MELBOURNE GOSSIP.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2477, 26 May 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

MELBOURNE GOSSIP.

[i-'i:ow orn own' ('oiiitF.si'oxnEN'T. | As tho f•'>iiiillSes-ion draws near, interest. in politics revives. Tho anniiuncuinent, that the Ministry intends to introduce a new Electoral Bill entirely recasting country constituencies, is creating sinne hinsr like a. panic. Tho Bill will deal with a plan of establishing a uniform system of representation —one member, ono constituency—on the basis of a representative for every 12,000 of the population carrying on'-thinl to one-fourth of the elector -. If this Bill should become law many of tho smaller towns returning members would have to bo joined on to country districts with altogether different interests at stake, and many districts will not be properly represented as thoy ought to be. Should tho Ministry persist in their insane plan of campaign, there will bo an outcry throughout tho entire country, and it. behoves all country members to lonic to their constituents' interests, and band themselves together to quash this iniquitous movement.

It is high time to preach decentralization in face of the foregoing; for this threatened policy is merely another effort of centralization, which is the evil genius of our colony. The Ministry is unusually strong, and it seems to be their desire to force the position and aggrandize themselves at the expense of the weaker. We have had enough of centralization, and it is time we had more attention paid to provincial wants and provincial interests. The feeling ispretty general, too, outside certain political circles that this premeditated policy of the Government is iniquitous, and if it comes to a head the Opposition will meet it I'i ct i.trmis; iu fact, a prominent mem ber of the Opposition informs mo that, so strong is the feeling of antagonism throughout the country, that he is in hopes the Government will quickly let the matter drop, " A consummation devoutly to bo wished."

Pali ! It is perfectly sickening to read of tho continual disputes and wraugliugs that take place in Melbourne between those in power. This latest phase of the Higinbotham vcrxiis Sargood imbroglio is not at all pleasant matter for consideration. There has always been jealousy between the two, and now the musical arrangements have been made the cause of an open rapture, leading to the President's resignation. Of course it is pretty well known that the President of the Executive Commission will get a title after it is all over, and tho whole affair seems to be caused by the jealousy and envy of those who tried, and successfully as it has proved, to force the Chief Justice's hand and cause him to resign. There are three or four who are simply panting to be the recipients of the coming knighthood, and it is a disgrace and a scandal that this jealousy should be so actively demonstrated. What will lie tho end of it all time will tell, but in the meantime, until things arc settled, of course the Exhibition suffers. Affairs seem to be going altogether wrong there now. The business is being delayed, the English manufacturers ate growing disgusted, the greater body of the French intending exhibitors arc doubtful about sending, and things arc Generally at sixes and sevens—and it is not too much to say, that it is all oiving to the jealousy and inclliciency of those appointed to carry out the work. I am glad to see that Australia is gaining for itself a reputation at homo as tho birth-pl'ico of talented musicians and artists. Never before has there been such a number of our young compatriots before London and European audiences. There is Mrs Armstrong, our Tasuvmian queen of song, on tho Drury Lano boards in opera. There is .Miss Montagne Conyers (Miss Lulmati) one of the greatest favourites in London at concert and matiuoe. There is Miss Florence Menck-Meyer charming tho musical world of Vienna and Paris with her wonderful mastery of the piano—tho Lizst of tho future sho is termed, and in tho dramatic arena are Mrs Campbell Praed with "Ariadne,'' and young Fergus Humo with the " Handsome Cab Mystery "—both of which plays are drawing large houses. I likewise hoar from home that Mr C. E, Hearii, a Sydney native and long known in the art world thoro, has had the honour of being appointed to instruct their Royal Highnesses, the three Princesses of Wales, in water-colour painting and sketching from nature. All this .shows we can hold our own in other ways than on tho cricket, field and with tho sculls.

Tho amalgamation of tho two artists' societies that existed in Melbourne—the Australian Artists' Association aud the Victorian Academy of Arts—has resulted in an initiative exhibition given by the new association, the Victorian Artists' .Society. Tho Government House party, attended by Sir J. Moßain, figured at tho opening, when tho exhibitors took the opportunity of presenting Lady Lock with a set of photos of tho pictures, handsomely mounted in a plush case. It seems to bo tho general opinion that the paintings aro not first-class this year, though a few stand out as exceptions. However, there lias already been sold about four hundred pounds' worth, so the painter's cannot grumble. The "Grosvenoi' Gallery " (as it is somewhat euphemistically called), will bo quite a fashionable resort during tho next couple of months at least onco a week, for one afternoon hebdominally tho artists give afternoon toa, oked out by somo mild singing.

Tho rapid and startling fall in the price of tin from tllili per ton to £78 almost within a week, has had a curiously depressing inlluimee throughout mining circles generally. liut if we here knew a 1 i(! le inre'e of what goes on behind the see!ien in IV'ii'lon and Paris and sueii centres wltr-ns the market price is ruled, we should not tie so easily frightened. A hiree linn of tin exporters in town here, who are in constant telegraphic communi cation with their branches in London ami Paris, have given me the true history of this fall in price. It seems that a powerful ring has been formed in London ami Paris some twelve months to obtain a monopoly in the metal. They gradually bought up, or coerced, or combined with half tho principal tin mines in Kurope ; but many would not join the combination, and this sudden fall would be the result, being brought about with the view of influencing the companies that stood out from joining the syndicate. My friends inform me that it is impossible thy mcliil can be kept down for a very long period, however powerful the combination against it. The price it was —JtlOG the ton—is too high, and it may not reach that, but in all probability it wil' settle down to a normal figure at about .I*l 10 to £11"), which is its real market value when uninfluenced by speculative operations. A sensational romance took place in town last week, which, has not yet found its way in f o print. Mr W. (r.ho selfstyled " Champion Sk iterof tho Woild '), a young man of some 2S, arrived in this colony about 18 months ago, penniless. Being preventable and an expert at linking, he quickly became tho admiration of tho majority of tho vouug lady rinkers, an l of one in p ut'colar, who, he found out was likely to benefit to the tuuo of £'20,000, in consequence of an aetion-at-law shortly to bo tried. Tho engagement of the young lady aud the skater was announced, and matters went on swimmiuifly until the law case oamo on, when, sad to relate, she lost it. The consequence was t '•/1 1 Mr W. broke off the engagenient. Now tho dam-el was naturally greatly indignant, and swore vene'tjanee. She and a wealthy (really wealthy this time) young lady friend put tle-ir heads together and cnncoted a scheme as follows:—-The friend fell (or pretended to fall) desperately iu love with the Champion, and tho p isaion he reciprocated, for there was no doubt about her fortune. They became engaged, and tho "2nd of May was appointed for the wedding, Tho evening prior la the ceremony the intending bridegroom invited a host of friends to a champagne • •upper, whilst, a sumptuous dinner was ordered by him to the ceremony—

for what could ho not lavish on his friends on tin 1 strength of tho promised £10.000 his /tmnrc volunteered to settle upon him nfh't- Ihf vi'trriin/e? But alas for his aspirations ; vunfell on the gay deeeiver. When he billed :it the house of bin promised bride on the wedding morning he found the bird flown. It luid been a conspiracy between the two girls, nnd the deluded "Champion Skater of the World " found himself left, to meet a pile of unpaid bills and the jibes and sneers of his friends. Thus was the biter bit.