Talk of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 311, 6 April 1878, Page 13

Talk of the Week.

In matters political there has not been much stirring during the week. Sir George Grey is still at the North, and is said to be in ill health, which is not surprising considering the amount of travel and excitement which the great proconsul has lately gone through, which must be trying to a man at his time of life. He is expected, if not prevented by indisposition, to visit the Upper Waikato before his return to Wellington, in order to have another interview with King Tawliiao, which will probably end as, these sort of meetings do, in nothing but talk, and will have no practical effect whatever. His Maori Majesty is, like the Premier, reported in ill-health, and has sent to Alexandra for medical aid. With the visit to the Waikato, it is presumed, Sir George Grey’s political stumping tour will come to an end, and that he will then return to the seat of Government in order to consult with his colleagues as to the measures to be brought forward next session, and to prepare for the corning Parliamentary campaign in July. The Criminal Sittings at the Supreme Court terminated on Thursday, having commenced on Monday. From a report of the cases it will be seen that the calendar was a light one, which is a matter for general congratulation, and an evidence of the prosperity of the community. The imperfect manner in which the cases for the prosecution were brought before the Grand Jury was commented upon by them, and the learned Judge in his address referred to the same point. In some cases important witnesses were not forthcoming, and in others there was considerable delay in their being produced. A presentment on the subject it is understood was drawn up in the jury-room, but as a majority could not agree as to the wording of it, no formal presentment was made, the Grand Jury contenting themselves with an expression of opinion, through their foreman, that an alteration for the better should be made in this direction, which will probably be done before the next sitting, otherwise it is obvious that miscarriages of justice may take place, European affairs continue unsettled, and although peace has been so far preserved, and we trust may be lasting, there is still a considerable amount of uncertainty as to the issue of events, and further intelligence is anxiously looked for. In the retirement of Lord Carnarvon and Lord Derby from the Disraeli Cabinet, the Home Country loses two very able and experienced public servants, whose services at this particular time she cannot well afford to lose.

A good deal of correspondence has ajipeared in the columns of the local Press this week as to the waterworks. It seems clear that the supply from the Kaiwarra creek is insufficient for the wants of the growing population of the city, and the probabilities are that ultimately the Hutt Biver will have to be utilised in order to give Wellington an ample supply of the pure element for domestic purposes, and for the prevention of the spread of fire. The present supply is well enough so far as it goes, but obviously falls short of the expectations formed of it.

Dunedin, like Wellington, possesses three organs of public opinion. The Star, a journal with the largest circulation in the colony, is a strong opponent of the present Ministry. The Herald steers an independent course, and the Otago Daily Times is a rabid Ministerialist. The Herald and Times are morning journals, and the latter is fearfully jealous of its young rival. Tenders were recently called for in Dunedin for the Corporation advertising, and the Times tendered at the ridiculously low figure of sixpence an inch, obtained the advertising, and afterwards announced that it would hand over the proceeds to the Benevolent Asylum. The Herald tendered at the reasonable sum of 2s. 6d. per inch, and we are not surprised that it should feel wroth at the conduct of the Times in offering to do the work at a nominal charge, simply with the object of preventing its contemporary from obtaining the advertising under any circumstances. The Otago Daily Times, with its parson editor, evidently does not believe in the kindly maxim of “Live and let live.” We reprint two articles from the Herald, one in reference to the unfair competition to which it was subjected, and the othei dealing with the harsh treatment the recent employes of the Otago Daily Times met with at the hands of its present proprietary. The Wellington Trust, Loan, and Investment Company (Limited) paid on Monday the sum of £42,000, being in discharge of shares taken over from the Wellington Mutual Investment Society (Class No. 2), some five years ago, they having been fully paid up by monthly instalments of 6s. per month. A great portion of this large amouut will go to the so-called “ working classes,” who are shareholders, and the putting in circulation such a sum will be productive of benefit. The success of this commercial undertaking is another evidence of the prosperity of the place, and is a most satisfactory piece of news to record. Some years ago the shareholders in the Investment Company did not look forward very sanguinely to the result of the

affair, but they have since been rewarded for their patience. It is obvious, too, that the affairs of the society must have been well managed, or even in prosperous times the shareholders might not have come off as well as they have done.

Mr. Wright, the travelling representative of tlie well-known Amex’ican firm of G. Wright and Co., of New York, who is now engaged in completing the New Zealand portion of the large directory which the firm is about to issue, has left with us a copy of the map which will be presented to each subscriber. The map is nearly six feet by four, and con« tains on one side a map of the world on Mercator’s projection, with the various modem geographical divisions, distinguished by colors. The map shows the course of geographical discovery, mail, and sailing routes, telegi apli and railway lines, prevailing ocean currents, and various other matterd of interest; in the margin the vital statistics, capitals, and area of different countries; reigning monarchs, their natal date, and date of ascension; population of chief cities of the world, Governments of North and South America, last census of America, plans of the city of New York and Chicago, time in principal parts of the globe, flags of all nations, views of the Centennial Exhibition Buildings, and a great variety of other useful information. On the other side there is a new illustrated county railroad and distance map of the United States and the Dominion of Canada, compiled from the Government surveys up to 1877 ; a panoramic view of the country from New York to San Francisco, views of Niagara Fall, the big trees of Calaveras, Yosemite Valley, Capitol at Washington, Mount Vernon, White Mountains, and a list of the Governors of the States and Territories, and other information. In short, the map combines in itself all the most useful information to be found in the ordinary maps and a first-class directory together. Those persons who desire to secure a place in the directory may leave orders at the Occidental Hotel, where Mr. Wright is now staying.