AT THE CORNER.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5015, 7 February 1885, Page 2

AT THE CORNER.

[by nemo.] -. v : Homo sum, humaninihil a me alienum puto.

I was not; alone in the possession of a feeling of wonder and surprise at rending an effusive sub leader in your contemporary on the subject matter of the cablegrams received through Beater's Agency stating that Lord Wolseley had telegraphed the sad tidings that Khartoum had fallen into the hands of the rebels, aud that Gordon was probably a prisoner. The writer of the article takes leave to doubt that Khartoum has fallen; goes on to try and shew that even if it has, General Gordon must be safe; and scouts the authenticity of the reports, pronouncing them to be "too thin." Unless the author of this remarkable matter has later and more reliable information, I fear his very original effort can hardly afford much comfort to even those who would hope against hope. I must confess that notwithstanding the comparison 'drawn between Cooper's Indian novels and the information which no person has reason to doubt was forwarded to England by General Wolseley; many persons about the Corner have an idea that they, must believe the reports sent as far as they have gone, until further intelligence is received. The Rothschild financial feat referred to in connection with Waterloo has no bearing in, the matter, and an at- , tempt to draw even the most wildly im- j aginative parallel with it and the Khartoum telegrams can only be referred to as puerilely absurd. It would be rather a feature in imposture for the English Press to be gulled by a false telegram bearing a signature purporting to be that of Lord Wolseley, and I hope they have not been; however, if they have, some kudos will have' to be allowed to the astuteness of your contemporary in finding, out the little swindle so soon. j

In a recent number of the New Zealand Industrial and Pastoral News I find a report of a sheep of " chameleon hues " at Dumrym in the Marlborough district. The paper sayg that " last year the wool was of a dark brown color, then it turned to a yellowish tint, and afterwards to an ordinary white." Now " ordinary " washing might, I think, account for all this, but it appears that at last shearing the wool had turned " perfectly black." This is certainly somewhat startling, and leading one to hope that in due course the wool may assume the seasonable tint of " crushed strawberry," leading on to the fashionable shade known to the fair sex as "Elephants breath." As the animal belongs to the female gender, I think it may-fairly be described as a very Pec-cwe-liar specimen of a sheep.

I have received the following from a parent of a State School attendant:-^-. V Dear Nemo,—Perhaps if Job had been a schoolmaster the reputation he bore for patience would not hare travelled as it has done, as it is more than probable that it would not have existed ; but I hold that a dominie requires a little more of the virtue no largely held by' Job than ordinary men, pr he it not altogether fitted for the

general instruction of youth. Iv a »ohool in the Thames district such things are re - ported as almost a revolt in the establishment, ending, in one of the scholars assaulting the master and tearing his clothing. This master was, lam told, so carried away by some feelings, hardly of a worthy nature, as to punish one child until blood was drawn from his hand, and keep the other scholars ia the room to see what he could do. Now, dear Nemo, I would ask you ought not that teacher to regularly preach meekness, humility, and other virtues from some one of our local pulpits every Sunday ?" I must say in.! connection with the. above that if it be ; true, some report should be made to the Committee, who are the proper persons to consider it.

. Oar Choral Society had a good re-open-ing practioe on Thursday night, the " Creation " being the oratorio selected for the next performance. The orchestra and singers went through a few numbers rery creditably for the first time. It is to be hoped that all our musical people will join the Society at once; the sub" scription is only half-a-crown per quarter, and to those who are lovers of music the practices afford an hour's profitable amusement. This place used, at onetime, to enjoy the reputation of being second to none in its songsters; alasl. I fear it has dropped into a position of inferiority; but still we may revive some of the old divine art, if our people wilt only come forward, pay their half crowna, and enrol themselves under Mr Conductor Grigs?. How is it, I would ask, that the choirs of the Thames churches have not all joined the Choral Society ? If they did so, their church music would be much easier to them, and the knowledge of singing largely increased.

,X X X There is a great talk going on about a rumor that an alluvial goldfield exists in the unapproachable Urra incognita of King Tawhiao, and some go so far as to affirm positively that the precious metal is there. It is to be hoped that those gentlemen who are taking such an interest in.the matter will be allowed to go and test the locality, and that the Native Minister will make satisfactory arrangements with the lords of the soil, so that on confirmation of the report there will be no delay, in the opening of the field to prospectors. The times are just now very bad for miners at the Thames, and the discovery of fresh fields in the Waikato would be hailed with joy. by everyone, although such an exodus would ensue as would bring this district down to its lowest level as regards the number of its mining population.

Can anyone instruct me how to make a tough beef steak become tender at an hour's notice P This is a most desirable addition to one's stock of knowledge ; how many hungry souls would bless the " tonder steak manufacturer." Curses, not loud but deep; oft find vent over a repast, the chief portion of which would not be a " missed steak " if the mistake of -putting it on the table were made.

At a late meeting of the Management Committee of a Hospital existent within a radius of fifty miles from Auckland, a suggestion was made that the book containing remarks entered by members of the Committee should be allowed to remain open, but this was objected to by one member on the ground that it should, be open to the criticisms of understrap™ pers in the institution. Why the servants should not see it, it was not clearly stated, but it did seem a little curious that the Committee should object, whether through fear of the consequences, or for any other reason, to their employes. I'would not aay they should be, and may be allowed to hold the opiuion that none but an inquisitive wardsman or other servant would seek to pry into what did not concern him; but I that it a little infra dig to consider the) consequences that were spoken of as likely to arise. It could not of course be a similar case to a criticism of a committeeman's entry, in a report book at a. Southern school, made by a fellow local administrator of educational matters; which ran thus : " 'is grammar ain't bad, but 'is spellia's 'orrid."

It occurred thusly : A friend of mine I know will remark—Oh! what a lark! to think of peaches and cream; but another friend of mine would say—Oh! not a lark! to think of peaches and scream; as it was when he went up a peach tree, reached the top of it, and was Bared from breaking his neck by being caught on a limb by the band of his thing-me-bobs. Nevertheless he got a good shaking, and a nasty cut. His little brother went to see what was the matter, and he came to the conclusion that it was peaches and beam.

Reports of the annual meeting of three of our local churches have been published during the past few days,, and one thing in particular I have noticed in connection with them all. Votes of thanks were passed to the outgoing committees, the choir, all officers, and in, fact, to everyone wbo had helped to gather in money, &c, daring the year, just as if it was some cooperative business in which each shareholder felt personally grateful to his neighbor for trying to make the concern a payable one, but there was not one word expressing gratitude to a Higher Power for the success achieved. In olden times -it was the custom to "give God the thanks," but now I suppose we have got too far ahead for this, and feel quite capable of " running" the church ourselres, and consequently it is to ''We, Us, and Co," that the credit is due. Perhaps, however, I am unintentionally wronging the persons hinted at; and after all their extreme reverence for the Almighty Name may have been the reason for their not mentioning it in a public report.