ECHOES FROM THE CAFE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1408, 12 July 1881, Page 3

ECHOES FROM THE CAFE.

The Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court commenced on Monday, with a rather heavy calender. There is one feature worthy of notice — the number of Maoris among the prieonera. It seems to be the usual result of the carrying of our boasted civilization among an inferior t race, that the natives, of whatever race, learn the vicos, but not the virtues, of the white man, that when Englishmen j offer them rum and the Bible, they accept the rum with great avidity, but decline the Bible. I heard a very good story some time ago, which has the merit, rare among good stories, of being true, and which shows how much offect Christianity has on the native mind. One of the bishops had succeeded in converting a number of Maoris, and he was very proud of his converts, who used to have prayers in the chapel morning and evening, whether a clergyman were present or not. A number of travellers were, on one occasion in the neighbourhood of this chapel, and the bishop, who had been telling them about the devoutness of his converts, proposed that they should visit the chapel, and take the Maoris unawares while they were engaged in their devotions. They readily acceded to the proposal, rode to within a short distance of the chapel, tied up their horses, and walked quietly up to the sacred edifice. As they approached it, they heard a perfect babel of sound inside, and, when they went in to ascertain the cause, they found the Bishop's beloved converts standing on their heads, gabbling through the prayers, trying who could hnish them first. The Bishop's grief was indescribable. Monday was also the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States. There was no demonstration here, with the exception of a display of bunting. This is a accounted for by the fact that there are not many Amciican citizens here, and the majority of those are not of the sort who make a great fuss about Independence Day. I have not been in the United States, (that is a pleasure to winch I look forward) but I have been told that the people who do the "high falutin " talk are not nativeborn Americans, but immigrants, especially those from Ireland. It was one of the latter who, in proposing ' ' success to the United states " at a Fourth of July Banquet, expressed his sentiments thus :—: — " All hail • the American aigle ! J he American aigle, all hail ' The bird that no one can cnvaigle, Or put salt on his beautiful tail." How is that for high ? The Herald on Saturdays is a very large paper, containing a considerable amount of good readable matter ; but I cannot understand why the editor should allow a portion of the space to be taken up with " A lady's Diary at the Lakes." It contains some of the most cuiions specimens of compoHition I have read for some time. I quote a few extracts from last Satui day's instalment. "We started in a good sized boat, and a crew of eight Maoris." As cannibalism is no longer practiced by the Maoris, I am at a lobs to understand this sentence. "The terraces got deeper in height as one ascends.'' This is the first time I have read of anything getting "deeper in height;" but we live to learn. "The lake gets narrower going down. It is a very insignificant stream as regards size and colour." Prize conundrum — When i? a Hke a stream ? These are a few samples of the lady's diary ; and yet there are people who advocate the use of newspapers in schools instead of readingbooks. I was very glad to see by 'the Melbourne telegrams that the Berry Government had been defeated. Berry has been in Victoria what Grey has been in New Zealand — one who has used his utmost endeavours to setclass against class, to set labour against capital, and tlie natural consequence of his policy haR been that, whereas all the other colonies have been rapidly increasing in wealth and population, the trade of Melbourne has been driven away to Sydney, and the population of Victoria has not shown as great an increase as the surplus of births over deaths?. Mr. Berry waited on the Governor and asked him to grant a dissolution of Pailiament, but. as so short a time has elapsed bince the Ust general election, the Marquis of Normanby rpf used to accede to his request, and sent for Sir Bryan O'Loghlan, who was A ttorney-General in the Berry Ministry at the time of the Black Wednesday dismissals, but who was so disgusted with Berry's action in the matter of reform of the Upper House that he moved the vote of no-confidence, which has resulted m the defeat of the Berry Ministry. It is very doubtful whether Sir Bryan O'Loghlan will be able to form a Ministry which will command a working majority, if he is able to form a Ministry at all, but, at any rate, it is to be hoped that the B°iry party have occupied the treasiuy benches ior the last time. The "Hero" arrived from Sydney on Monday, and was immediately ordered into quarantine. The Government are quite right to adopt every precaution to prevent small pox being brought into the colony, but, in view of the fact that all those who are suffering from this loathsome disease in Sydney are completely isolated, it is doubtful whether it is necessary to quarantine steamers coining from Port Jackson with a clean bill of health. However, if the present fine weather continues, the passengers living on the "Hero" and going on shore at Motuihi for shooting and picnicing will have rather a ])leasant time, provided they are not subject to pecuniai-y loss through the delay. The Auckland citizens intend to display their loyalty by giving a fitting reception to the two young princes when they arrive. It is to be hoped that the thing will not be over-done, that the Committee, while showing proper attention to the future King of England and his brother, will not allow their attentions to degenerate into toadyism and flunkeyism. Subscriptions are being raised for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the- .Reception Committee, and the Auckland citizens are responding to the call with the liberality for which they are noted. It is something wonderful the amount of money that is subscribed in a uckland annually fo*r charitable and other purposes, and the cheerfulness with which the money is given is really admirable, Ido not mean to say that all who are asked for subscriptions give cheerfully, or even that all who are asked give, but the majority give liberally and cheerfully. There is an unpleasant rumour current which I hope, for the sake of Auckland's reputation, is not true. It is that two gentlemen (of course they are gentlemen), who have been very active in canvassing for subscriptions, have forgotten to put down their own subscriptions. I hope there is no foundation for the rumour, but I am afraid that there is. I see that the Attorney-General has introduced into the Legislative' Council a bill to amend the "Banks and Bankers' Act." It will, if passed, be of great advantage to the mercantile community and to country settlers, as it will put the matter of crossed cheques payable to order on a more stable footing. According to the- present law, crossing a cheqne, or making a cheque payable to the order of the -individual or firm ' Whose name appears in the body, is a mere farce," as it is no mtatactidn to the drawert If the new bill becomes law, as much protection

as possible will be given. There is another admirable feature in the new bill, and that is the prohibition of tradesmen making bank notes an advertising medium by placing stamps on them. I would suggest another clause, which I think be inserted in the bill. That would be a clause prohibiting banks from issuing notes in such a dirty state as they do. Clean notes are not worth more than twenty shillings in the pound, but they are both pleasanter and safer to handle than dirty ones. St. Munoo.