PROVINCIAL AND GENERAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 217, 28 March 1872, Page 7

PROVINCIAL AND GENERAL.

The G-erman inhabitants of Chicago, feeling that the subscription of 1,000 thalers (£150) by the Emperor of Germany, and of 500 thalers by the Imperial Prince and Princess towards the relief of the German residents is not commensurate with the rank and dignity of the donors, especially as such large sums were sent by Germans in Chicago for the relief of their countrymen at home who suffered by the late war, have unanimously resolved to request the committees instituted for the relief of ' Chicago, "to indignantly reject the miserable pittance thrown to us by his Majesty the Emperor of and his lioyal Highness the Crown Prince of Prussia and lady."

An English contemporary says :—: — The Eecord is much exercised by a refractory curate, who complains that lie has been fourteen years in the Church, and yet has no chance of preferment. "Come what will (exclaims the curate), disestablishment or, disendowinent if necessary — away with a state of things injurious ,to religion and antagonistic to justice." • Other cura+es, the writer says, are of his opinion, believing that if the Church were disestablished, brains would have a chance against family connections, influence, or purchase. The Record is horrified at these dreadful* sentiments. They " savor more of the Communism of Paris, or the International Union, than of Evangelical Christianity." It is interesting to note — as perhaps explaining why curates are allowed to languish without preferment — that the Record contains an advertisement of an "advowson" for sale, worth £400 ayear, with forty acres of glebe, " comfortable rectory house in its own grounds, with convenient offices," and — most suggestive intimation- - "the present incumbent, is believed to be in his TSthyeai 1 ." This, we .presume, is " Evangelical Christianity ! "

Mrs. Victoria C. Woodhull, the American spiritualistic stock- broker, is, ie seems, an energetic woman. Here are some of the things she can do :-— - She can i*ide a horsy like an Indian, and climb a tree like an athlete ; she can swim, row a boat, play biliiards, and dance ; moreover, as the ci*own of her physical virtues, she can walk all clay like an Englishwoman. Mrs. Woodhull never goes to any church whatever; she rnxnufactures her own religion.

Adult convict labor is let out by the authorities at San Francisco at from 40 to 50 cents' per man per day.

The Roman Catholics in Christchurch appear to l>e outgrowing their church accommodation. The existing building, which is now capable of holding 700 people, is to be enlarged to such an extent as to provide accommodation for 1200 or 1300 people ; the alterations costing, it is estimated, about £1000. The "New Zealand Herald" gives the following hint to politicians : — We find, >n the report of the proceedings of Congress, that a Bill has been referred to a select committee appointed /to devise means "for x^e-arrauging and cutting down the clerical and laboring force of the House." The Bill goeato the root of the patronage exercised by Congressmen. It " proposes to make it a misdemeanour for Congressmen, or any one else, to knowingly recommend an unfit person for public office, or to do so simply for political reasons. The offence is to be punishable with fine or imprisonment, or both." A. measure of this kind would have -a salutary effect in New Zealand. We believe there is no community of the same limited numbers, with so many incom petent persons who manage, in some mysterious manner as hangers-on of Government, to make a living at the public expense. New Zealand would appear to be the promised land of loafers.

The following 1 paragraph appears in the" " Southern Cross :"— "A new thing under the sun has made its appearance, in the shape of a tin violin, and is declared to bo superior to any made of wood under 100 years old. The instrument is of superior tone from the Lour in which it is made, and it may literally be made in an hour. The strings are catgut, but who can say that they too will not ere long be some* .thing else 1 "

Talk about' a woman without a baby, a man without a wife, a ship without a rudder, a dog without a tail, a glass*, without any cocktail in it. What is the lack of each one of these individuals or things to that of a man without an advertisement 1 He is a hopeless cas.e — a " gone in community." Talk of his being successful in business ! You might as well talk of I ascending to the moan on a greased moonbeam. You never see a man get fat who doesn't advertise. He- hasn't money enough to ' purchase material that fit k composed of. People, point at hiiii in streets and say, " Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look.". He isn't married — of course not. No an«el that wears bick hair- and criuoline would ever t'.iink of uniting her fate to that of such a man". • It may, however, be consoling to him to reflect that when he dies he will be advertised afc. last, and gratuitously "£t that.. — American paper. •

Sere is a chance for > • doctor. -The guardians of the Houiton "Union, Devon; advertise for a district medical officer at a salary of £9 "per annum.