Fix this text
THE BULLETIN
Fix this textNo. 11.
Fix this textSYDNEY, SATURDAY, APRIU 10, 1880.
Fix this textPrice—3d.
Fix this text%\t §wlktin.
Fix this textSATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1880.
Fix this textOur Pawnbroking System.
Fix this textIt would indeed be difficult to lay down a bard,
Fix this textinflexible rule defining the businesses which may
Fix this textproperly be undertaken by the State and those
Fix this textwhich may more profitably be left to private enter-
Fix this textprise. It may however be safely asserted that
Fix this textone of the not least important duties of the Legis-
Fix this textlature is to encourage thrift and diminish the
Fix this textfiscal burdens of the community by every means
Fix this textcompatible with the moral and material progress
Fix this textof the nation. It is better that our telegraphs
Fix this textand railways should be in the hands of the State
Fix this textthan in those of private individuals who after all
Fix this textwould not construct, or having constructed, would
Fix this textnot maintain lines of wire or rail except on condi-
Fix this texttions differing widely from those under which the
Fix this textState carries on those departments of its business.
Fix this textIn deciding whether or not it will interfere with
Fix this textthe business operations of private individuals, the
Fix this textState, we take it, is only bound to act on the well-
Fix this textworn political proverb of “ the greatest good for
Fix this textthe greatest number.” It is r b deterred from
Fix this textlaying down a street t-unway by reason of the
Fix this textfact that it finds the pa * .'He in the Hands
Fix this textot a private company w nose easiness the tramway
Fix this texteannot but curtail; nor does it refrain from work-
Fix this texting the new city line by steam instead of by horse
Fix this textpower because of the objections naturally raised
Fix this textby vendors of horse-feed.
Fix this textTheoretically, sovereigns have the same com-
Fix this textmercial rights as potatoes—that is to say: the
Fix this textowner of money, like the owner of tubers, is per-
Fix this textfectly justified in buying in the cheapest market
Fix this textand selling in the dearest. Yet from all time there
Fix this texthave been among many nations laws against usury ;
Fix this textand our own system of licensing pawnbrokers is
Fix this textdesigned not only as a safeguard against the too
Fix this texteasy disposal of stolen valuables, but as a check
Fix this text■on the usurious operations of those who lend
Fix this textmoney on personal property. As the subject of a
Fix this textusury law is now before the Assembly, and as the
Fix this textpawnbrokers of New South Wales, like those of
Fix this textevery other country in which they have been allowed
Fix this texta liberty amounting to license, have as a class
Fix this textshamefully abused the privileges granted them,
Fix this textit may be well to see whether an equitable pawn-
Fix this textoffice system cannot be substituted by the State
Fix this textfor that at present obtaining, and whether there
Fix this textare not good grounds why the Government
Fix this textshould take into its own hands a trade the followers
Fix this textof which are all-powerful, and which in the most
Fix this textprosperous of modern commonwealths —France—
Fix this text■could not be made to yield a maximum of good
Fix this textand a minimum of evil until monopolised by the
Fix this textGovernment. We have not room in this column
Fix this textfor even a rough statement of the facts bearing on
Fix this textthe case; but we print elsewhere in this issue a
Fix this textshort article founded on the report of the Victorian
Fix this textCommission to the last Paris Exhibition —showing
Fix this textthe operations of the Government ‘ Mont de
Fix this textPiete ’ system in France. Any alteration in the
Fix this textlaw as applied to pawnbrokers should, in our
Fix this textopinion, be based on the experience of a nation
Fix this textwhich for a century has tried, with the happiest
Fix this textresults, the effects of placing substantial restric-
Fix this texttions on money-lenders. The English system, or
Fix this textrather want of system, has been tried in these
Fix this textcolonies, and proved to be here, as it is at home,
Fix this texta failure.
