WANGANUI WHACKS.

NZ Truth, Issue 59, 4 August 1906, Page 3

WANGANUI WHACKS.

All loyal Wanganuites think no small beans of the local fire brigade, and they have the same opinion of themselves. At the annual, blow-out, when some members, who have an internal fire, take a lot of 'ops to extinguish it, things get nicely warm and comfortable like, and a great deal of Fryicide gas escapes m speeches. > They want a motor reel, and the only, trouble is the cash to buy it, but this, which seemed an insurmountable difficulty, was speedily disposed of by Tote George gushingly offering his personal security. Our pubs are getting hide-bound again, to spirit merchants, brewers, etc. We have a bung who is a brewer, and as a brewer has tied houses. This, I reckon, is as tough as it can be made, and is serving up to' the public a piping hot dish to take. Instead of hotels being for the benefit of the public, it' is an absolute fact that the public must drink any kind of swankey these purge-makers like. If this goes, on much longer it will be the cause of the longest nail being driven into the L.V. Ass. coffin, and if they don't buck at it soon, their position will be perilous. A blight has fallen over the "dbg box," it, has the appearance of a deserted house. A short time ago, i{ a quiet half-hour was on hand, one could see a good game of billiards, or have a chat to an old acquaintance —now both . old and new members seem to have deserted the place. I asked the reason why, and was told that there has been dissension m the committee camp, the best men having thrown it up, leaving the management to the pot boilers. /Another member told me that the Club must have a good clearing out. The last balance-sheet only showed £67 of profit against £300 and more a few years ago. This state of affairs is caused by the committee not studying the members. They buy spirits! of the lowest grade m large quantities, and although it may suit some people the members naturally buck. The apathy of the members has al- j lowed t6o long a reign of officials, and when money m paying up subs., and canvassing is pushed to the extreme it causes talk and suspicion that there is something behind the office, that causes a desire to hold a seat: It is predicted that the annual meeting will bump the present committee out, and many members express a fervent wish that it could be done at once. : It is reported that the Wellington Working Mans' Club are going to make Tote George a life member, ai>ti tender him a hearty, reception. Good ,on you, .my boys. ' <