FREE AND EAST NOTES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 211, 15 February 1872, Page 5

FREE AND EAST NOTES.

BY P. TENAX. The illness and recovery of the Prince of Wales have given rise to a - frightful amount of hypocrisy. The press especially has sinned in this respect. That portion of the British public resident in New Zealand is represented to have displayed the "most profound sorrow " at the news of the dangerous nature of the complaint the Prince was suffering from, and to have received the announcement of his convalescence with " feelings of unalloyed pleasure." I have very little hesitation in characterising these statements as unmitigated bosh. The residents of New Zealand, as a rule, did not take enough interest in the existence of the Prince of Wales to feel much sorrow because he was dangerously ill, or to greatly rejoice at his recovery. And why should we in New Zealand take any interest in the txistence of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales ? What are his claims to public regard? Has he distinguished himself in science, literature, or art ? Has he shown himself to be an able statesman or a brave soldier? In the course of his life has he done one deed that can be styled noble or generous 1 or performed one action for the benefit of his fellow-creatures ? Souie of those who expressed deep grief at his dangerous illness, and joy at his recovery, will oblige by answering those queries.

The San Francisco Mail brings intelligence of the assassination of an- American of wide-world celebrity— -James Fisk, junr., of New York. Fisk was unquestionably a genius. He commenced the battle of life as a circus rider, but finding that occupation not sufficiently remunerative, he abandoned it to take to peddling. This he also gave up after a short trial, and he returned to New York, where his address and energy procured him a situation in a Wall-street broker's office. Here his talents found a congenial field, and he rose rapidly in the estimation of his employers. But Fisk was not disposed to let others profit by the exercise of his abilities, and he started as a broker on his own account. His business career may be said to hare been an uninterrupted sßceess, and he rapidly accumulated wealth. He first came prominently into notice in connexion with the Erie Railway swindle — probably the most gigantic and cleverest on record. He and: an attorney" named Jay Gould managed > by operating on the shares and purchasing the New York Legislature, to secure the sole management of the railway. When they accomplished this, although the railway paid excellently, the other shareholders never received any dividends— the whole proceeds being used by the pair of conspirators in speculating on their own private account. By this means Fisk amassed a colossal fortune. Fisk was the leading spirit in the infamous coalition known as the IS'ew York Gold Ring, the machinations of which, however, proved unsuccessful —an opposition coalition, formed under the auspices of the Nestor of American speculators, "Commodore" Vanderbilt, having won the financial battle. This affair created a monetary panic, and thousands were ruined. Fisk speculated largely in theatres, and at the time of his death was proprietor of several in New York. Fisk's style of life was magnificently ostentatious, and he indulged in many extravagant whims. From the meagre information contained in the telegrams, his assassination seems to have been iustigatod by a discarded mistress. Such was the career of one of the most daring and unscrupulous, as well as one of the most successful, speculators of modern times. With much that is bad there will bo some good associated with Fisk's name. He was one of the largest contributors to the relief of Chicago. To expedite the sending of supplies to that unfortunate city, all his lines of railway were cleared for the passage of the relief trains ; and he himself drove a cart about New York, collecting provisions.

The Lawrence correspondent of the "Bruce Herald" has made a discovery, the importance of which cannot be overrated, viz., that "the Blue Spur is a deposit from quartz reefs in prcadainite." The distinguished discoverer of this preadamite ought to have described the stuff, in order that peopi« mmht. know it when thssy soe it. lie might also state whothor quartz reefs are often found in it. He ought without delay to send specimens of the preadamite to Dr. Hector and the Dunedin Museum. , He might also deliver a lecture on it_ at the Blue Spur, on behalf of the Hospital funds. lam sure he would have a large and appreciative audience, Preadamite ! !

Rumour hath it that Mr. Clarke offered to yive up the land in Moa Flat sold him by the Waste Land Board if the Government would return him the amount of his deposit, with interest added. Whether the Government definitely refused the offer or not I am not in a position to state, but the probabilities are that they did not, as it is not likely that they had the required sum in their possession. The Provincial Government must be congratulated on the businesslike manner in which they have conducted this transaction from beginning to end. I verily believe that half a dozen professional idiots could not have managed it better.

Bishop Moban seems to be compelled to periodically display his national characteristics. He must have a row with somebody occasionally. He is not particular who or how many antagonists he encounters. For the sake of peace and quietness he'll fight all who present themselves, or anybody else. He has a very pretty quarrel on the education question with the Press, on hand, and though he fights gamely, he seems to be getting considerably the worst of it. Nothing fresh has been elicited in the controversy, except the name of a historical authority hitherto known only to a select few. During its course, great liberties were taken with the fiery Innocent 111. ; and the story of the signing of Magna Charta was served up in a mutilated form by both combatants, though what these matters had to do with the education question in New Zealand did not appear. The conflict ended where it began, leaving those who. engaged in it more at enmity than before, lam afraid the education question will not be definitely settled until the last resident on the globe commits suicide.

Now that the General Government has established an Agency-General and several immigration agencies for the Coldnyln" England, enquiries are being made as to how long the various Provincial Governments intend to continue their Home agencies. Many taxpayers fail to see the necessity for a double set of officers to perform the same work. I suppose, however, the dignity of provincial institutions must be kept lip till they are abolished ; and for this laudable object roads must be left impassable, bridges in a dangerous state, and our land sacrificed. Let us strive to prolong the existence of Provincialism.