A New Operetta.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 209, 16 October 1888, Page 3

A New Operetta.

BY

"Fancy."

Act 11. Scene IL—(Scene,—same as last. Entsb Engineer.—Song. “ I am, Sir, your obedient F#>rva n t, John Thomson, Harbor Engineer. ’ Yea, and whilst adoring that position I draw eight hundred pounds a year. The virtuous members of the Board Are free from guile of every sort, And everything thev say or do is right; Do you doubt it ?—See my report. For I’ve seen that report; is it not a treat ? And haven’t I made things quite plain ? And is it not perfectly certain. The Harbor’s a positive gain ? For I’ve got the beet plant in Australia ; Al! things have been done as they ought. But of course I don’t blow my own trumppt. It wouldn’t be right—see my report. But of course you’ll excuse my remarking How strangely prophetic I’ve been, How throughout all its pulling to pieces I’Ve firmly supported my scheme. Do I never err? How very absurd To even suggest such a thought. That can only be done bv such Captains As Sinclair—just see my report. Don't you think that I’m awfully clever In dabbing opponents as fools, In assuming thev’ve personal motives In thinking them nothing but tools ; But of course one has to do something; My billet with danger is fraught. This thing is of more importance to me Than those who pay—see my rpport. (Exit.)

ENTER NUMBER OF RATEPAYERS. Ist B.P.—Wondeiful news, upon my soul I The Board intends to take the poll. ’Tis very surprising to find That the Board can make up its mind Without committing some blunder. 2nd R.P.—And I shall not at all wonder If before many days are run They want to rescind what they’ve done. Dialogue, in which they pull Chairman's statement and Engineer’s report to pieces. However, they decide to sanction the further expenditure. all (singing). Oh, spend the forty thou’ No matter when or how. The cash we're wanting now, So let the poll be taken. The Harbor's proved a curse, And yet it might be worse, For still we hold the purse, So let the poll be taken. We’ll not be over-rash But while we’ve got the cash, Let’s make a proper splash, So let the poll be taken. So now we'll all applaud The action of the Board, In placing on record— The poll will soon be taken. (Enter messenger with Standard extra, announcing rescinding of resolution to take poll.) Ist B.P. —Thunder and lightning, here’s a go * They wont take the poll I Told you so I 2nd R.P. —They play with motions as with toys, *• They’re like a lot of little boys.” IbT RATEPAYER (SINGING). Oh talk about chopping end changing, And a mind that is never at one.

The Harbor Board’s fond of arranging These little surprises—for fun. Like sand on the bar ever drifting With the force of each waveaa it breaks, The Harbor Board’s constantly shifting And making some dreadful mistakes. All. —The members are hard headed men. Are endowed with a fair share of tact, But just let them meet as a Board, then They seem at* loss how to act. But better days are coming Our business to enhance. We’ll trust to fate, And pay the rate; For Gisborne must advance. So let Whitmore shirk bis debts, And Ormond do what he will, In spite ot them We’ll act like men, And stick to Gisborne still. (Curtain.)