OUR LETTER BOX

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 10, 20 November 1880, Page 82

OUR LETTER BOX

WAIKATO.-— Apropos of the par last number about Mr. L ■ — and the toast of the clergy, here is a story which ought not to be allowed to die. A short time ago the worthy gentleman was staying at the Commercial Hotel in Hamilton. Traversing the upstairs passage one morning, he glanced accidentally into the private sitting-room of a certain lover of the (esthetic well-known in that locality, and saw on the wall— oh, horrible— a photograph of a piece of nude statuary which was exhibited at the Paris exposition. Will you believe me when I say the pious Mr. L turned the naughty picture with its face to the wall. gf Commendable good feeling and unanimity prevails amongst the various bodies at Kihikihi, each helping the other with subscriptions in aid of their respective funds. The Maories are noted for their generosity, and the other day, when Mrs. Minneli and another lady went to Rewi, subscription list in hand, he gave them a sovereign. Perhaps the old chief is desirous of improving the moral tone of European Society. Mr. Fantham's prominet action in connection with the suppression of Pleuro was acknowledged on Friday last By the presentation of a testimonial, which emanated from eleven hundred and twenty persons, chiefly connected with one yeoman population. The subscriptions were limited to one shilling each, the sum total being, however, sufficient to purchase a handsome pianoforte. Mr. Lawry, in reading the address, remarked, evident pride, it had been drafted principally by himself, and if length is any merit there certainly a great fleal to be proud of. While pleuro-pneumonia abounded last winter, one of the inspectors, after attending the dissection of a deceased animal, cut a piece of the bad lung out, and rode to the farm of a member of the cattle board. The latter was in the cowhouse milking, and the excited inspector foolishly went among the cows with the piece of tainted lung. The exasperated momber of the board picked up his milking stool and forthwith chased the offending inspector oft the grounds. When Mr. Wren presented Mr. Fantham with a half -ton pianoforte the other day, he was pleased to terra it a " small recognition." He did not, however, make any attempt to lift the " small recognition " and place it in Mr. Pantham's hands. Since the presentation of the piano, Mr. Pantham has been elected to the office of junior vicepresident of the Cambridge Farmers' Club. What a pity that such a public man as Mr. T. W. Maunder should be allowed to leave the district with the mayoralty election Cvining on ! • Mr. Campbell and Mr. McTavish, the exeditors of the "Mail," are» it is whispered, trying to raise an opposition organ. Mr. Ivess says they needn't do .that, as he will be only too delighted to let them have the " Mail " itself— for a consideration. Mr. Douglas McTavish, late editor of the " Cambridge Mail," has brought an action against the proprietor of that journal for alleged wrongful dismissal; damages, £300. Mr. Ivess declines to explain the circumstances, but expresses perfect confideiice > in the result o the law business. He and Mr. McTavish differ re the latter' s capabilities to manage a paper. Signboards are again a subject of contention. No sooner had we done with Mr. Wells' unfortunate bantling when another one crops up, which is apparently likely to supply the legal gentlemen with something to do. It seems that the "Waikato Mail" had affixed a small board to its late premises pointing out its locality. After removing, the proprietor discovered that he had left this behind him, and despatched Mr. Reid's son to requesting permission. This was refused, as Mr. Rnynes remove it. Mr. Raynes, however, who is a great supporter of the ex-editors of the "Mail," wished to make himself disagreeable, and declined to allow the bit of wood to go unless Mr. Ivess wrote a polite note asking for it, Mr. Ives3 naturally didn't see the force of begging for what was his own property, and responded with and epistle threatening diverse pains and penalties. The matter now remains in status quo,. and what will be the Result no one seems to know. The cavalry dinner at Hamilton on Friday was a great success, but the ball which followed was a greater. About thirty couples danced the. greater part of the night to very excellent music provided by the Light Infantry Band. The married people of Cambridge are going to give a ball on Friday. There is some talk of an auction sale being held shortly in Cambridge, which, from the unique character of the wares pub tip to auction, is expected to attract a large concourse of people. It has not yet been ascertained in which of the auctioneer's hands the commodities will be placed, as the exact number to be supplied is unknown, fresh arrivals being daily expected. The following, however, I believe is the form of advertisement, aud you can depend on my exertion to, if possible, secure it a place in your columns: — " For sale, at Cambridge, first-class imported stock, bred from some of the best sires in the old country, brought here at their own expense, and having got them here can afford to sell cheap. Editors to order. Capabilities various; docile, and easily handled. Will only turn rusty under the roughest treatment. Apply, 'M— l' Office, Cambridge. As the proprietor is anxious to get rid of them no reasonable oif er will be refused." I believe this to be a hona fide sale, and trust to see brisk competition. An erratic and disappointed man, who has long coveted municipal honours, sends me the following rhyme, which will be read with interest by Thames people : — There is a brat, ii natty brat, A man of sonic renown, And he has long aspired to be The Mayor of Grahamstowu. This natty brat was bald at pate, With whiskers long and " sasey," A curled moustache — a deuced swell, His name, Nathaniel B — — y. Ho liked to make a jolly row, And brought the town in bad repute. . He sent his prayers to Wellington ; He was so very cute. Said he, " I'll run for Mayor this year " Against bold Colonel Fraser, "And Wilkie dear, the ' 'Tiser' man, " I'll lick the lot, I say sir. ■ " I'll get the votes of boozing Bill, " And Dick, and Tom, and Harry, " And Bill Bacullough's just the man " The election for to carry. "Then I'll have Mpllhone the brave, " Who'll swear black's white to serve me, "And then there's lots of other chops " Who will their votes reserve me. And here he stopped, and laughed Ha ! ha I He ! lie ! like an old hyena, And thought himself how fine he'd look In the political arena. ■ The folks of Thames have sorry choice, To pick from for a leador. There's nowt to make their hearts rejoice. 'Tis enough to mcik<» them bleed-er. However, soon the election's due, And then we'll see who is the man. Let each his gracious friends imbue With spirits for the inner man. And he who never swigs his bottle, May Ms supporters round him gather, And let him spout from watery throttle. Think he's the man ? I do so, rat7ier.

• — Those who came out in the s.s. Orient the voyage before la3t (i.e., when she lefb Plymouth on April 4fch) may be interested to know that the young swell, who styled himself Dennis Temple, and gave out that he waa the scion of a noble Irish family, was in reality a hank clerk named Newman, who, after marrying a girl for her money, clearod oH : three days after the wedding with.