Fix this textIt may be urged that the task of lending
Fix this textsmall sums of money on valuable security at
Fix this textreasonable rates of interest is one which might
Fix this textproperly be taken in hand by a limited company.
Fix this textBut the experience of Prance incontrovertibly
Fix this textshows that the operations of private money-
Fix this textlenders, whether single individuals or companies
Fix this texthas, whatever the pretensions of th epreteurs, ever
Fix this textbeen associated with greed; and that it is only
Fix this textthe State which can combine business with bene-
Fix this textvolence.
Fix this textIn Prance, the State is the sole proprietor of the
Fix this text“Mont de Piete.” It lends money on valuables
Fix this textat per cent., and by allowing a commission of
Fix this textone-half per cent, to the appraiser, makes the
Fix this textlatter responsible for the institution obtaining, in
Fix this textthe event of its being compelled to exercise its
Fix this textpowers of sale, as much for the article as was
Fix this textadvanced upon it, plus interest and expenses.
Fix this textShould a borrower fail to pay interest within
Fix this texttwelve months of the time he obtains a loan, the
Fix this textsecurity is sold by auction and the balance (if any)
Fix this textremaining after the realisation of the sum lent, the
Fix this textinterest thereon and the cost of valuation, is passed
Fix this textto his credit in the books of the institution. If not
Fix this textclaimed within three years, it is handed over to ..he
Fix this textcharities.
Fix this textContrast this truly philanthropic and easily
Fix this textmanaged system with that which prevails in
Fix this textNew South Wales. Here a person in want of
Fix this textmoney, and who has only personal property to
Fix this textoffer as security, is bound by law to go to a man
Fix this text■who charges him at least 60 per cent. We say
Fix this textat least, for it is well known that the pawnbroker’s
Fix this textexaction, all told, is frequently at the rate of 100 per
Fix this textcent. In two—or, at the outside, three —months,
Fix this textthe security is sold by mock auctio n and the whole
Fix this textproceeds go into the pockets of the insatiable
Fix this textlender.
Fix this textWe hail with satisfaction the prospect of legis-
Fix this textlative action such as will to an extent, however
Fix this textuncertain, regulate the actions of pawnbrokers
Fix this textand the holders of bills of sale. We hope that
Fix this textParliament, when touching on the subject, will
Fix this textdeal with it effectually, and that by following the
Fix this textexample set by older and wiser legislatures, it will
Fix this textshow that the expenditure incurred by the colonies
Fix this textin connexion with their representation at the Paris
Fix this textExhibition has not been altogether in vain.
Fix this textMr. W. W. Stephen, Under Secretary for
Fix this textLands.
Fix this textWe this day present to our readers the portrait
Fix this textof Mr. William Wilberforce Stephen, the Under
Fix this textSecretary for the Department of Lands of this
Fix this textcolony. It is our intention at some future date to
Fix this textlay before the public engravings and short bio-
Fix this textgraphical sketches of the Under Secretaries in the
Fix this textseveral departments of the Government service,
Fix this textand we feel that we could not do better chan com-
Fix this textmenced the proposed course of such sketches with
Fix this texta slight outline, necessarily short from t ie limited
Fix this textspace at our disposal, of the gentleman above
Fix this textnamed.
Fix this textMr. Stephen is too well known to the • ■■onerallty
Fix this textof the Sydney public to need any person dor ip-
Fix this textticm oth c than that offered by tbo c\c.' cut
Fix this textlikeness produced below. He is tue filth son of
Fix this textSir Alfred Stephen by his first wife and is therefore
Fix this textthe brother of Mr. M. H. Stephen, Q.C., the
Fix this textpresent actual leader of the bar of New South
Fix this textWales and also a half brother of Mr. C. B.
Fix this textStephen, barrister-at-law. He was born in Tas-
Fix this textmania, in September, 1835, and came to this
Fix this textcolony in 1837 with his father, Sir Alfred Stephen.
