TAURANGA

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 63, 26 November 1881, Page 169

TAURANGA

The P.E. and his lady friends have again distinguished themselves. This time it was by extinguishing the wharf lamp. He Avas terribly indignant that "Chuff" should desire a gentleman. like him to ascend the ladder and relight it Mr Moroney, the stalwart protector of our domestic, peace, wished to ascend the stairs on Wednesday night, but feared the " boys." However, our gallant postmaster bravely went to his assistance, and safely guided him through the labyrinth of doormats to the upper regions At the meeting on Tuesday evening Mr Chadwick wanted "all money expended Avhere it is laid out," a principle in which we thoroughly believe. Mr Ehodes thought " there were plenty of men in the room who could carry him out.' So there were, Eichard. The principal features of the entertainment were Mr C's importunity, and Mr R's mouth The Council elections have come and gone. No deaths have yet occurred, although one or two of the eight unsiu> cessful candidates arc reported to be in a dangerous condition. The ratepayers made a judicious selection of councillors — they carefully avoided putting in more than one big man, as it was thought that if Messrs. Bodcll, Brown, and Louch were elected it would put the Council to great expense in providing sufficient accommodation. The poll closed at six, but the result was not declared till 9.30 p.m. During this interval a dense crowd assembled in and around the GroTcniment Buildings and discussed the demerits of the various candidates, while freely offering to back their fancy. The polling rooms were upstairs, and in the passage a number of hilarious young gentlemen assembled, and matured a plan, to pass the time. This was nothing else than to shake the government mats and carpets — a feat which has never before been attempted within the memory of the " oldest inhabitant." A few doormats, judiciously distributed, soon turned over a " page," and extinguished the candle held in the extended palm of a statuesque figure at the head of the stairs, and from that moment the fun waxed fast and furious. It was a " darkness that might be felt." It "hailed, rained, and snowed," not " cats and dogs," but doormats. The air was thick with them. If the combatants did not exactly breathe doormats, they at least inhaled the contents of them. The words of that popular ditty, "Oh dear ! what can the mattei* be " were heard on all sides. Sceptics below stairs would carp at the danger above, but directly they tried to mount the stairs a carpet descending gave them material forethought and an assurance of the reception they might expect from the "boys." The "boys" accomplished more than Scrgt. White and his staff were able to do — they kept the stairs clear. One individual boldly went up with the avowed intention of clearing the passage, but when he had been a few minutes aloft, and had received a full allowance of " kai" and two or three doormats, he suddenly remembered that he had a pressing engagement below stairs. When he arrived at the bottom he was heard to murmur that lie wouldn't "pass such, another five minutes for a ten pound note." When the candles were ultimately relighted they looked like mere sparks in the midst of an African dust storm, and had no influence in dispelling the darkness around.