Auckland Gossip. ECHOES FROM THE CAFE. Auckland, Wednesday.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1184, 29 January 1880, Page 2

Auckland Gossip. ECHOES FROM THE CAFE. Auckland, Wednesday.

Yes! I still take my lunch at the Cafe» in spite of the fact that there are two clubs in Auckland. One reason is that I have always been in the habit of going to the cafe for years past, and I am that rara avis, in these days of Greyism and Radicalism — a Conservative. Another reason is that the members of the Northern Club would, in all probability, "pill" a poor penny-a-liner, and I .do not care for some of the members of the Auckland Club. Some of the latter have been "making an exhibition of themselves" by writing to Leopold, rating him for his presumption in altering the libretto of the "Sorcerer." To show their bona Jides or their "cheek," they signed their names to the letter. Leopold replied to them severely, informing them that he would place their letter in his solicitor's hands. What his solicitor will do with it I cannot tell. I saw by the Herald that on Monday evening, when Pastor Chiniquy was lecturing in St. James's Hall, a brass band was practising in the new Roman Catholic School next door. To put the matter mildly, I think this was very " bad form," as when Father Henneberry was here he had a " fair field " and plenty of favour H.M.S. Cormorant proceeds to the Heads this afternoon for shot and shell practise. This important item appeared in the Star on Fiiday evening, having been telegraphed from "Wellington, and, I suppose, would be telegraphed to every newspaper in the colony at a cost of some sldllings, if not pounds, to the Press Association. The newspaper proprietors of the colony most be a very long-suffer-ing race to allow their money to be spent in such a purposeless manner. Apropos of newspaper proprietors, I hear that G. M. Reed, formerly one of the proprietors of the Evcnlny Star, is getting tired of his little billet which the Great Pro -Consul gave him as the reward for his valuable services, and is wishing himself back in New Zealand, with its splendid climate. I think that he made a great mistake when he sold his interest in the Star. Our Cafe has been suffering from "shows " lately, or rather from the voices of the men who have been "running the shows." First, we had a " Two-headed Child,' ' an abomination pseserved in spirits of wine in a bottle ; then we had Edison's Telephone, and what we will have next to complete our mibery I do not know. Both the "showmen" were blessed, or you may use another word with an opposite meaning, and stood at 1 the door of the shop in which the "shows" have been exhibited, calling the passers-by to "come in and see the wonderful Two-headed Child," or "Edison's Phonograph." I did not go to see the former, as lam not fond of that sort of thing, but invested a shilling to see and hear the latter. It is certainly a wonderful Invention, but I was somewhat disappointed, as the bound was not nearly so loud as I expected it to be. I see by the papers that the "Saviour of the Country" is to deliver the inaugural address at the opening of the new College and Grammar School, so I suppose there will be a great assemblage to hear the dear old man talk twaddle. Of course he will continue to make political

capital by his address. The new building looks very well, and is a great improvement oa the prison -like building out of which the governors were forcibly ejected some months ago by one of their own number. It was truly an edifying- sight to see, as I did, one of the Board of Governors directing men with crow-bars to break open the door of the building, and a very excellent way to instil into the minds of the boys that love of law and order which should distinguish all good citizens. The Union Steamship Company have discovered what everybody else knew some time ago — that they are running too many boats up and down the coast, and I are going to lay up three great coaleaters—the Wellington, the Wanaka, and the Penguin. It would have been a rather fortunate accident for them if the Penguin had, like the Taupo, become a total wreck at Tauranga ; but, of course, no one would be so wicked as to say that her striking was " accidental, done on purpose." "That Heathen Chinee" continues to arrive. I see that the Albion brought over a batch from Sydney on "Wednesday. Will Sir George Grey devote a portion of his inaugural address to declaiming against their being allowed to land in a "free country?" " Playing pitch-and-toss on Sunday." Four young rebels were brought up at the police court the other day charged with this heinous offence, and were "taught Christianity at the point of the bayonet;" or, at any rate, were taught how to behave on Sunday by the strong arm of the law. if any of your readera will be sorry to I hear that Mr. J. S. Macfanane is very ill, and that grave fears are entertained of his recovery. Poor old J S. ! There are pknty of men in Auckland whom we could better spare, for, though he is a bitter enemy, he is a staunch and true friend: I hope that the doctors will "pull him through " this time, and that wo will soon see him in Queen Street once more. "iEglea," in the Australian speaks about the difficulty that people in Victoria have, in not knowing what Stamp Duties are required under the new act, just passed there. He says that it reminds him of the difficulty that people in Chicago used to have with regard to the Post Office, which had been burned down three times in the course of a year or two The Chicago merchant used to say to his office-boy, " Johnnie, run out and see where the f ost Office is, and mail these letters." A certain Waikato gentleman neglected to see where the Post Office was, so mailed his letters in Rattray's Buildings in Shortland Street, six months after the office had removed their own building whioh had been rebuilt after the fire. There was a nice little row on Sunday last in a church, not 100 miles from Auckland. The clergyman, who is himself an amateur musician of (in his own opinion, if in that of no one else) no mean ability, not pleased with the singing on Sunday wrote, and passad to the choir, a note telling them that if they did not sing better he would stop the organ. The j choir, after service, "went for" clergyman, and told him that he must apologi.se or they would leave the church. Of course they " established a funk," and the reverend gentleman had to " eat the leek." St. Mtjngo.