Fix this textMr. Stephen was educated at Sydney College and
Fix this textthe Rev. Mr. Williams’ school at Ashfield in
Fix this textcompany with his half brother, Mr. Randolph
Fix this textWant the well-known solicitor, Mr. A. Norton,
Fix this textnow member of the Queensland Legislative
Fix this textAssembly, and many other men who have made a
Fix this textname and position for themselves in life. He
Fix this textentered the public service of the colony on the Ist
Fix this textof July, 1852, at the early age of 17 and rapidly
Fix this textrose in that particular branch to which he was
Fix this textattached. His first essay, whether of his own
Fix this textchoice or enforced we do not pretend to know, was
Fix this textin the then Colonial Secretary’s office. At that
Fix this textdate, before the institution of responsible govern-
Fix this textment, the Imperial regime still obtained, and the
Fix this textlate Sir E. Deas Thompson combined the offices of
Fix this textColonial Secretary and Minister for Lands. One
Fix this textyear later, however, people in the antipodean wilds
Fix this textbegan to have a glimmering of light and to see
Fix this textthe error of their ways, and, upon the Lands
Fix this textOffice being formed, Mr. Stephen transferred both
Fix this texthimself and his energies to that important branch
Fix this textof the Government service.
Fix this textGradually, step by step, with a perseverance
Fix this textmost certainly worthy of a better cause, Mr.
Fix this textStephen, after having early made himself ac-
Fix this textquainted with those minutes of detail which are
Fix this textessential to a thorough knowledge of the working
Fix this textof any department, rose with that steadfast firm-
Fix this textness which showed his determination to achieve
Fix this textthe goal he had marked out for himself and which
Fix this textwas the surest guarantee of his reaching it.
Fix this textOn the Ist of October, 1870, he was made Under
Fix this textSecretary for Lands and has held that post ever
Fix this textsince. The duties of Mr. Stephen’s position are,
Fix this textwhatever may be the opinion of the outsidp public
Fix this texton such matters, the reverse of light. Much has
Fix this textlately been said and written concerning the De-
Fix this textpartment of Lands and the laxity of its
Fix this textmanagement, but it is certain that the genial
Fix this textmanner and businesslike attention to the perfor-
Fix this textmance of the duties of his really diplomatic office
Fix this textwhich characterise the present Under Secretary go
Fix this textfar to neutralize any such laxity, if it exists.
Fix this textMr. Stephen is highly and most justly respected
Fix this textby all his subordinates, and in concluding this
Fix this textnotice we can wish him no better fortune than
Fix this textthat he may live long and enjoy all the success
Fix this textwhich he deserves.
Fix this textA HOLIDAY LETTER,
Fix this textPICKED UP IN THE NORTH SHORE PERRY.
Fix this textMy Darling Totty,—
Fix this textAlthough I am so tired that my fingers will
Fix this textscarcely hold the pen, I must make an effort to tell you
Fix this textof our delightful pic-nic to Middle Head, where the
Fix this textvolunteers were camping. There were Lotty and Kitty
Fix this textClover and myself. We took our little brothers with
Fix this textus, put all our pocket money together, and with our
Fix this textjoint savings engaged, a man with a waggonette to drive
Fix this textns there and return for us in the afternoon. a The man
Fix this textsaid he was taking us for next to nothing. I'only know
Fix this texthe left us with next to nothing in our purse. Kitty
Fix this textcalled him a dear man, so sarcastically yon know
Fix this textKitty’s style. As soon as we started it began to rain
Fix this textand didn’t' stop until we reached the ‘ camp.’ We per-
Fix this textsuaded the driver to remain until the shower was over,
Fix this textopened our parcel of sandwiches and had one all round
Fix this textwith two for the driver—Lotty says you must always
Fix this textstuff a man to keep him good-tempered. . Whilst we sat
Fix this texteating and talking the officer of the guard’came near
Fix this textand;asked if we had any friends in,‘ camp?. At thejrisk
Fix this textof choking myself I swallowed my'sandwich .andfsaid
Fix this textno—a .spare tent would .be more in our line?fHe laugh-
Fix this textiugly assured us they were not water-proof. Just then
Fix this textthejrain ceased and the sun camejout" bright ahcf hot!
