WISPS AND STRAWS.

Patea Mail, Volume XII, Issue 13, 17 May 1886, Page 2

WISPS AND STRAWS.

A cabbage weighing 261 bs is the latest sensation in tbe Hawke’s Bky district. —i j * ( : A petition is being largely signed in Hastings to have that township declared a borough. Once more the winter.ia on us, and once more we must revert to our old winter amusements. In this season in-door amuseniehta must of necessity take precedence, and it is to be hoped that the Literary and Debating Society which we have so studiously maintained for thp past three or four years will Be again revived. Last year great difficulty was experienced in inducing the qualified members of the Society to bring- forward debateable matter, and its rpciirrehce this year seema more than probable. If a Debating Society cannot be made,a euccess, perhaps a Parliamentary Union will find favour. The paucity of members to represent the different constituencies appears, as an almost insurmountable barrier to -the latter, but we-, might overcome this difficulty iby ’ establishihg . ourselves on 5 a Broad and liberal.ibasis,, [and* allow the ladies seats,im the mimic Parliament. ; I commend the matter to the qonsideratipq Of the members, with a hope that they, Will take immediate steps either td resuscitate the bid Debating Society or form a Parliamentary Union. 1 '

Our< worthy ,representative in Parliament, the gallant Major, while addressing the,citizens of. [Auckland,: publicly issued a challenge. to meet any.gentleman in. a discussipn bn ! any given question; of politics. -An advertisement accepting tße cpallenge soon appeared iri r the Auckland Bell, but^: the Major did hot reply. He was communicated with, when he offered to ; write a reply’ after the recess ;to an oration bp a political point; dplivercd by his opponent, The Majoi- pm. again i consulted, when he stated it would ,not be wise for him to discuss such questions at "present, ! and there the matter ceased. If the Major is anxious to engage in a Wordy ;combat, (let hrra ; bo present at a meeting- of - the, Debating Society, and; I vpw somp of. the budding politicians will make his Bair curl. I jTho severed Band .mystery, qt, .thp Howard insurbnbe case, ddes riot appear to bb the best insurance swindle on record, if Mrs Grundy can'be rotledon. Not very long ago Reuter cabled the demise of Lord Aylesford jin/Texas; but novt theretis-M ghastly rumour afloat that the noble peer is- still,,alive and Hying in clover,.., Lord Aylesford, Before leaving London, had £200,0()0 iristirance on Bis life, ; and the mpney was paid to his representatives at the time of his supposed death. Truly there are rogues in every profession. i . . r t, ,BSNLOO.