SKETCHES FROM REAL LIFE.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 255, 9 May 1866, Page 3

SKETCHES FROM REAL LIFE.

by old boomeba.ng. Mb Moans' Visit to Melbotjene. In my last article I explained how Mr Moans, the drowsy virtuoso, was induced to go to Melbourne for " change of scene and fresh air." I am not about to chronicle all he did, said, and saw there or I should far exceed ordinary limits, and it would probably be uninteresting to the general reader ; but I purpose taking a cursory glance at a few of his movements, and noting some of his observations in that metropolis, and its populous suburbs. " Pray what is your opinion of Melbourne compared with Sydney ? Mr Moans," asked an intelligent friend, who very kindly acted as cicerone through that surprisingly busy city. Mr Moans was an old Sydney man. All his dearest social interests were entered therein. He venerated even its crooked streets and narrow pathways, for they were crowded with happy recollections of youthful days ; in short, his home was there and he loved it ; and he was prepared at all times to maintain the credit of the good old city. Moreover he had, on several occasions, observed a disposition in some speedy Victorians when in Sydney, to underrate that mother city, in their enthusiastic desire to extol the magnificence of their own colossal capital : so (though he well knew he need not expect such an exhibition of bad t?ste in his friend beside him) he replied t© the question with Caledonian caution, " Melbourne is undoubtedly a very fine city, sir." "You will of course admit that it is much larger than Sydney,' ' said his friend, who, as 1 inferred, was a sensible man, therefore not a boaster. " It would be absurd to deny that, sir,'' said Mr Moans, " Your harbor too, is very much larger than ours, and has much larger waves in it when the wind blows fresh ; as I observed during the two days that I was storm-staid on board the Wild Duck, at the anchorage off Sandridge. These are facts which I must admit ; still, for beauty of scenery, apart from other considerations, your hai'bor would suffer as much in comparison with Port Jackson, as a large potatofield would beside a choicely-stocked parterre ; and the Yarra Yarra is a mere dyke compared with our romantic Parramatta Biver." " Stay, sir," said Mr Titler (the name of his cicerone,) " Have you seen the Yarra above Princes Bridge ?" " Not yet, sir, — that is to say I have not been far up it : but I alluded to the ower part of the river, where your bone boilers, tar-refiners, and^otner fumeraisers combine to suffocate every little indigenous flower that struggles to open its petals to the sunshine ; and where the water is usually as turgid as tanners or Thames mixture." " You must see the Upper Yarra before you leave, sir," said Mr Titler, smiling. " Though i fear it will make poor Parramatta JLtiver appear to your fancy, in future, as unromantic as its mud oyster banks at low tide. That is our new Greneral Post Office, or rather a part of it," he added, stopping short and gazing exultingly before a magnificent building in course of erection, large enough — in the opinion of one old patriotic old Victorian lady — to hold all the letters in the world. " What do you think of our new Post Office, sir ?" " It is much finer than our old one ; but how it will compare with our new one I cannot positively say just now," replied Mr Moans, who could not fail to be struck with the extent ond the ornateness of the structure. " Have you a building in Sydney to equal it ?" asked Mr Titler, with more Victorian pride than he had before exhibited. " Yes, I think our TJuiversity excels it. But as I am not an architect, my judgment may be at fault. When you come to Sydney, I will show you some private buildings -which will surprise you." " Humph ! have you been to our Public Library, Mr Moans?" said Mr Titler, looking like a rifleman who had just hit the bull's-eye. "I have, sir, and was very much pleased with my visit. In all my travels I have not seen a Public Library to equal it out of London ; and I heartily wish we had one only half as good in Sydney. It is an honor to your colony, as well as an inestimable boon to the population. Your statesmen have certainly shown their wisdom andi'oresight in thus caring for the moral and intellectual improvement

