AT THE CORNER.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4946, 15 November 1884, Page 2

AT THE CORNER.

[BY NEMO,]

Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto,

Tawhiao, " King of all the Maoris," has evidently benefited by his trip to the Old Country. His ideas of England's greatness have been very considerably enlarged, and his notions of decorum (notwithstanding the temptations of the Alhambra nymphs) have become more civilised, as was instanced the other day at Whatiwhatihoe, when he silently and most effectually expressed his disapproval of the conduct of two of his henchmen who turned out to welcome him in (very nearly) Adamic attire. The old chap, too, is really grateful for the kindness with which he has been treated, and before leaving London left a record of his appreciation, of which the following is a translation :—" 3, Montague-plac, RusselU square, London, August 19, 1884. Tv my dear friends,—Salutations! To Mr Charles Hancock and his lady, and to all the gentry and their ladies who hospitably invited us to their houses. I have now made up my mind to return to my country and race, and therefore write a few words of farewell and thanksgiving to you all. Abide here in your own land. I will never forget your love to me and my friends, and we will henceforth tell of your honorable kindness to onr race. Although the Government were not disposed to allow us to see the Queen, and to thorooghly investigate the affairs of our race; nevertheless, we have been greatly loved by the people. We have come here from a far distant land, and have recentiy reached England, and have seen its people, its nobles, its habitations, and your honorable kindness to us. In conclusion, my dear friends, I have seen and experienced the reality of things done towards us as we sat in the presence of this great people. Dwell here! Pare well!—Tawhiao."

Two of the BL'Army members were going along Pollen street a few nights ago, and were engaged in edifying conversation. Soldier No. 1: " Ah, brother, do you know what a lady said to me the other day ?" No. 2 : "No, wotwusit?" No. 1: " She asked me why we made such a norrid row in. the street the ni-ght before, an I ixplained how some of the bunsmen (bandsmen) wasn't right, an we ad to turn out with the big drum, a trombone, an a tambreen, an she says, " Well any'ow you're a norrible noosance, an I wish you was all burnt." No. 2 : " Never mind, brother, let the scoffers scoff, that there women don't know but as how she may be burnt herself some day." This, as far as I know, settled the subject.

What has given rise to the rumor that several members of a certain congregation are moving to get their clergyman transferred to some other district ? I have made enquiries, and, as far as I can find, there is no foundation whatever for the report, People must be getting short of material for idle gossip.

The committee of a certain Sunday School on the Thames have decided that no more dancing is to take place in the building; it is an ungodly pastime, and money raised through letting the schoolroom for balls, dances, and suchlike Satanic amusements, is unhallowed. So think a small narrow-minded section of our Christian community. Thank good ness there are not many persons who consider evening re unions, sach as some of our young people got up last winter, in any degree sinful. Dancing, like any other healthful exercise, must be indulged in with moderation; it is strongly recommended by physicians as a means of strengthening the body and improving the carriage. In small communities like this the evening dance is one of the few opportunities afforded people of meeting together in a pleasant and sociable manner.

The Salvation exhibition on Monday last must have been somewhat annoying to the music-loving and peaceful residents of the place. The evident abandon of the feminine portion of the procession says much for the inspiring influence of a big drum. I noticed one damsel carrying a red flag, and she appeared suitably pos« sessed with the enthusiasm which causes modest girls to don peculiar head-gear and march in ranks through the streets to the howling choruses of blasphemously worded Salvation compositions. I wonder what mothers are about to allow their daughters to take part in such doings. But, I suppose people must be excused for being irrational, when religion carries them away. XXX The following, which I clip from a Wanganui paper of a recent date, needs no comment: —" A gentleman in town was last week delighted, perplexed, and terrified in turn, by the receipt of the following delicate missive from some dear young creature of his acquaintance, who is apparently anxious to make a good thing out of the Leap Lear opportunity before it expires : ' My dear and most respected sir, I send you thia your love to stir. Leap Lear has come, and first of all On you I make my miidca call; In marriage ask your heart and hand, And pray you yield at I/ovo's demand. An answer send without delay : Say yes, my dear, and name the day. But if your heart should not incline With me in wedlock's bonds to join, Then must you Leap Year's laws obey, Five hundred pounds to me must pay, And give besides a handsome dress. I ask no more—l take no less. You'll think th' alternative is fanny, But I must have a raan—or money 5 Must ere t c year's out ohange my station, Or else resort to emigration Accept mo then, your bumble puitor, If not—cash up, I'm off for Utah.'"

In an issue of London Truth I not very Ion? ago read that it was the intention of the Thames Conservators to expend about £20,000 duriDg the next three or four years on improving the condition of the Thames. The mud-banks will be removed, the channel will be deepened, and the' shores will be grasaed over. The difficulty, however, I should fancy in the way «f the Conservators is the small amount of water that comes over one weir, owing to the depredations of the Water Companies, One may almost faucy that this is our Thames; and fo? water coming over a weir might read that the difficulty threatened is the imminent danger we are liable to of having private interests thrust forward to i the district's detriment, through owners of property exercising improper influence

to their personal aggrandisement. Possessors of certain blocks and sections seem desirous of making the Thames River the Thames Harbor, and whether this should be or not, it ill becomes interested persons to interfere in a matter which by their action may turn out detrimental to others.