Fix this textThose dreadful boys—we had only brought them
Fix this textuseful—all decamped, and we were leftlstanding in the
Fix this textmidst of our baggage. I suppose we looked;,a little dis-
Fix this textconsolate, for a volunteer came up and offered to carry
Fix this textour baskets to a nice cave he knew of. We smiled on
Fix this texthim Totty, every one of us, and followed him as if he
Fix this textwas our brother. Oh, he was kind. He made a fire for
Fix this textus, took our ‘ can ’ and'brought us nice sparkling water,
Fix this textand asked us so kindly if we had everything.we wanted.
Fix this textI said yes—all but one thing—a cork screw. * Ye-es,’ I
Fix this textsaid, looking at the girls— ‘ a bottle of Imilk.’ jj He went
Fix this textto look for a tire-bouchon. Just as we began’our
Fix this textluncheon—the boys had returned—we saw our
Fix this textvolunteer making his way down to us, and
Fix this textwhat do yon think the kind fellow had
Fix this textbrought us ? A can of hot soup: just, he said, to
Fix this textshew us how they made it in camp. I assure you it
Fix this textbeat the soup at the restaurants, or else we were
Fix this texthungry. ‘ Now,’ he said, *if you will give me the bottle
Fix this textof milk I’ll try and knock the head off carefully.’ ‘Oh,
Fix this textyes,’ I said, ‘ of course the bottle of milk,' and I gave
Fix this texthim a hottle of Bavarian ale —we had brought a bottle
Fix this textbetween us all, dear. He never moved a muscle but set
Fix this textabout opening it. Kitty Clover pushed a glass into my
Fix this texthandand whispered, ‘give the dear fellow the first glass.'
Fix this textSo when he handed me the decapitated bottle, I poured
Fix this texthim out a glass. He made a grave salute, drank to our
Fix this textvery good healths, and added that he seldom tasted
Fix this textsuch good milk. Then we all laughed and got quite
Fix this textfriendly. At last he said he must go and dress for parade,
Fix this textbut if we liked he would shew us over the camp in the
Fix this textafternoon. So we packed up, took all our baggage to
Fix this textthe waggonette, told the man to mind it, and did not
Fix this textwait long before our soldier friend joined us and took us
Fix this textover the camp. When we reached the sergeant-major’s
Fix this texttent he introduced us to him, and after a little talking
Fix this textand laughing the latter joined our party, and we all
Fix this textwent to see a torpedo explode. Such a grand sight !
Fix this textthe water was thrown up in a long white column. By
Fix this textthis time it was getting late, so I asked the major—
Fix this textdoes’nt that read nice—to call ‘ our boys.’ Then, dear,
Fix this textwe started for the waggonette. They saw us all comfort-
Fix this textably seated; and when we thanked them for all their
Fix this textkindness they laughed and said what pleasure we had
Fix this textgiven them, and squeezed our hands at parting—Kitty
Fix this textsays it’s a way they’ve got in the army. The last I saw
Fix this textof them they were waving their haukerchiefs to us, and
Fix this textwe did the same. So ended our most delightful day in
Fix this text‘ camp.’
Fix this textYour loving cousin,
Fix this textQUIZ.
Fix this textPALACE POSTAL LETTERS.
Fix this textBY PEA-BLOSSOM.
Fix this text(Forwarded per favour of THE BULLETIN.)
Fix this textIX.—"GARDEN PALACE FLIRTATIONS."
Fix this textMt drab Bean-Blossom, —
Fix this textThe .weather is lovely and the ‘ Palace ’ is
Fix this textcrowded. There is plenty of music of its kind.
