fair start in the race of nations. To the public. A great proportion of my correspondence is in the following style : " Coalopolis, July 15th, 1886. " Dear Koeari—Hearing that you are a correspondent of the Lyell Times, I -would feel obliged if you would request the proprietor to put our local Scientific and Literary Institution on the free list, as there are a great number of subscribers who appreciate the paper, "lam, Sir, '" Yours respectfully, " Thomas Gubbins, "Hon. Sec. C.S. and L.1." Just so 1 Now, with a humane wish to save other Gubbinses from wasting their time, stationery, and stamps in appeals of this sort, I wish to state that the proprietor of this journal runs it for a purpose, and that purpose may appear to scientific and literary institutions to be a narrow minded and solitary idea the man has. It is to make a living for himself, and as much more as he can. I have no doubt in my mind lut that we could extend our circulation indefinitely by continual additions to the tree list. But it would be as well for those parties who are thirsting for free literature to consider the fact that paper, ink, and type cost money; that wages have to be paid, and that the proprietor, at no distant date, contemplates' taking a trip throughout the district with a view of collecting accounts, and that Newman's coaches do not place even newspaper proprietors on their free list. At all times we are willing to oblige the public (in a business "way) and to succour the needy, (also with an eye to business) but to those who long for the wit and wisdom of the . Lyell Times, our terms are £1 6s!'per annum paid invariably in advance and no discount. Post Office orders taken as cash, and B. N. Z. notes not refused. Verb. Sap. Koeari.