Extracts from the Observer.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3946, 22 August 1881, Page 3

Extracts from the Observer.

Men are enquiring here if the dfofranchising the province of Auckland by the new representative Bill is a part of the compact John Hall entered into with the Northern four. Thomas Spurgeon, who, by-the-bye, like his father, objects to the prefix " Rev." being attached to his name, says parsons generally are "a queer lot." Tommy is evidently on the right track. So Mr, James McGowan is anxious to represent the Thames constituency in the next Parliament. Mac is a hardheaded Scotchman, and has been a member of the Thames Borough Council for years. (He is a Eaf-dowuer from the North of Ireland.) The Post is deeply concerned about the depression which exists in Wellington, and has come to the conclusion that it can only be purified by fire. To this end it advocates the establishment of a Government Fire Insurance Company in the ' colony. When fire-raisiDg was a legitimate mode of employment in some of the New Zealand towns tome years since the English shareholders were made to help to rebuild the cities. The Post would put the Government in their place, . Hall's argument against increased northern representation is worthy of consideration. "We have," says the leader of the " swell mob," Chinese in the south who are not represented in Parliament, and you have Maoris in the north, why should one be represented and not the other? He denied having said so, but we heard him, though the statement will be exercised from Hansard. It is currently reported that a mature syren who keeps one of the hostelries in the Tiki district is going to sue Fitzgerald the lucky miner, for £1000 damages re breach of promise. 'Fitz looks twenty years younger since he struck gold, and meditates pleading that a "man may not marry his grandmother."