Fix this textMadame Lamal has her usual crowd packed inside and
Fix this textoutside her husband’s attractive little court, where the
Fix this textcentre of attraction is the bronze. A life-size subject
Fix this textof a man training a poodle to jump over his clasped
Fix this texthands is about the best ‘ bronze ’ in the whole Exhibi-
Fix this texttion and is faultless as ‘ Arianna ’ in the Italian court—
Fix this textboth being gems of art. I linger near the fountain.
Fix this textMark the word near, for it is impossible to be very near,
Fix this textas the people stand and sit more than five-deep round
Fix this textthe fountain. How many secrets its noisy waters have
Fix this textlistened to and in a measure drowned; how many
Fix this textlovers’ vows and sweet flirtations have been swallowed
Fix this textby the gaping, wide-mouthed—l had almost said
Fix this textwaddling frog—but quotations even from the author
Fix this textof such well-known lines as the above are odious.
Fix this textThere is a charming amount of trust and child-like
Fix this textconfidence in each other among all the happy couples
Fix this textthat gather round the ‘ fountain’ and tell their little
Fix this textlove tales, not only to the waters but to their neigh-
Fix this textbours. The question naturally follows what will all these
Fix this textJemmy Tessamys do when the fountain is no more ?
Fix this textFlirtatious and love making will be voted flat, stole and
Fix this textunprofitable when not carried on in the ears and under
Fix this textthe full battery of at least a hundred eyes. Jeames,
Fix this textthe footman, and his master. Lord Long-Acres, both
Fix this textmeet their young women under the ‘ dome,’ where the
Fix this textprevailing scent is orange and peppermint, where pom-
Fix this textpadour print and pompadour silk are both told
Fix this textthe same tale by a variety of well-dressed men
Fix this textof various grades in society. Here I see the
Fix this textfull grown son of a ‘ lord ’ doing the con amorg
Fix this textbusiness as though he was no novice in the ar
Fix this textNeither is the well-dressed—perhaps one of the fe
Fix this textwell-dressed women who daily haunt our Palace. Sh
Fix this textaffects a dark and rather uncommon shade of green
Fix this textperhaps as a contrast to her own guileless character
Fix this textwhere the simplicity of girlhood might appear to ad-
Fix this textvantage, but does not, to speak the plain unvarnished
Fix this texttruth. Such attributes have not been known in her
Fix this textfamily for many generations. How her people came to the
Fix this textsurface of society and once there kept firm hold of their
Fix this textborrowed gentility is not for me to unriddle; but society
Fix this textof the present day is not very particular. Eeport even
Fix this texthints that within the walls of the mightiest it is more
Fix this textthan a little mixed. Then why grow egotistical ? Some
Fix this textmust get the loaves, others the fishes ; and if the hook
Fix this textis well baited or the net well weighted the fisher is sure
Fix this textof his or her prize. My dear Bean-blossom, I fear I
Fix this texthave allowed my fancy to carry my pen into waters
Fix this textconsiderably out of your depth. Take my letter for
Fix this textwhat it is worth, eschew the evil and digest the good
Fix this textthereof.
Fix this textYours,
Fix this textPEA-BLOSSOM.
Fix this textMR. W. W. STEPHEN, UNDER SECREPARY FOR LANDS.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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(1880). The bulletin Retrieved February 6, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-201352807
The bulletin Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880. Web. 6 February 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-201352807>
1880, The bulletin John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, Sydney, N.S.W viewed 6 February 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-201352807
{{Citation
|
| title=The bulletin.
| year=1880
| section=105 volumes : illustrations (chiefly coloured), portraits (chiefly coloured) ; 30-40 cm.
| issn=0007-4039
| series=John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues).
| issue=No. 11 (10 Apr 1880)
| location=Sydney, N.S.W
| publisher=John Haynes and J.F. Archibald
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-201352807
| id=nla.obj-201352807
| access-date=6 February 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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