Wairarapa Jottings.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 75, 7 December 1901, Page 20

Wairarapa Jottings.

THRhK citizens ot Masterton liau> passed awa-\ within a few days ot each other Mr. W I Crawford, who died from injuries received mi the OnentaJ fire was not an old resident, but he was well-known, and Ins bonhomie made him popular Mr William Millar was the victim or a shocking accident. Poor old "Bill 1 " He -was a genial Scotchman, and a genuine sport. He will be greatly missed at the Caledonian Society gatherings In his tame he was a great athlete, and to the last, as game as a bantam. That he should have a record funeral, headed by a kiltie with bagpipes, rendering the last lament wasonh a fitting tribute. * • • The last to lea\e us during the week was Mr John Williams, an erst custodian of the local hospital He was a man of liberal education, well connected at Home, a thoroughly accomplished surgeon, but one who had latterly fallen on evil times * * » The Mastertoman Presbyterians ,ue congratulating themselves upon the success of their first sale of work Hi^ Worship the Mayoi of Wellington was induced to open the show — the local mayor maj peihaps be good enough on ordinary occasions, but an Empire ( it's mayor is not caught every day Mr Adtken made a "beautiful" speech and was highh comphmentaiy towards the fair sex He told them, in a, fatheih way, that God did more for woman than he did for man *■ # # An immense \anety of things were foi sale However in some eases lines were 'passed in," notably when a ga^ young spark gratefully accepted a cigai at the hands of a matronly lad^ and ■-milingly passed on, without — but it is too cruel to go into particulars. .Another of the jeunesse doree, who iv known to be an inveterate smoker, sa^ - ed his pocket on the plea that he had forsworn the flagrant weed 'Oh I am so pleased to hear it I wouldn't allow you to buy one now '' was the quick rejoinder The excuse that the vovmg man offered for his base conduct was that he did not ''see the point" of paying sixpence for a something less tha?i threepenny cigar « * * For a time — t\\ab, how short it seems --there has. been comparative peace m the political and municipal atmospheie of Carterton But the scene has changed of late The eternal wate) supply question has been up befoie the Borough fathers, and the ex-mayor (Cr Deller), incurred the displeasure of the present mayor (Mr Baillie). Mr. Delier, it should be remarked, filled the office of ohiof magistrate of the town for so mamy years that it is hard foi him to forget that another Pharoah has arisen who knows not Joseph, or, perhaps knows him too well 1 Cr Deller w.i« accused b\ the mayoi of interrupting, and requested to lesume his but declined to accept the giacious imitation. He was then ordeied to leave the room, but, being a courageous man of bulky stature, and quite in the habit of holding his own, he refused to deprive his fellow -councillors of the pleasure of his company The mayor then adjourned the meeting, and thus the discussion terminated Meanwhile, the local shopkeepers still live m dread of fire for want _of a pioper watei supph * * * He was a respected clergyman from Wellington, and a Scotchman, too, dae \e ken. He had come to the Wairarapa in pursuit of stray saxpences," with winch he intends commemorating the deeds of our boys in South Africa He was attired m unconventional garb and was introduced by a commercial traveller to a certain Mine Host, whose house is m the market, and who is desirous of retiring on a large fortune and small family. Four-ex immediately saw a purchaser, and laid himself out, in his usual convincing style to "make his marble good " The house was inspected from bar to scullery. The takings were represented in their fullness. The gold-top" sparkled in its effervescence and the four-ex's optic glistened in anticipation. But when it was ascertained that the visitor was more a "sell-ei" than a "buyer," the feelings of that Boniface were — curtain please * » • For some months past there has existed in the Wairarapa a. junk of Irish moss known as ' Micky." This combination of strange atoms would do credit to any circus, and might even shed rays of sunshine upon a Bellamy-smitten Parliament. Well, "Micky" went to church He makes a point of going to church once a year, as he also makes a point of performing his annual ablutions. He was most devout and reverent in his devotions, but he upset the entire harmony of the proceedings when he called out, in broken accents, to the man who was taking up the collection--

For the love of God give me back sixpence — Oime as dhr\ a,s a wooden shtiek' 1 * • * There ib onlj one Joseph Renall in Masterton The town could not comfortably accommodate another. Joseph maj have a coat of many colours but he can flatter himself that unlike beveraJ of Ins colleagues on the civic fatherhood he does not turn his garment Responsibility weighs hea\ il\ upon him — stone-( rushers aand butter keep him ruth employed. But when he asserts, with emphasis at a meeting of the Borough Council, that he will not 'divulge" one inch from the nosition he has taken up the long-suffering Press reporter loses him«elf in rhapsody * • • Two sporting \ouths leoenth shot an expensive wild duck Tiue the case was a bad one, but fines, ok £(> and £4 with costs, respectiveh . seems to be rather of a Draconian nature One lad is. in receipt of the munificent wage of 12s tod per week and. doubtless, has to work hard enough to earn the money with a portion of which, it is said, he hays been in the habit of assisting to support an aged relation. • * Quite an impetus hat. been given to tennis m these parts b-\ the advent of Mr. Cox, ex-champion of New Zealand who is on the staff of the Masterton branch of the Bank of Australasia. Mr. Cox lias given extensive handicaps to and is rapidh defeating, the best of the Masterton champions. In fact lie cannot find foemen worthy of bis racquet He will doubtless show Wairarapa pla\ers a point or two m the c ourse of time A perfect count erpart of the illustrious Bobs' ha^ been unearthed in Masterton. In uniform, profile command confidence, and military oie;amv mg power there is a striking resemblance between the two. The local wainor has ouite vanquished the female portion of humanity and now with Napoleonic alacrrK is looking foi fresh noilds to conquei