Australian Town and Country Journal at KellyGang 1/1/1876 (3)
Paddy's market is a great boon to the people of Melbourne, being central, easily accessible and spacious, so that the best union possible between .seller and purchaser is ensured. There, too, the political agitator, lets off his oratorical gas and declares "that all reasonable and peaceable means having failed chaos must come again and anarchy reign." On Saturday night the place presents a busy aspect, for it is the resort of thousands of working people and vendors of produce and meat by the hundred, as well as Cheap Jacks, medicine men, and other leathern lunged itinerants who keep up an unceasing din.
A very laudable feature prevails here, which might be introduced into Sydney with benefit to poor horses. One rarely sees a horse hero this hot weather with his head uncovered. There are a variety of headdresses, but the one most in vogue is a light little cap or bonnet, supported on two wires, which adds to the horse's personal appearance. How would it do for a Dorcas society of equine milliners to start and make pretty bonnets for those horse-owners who would accept and use thoem?
Fruit and vegetables are lower in price in Melbourne than in Sydney, owing no doubt to the proximity of fruit growing countries, Tasmania and South Australia, and the large quantity of land cultivated by market gardeners around Melbourne. The show of cherries and strawberries in the shop windows is highly tempting, and in the streets all kinds seem to sell at ridiculously low prices.
Political matters remain almost in statu quo in the Assembly. The Berry party persist in their "stone wall" opposition, and having been defeated upon the financial question are about to table n motion to the effect, that as a great principio is involved in the affirmed resolutions, and they will necessitate a radical change in the system of taxation there should be an appeal to the country. This was to have been debated on Tuesday, but the Government checkmated their opponents by intervening the Amending Land Bill providing for the increased assessment of Crown Lands occupied by pastoral tenants. This the Opposition could not obstruct, as they were bound to the principle of increased taxation of the squatter; so they went in ta impose an additional assessment to ls per head on every sheep and 5s on cattle, and the Government having withdrawn all the other clauses the Bill passed through all its stages.
The weather has undergone a complete change, and is now unbearably hot. Business at the theatres is slack, but great preparations arc being made at both houses for the production of the pantomimes. The Royal is to be “Froggy would-a-wooing go," adapted by Mr Garnet Walch, and that at the Opera House is "Fortunatas," with Misses Emily Melville, Jeannie Winston, and Clara Thompson in the principal roles. W Hubbe has painted some magnificent scenery for the latter, and both will be mounted with the customary magnificence.
The Christmas books are out. Mr Marcus Clarke's “Twixt Shadow and Shine" reads suspiciously like an adaptation of some old Cornish romance with a jumble of Victorian reminiscences. Mr Walch's book "On the Cards" is written with his customary rich humour, and is well illustrated by Mr G G M'Crae. Mr Whitworth's contribution to Christmas literature is called "Crushed,” but it is not for sale yet.
end
| ! | The text has been retyped from a microfiche copy of the original. We have taken care to reproduce this document but areas of the original text may been damaged. |
