“THE MON FRA’ BO'TON."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 16, 19 January 1914, Page 8

“THE MON FRA’ BO'TON."

SIR W. H. LEVERS HUMOR.

When Sir William Lever’s arrival in Sydney was made known the president ox the Lancashire Society, Mr Nuttail , immediately abstracted a promise from Sir William to attend the society’s monthly meeting, held on January 9th,

Sir William accepted the hearty, Lancashire invitation, and was accompanied by his son, Mr W. H. Lever, and Mrs Lever. As a Bolton man among Bolton men—and women—Sir William appeared to he in a particularly happy and humorous vein. Mr Nuttall, in introducing Sir William, expressed regret that the society had not had time to give its guests the welcome it would have liked. They were proud of Sir William Lever, whose name was known the world over, because of his great commercial and philanthropic achievements. His employees had every reason to be proud of him, because they were the best treated and most prosperous people of any industry in the world. Sir William had presented the city of Bolton with a park comprising 3'JO acres. His generosity had taken numerous other forms. They wished him a happy and successful voyage, and a safe return to Bolton.

The audience wanted to express its appreciation of Sir William in some more boisterous manner, and when someone started “For he’s a jolly good fellow” the refrain was taken'up and sung most heartily.

“I believe I arn a bit of a Bolton chap myself,” Sir William said, “but you must not believe all that the president has said in praise of me.” Ho knew of a hoy who asked his father the meaning of the adage “Honor among thieves.” The father replied that thieves were no better than other people. They were all alike in love of their native country and were proud to have been reared in the Mother Country, especially in good old Bolton. They should be eternally grateful to their native land. Lancashire people inherited a wondermi love of‘music, and they were sound in wind ami limb to face the hardships of a new country. They should never forget what they owed to their Lancashire koines.

Sir William delighted ins hearers, by tho recital of some typically Lancashire stories, told in the Bolton lialect. He knew of a Bolton man who had experienced a wonderful Iream. This man dreamed that he lied, and was transported to heaven. When ho reached the plates, Saint Peter asked for Ids name. He was Tom Shaw, of Bolton. Unfortunately, for Shaw, St. Peter could not trace his name in the register. The next phase of the dream was enacted in the presence of his Satanic majesty. A review of the books here, however, did not disclose Shaw’s name. When the dream was over tiie man told a fellowworkman of his weird experiences, and wondered where lie would eventually find himself, as lie had been rejected at the gates of heaven and refused admission into hell. “Oil,” said his friend, “you will have to come hack to Bolton.” (Laughter). They all loved Bolton, and by the end of February he hoped to he there himself. He was building a bungalow. He overheard two workmen talking about his new bungalow, and the dialogue was as fillows “Where lie Svandcon,” Bill?” “I he ‘warrken’ on a bungalow.” “What Tie a bungalow?” “Well, T don’t quite ‘kna,’ but T think it be the sort of tiling they build in India to shoot tigers out of.” Sir William has adopted the Australian “sleeping-out” habit, and has made provision to “sleep-out” m bis now home. Two men, lie said, wove talking about their employers new method of sleeping, and one said, “Fancy, Bill, a bloke getting £SOO a week regular and -Hooping on a roof.”