of the peeple. Vast as must have been the cost of that noble institution, it is money well laid out, and will probably save a hundred times that amount to future rulers in the gaol and police estimates ; while in a higher point of view the blessings it may confer on this young nation are incalculable." ■, " You have not such fine wide streets in Sydney as these, Mr Moans," said Mr Titler, who was evidently pleased at the last observations of his friend. " We have not, sir ; nor yet such wide gutters to cross in wet weather, and to crack our carriage springs at. the street junctions. I suppose it to be on account of tho low level of your city that you have these gaping drains in every street. But I cannot say that the sewerage of our City of Sydney is as perfect as it might be made, considering our natural facilities for drainage." ■ - ■ Zt" If we had such facilities in Melbourne," said Mr Titler, " we should have had undergrground sewers in every street long ago. But we have plenty of Tan Yean water to flush our gutters in dry weather, so we are not much inconvenienced by foul odours." ; ".I wish I could say the same , of our Sydney gutters," said Mr Moans. "In many parts the citisens are very much annoyed by the effluvium from stagnant drains, in warm weather especially : and I state on the authority of a clever medical neighbor, that the public health is periodically affected thereby. Pray what is that new building ?" added Mr Moans, as they suddenly sighted a stilish looking edifice, near the foot of Prince's bridge. " That is our new Fish Market," said Mr Titler ; " I believe it is to be opened for the first time on Christmas Eve. It belongs to the City Corporation." "Eish Market!" exclaimed Mr Moans, with as much surprise as though the whole tribe of peripatetic fish vendors of Sydney had suddenly shouted ' All alive O !' in his right ear. "That a fish market ! why it is handsome enough for a town hall. I must take a good look at it to-morrow. We sadly want such an establishment in Sydney ; for though our coasts and harbors abound with fish, the supply to the citizens is scanty and precarious ; and, in general, it is too high in price for poor perspns to luxuriate in. Such a market in Sydney would do away with the monoply which has long been enjoyed by a score or two of barrowmen, and certain middlemen or agents, who, I am told, make large profits by giving the public small quantities of fish, while the poor fishermen, who have all the perils and certainly the largest share of the labor, have but a minimum portion of the gains. Eish market! Hail Victoria! I feel quite patriotic, and inclined to shout out the matutinal song of our Sydney piscators", ' Here's your fine fresh fish.' A. slice of Murray River Cod, fresh from the slate tables of your model Billinsgate, would be a treat. " 1 think you mentioned the Town Hall just now, sir," said Mr Titler. " I will show it presently ; you had better take a. look at the Town Hall at Prahran, too, before you leave." " And you had better come and take a look at our new Town Hall at Sydney, when ifc is finished," quietly remarked Mr Moans. " That is a fine church, sir," said Mr Titler, pointing to a tall handsome spire in the distance, " I doubt if you have an > ecclesiastical edifice in Sydney to equal that." Then it is plain to me that you have not seen our Anglican Cathedral in Greorge-street ; or you could not doubt for a moment, sir," said Mr Moans, in a pleasant mood. " Oh, oh ! yes, beg pardon ; that unfinished building, near the old burial ground. I forgot that : by-the-bye, have you seen the Melbourne General Cemetery ? " I have, sir, and a beautiful place it is too. There is much taste displayed iv ! laying out the grounds, and they are kept in admirable condition. Among many i good rules for the management of the \ cemetery, I remarked one in particular, which is worthy of being adopted elsewhere. It is that no inscription shall be j made on a tomb or a head- stone that has not been submitted for the approval of two of the trustees. That is an admirable way of preventing the exhibition of questionable taste or eccentricities, which often interfere with our serious reflections, when rambling through grave-yards. You are perhaps not aware, Mr Titler, that we have a general Cemetery now, situate just oil the line of railway, between Sydney and Parramatta." " I am glad to hear it, sir,,' said Mr Titler, "for crowding the dead among the living is an evil which cannot be too carefully guarded against. You have not yet seen our public Parks and G-ardens, I suppose, Mr Moans ? I should like to hear what you will say to them." . I have visited some of them, sir ; and, while I honestly tell you I have not seen anything to equal our picturesque Domain in Sydney, I must say your Government is very liberal in granting land for public purposes. Tou Melbourne folks are admirably provided with recreation grounds ; and you apparently spare no labor in improving