Original Poetry.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 4, 13 July 1894, Page 4

Original Poetry.

Lines suggested to the author on reading the first copy of the Opunake Times, with humble apologies to the local poet laureate. May the future of Opunake Prove tbe hub of Taranaki, Long neglected, may she now begin to boom; May the “ kummykums ” and butter Cause in foreign marts a flutter, May her fungus tax the Flowery Land for room. The stigma of the past, Too degrading far to last, Would raise a blush on any other “ phiz,” Bar a County Council member’s, Or the candidate who tenders For your votes whilst making trickery a “ biz.” Your wretched roads forgot, Your bridges left to rot, Or floating in procession to the ' deep; A Government neglecting Yonr district whilst collecting To their coffers every stiver they can sweep. What wonder if your prophet, Under writ from lawyer Govett, In the talismanic whitewash takes a dip, While teredos bent on plunder, Tear your jetty clean asunder, And the Premier says supinely, “ Let it rip.” But the magic of the press Will summon back success, Whilst the song of freedom gaily you will chant; With your railroad under weigh And your “ freezers ” in the bay, Why, you’ll scarcely call Her Majesty your aunt. If your generation’s wise, If from torpor you would rise, You’ll hail the local paper as a frieud; . With the Editor in the chair, Your interests I swear Will need no other champion to defend. D.O’S. New Plymouth, July 8,1894.