What Everybody Says.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2028, 5 July 1875, Page 2

What Everybody Says.

" In multitude of counsellors there is safety." —Oii» Proverb. Tlie most important question which is agitating everybody and everything just now is,- -where the prospectors' reaf goes after it leaves the prospectors' claim. Mental speculations have, been made on this question, and several theories have been propounded with an air of authority f but the doctors appear to differ, as doc* tors will; and in this case only experience can decide. But speculation has not been confined to the propounding of theories there has been actual, tangible, money speculation. Some . persons fancy one description of stock, because they believe in A's theory; and some put their-money into claims which are " dead on " according to E's idea. This is not an unmixed evil, because if everybodyv thought alike fchtre would not have been such a display of business on 'Change this week as, there has been. In twelve months from this perhaps everybody will be able to speak authoritatively on the subject, but just now it would-be a matter involving some risk to attempt to indicate which is right and which wrong on.tne question; Perhaps a middle course wauld be best. Extremes often meet, and" in this"vexed question a junction of safety may possibly be affected by investors who consider results rather than theories. Talking of the prospectors' reef, reminds one of the Gems; and the uniformly prosperous career of the Gems during the "*' few days they have been before the public is,.some say, a fair illustration of the. way in which a certain nameless person or thing looks after-his own.- Ttie Gems have become brilliants of the first, water all at once. They have been .judiciously financed, and they now occupy a front rank as eligible investments,

nothing of the nastiness which attached to them at the first -adhering. The Gem , proprietors have managed their business well, and are now looked upon as lucky - individuals where formerly they were " regarded with a certain suspicion. Sue* . cess has crowned their- efforts, and they hare, moreover, the consciousness . that in benefiting themselves they have , helped others to a participation in a good - thing. Everybody says, so,, and as this is the general opinion no- one can put in -' a demurrer with, any; chance of its being 1 sustained. ' ." . Our local scientist, in the pcrprationjto his lecture- the other night, threw: out ■ a bold challenge. He offered to demolish . all the atheists, deists, materialists, and \ atomists, who might feel disposed to enter | the lists against him; his investigations having furnished him with arguments . with which he would cut the ground from under their feet." The persons who range themselves under - the" shadow of "any" of these ists will not .probably take up the challenge. If they did the controversy .would be even more interesting than the scientist's lectures. There is a conviction, however, that the discussion would result in defeat to the scientist—not because he takes up the wrong side, but owing to the fact that he mistakes assertion for argument. He is a capital lecturer and a most indefatigable experimenter, but as he has? by his own confession, ■ carefully avoided the range of theological controversy, he would- best consult his reputation by' strictly adhering to that course in the future, and rest content with the laurels he has earned in the paths of science. Assertion can always be met by counter assertion, but argument requires to be sustained by proofs. *. ' '

At a conference of local .bodies the other night a discussion took place on the . subject of petitions, during which several pertinent remarks were made as to the e&ae with which signatures could be obtained lo anything in the shape of a petition. With a view to illustrate this phase of the petition business, one .local .magnate said," Why, Mr — -r. —,-if. I were to get up a petition-to hare you hung, I'd guarantee to get a thousand signatures to it in no time." Replied the gentleman indicated —"Yes; very likely; but then everyone has not such persuasive -powers as you!" There was just a tinge of injured feeling in the reply, and a touch- of sarcasm. But the worthy local magnate who. had used such a pointed illustration promptly explained-that he had no intention of being offensive. The explana* tion was accepted in good feeling. The little incident serves to show how very personal some people,.- can .be wheii they wish their remarks to be most general. Common • colloquialisms- are often capable, of very different meaning to that which is intended.

When the history of the Tairua Companyj or prospectors, as it ia called, comet to bo written .in the future, its early. vicissitudes will, if faithfully chronicled, be found to bo not entirely devoid.of interest. The persistent and -praiseworthy.. efforts of the Prospector in tracing the slightest indications of- the presence of gold—his discovery of several reefs, and the ultimate success which crowned hi 3 labors after years of toil and laborious research, are not without precedent in the history of. goldfields. But it is 'doubtful if ever a man was so much bothered ■ and worried by- vexatiom proceedings after he had accomplished a work which in mostcountries would'entitle him to the consideration and assistance of every one in a community likely to be benefited by.his'discoveries. First >; came,, the litigation business, which, it was. believed, had been satisfactorily, disposed of. Then comes internal dissension amongst the persons supposed to be interested with him, as illustrated by the proceedings at the meeting held to-day. Now it is conQdently asserted that another excuse has been found on which to ground

further cause 01 complaint and more litigation. So that Neves, who deserves something more than credit at the hands of the public, and substantial consideration at the hands of the Government, is to be subjected to-further annoyance by law. proceedings; which means delay in bringing to light the riches which be spent years in discovering.