AN EYE FOR EVERYTHING

Mataura Ensign, Volume 7, Issue 412, 25 November 1884, Page 2

AN EYE FOR EVERYTHING

By Cyclop. The annexation of .New Guinea, or, as it is euphemistically called, tlio " establishment of a protectorate " is at length an accomplished tact. I quote fully tho uar* rative of tiiQ proqwclmga nuvl iho

mation in order to show their Exeter Hall tendency. "Tlio Queen has established a protectorate; ovc-r the southern shore of New Guinea, and in token of that event I hoist the British flag at Port Moresby. From this time forth you are placed under the protection of Her Majesty, and evil-disposed men will be unable to alienate your lands and posessions. If any wrong is done to you you j must complain to Her Majesty's representatives, jwho will give you redress," Mr Lawes, missionary, read a translation of the Commodore's address, and Bocvagi was presented with a wand of office bearing the insignia of royalty. Salutes [ from the warships concluded the proceedings. The natives were greatly astonished by the firing of the ships' guns 4 at long ranges." ] The New Guineans are being treated to the same mixture as all the other savage races with whom civilization comes in contact. They arc to be " protected " — that is, against spoliation, by every one elso but their protectors. The march of the Caucasian is'steadily proceeding. Thehe are numerous prophets who foretell that a conflict of race is impending between the Caucasian and the Tartar races on the old. Dattle iields of Asia. The [Russians are steadily encroaching eastward and their interests, it is said, will soon clash with those of the European nations already settled there. Histoiy repeats itself, and it would be startling confirmation of the saying if swords should again be measured on the scenes of Alexander's victories. But the battles of the future will not be fought between heavily' armoured knights. No longer will the contest be one !of main strength. Before long, and just before the final extinction of war, battles will be fought by a few spectacled gtnj tlemen in their shirt-sleeves and armed only with a few glass phials. Mr Wi Pjske, M.H.R., has, I quote a northern paper, struck a patch. Speaking in the House the other night, on some amendments (moved in relation to the Native Lands AlienationUestrictions Bill, thedusky philosopher threatenedto occupy the floor all night unless the amendments were agreed to. The Premier offering no response to this threat, Wi Perc put on an appealing tone, and asked Sir Julius Yogel to throw his weight on the side of the amendments, because he (Wi Pere) was " distantly related to Sir Julius." Tins wonderful statement was probably the result of Wi Pere having become a believer in Mr Bees' theory that the Maories are descended from jthe lost ten tribes of Israel. There is a suggestivencss about this gentleman's name which gives a hint as to tho origin of ;the speculation, Can it be that it emanated from tha fortified lemonade which evil-minded persons say is made specially for the followers of the sons of liechab. Ouit much, 'respected .Mr Hobbs has drawn down on himself the ire of an anonymous writer in an Invorcargill paper for countenancing a Christy Minstrel entertainment at Lumsden, and, later on, anj editorial diatribe in the same journal. It jhasbeen urged by advocates., of Church music that the Devil should not have a monopoly of all the good music. Leaving out of sight for q moment the abstract question, I would ask if any church is is without sin (if sin it be) in this matter. Funds must be raised for the work somehow and whether they are raised by a rafEle or an art union, or a gift auction, ora clog dance makes very little difference. Intrinsically there is no more immorality or bad taste in a display of agility is shoes two-feet-six long and with as' much heel projecting as toe, than in a bevy of young ladies disporting themselves in the propagation of a raffle. The fact is there is a general complaint that Church people do' rely on outside support more than upon their own efforts. The nationalities of the advertised patrons of the forthcoming Gaelic Ball in Invercargill has afforded another amusing illustration of the variety with which they have been chosen. One of the gentlemen indicated when he saw his name in connection with the imminent half-guinea said, " 'A arf guinea for a bloomin' 'op." It is not stated from what portion of Sutherlandshire he came. , Theee has been quite a flutter among the dovecots of Corioli because, (at least a Gore correspondent informs me) the youth cannot any longer disport themselves in the limpid waters of the Waikaka. There is a lady on its banks who objects to the apparition of the human form divine in its- native loveli- ! ness. But lam told that it requires an effort to gain that viow, so I think on reflection that the remedy lie& in the objectors own hands or rather eyes. The little boys indulge in swims, Likewise in little larks ; Why don't those cheeky little hims liotstin their little sarks 1