RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33974, 15 October 1975, Page 25

RANDOM REMINDER

TERSE VERSE

We used this space some time ago to draw attention to the manner in which many Canterbury place names, properly interpreted, form useful additions to the language. They also, of course, like many place names, make invaluable pegs on which to hang limericks. The localised Canterbury limerick, like the Great New Zealand Novel, is an art form still very much in the process of coming into being. We have decided to nudge its development along a bit with an example or two. The first offering con-

cems a young man and his shattering experience at the hands of a veterinary surgeon: There was a young man from Domett Who took a sick horse to a vet. The vet said: “This horse Is now dead but, of course. It will still make nice food for a pet.” Next, we recount the tale of the trotting trainer who found a way around the restrictive regulations of the Trotting Conference: A trainer who lived at Pendarves,

At Addington entered two calves. He said this was done ’Cause he couldn’t race one. And he never did nothing by halves. ■riie final composition concerns a seafaring lad whose pride wenteth before a fall: There was a young tar from Glentunnel Who painted rude words on the gunwale. Then climbed up aloft To the crow’s nest, and scoffed At the crew — till he fell down the funwale.