AT THE CORNER.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5119, 13 June 1885, Page 2

AT THE CORNER.

[by neko.]. '

Homo sum, humani mhil a me alienutn puto.

It ia rarely that ia the cue of a big4| claim being made through the medium of the Resident Magistrate's Court the amount of costs granted exceeds the claim ; but yesterday the beauty of going to law was fully exemplified in the case of a land owner versus a Road Board, heard in the Resident Magistrate's Court.. From the judgment given it appears that the case was brought before an improper tribunal, but as a lesson in the way of caution to eager disputants, in order to prevent litigously inclined persons from rushing into a dangerous breach, I would point out that the claim made was only £30, while the costs allowed to the defendants amounted to within a few shillings of £43; then the ill-advised plaintiff had to pay his own costs. Per* haps something under £60 would cover this attempt to recover £30 for problem* atical damage done.

x x x m It is really amusing to read the various reports of the mines of this district which occasionally appear in the Auckland papers, but for a " peculiar" paragraph, I would commend my readers to one in the Herald on Monday last. The writer draws somewhat upon his imagination, and launches forth upon the probability of a rich run of gold being met with, and the gigantic works to be undertaken. For my own part, I would certainly like to tee more of our mines on payable dirt, but I hardly think any good will acorue to the district by these " puffy" pars.

As a a old colleague in Press matters with departed genius, Nemo hangs his bead with grief. John " Sheehan - has joined the great majority, and his judgment has doubtless been passed. Amongst the m*ny genial companions, even in severe reportorial work, when long set* sional hours and trying times existed, the worthy departed legislator was a friend alike to those'who favored his as well as his opponent's cause. As a collaborator, no more ready pea than his was appro* cia'ted, and I, who hare experienced the aid of his genius, wish briefly to add to the colonial expression of grief, my mite.

The English language has always been renowned for its adaptableness, and the two negatives making a positive, combined with the way the unfortunate grammars —improved on from time to time, and occasionally amalgamated with those of other languages-—is used up, is saddening. I am, however, sad just now; I fear journalism is on the decline. An Auck< land daily has stated that—" From the Ist of next month the steamer Waitaki will run to and from Whangarei twice a week, instead of bi-weekly, as at present."„ Surely this must have been .evidence of a " hard uppishness" of news, or a want of resource, or perhaps both; at least we will so put it from charitable 'motives* What is the difference ?

XXX y. How are scandals raised P This question is frequently asked, and the reply, though simple, is seldom forthcoming. Scandals are the result of either idle gossip, which is generally exaggerative—of condnpt which causes suspicion of impropriety-* of ascertained misconduct and of malicious feelings which prompt one to spread reports respecting an offending one with a view to their circuation. Now if, when .§ story is told about anyone we know, or even of one who is a stranger to us, we would refrain from repeating it until absolutely certain of its truth, its evil effects would frequently be counteracted. It is easier to start a dam than to stop it; so is it a smaller matter to utter a degrad* iug speech than to hinder its influence..

We have heard a lot about La Monte and the " process " lately, and it is to be hoped that the experiment of smelting the quartz will prove successful, and cause a revival in the mines. Much is raid in favor of the idea, and hot ft little against it. We shall see the. re* suit of Mr. La Monte's sanguine hopes in a few months time.' If the furnaces are started and found to realise expectations, Galena will be indemand. Our miners should look around for that mineral