ECHOES FROM THE CAFE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1345, 12 February 1881, Page 2

ECHOES FROM THE CAFE.

There has been a splendid example of '* from the sublime to the ridiculous" at the Theatre Royal. Last week Mr Henry Kett n n had po^ses-ion of the boards of the Royal and gave a series of pianoforte recitals, which those who are competent to form an opinion assure me were sublime. The public did not flock to hear Ketteu. On the contrary, they stayed away, his audiences consisting only of the select few who had received a musical education sufficient to enable them to appreciate his playing 1 . To orJinary mortals like myself there is no great amount of enjoyment to be derived from sitting for two hours, listening to one man playing on one instrument, even theugh we are told that it is splendid. It is beyond us. We do unt — we cannot — appreciate it. We cannot see where the enjoyment comes in, so this being a free country, we stop away. I cannot say much for Mr Kettens' manager knowledge of the popular taste. Had he collected an ordinarily good concert company and taken them round the colonies with Mr Ketten, the trip would have been a great success, but two hours of pianoforte, and nothing but pianoforte, will not prove a '•draw." This week the Lydia Howarde Opera Bouffe and Burlesque Company have been performing to large houses. This is the sort of entertainment which always pleases an Auckland audience — a little music and plenty of fun. lam quite sure there is nothing so good for a man as a hearty laugh. He forgets all about his troubles and his cares, for a time at least, and is all the better for that forgetfulness. He is much more likely to give a beggar • a shilling or " back a bill " for a friendw after laughing at a burlesque, than after& listening with silent raptnre to a piano* forte recital, so I advocate burlesques in preference to pianoforte recitals. The principal topic of conversation this week, both at the Cafe and elsewhere in the city, has been the Grammar School row. In addition to the talking, there have been leading articles and letters in both the daily newspapers. I have already referred to Mr Fenton's action in the matter, but the present agitation is connected with certain charges made by Dr, Purchas. These charges were, in the first instance, made verbally to two of the Governors, about seven months ago, Dr. Purchas telling them that he did not wish to appear as a public accuser, but that he considered the matters he mentioned should be enquired into. On July 23, 1880, Dr. Campbell, the Chairman of the Board, requested him to pnt his charges in writing, which he did, but without signing them. When Dr. Camp-, bell was suddenly summoned to England, the papers were left in the hands of Colonel Hanltain. Dr. Purchas, hearing nothing further about his charges, asked that gentleman the reason, when he was informed that his charges were notsigned, so the Board could not take cognisance of them. He then authorised Colonel Haul- - tain to lay the charges before the Board in his name. This was done,, and the Board decided to investigate them, so, on November 22nd, a letter was sent to Dr, Purchas, informing him of that fact, ftnd requesting him, as his charges were very vague, and did not mention the names of the masters to whom he referred, to ttiiQ

