THE WEEK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 291, 8 December 1877, Page 2

THE WEEK.

To ray mind there is something peculiarly gratifying in the consciousness that I form a fractional part of a community so wealthy as is that of New Zealand. Every now and then we have set before us heavy volumes of statistics bristling with columns of figures, the tendency of which, upon close examination of them, is to show that we are rather progressing in the direction of a financial " bust up," as a Yankee would say, but the fallacy of such a supposition is clearly proved by the light and airy mauner in which our legislators talk of and deal with millions of mouey. A few days ago, for instance, our venerable Premier came down to the House and stated that he should like to have the power given to him to raise a four million loan. He wasn't quite sure that he should require it all, but it was possible he might do so, aud the fact of the Government having so large a sum at their command would place tnem in a comfortable and advantageous position. Then there arose another member of the House, and spoke in words to this effect:— "Look here old man, don'tjyou think that's rather a, bi-j thing you are going in fov. What do you aay if we Knock off a million and make it three instead of four." Thereupon the veteran replied in all humility — " Well, gentlemen, it rests entirely with yourselves. If you don't like to give me the handling of four millious, I suppose I must bt. content with three, though it does seem rather hard lines to be limited to so paltry a sum." Then another member, taking courage from the success that had attended the remonstrance of him who had preceded him ventured to suggest that perhaps two aud a half millions might be sufficient, and the House followed suit and fixed the amount to be borrowed at the last named sum. Again, there is a trifle of £300,000 that oue member says can be met out of one particular fund, and another member says cannot be. And nobody seems to know who is right and who is wrong. I say that when we can speak of hundreds of thousands and millions of ponnds with this easy familiarity it affords proof positive that we must be rolling in riches. The only fear I have in the matter is lest this growing familiarity shoald breed contempt, coutempt carelessness, and carelessuess ruin. But in ihe true spirit of the New Zealander of the present day I say, Don't let us bother our heads about ruin or disaster until they come. It will be time enough to think about them when they are upon us. In the meantime what's the use of making a fuss over the difference between two and a half and four millions. I have serious thoughts of endeavoring to secure a seat iv the House, but hitherto the principal obstacle iv the way between myself and the goal of my ambition has been the difficulty of framing a neat and telling address, which would have weight with the e'ector., but at last after much thought and labor I have decided upon the form it should take, which is something as follows:—" Fellow Electors -After long and anxious consideration I have become firmly impressed with the idea that I was intended by Nature to be a leader amongst men, and that the proper place for me is a seat in the Cabinet. Should you elect me my main object will be to attain that position, and having ouce acquir d it to retain it. Should it so happen in the course of time that a majority of the House are so wanting in a true perception of what is due to themselves and their constituents as to depose me, I shall then thiuk it my duty not to leave a stone unturned to recover the position from which I had been so injudiciously removed. I shall oppose those who had supplanted me until I see that it is of no avail, and then I shall consider it my duty to myself and the colony to turn round and support them, particularly in those carrying such of their meanness as may appear to me most prejudicial to the interests of the country, and best calculated to hasten its ruin. By my doiug this I shall afford the colonists an opportunity of learning from cruel experience how exceedingly unwise were their representatives in ejecting me from office. Trusting that these sentiments will meet with your cordial approval— l am, &_.» Now this appears to me to be a very effective style of address, but as I have no desire to obtain credit when it is not strictly due to me, I may say that the idea given expression to therein did not originate with myself, but that I am indebted for it to the honorable member for Clive, Mr Ormond, who it may be remembered declared his intention of supporting the present Ministry because "he was sure it would get the colony into a great mess before next session."

To all who were present in Court, excepting the unfortunate woman who had the satisfaction of seeing a piece of her jawbone bandied about from counsel to witnesses, from witnesses to crier, aud from crier to Magistrates, and, possibly, excepting also the plaintiff, the dentistry case last Wednesday afforded a considerable amount of amusement. The dentist's forceps were not the only jawbreakers imported into the case, so at least I gathered from a question put by one of the counsel to a witness— " Now you are quite sure that the tooth you extracted was a— was a— (solto voce) I can't get my tongue round the confounded word— was of the class you have described." .The witness was prepared to swear that it was, and the counsel looked much relieved. How the three doctors worried that bit of bone! When the Court adjourned for an hour, and everybody else ran off to hurriedly swallow his lunch, they remained behind and fought out the important question— which was the precise spot ia the jaw from which it had come Then the Court resumed, aud the counsel for the defence solemnly marched in with a skull in his hands. This, as it afterwards appeared, was a tacit admission of the truth of the old saying that two heads are better thau one, for the skull was introduced as an assistant in the lawyer's address to the Bench I wonder if there had ever found a place among the many thoughts that had passed through the brain that once filled that cranium one to the effect that its outer shell would be produced in a law court iv Nelson to assist iQ showiqg cause why a poor jaw, broken woman should not pay fifteen shillings for having four teeth and something else taken out of her head.

" To what base uses we may return." So moralised Hamlet over " poor Yorick's " skull. So thought I with rcgardto Mr Pitt's skull -I mean tho one he carried into Court in hi 3 hands, not on his shoulders.

LATEST WAR NEWS.

