TANGLED TALK.

NZ Truth, Issue 464, 9 May 1914, Page 2

TANGLED TALK.

Dunedin Drooths, Dolts, Dullards and » Diverts. i (From "Truth's" Dunedin Rep.) On Saturday night last a leading? lady was cowardly assaulted by a blackguardly bully named John Johnstop, who was duly mulcted m the sum of £7 on Mondavi The evidence disclosed that the lady on yery properly resenting an uncalled for liberty, got smacked on the face. Of the many such assaults that occur, this is only one of the few that manage to get into court. The varied network of streets lying between George and Princesstreets and the waterfront are a positive danger to women and girls whom business or recreation might happen to lead there. Night after night big hulking smellsome rowdies prowl at all hours, but particularly between the hours of 7 and 11 p.m., on the tracks of unprotected women. Other distinctly objectionable and dangerous places are Macclagan-street and the Royal, or otherwise the Loafers', Arcade. These haunts of wasters, underworld vampires, and grinning Chows are a menace to men and women alike, and are fully on a par with an Auckland or Sydney slum. There is much need for energetic Johns m those quarters. • • • W. E. Parry, of Waihi fame, spoke to a representative gathering m tho King's last Sunday night. The rotten state of Labor locally came m for much sour comment, and the peculiar disorganisation occasioned .by Plute's piper, "Otago Times" Paul, and the bump-philosopher, "Christchurch" Maguire; \vas v the target for much satire. The mentioning of the PaulMaguire duet, and their laborious doings m the Breen-Foley Labor Council, evoked considerable laughter and a nice little storm of boos. These latter complimentary items are part and parcel of the politteiajis' play, and ar& served out indiscriminately. One question of tho speaker's, and the answer, are however deserving of notice. "What has this Maguirc chap," queried Parry, "ever done for Labor? Tell mo if any pf you can." Silence reigned supreme for the nonce, u»til a loud, husky voice ejaculated suddenly, "I*ll tell you. He has read all the bumps m the country, and now he's hopping on Labor's bump." For a goodly period "bumps" reigned all over the meeting, and "Truth" is of the opinion that Christchurch Maguife will get a "bump" mighty soon which will be less pleasant than painful to read. • • ■ • That very able, over-worked Costs man, Lawyer ' Hanlon, is persently out of town, recuperating and lubricating at the Otago cold springs. Having regard to the many fights and victories he carries on his slate, and the promising strenuousness of an impending struggle of some magnitude, the rest cure was very wisely taken. The able lawyer, it is mooted, may stand m the Liberal interests at the coming election. His many, friends, and they arc numerous, and the . leading Liberal lights, are eager for his services. So far he has not consented, but "Truth" assures him if he will but stoop to accept the parliamentary cudgel, it will be a case of leading to conquer. No doubt a great many of the reactionary Tories dread to see him bending and the doubtful Liberals dread losing him. Little wonder! As things go locally the able-bodied, able-minded, ' capaci-ous-mouthed Costs is the dour town's most popular man. He does na ken it, or he'd leave the launch alone for a wee while. Laurels are m the air. •. # • .Tho roosters have adopted a now mode of spelling Mr. Belcher's name, and the happy Seamen's Secretary should take it as very significant, particularly m view of his chances as Em Pee! Bill, unlucky for himself, m an inauspicuous moment came forward after antiquated Green to add his appriate name to the list of candidates for Mayoral honors. He did not expect to top the list, but merely wanted to test his chances for a seat m the talking house. Resides, he came forward at. the last moment. These two actions of Bill's were distinctly indiscreet, and Bill got snubbed for his cheek. With ancient Green, Bill tailed the results, and admitted candidly enough that his vote had slumped fearfully. This is: just a very accurate introduction to what will ensue at tho coming political fight Bill? has slumped like many another good 'un, but his indiscreet Mayoral ambitions have been his chief undoing. So say tho roosters, anyway, and, meantime, they write hte name BUlbelcher. There's a lot m a name.