MALDEN'S HANDSOMEST MAN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 129, 1 June 1901, Page 5 (Supplement)

MALDEN'S HANDSOMEST MAN.

A PRIZK WHICH THE WINNER DID

NOT DESIRE.

If you're waking call me early, call me early, mother dear; Please throw your slipper at me if at first I do not hear, For to-moiiow morn the "Magpie's" out, its pau.es we must scan, Aial see who's the Handsomest Man.mother -who's to bs Handsomest Man. —'•Maiden Magpie."

The "Maiden Magpie" is a local monthly tuigazlucand it has recently held a "Handsomest Man" competition, which has heen won by the vicar—much, it must be said, to the disgust of that gentleman, says the "Daily Mail."

.Maiden is a picturesque village in Surrey —yju may reach It in 20 minutes from Waterloo. Bnt the feverish spirt of the age Iris lacs-cd it by, and no lumbering omnibuses cr ur to-date electric cars disturb its reacefiil slumbers. Until recently it had no novi'pfiper it could call its own. A fc.v niouibc back the "Maiden Magpie" came. And it has already drawn for.'i the tv.'oncent spirit of competition which lay dormant in the breasts of the men of Malr £»>n. By menns of coupons, Maiden's votes were desired to decide the identity of Maiden's handsomest man. Now Maiden is subdivid#l. There is Old Maiden and New Maiden, two distinct parishes. The one Maiden loves not the other Maiden, and thereby hangs a tale. April 1 was the date of the Issue in which the momentous announcement was to be made. The date may possibly have Inspired the machinations of many Old Maldenltes. Anyhow, on fhe day appointed the "Magpie" announced that the Eev. W. A. Challacombe— vicar of New Maiden—had won tlie prize. E.'e secured 213 votes, the nearest competitor being 51 votes behind him. The Rev. W. A. Challacombe does not consider that he is the most handsome man in Maiden, and is much annoyed. Meanwhile tlio prize—a handsome smoker's cabinethas been sent to him. This has been- returned to the editor of the "Magpie."