[Reoiek's Agenct.] November 15. Marshal MacMahon requested the Ministry to retain office but two days after they tendered their resignation , which was accepted. Moderate Constitutionalists were summoned' by the President to form a new Ministry. After an animated debate the Chamber approved of an official inquiry into electoral abuses. The Russian troops are crossing the Otpopei Pass. It is believed at Russian headquarters tbat Osman Pasha is preparing to break through. General bkobeloff has captured the Gravitza /redoubt. Sulioman Pasha has been appointed commander-io-chief at Rouiaelia. Mehemet Pasha commands the troops • at Rasgrad. A Russian official despatch states that tbe battle of Azzi is substantially confirmed. November 17. At the opening of the wool sales prices were well sustaind, good combing especially was firm ; clothing un-' changed. The corn market has declined Is to Is 6d. per quarter. New Zealand wheat, according to quality, 38a to 555. November 19. A Russian official despatch, dated 18th, reports that Kars was carried by assault under General Melikoff. The Russians successfully attacked the Turkish position and captured Orohanie. The Russian commander has summoned tbe Turkish garrison at Erzeroum to surrender. The Sultan ordered resistance to tbe last extremity. Sulieman Pasha has assumed the offensive. Tbe Russian loss before Kars was enormous. November 21. Prince Hassan, with the Egyptian contingent, has fallen back to his former position. The Russian Brigade, under Melikoil remains at Kars, whence the rest of the Russian troops are marching against Erzerouui. At the trial of the detectives, Ciarke was acquitted. November 23. A Turkish official despatch states that the Turks made a reconnaisance beyond the Lorn and J antra, and flicted heavy loss on the Russian forces. November 23. Marshal MacMahon still experiences great difficulty in the formation of a Cabinet. A Conservative Ministry has been formed, upon which the Legislative Chamber adopted resolutions refusing to enter into relations with it. Count Ardrasoy, replying to the Turkish Ambassador's note, stated that the moment for mediation had not arrived. „, The. Russian Press contain the proposed of couditions of peace, which stipulate the cession of part of the Turkish fleet, the joint Russc-Turkish passage of the Dardanelles, and the exclusion of all other nation?. An Imperial ukase has been published saDCtioning the formation of a National Guard at Bucharest. The Roumaniau army is besieging Widdin. The Russians have captured Etropi It is aemi- officially reported that the Turks have abandoned Orchanie. November 26. The wool market betrays symptoms of weakness, prices being irregular and depressed. Sixty-five thousand bales were catalogued; and five thousand were withdrawn. Wheat, unchanged. November 27. Marshal MacM.hon h.s resolved apon a determined policy of resistance to the Chambers. According to a Russial official despatch the Turks on the uight of the 15th November thrice unsuccessfully attacked General i-kobelotf's position. Mukhtar Pacha received reinforcements, aud replied the attack on Kars. War between Tnrkey and Soma is regarded as imminent. The Russians aie besieging Erzeroum. A copmi.le Russian administration is established in the province oi Eizeroum. The Ruesiuus have captured Azzi. November. 28 A Bonapartisl gathering was held oa the 26 th by proclamation of tbe Bonapartists abroad, Servian independence is expected. November 29. The Russian positions have been successfully maiutaincd at Erzeroum. A Russian official despatch statts ihat the Turks were attacked and completely defeated at Orchaoie, which they sul)Btquent!y evacuated. This is since continued by the Daily Telegraph. The Standard correspondent at Paredin reports bM* the Rusßiaus scut ao envoy io Osman .Pasha, demanding the surrender of Pievna, He replied that the means of defence ».ere not exhausted. The Turks aie extending jtjji?ir batteries at Shipka. Twelve hours' incessant fighting took J place at the capture of Kars, where,' besides stores and ammunition, the: Russians got a large amount of money. The Turkish loss in killed and wounded . was 5,000. The Russians lost 10,700 killed aud wounded. The capture is: ascribed to treachery. j

Seven thousand Russian troops have been detached from the army of Asia to assist in the siege of Plevna. Much outcry is raised about British interests beiog endangered. The Montenegro successes continue. The Turkish Minister of War urges the unveiling the Prophet's standard. The Sultan thinks such a measure premature. Ooe hundred and fifty thousand Civic Guards, Mussulman, pnd Christians bave been enrolled for the defence of Constantinople. The Russians have ordered an immense quantity of proviisons for the relief of the starving garrison of Plevna on their surrender. Meliemet Pasha has received news from Osman Pasha, by Pigeon post,, that out of 50,000 of the garrison at Plevaa, he had 9,000 Bick or wounded. Fodder is abundaat; winter clothing very scarce. Peace negotiations are probable after the fall of Plevna. A Berlin telegram to the Daily News asserts that Germany will refuse to entertain diplomatic relations with any French Government springing from a coup d'etat. A vote of want of confidence in the new French Ministry was carried on the 24th instant, by 303 against 208. Cardinals Hiurconi and Picco will henceforth transact all the Pope's business. Audiences with the Pope are suspended. The Cardinals are discussing the question of a regency. The Russian Loan was a partial failure, only five millions being subscribed by France, Germauy, and Holland. The American Canadian Fisheries Commission has awarded England five million dollars. The mail via Brindisi was delivered oo tbe 17th instant, Arrived — Somersetshire, from Melbourne ; Yorkshire, from Sydney. Sailed—Kent, for Melbourne ; Whainpoa, for Sydney.