Random Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 3, 21 April 1894, Page 9

Random Notes.

New Zealand has often been lauded as the wonderland of the world, possessing, as it does, so many unique natural features. Socially, too, our colony may well rank as a wonderland of no small magnitude, possessing so many exceptionally interesting social phenomena. Not the least unique social feature we can boast of at the present moment is the “Lady Mayor,” sive “Mayoress,” of Onehunga. That fair seaport of the distant north some time ago, overwhelmed by the longing to carry o'ut female franchise to its logical conclusion, or, mayhap, inebriated by the exuberance of feminine rhetoric, placed a “ weaker vessel ” in the civic chair! The temerity of the citizens had its admirers. We learn that one of that now familiar genus, to wit, “ the globe-trotter,” willingly sacri* ficed the sight of much else that was wonderful to gaze upon the face of the fair dame who wields the destinies of that now famous port. But the councillors do not find their life (as they perhaps fondly expected) all beer and skittles. Her Worship does not hold the reins with gloved hands, but exercises her powers as if they were a veritable rod of iron. The council meetings, if wo may give credence to northern reports, are not happy-family gatherings, and the councillors do not seem to possess, in their official capacity, that chivalrous courtesy to the fair sex. of which, as private individuals, they doubtless boast. What an object lesson to the rest of the colony —nay, of territories of more extensive area! The lady-mayor evident is fully determined to signalise her short year of office by demonstrating that she is the better horse, but in making the necessary proof she seems resolved to employ the method known as the recluctio ad absurdutn.

Wc here in Southland have had our own little gold rushes, and “ tin ” rushes, too, for that matter, and h ive generally found that the chief source fronj which the precious metal was extracted was our own pockets. Most of us are consequently somewhat chary as to taking part in rushes to more distant fields, though even with the gold - fever, as with other manias to which we mortals are prohe, “ distance does lend enchantment to the view.” Our friends and brothers in West Australia (so lately placed on a political level with us of older colonies !) are now in the throes of a great and alarming rush. Coolgardie— or, as the Bulletin most significantly spells it, Foolhardie —is the latest Eldoraao. When the gold fever is upen us we generally forget the sober definition of the Economist, that gold is “ but a standard of value and a medium of exchange.” We revert to the old notion that gold per se is desirable, forgetting all else in our struggle to secure this, the panacea of all ills. But where water is more precious than the glittering metal, and wide wastes of burning sands to be traversed ’midst countless dangers to obtain it, it is quite possible that we may buy the gold too dear.

Horae cables during the last week or ten days have had a melancholy interest for commercial men, and others too who are not commercial. What a commentary do they make upon our lauded commercial morality ! Shareholders, in the Loan Company have very possibly their own opinions as to the rectitude of the directors and the management in the colonies, but more than likely these opinions in expression will not be loud but deep ! What a time have w r e had in the way of business since the Melbourne boom began ! How many eminent colonials have past through the scathing fire of public criticism, and of how many has the fair fame been tarnished ! When the history of colonial progress during the closing years of this century, comes to be written for the benefit of future ages, the students of those far-distant times will open their eyes in wonder and amaze, when they learn what means we colonials adopted in this “ righteous ” Victorian era of making the commercial mare to go !

Two days ago a most interesting, but sadly incomplete cablegram reached these shores, and since its arrival we have been in a perfect state of surprise and anxiety ! We learned, most regretfully and sorrowfully learned, that “ a fire had broken out in the Coburg palace!” A fire even in a shop causes a sensation and produces loss. In the present case, however, our fears as to the results were calmed by our informant at ’tother end of the wire conveying to us the cheering intelligence that the Duke [Prince Alfred of England, N.B. !] was directing the firemen in their efforts to extinguish the flames! Picture to yourself the awe-inspiring sight ! The flames rashly daring to envelope the royal pile, and a scion of England’s royalty with Kud vociferations cheering on the firemen ! The fiery element is unfortunately much too democratic to heed the words of royalty, or a new reading of the old story of King Canute might have been Hashed across the wires ; but the nineteenth century conflagrations are as heedless of the voice of kings or princes as were the tides of a thousand years ago ! But why does not the cable-monger wire to us the results of H.B.H.’s directions to the firemen ? We are in a state of painful solicitude. Perhaps the results might induce local insurance offices to invest in a Boyal superintendent to direct the firemen in case of a local fire. Who knows but this might result in a much desiderated reduction in insurance premiums. Vox.

A Sydney publican has been fined £2O and costs for putting- sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) in whisky. The acid got by the Government analyst from a sample of the liquor charred paper and straw when placed on; it. The defendant denied that he had put the acid in the whisky. Millennium, ahoy ! The inventor of dynamite, Mr Noble, recently said that one of the inspiring principles of his life was a horror of war, and a passionate desire to put an end to it. This he believes to be only possible by the invention of some explosive so overwhelming and irresistible that flesh and blood cannot face it. When a battle would mean absolute certain death to everybody on both sides* nations, he says, would lay down their arms.