FACTS AND COMMENTS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 310, 6 December 1873, Page 3

FACTS AND COMMENTS.

Aga unconsciously funny paragraph appears in Dunedin " Star," ivliich reads as follows :—: — i " A paragraph recently went the rounds about Sothern, the actor, pitching an obstreperous Yankee, named Lawsou, out of a Pacific railway car. The sequel is that Lawson died from the injuries he then received, and when the last mail left, Sothern's departure from America had to be postponed pend.ing an inquest." A car in which a fatal struggle takes place is rather ironically styled " a Pacific railway car."

Tho " Guardian" points out tnat the number of young men and young women, especially the former, who pass the University Matriculation examination will be unable — and in the past have been unable — to get employment of an educational kind. There is a glut in the professional market. Hundreds of persons quite able to pass a difficult examination are unable to plead properly in a court of justice, or to prescribe properly in a medical department, or to preach a sermon which rises above mediocrity. We will soon have briefless lawyers; churchless clergymen, and patientless, and consequently patienceless medicos.

We are a rich people, at least so the contractors think. It is wonderful how generous we are with other people's money. There was once a pickpocket, who, when on a cold day, he — so the story goes — found his own hands in his own pockets, he gave himself in charge to the police. We wonder if the contractors inffituro for the new Lawrence Town Hall feel any remorse for having " piled " the tender "' agony "to the tune of £4000. Whydid they not go np to four noughts ? "Thank God ! " said Micawber, when he gave a bill for a debt. "Thank God! that's settled !" So when tho Council negotiates the new Town Hall debentures, they also say, " Thank God ! our hall is free of debt ! " And when the contractors get their share of the plunder, they say, " Look at our town hall ; ain't it aplendid ? "

New companies, new newspapers, new churches, these are now the order of the day in Dunedin. The Duuedinites arc now on very high stilts. Ever since Dr. Begg painted then* portrait with a broad brush and vermillion hues, they scarcely know what to do or say, for pride has taken possession o£ them. " Dunedin is prosperous," says the " Guardian." " Prospei"ous " echoes the " Otago Witness," although not on its oath We are glad to hear it. Why should we not be so ? Why should the food quarrel with the stomach ? We supply Dunedin with food. Then, as the song says, " Let us be happy together! " » Paniers — Grecian bonds — elegant parasols, shaped like fascinating muslirooms — coquettish hats daintily peivhed upon a mass oi' chign n — inflated} cur's — ethereal mus'in — rustling silk — gauzy fascination — all these wonderful things are admirably pictured in the " Australian Sketcher's " first page in the [November number, the scene of the picture being " The Cup Day : A sketch on the Lawn." We remark that in the lady's " train " there is a " buckle " for ornament only apparent ljw In other respects, the Australian "Sketcher" is really splendid. It is a credit to the colonies, and would not disgrace London.