them. I very much approve of your taste in rearing trees wherever there is room for them. The advantages of their refreshing shade and fragrance in this warm climate are inestimable, and grateful pedestrians will doubtless often bless the men who planted those trees, which I have observed growing on the sides of some of your suburban roads. We Sydneyites are certainly behind you in exhibitions of taste in that way, though we are improving, a3 any one may observe who will make a careful inspection of our public grounds." * . # * * " I shall not further follow Mr Moans and his communicative friend, Mr Titler, or detail his dialogues with other Victorian friends, upon moral,' social, sanitary, and political sucjects. The foregoing specimen will show, that while candidly admitting the excellences and the graadew of "the precocious city of

Melbourne, he was not slow in defending his own honored capital from invidious comparisons or ungenerous depreciation. During' his stay he enjoyed some rural drives in Mr litler's carriage ; and though he could not be persuaded that any scenery he saw was comparable to that between Sydney and South Head, there was much that was undoubtedly ■beautiful; and evidenced "the;. 1 Jbighest artistic skill and taste; While driving through some of the suburban towns, he noted many things which -he thought might with advantage be imitated by the suburbanites of Sydney ; more especially the wide streets and roadsj' the extensive public reserves ', and the ; prevailing ;dis r i position for planting shrubs therein, an^ for otherwise improving "those T aamirab| c provisions for the health: and recreati© of the people. Mr Moans had also many agreeable saunters, through- Melbourne proper, and noted many more things ' than I have space to enumerate. Among other striking objects, he observed more men walking about with their hands in their pockets, than he expected to have seen, with the numerous avenues for steady labor in§that busy metropolis ; and, considering, too,!,;; the „ facilities for getting into the interior, and the nbera.ifcy' of the Victorian land law ; moreover, where there was such a, splendid free library, accessible to the humblest classes at all hours of the day, and till a late hour at night. But it was explained by a lively friend,' £ that ■' harids r in pockets was not regarded as an idle symptom ; for since ".peg-top pantaloons " had become fashionable, the practice was general, indeed it was considered the "correct thing" by air grades and ages of Melbourne males. At the same time he admitted, that there were many men who had unfortunately no remunerative employment for their ' hands; but he thought, in a majority of instances, the causes might be traced to their own indiscretion or incapacity ; and notwithstanding ' all that had been said and written by interested persona and grumblers to the contrary, he believed there was still ample room in the land for tens of thousands of honest industrious men and women, for the resources of the country — apart from its gold — are almost unlimited. * * " If any man, who had the free range of a choice\ flower-garden, chose to go sniffing among the African marigolds in preference to inhaling the balmy fragrance of moss roses and violets, his taste might be justly questioned." Thus reasoned Mr Moans to himself, as he. quietly rambled through some of the well-paved streets of Melbourne. " And instead of choosing to look at the many beautiful objects around me," he soliloquised, " if I preferred to turn into some of the back lanes for the express purpose of finding disagreeable subjects to talk about when I returned home, I should be as much lacking in taste as the foul-nosed among the flowers." Mr Moans preferred the moss roses and violets, or, in others words, he chose to employ his limited time in observing matters and things which are most pleasant and profitable to contemplate, and to converse with men of corresponding minds. Still he was not wholly uuobservant of other things ; and the sombre walls of the gaol, the refuge, the hospital, and other receptacles for crime and suffering, and the haggard looks of many poor besotted loungers at publichouse doors, often reminded him that all was not couleur de rose around him. He met with in ;ich genuine hospitality and kindness from old friends, and from new friends too ; and he left the monumental city of Melbourne strongly impressed with the indomitable advancement displayed by its energetic inhabitants in general. He had. remarked, however, that there was rather more commercial steam or gas introduced into private life than is observable in Sydney society. He