AN EVENING'S FUN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 260, 2 November 1928, Page 10

AN EVENING'S FUN.

MR. JOINER ON THE BOX.

A HAPPY AUDIENCE,

'"Now, gentlemen, I think you have all had a most enjoyable evening's fun, and in fairness to Mr. Joiner I think we should pass a. vote of thanks and confidence, in him," eaid one of a crowd of 300 when Mr. J. Joiner, Independent candidate for City Central stepped down from his box at the corner of Wellington and Hobson Streets last evening. The suggestion met with ironical, prolonged cheering, and the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." .

It was apparent immediately the candidate mounted the box just before eight o'clock that the crowd was there for fun, and Mr. Joiner was answering questions from all directions and turning round and round like a weather-cock in a typhoon. Repartee is not one of li:e candidate's long suits, and the hecklers scored off him all the time. At times there were so many calling "Mr. Jointer——" a la Gallagher and Sheen—that frequently a self-appointed orderly shouted "Silence in the court." When the candidate mentioned that he had only held one public position in his life, this was met with '"Did they find you out?" Mr. Joiner: I didn't know I came to the Zoo to address a meeting, but if any of you fellows like you can take tho platform. Tho invitation was accepted by a sturdy fellow, with a strong voice, and as he climbed on to the box there were cries of "Good old Chapman." ''Ladies and gentlemen," ho began, "give Mr. Joiner ten more minutes of a hearing and you will have the greatest joke of your lives." Ho dismounted, and "Sir James," as Mr. Joiner was continually being called, once again took over the platform. "I want to tell you," sandwiched in the candidate after several false starts, "that there are two very strong candidates standing for Parliament. One is Hir James Gnnson, who can carry 2cwt of flour, and the other is James Joiner who can carry 2cwt of spuds. (Loud cheers.)

.^P^t 11, * of farmin £. tho candidate said, I once knew a chap who planted strawberries., and five yeais later " A Voice: They came up gooseberries. Are you m favour of doing awav with the upstroke of the pick or the heavy down stroke of the pen ? Do yon contend that it bo made compulsory for Chmeso to wear kilts? Would you be in favour of doing away with the water fountains in Queen Street and replacing them with ale taps? Is it true that you are the man who wrote 'Yes, We Have No Bananas?'" These and many more questions of the kind were asked the candidate, and though he did say he was in favour of prohibition and against racing both statements being received with loud and ironical cheers, he never really had an opportunity to get properly into his stride, and outline whatforwa P r°d 7 *" 7 ™ hed to P u *