bis oharges definitely and give the names of the master* against whom he brought tho«e .charges. This ho did not do until December iteth, after receiving a letterfrom the Seoijetaiy of the Board, telling him that, if he did not do so, the Board would be compelled to come to the conclusion that he did not intend to subatantiate hie statements. On Monday a letter from Dr. Purohas appeared in the daily papers, in which he raitdo what is tantamount to an admission that he oantaot prove his charges, and begged parents and guardians who agree with - him in believing that the Grammar School is not properly managed, to communicate with him, and help him to bring to light what has hindered the efficiency of the school. I do not believe that many, if any, parents or guardians will come forward, as within the last few days I have spoken to a large number of Mr Macraes former pupils and the parents of pupils, and they one and all agree in expressing the greatest confidence in Mr Macraes ability and in the manner in which he has conducted the Grammar School. The termination of Dr. Purchas' letter is almost worthy of that "friend of the human race," Sir George Grey. He says that lie has no private interest to serve, but that he is actuated by a desire to serve the community at large, and especially those " who, in the near future, are to bear no mean part in guiding the destinies of the colony." This is really a very good imitation of Sir George Grey's " high-falutin " style, and I could readily believe that it had been taken from one of 4/Sir George'B speeches. Unfortunately, I Tftirve not got copies of those speeches, so I cannot be quite sure about it. However, it is satisfactory to know that there reside, within thirty miles of each other, two such noble and patriotic men as Sir George Grey and Dr. Purchas. May they both live long, to be a blessing to their adopted country and models for the boys to imitate. The Liberal Government have taken strong measures to suppress the Irish troubles, and it seems as if those measures were having good effect. It was a bold thing of Mr Gladstone to propose the expulsion of the Irish obstructionists from the House of Commons ; but he had no doubt been assured of the support of both moderate Liberals and Conservatives, and lie knew that he would be supported by public opinion. In spite of these facts, the action taken in the matter is hardly what would have been expected of Mr Gladstone, being more like one of Disraeli's coups, which have sin-prised the British nation, and, in fact, every other nation, by their boldness and their suddenness. However, the step seems to have had a good effect, as Reuter telegraphs that outrages have ceased in Ireland. It is to be hoped that the cessation will be permanent, and that the Irish will take legitimate steps for the lighting of their grievances. There is no doubt they have grievances — some of them very serious ones, — but shooting landlords, and obstructing the business of Parliament, is not the way to get grievances removed and wrongs righted. The Grammar School row has done some good, at least the parcons of the old school would think bo, as it has brought one lady back to the orthodox faith. She is a firm believer in Mr Macraes ability, and has a strong antipathy to Mr'Fentou, on account of the way in which he ha*, in her opinion, persecuted Mr Macrae, after inveighing very bitterly against Mr Fenton. she said, "Well! i did not believe in the ' lake burning with fire and brimstone,' but I do now, as nothing but fire and brimstone could purify such «. man." I do not know if there is anything in the Constitution Act prohibiting the Governor of the Colony from engaging in business, but, even if there is not, I should hardly have thought that a diningroom and boarding-house for lumbers would have been the sort of business in which he would have engaged. Appearances would indicate that 1 was wrong in thinking so, for, as I was going down the wharf the other (Uy, I saw, in large black letters on a white ground on the back 0/ a building on the reclaimed land, the following legend: — "Governor Gordon's Good Beds and I ining-rooins." Surely this is very plebeian occupation for the son of an Earl ! but I suppose that, like most of our Govei 1101s, Sir Arthur has come out here to bave money, and anything is acceptable which will bring grist to the mill, f may remark that the man who " runs " the business says that he is the sole proprietor, and tli.it he has merely borrowed the Governor's name without asking his permission. Of course. this may be so. I will not contradict the man, but as this is a free country, every man has a right to his own opinion, so I will keep mine. St. Muiigo.

Public di:jjt of Amkuica. — In his address recently made toCo>t?res'<, President Hayes alluded to the public debt in the following terms: — No public duty has been more constantly cherished in the United States than the policy of paying the nation's debt as rapidly as possible. The debt of the United Kfcafcea le&q cash in the Treasury and exclusive of accruing 1 interest, attained its maximum of 2,736,411,571 dole. ill August, 1865, and haR hince that time teen reduced to 1,886,01 9, 504d015. Of the principal of the debt 108,758,100 dols have been paid since March Ist, 1877, effecting an annual saving of interest of 6,107,593 dolB The burden of interest has also been diminished by the sale of bonds bearing a low rate of interest and the application of the proceeds to the redemption of bonds bearing a higher rate. The annual saving thus secured wnce March Ist;, 1877, is 14,290, 453d015. Within a short period over six hundred millions of five and six per cent, bonds ■wjll become redeemable. This presents a rery favourable opportunity not only to further reduce the principal or the debt, but also to reduce the rate of interest on that which will remain unpaid. I call the attention of Congress to the views expressed on this subject by the Secretary of the Treasury in his annual report, and recommend prompt legislation, to enable the Treasury Department to complete refunding the debt -which is about to mature. The continuance of specie payments has not been interrupted or endangered since the date of resumption. It has contributed greatly to the revival of business and to our remarkable prosperity. The fears that preceded and accompanied resumption, hare proved groundless. No considerable amount of United States notes have been presented for redemption, while very large sums of gold bullion, both domestic and imported, arc taken to the Mint and changed for coin or notes. The increase of coin and bullion in the United States since January Ist, 1079, is estimated at 227,399,428d01. There are still in existence, ud cancelled, 346,681,016d01. United States. "Yon gorgeously attired damo is the Duchess of what ?" asked a Yankee spectator at a royal reception at Buckingham Palace. " She hisn ? t a Duchess hat all," said the gold stick in waiting, " but T 'ear as 'ow she be the wife of ban Hamerican plumber." Love, like the opening of the heavens to the saints, show? for a moment, even to the dullest man, the possibilities of the human, race. He has faith, hope, and charity ior another being, perhaps but a oreation of his imagination. Still it is a great advance to be loving cren bis imaginations.