noticed, too, that a few of the mercantile men looked fidgety on Sundays, and while they gazed round at the clock in sermon time, he fancied x they were longing for Monday to come again, that they might be looking out " for lucky specs." He met with two or three lighthearted men too (who were as inflated with civic pride as smoke-dried cockneys showing their country cousins the wonders of London from the top of St. Paul's), and he felt constrained to reduce their jubilant boasting by gently reminding them that " after all it was a Sydney man who planned their grand city — except the sewerage," and he added " that if 1 the Victorians were richer and more influential than some of their neighbors, they should be thankful, and remember that ■ it would be very discreditable to them if it were otherwise with their enormous revenue, and the million of spirited men i and women, and large capitalists too, which the Victorian gold mines had attracted from all parts of the world." * On the whole, Mr Moans is of opinion , that Victoria is a great land, and that it is destined to become still greater: and as modesty is a concomitant of true greatness, he expects that quality to increase. While congratulating that sister colony on her good fortune, and recognising her claim to the respect of the world, he does not yield a jot of the honor due to his own part of the continent ; nor does his admiration for his neighbor's excellences lessen his fealty to his own adopted colony, or wean his affection from its old associations., [Friendly emulation is commendable, and he thinks a better acquaintance with each other will tend to foster that feeling, and at the same time uproot or retard the growth of envy, from which would eventually spring hatred and all uncharitableriess. With that desirable and in view, Mr Moans would recommend all the good folks in Melbourne to visit Sydney now and then: the well-bred citizens of Sydney will return the calls of course ; and if they all enjoy their visits as much as Mr Moans enjoyed his, they will heartily join him in the glad shout, " Advance Victoria ! " while the Melbournites will stroke their heads and smilingly reply, in their Columbianized phraseqlogy, l^ Go a-head, Sydney,!' Dajlingftuptj Jaiiuary 1 1866, '

EpEGTORMi DISTRICT |^EkCARGILL--(«ow^mM^). ■ ■■.■•■-'■•■'■■''• . . '. . . ■ . ■ ■ . _ _. . - PTr-RTSITTAW -WAIM-R AND STT&NA^IE NATTTItE OP SUPPOSED rLonmm m? f»-RTRPTTnW NAIEE AND ABODE . S^Sf^ESSXSS PLACB 0* ABODE. QTTA^ICATIOK. GEODTO OTOBWJniW. . . Qp OBJECTOB. Muir,John Dee-street : household No^sesse* of .qualification ™£j*^^ 'Newton, William Esk-street, Invercargill leasehold N^J^^ Nixon^omas Invercargill - leasehold, ' . . ■ . .. . \ '"'■■■ ■^Donald, John InvercargiU household >^ < *^^' rf '^ Pabner.Samuel '. , Invercargul ' leasehold ?«£** J sSJ£b££ Pearce, Joseph , , Spey-street, Jnrercargill , household Not^ssessed of qualificatinn 'gj^g^ Peny, George . . freehold and leasehold of tion J^f^ 6 £ Petfigxw, William Gladstone behold ° f . qUaMcati ° n • Pilliet, Walter Hippolyte Yarrow-street, InyercargiU freehold and household of qualification Eees,Chr. Dee-steeet, Invercar^l household . j ° f •*»****» J °^J™o^ Eoval e on,BobertA. ' ' Dee-street leasehold ° f *"****" 'g^QflW " Bitterath,John Dee-street, Xnvercargill leasehold *%V°? &BaeA ° £ Eoebuck, William Invercargill freehold f^ST^ J^oT6i£ Boss, Chax-les Alexander North Eoad, Gladstone freehold *%s»"* ° f '^S^Mta SadUer, Henry InTercargiU freehold ° f layers, Alexander Yarrow-street household * ****** *&*£&*£ dearie, Cooper Gala-sLeet, LaverpargiU leasehold -' '^ .^i l^ 011 *^ 11 'St^S^ffiSS; " Steel, William Invercargill freehold of qualification Jg^J^; Stone, EVedericl, George Leet-street household ' 6 * ° f qUaMCati ° n Sudgon, Humphrey WrcargiU household "' '^rlll^Z Tarlton, William Francis New River Hundreds ' household and freehold Dead J gSrafr6fiSr boxwood, Christain Julius M'Master-street household 1^ Wade, Thomas Tay-sfceet, InvercargiU leasehold *%s?"* °' "^"^ '^Zl^er Wardle, William "" Invercargill .. household * Watson, John James . Invercargill leasehold Dead Whiting, Edward Tweed-sfeect, Invercargill freehold „ of qualification m n _ . All T^-T^opvtrm lesispliold Not possessed of qualification John Hare, EcWood, Samuel Allan Invercargul leasehold i gistration Gfficer Wright, Henry Brougham Spey-street ' leasehold *«£?-* °* Young, Daniel James Dee- street, Invercargill household *%gS~* " M ° &iiOn 'S^pS; Notice is hereby given that the above Objections wiH be heard by the Revising Office 1 ' appointed for that purpose. JOHN HARE, - . ■ Registration Officer. Iveecaegill, sth May, 1866.