Shares and Mining

Observer, Volume XIV, Issue 781, 23 December 1893, Page 23

Shares and Mining

By Ob<sdiah, the Scbibe

To my numerous readers — if there are any. To managers and secretaries of mines, to the Seddon Government and its satellites who promise lots and perform little for Ihe good and welfare of the mining industries. To all and sundry that hath been or may have been offended by my writings during the past year. To them all I grant a free and full pardon, and promise to amend for the year '94 should the mines be tetter opened up at less cost, shoald they produce gold in abundance and no mistake, should shareholders fork out when called on for calls wherewith to prodace the root of all evil which we love so much. Should the Seddonists sink shafts and erect pumps according to our wants and not our deserts when they vote a fair amount of cash to prospect for new discoveries until such time as they intend to lake over and work the old ones according to the "Withefordian doctrine as propounded in his gospel, chapter one, verse six, and work them for the benefit of the State, the unborn millions, and mankind generally. Of course this includes womankind, they now being electors, mayors, J.P.s and several other things too numerous to particularise or mention, and they set up Obadiah's sayings, such as they are, and they wish him afar as they prefer the other fellow's. To the Cassell Company when they tell where the bullion goeth that they are supposed to save by their extraction as it is found not in the meltiDg-pot to the Company's credit, in the sumps or cyanide, nor remaineth it in the rock or tailings, nor any known place under the sun. 'Jhen where, and oh, where, please tell us, Alfred James, whither it goeth and disappeareth, so that we may find it and save it. Let us not extract 80 per cent, and only account for 60 JBut let us know whither goeth the lot that is now lost and maketh us your eternal debtors by that [ amount. To my wild-catters who purchase stock without money and without price or the | chance of a rise and an overdraft on their brokers. Avoid this in the year of grace '94, and you will be happier and richer men, and other fellows will have a chance of doing better and the brokers a safer business. 1 o the miners' unions scattered throughout the land who have had my mines reentered so that neither they nor any other fellows own them nor work them and from which local bodies receiveth no rent wherewith to make roads nor pump water. To those worthies who picked out parsons and publicans and voted for them instead of the old friends dwelling in their midst, and who hath helped them in their digging and delving, and have found them tucker sundry times and who have paid calls and helped in time of trouble. To them all do I apologise for their stupid blunder and <"ausiug a scarceness of cash to prospect and open up our lovely land. May friend Roderick's scheme of amalgamation and deep sinking prove successful and may those members mentioned in his gospel not leave him lamenting, but vot« straight when the times comes, as they have not hitherto done. May dividends be more abundant than they have been and less costly to the receivers. May bullion abound in abundance from Kuaotunu to Te Aroha. and may all have a fair whack. May kauri gum advance in price so that he that diggeth it may live on the fat of the land and get something for his labour. May holders of bank shares, loan-stock, and investors generally have a better time than for the past year. May Tom float his Beauty and the Orlando strike a patch, may St. Hippo turn out a plater and the Acme perfection, may the Alburnia pay as many divs., and the Junction turn the corner. May the North Star get above the horizon and the New Fearnought fear nothing. May the Lone Hand nold the joker, and the NorfoJk be the real Mackay. May all up-country stock pay the foreign owners so that we may be able to spoil the Egyptians when called on. May friend Kersey soon come back with British shekels wherewith to open up the tunnel and have a famous time and a fortunate result. May the Victoria live as long, and be as successful as Her Majesty. May all mines and miners have a prosperous year and brokers a long list ot' clients,, and may they all be profitable. Wishing you all a happy and prosperous '94.— Yours, Obadiah. '