New Chums.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1621, 24 April 1875, Page 5 (Supplement)

New Chums.

"New Chums"—Who they? Why old chums from home ; Templed by promises thus far to roam. " New Chums, the new Chums" 'tis sickening the cry, When uttered by new chums of one month gone by.

It matters not hitherto where you have been— What lands you have travelled, what sightsyou have seen What distinctions you've earned, what hard-

ships o'ercome, You're but (in New Zealand) a Billy new chum. Old chums gather round that you may admire Their business-like air, " tall-talk," and attire— Their beauty of mould (both figure and face) Oh new chums, gaze long on this mighty race. They say a new chum may be known by his talk; By his look of surprise ; his " old country " walk. Prom the Governor down —whoever may come, Is daubed on arrival a " silly new chum." No wonder Eew chums would look round with surprise On triumphs of art that on each hand arise. There's the Auckland Museum, unequalled I ween, By like institutions elsewhere to be seen. How bold the exterior, see the exquisite taste, Displayed in each line of this building so chaste; Its domes, and its towers, its turrets and htflls, That rival the beauties of even St. Pauls.

Then they look at the wharfs, how dazzling the sight To tie now chum from England, poor foolish wight! Whet! —five or six Bhips ! —thinge in Enghmd so rare, ; (" Oil dear, if at home, how the old folks woiild stare") And wonder, no doubt how this old home can be

(Compared with this Eden) still "gem of fche sea."

Then look at the streets, gracious me! three

or four (Of real business streets, you may one day find more). Next look at the statues, how proudly they

rise, In the form of pumps, what a vast enterprise! And sighing remark, " A.h me what a.pity That each town at home is not called a city."

Next comes the Railway, now the new chum will stare, Here's somethiag at last that they've not seen elsewhere; The new chum is awe-struck, he stops to adore, But fancies in England he's seen all before.

Oh Colonists learn to shun self-conceit, When you've nothing to boast 'tis so indis-

creet, "- 'Tis reproachful in age, disgusting in youth, And nations, like men, have attested this truth.

If greatness and modesty go Hand-in-hand, I sigh for the greatness that's found in this

land; If you look for a sigu there's nothing, alas, But an awful amount of what we call

"gas;" Be smart if you will, but be modest withal, Or chums who know nothing may rise where you fall.

Don't blow your own trumpet, leave others that task, And learn that wisdom oft wears the fool's

mask, While fools will prate on who've got nothing to show. But] really the depth of the little they know, Of course 'twill be urged that the Colony's

young, Just the reason its babes should yet hold their tongue.