LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 65, 6 July 1876, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There was a clean sheet at the Eesident Magistrate's Court this morning. The admirers of Miss Alice May—and their name is legion—will hear with regret that both she and Mr. G. B. Allen sustained a very heavy loss before their departure from India. In landing at one of the Indian ports in a surf-boat it capsized, and although they escaped personally, they lost nearly the whole of their valuable musical library, wardrobe, and other properties of the opera company. Now that poor Julia Mathews has passed away, we shall note with interest the debut in London of one whom we feel sure is destined to follow in her footsteps, and add another to the list of bright stars which first shone in an Australian firmament. In addition to Miss Mathews, Miss Lucy Chambers, Miss Geraldine Warden, Miss Emma Howson, have all made their mark on the British lyric stage, and it is not difficult to predict a still more brilliant career for Miss Alice May.

We are not aware if climatic influences exercise an impelling force towards the indulgence of the cacoethes scribendi, but assuredly the brethren of New Plymouth are inflicted with a craze in that direction just now. Perhaps, however, it would have been more correct had we written brother, for the columns of correspondence with which the " Budget" teems appears to be the emanation of one fertile brain. On every conceivable and unconceivable subject has this indefatigable scribe given the public the benefit of his thoughts, and to prove that he is by no means egotistical or wedded to one opinion, he slaughters to-day his arguments of yesterday. We presume there are. few in that quiet locality who can cope with such a formidable antagonist, and so to keep up the warfare he is compelled to pit the "Cyclops" of one day against the "Cerberus " of another, just as a man for want of a partner will play a game of cards—his right hand against his left. In a place like New Plymouth, where news 13 scarce and murders seldom, such a valuable correspondent is a perfect God-send, and judging from the columns of the "Budget," it is pretty considerably utilised.

The business occupying the House after the adjournment for refreshment last evening was not of an important character. A motion brought forward by Sir George Grey, praying that £4OO should be put upon the Estimates for the best essay on the "Grasses and Forage Plants likely to Prove Useful in New Zealand," met with no opposition, and the motion was carried without a dissentient voice. Later on, however, on the debate on the Begisfcration of Electors Act, 1875, the Premier sought a repeal of the Bill, but the step met with sfcrenous opposition and much discussion. Sir Julius intimated that the Government felt bound to take into serious consideration such a unanimous expression of opinion as had been evinced, and promised that it should carefully consider all the objections raised, and suggestions offered, with a view to meet them in some way. It is announced that the Rev. P. P. Agnew will deliver his fourth lecture in the Masonic Hall, [to-morrow evening, at eight

o'clock. The subject selected is one of unusual interest, and should command a good attendance.

The " Tuapeka Times" is responsible for a statement that a certain clergyman of the Church of Rome has not only forsaken his religious duties in the Church, but has selected as a wife a lady who once belonged to the Sisters of Mercy in Dunedin. As might be expected, this choice tit-bit of information was eagerly snapped up by every journalist under whose eyes it chanced to come, and assuming it to be pure Gospel it has speedily gone the rounds of the New Zealand Press. While paying tribute to the fertile imagination of the author of the canard, we must, however, be cruel enough to destroy the pleasing picture, by stating that a pretty fair estimate of the amount of credence to be placed in the truth of the story may be made from the fact there is not, nor never has been, an Order of Mercy in Dunedin.

A " Listening Senator " in the "New Zealand Times" has the following neatly - wrapped-up sarcasm : —" lam informed that the only reason why Mr. Murray, in connection with his drainage question yesterday afternoon, did not produce his celebrated letter from Sir Robert Peel on the subject, was that an enterprising tradesman is now endeavoring to frame and glaze that same letter in a manner that shall exhibit both sides of the paper at once, so that it may be hung up in some place where posterity will have an opportunity of admiring its reeL pient."

The " Thames Advertiser," in referring to the accompaniments of a war dance, the subject of a description, thus discourses:— " Some of the sights and exposures during the ■wild dance were so repulsive that some of the lady visitors who were present were forced to blush, and some fairly burst into tears. Had they remained at home, or gone in some other direction, their feelings would have been spared the shock which they experienced, but which.they might have reasonably expected under the circumstances. What attraction lady visitors can discover in a camp of naked savages we cannot imagine." In a subsequent issue, the same paper remarks :—" Several of the leading chiefs, taking cognizance of the indecencies of the war dance, have requested that European women may be kept away from the gathering on the occasion of the next dance. They say that the Maoris feel a restraint in performing the dance in the presence of European ladies. We think the Pakeha wahines ought to exhibit a reciprocal feeling, and keep away from a scene which is totally unfit for them."

Ministerial journals acting under orders (remarks the "Post") have lately persistently denied that Nuku, the murderer of Todd, was present at the meeting between Tawhiao and Sir Donald M'Lean. Now, as the statement in question was originally made by the reporter taken up by Sir Donald M'Lean to report the proceedings for the Government and also for the " Southern Cross," it seems strange that its accuracy should now be question. On this subject the "New Zealand Herald" decisively remarks : —" Nuku was there, and the fact .was quite well known to several of the gentlemen who accompanied the Native Minister. Further, we have been informed that Nuku was brought out of bravado, as the natives wanted to see if the Native Minister would have the courage to make a demand that he should be given up. But what is the use of making faces over a wretch like Nuku, when Tapihana, who is much worse, was honored in being made one of the chief instruments in bringing about the meeting." It will thus be seen that the comments of Opposition journals about the humiliation involved in a Minister of the Colony attending a meeting at which a murderer was present, were fully justified.

It is well known that the Maoris have a keen sense of the ridiculous, and can heartily appreciate a joke. Acting on this knowledge, some one in Napier (says the "Tele graph ") has lately been amusing himself by sending to different chiefs of this Province caricatures of the Hon. H. R. Russell, as purporting to illustrate the nature of that settler's dealings with the natives. These pictures are causing the bulk of the Maoris much amusement, while they are equally successful in giving others a good deal of offence. It may therefore be supposed they are answering the purpose of their author. One of these caricatures, which was sent to Hepuka, depicted Mr, Russell in a canoe, and holding up a bag on which was written £IOO, he the while calling out "one million ;" at the stern of the canoe numbers of rats are jumping into the water and making for a place of safety. The apparent moral to be drawn is that rats leave sinking ships. Some time ago, another caricature sent to the Maoris represented Mr. Russell being hoisted with a rope round his neck to the branch of a tree, Sir Donald M'Lean being the executioner. Te Kuru came into town to enquire whether the Government was the author of these satirical etchings, and appeared relieved to hear that the author was unknown to the authorities.