TRANSCENDENTAL BLESSINGS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1339, 7 August 1883, Page 3

TRANSCENDENTAL BLESSINGS.

(Communicated by a Wellington Correspondent. ) The majority of your readers will, no doubt, have heard with unfeigned delight, that Mr DeLautour, after “ having once given a promise invariably sticks to it,” and has assured the Colonial Treasurer that he will drop the great “Land Company’s Empowering Bill,” which was to have been such an unmixed blessing, and of such astonishing value to the people of the Colony generally ! What will be the next manoeuvre is now wondered ? as two high, influential, and all powerful wire pullers of the Bank of New Zeaalnd have lately been on a visit here, and the occasion and outcome of their visit are now anxiously sought for. Something no doubt of a startling character will in time appear. On the 27th July a question in the Upper House was asked of the Premier, whether it was the intention of the Premier or whether it was the intention of thejGovernment to introduce during the present session a bill for amending the law relative to the alineation of land. The astute Premier said a bill had been prepared, but since the meeting of Parliament last year the Imperial Parliament had passed a bill dealing with the same question, and if possible during the present session he would if he could (significant!) get a bill passed, drafted on the lines of the Imperial Act. Query—-Is the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency working the oracle at home for its agency the almighty Bank of New Zealand here ? Oh ! mighty schemers, you are indeed men of great understanding and ability, and thy ways and paths in life are various and devious, but do they verily (as set forth) tend in the direction of relieving the wants of the many, and assisting in elevating their standard above that struggling and toiling which are experienced by them to keep their heads above water, and to maintain themselves in any way that has the semblance of independence or even comfort. These philanthropic gentlemen will no doubt answer, “Yes :” but time and future events will prove.

DUTIES ON NATIVE LANDS. In reply to a question, the Hon. the Treasurer said he “ would endeavor to make the practice of assessing and collecting the rates in different districts uniform.” Therefore, it would appear that hitnerto no one system and rate have prevailed but that those districts not coming under the sheltering power of the Magic King, have laboured under greater disadvantages than others beyond

Its influence—another glaring instance of oppressive indulgence to the “all power* ful ” in the North and West, and bo the consequent baneful effects follow and are felt. In the evening sitting in the Lower House, Mr Shrimski, speaking on the Bills of Exchange Bill, darkly hinted that the Bill was framed in the interests of bankers, which was not to be wondered at, as the Government were ruled by a certain banking institution, which he declined to name. The Hon. Mr Conolly characterised this statement “ as absurd,” as the Bill was an exact transcript of the English Bill, and if applied here, it would also apply there." The absurdity does not strike one, when read in connection, and taken in conjunction, with the foregoing. As variety is charming, and in the interest of humanity, I send the following item of exemplary benevolence exercised by a Liberal official drawing with emoluments over £lOOO per annum, thereby wringing the withers of the heavily burthened taxpayers. One, John Smith, a dipsomaniac, stole poultry from W. Seed, J.P. Secretary for Customs, and he (Smith) disposed of them to an unfortunate young girl of the “ demi monne ” for 3s 6d, who was also summoned for receiving. Smith got his deserts, and the girl was rightly acquitted—vide Police reports. Now, what became of the “ plucked fowls,” the sequel will show, and herein lies, not their flesh and bones, but the gist of these very extraordinary and most questionable proceedings, and as everyone should be thankful “tor the crumbs which fall from the rich man’s table,” so ought the recipients for this untoward and excessive liberality. Extract from ‘ Evening Post,” July 28th:—“The superintendent of the Hospital desires to acknowledge with thanks, the receipt of four fowls from Mr Seed, Commissioner of Customs,” (a mistake by the way -only Secretary) “ for the use of the patients,” and I mav add, that he gave them, as he had qualmish doubts about eating them himself, after their fearful mauling and doubtful career, or he would not have done so ; you may rely on that. Heaven ! Preserve you, poor patients, and may you not suffer with plethora or any other ill effects, by having hud such unbounded liberality forced upon you through such questionable channels. However, it is the first charitable act ever recorded of the donor, and as “ small beginnings eventually beoome mighty Tunings,” so may you gorged and surfeited patients individually return thanks, and exclaim with myself— Spero Meliora.