CURRENT EVENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 142, 26 October 1868, Page 3

CURRENT EVENTS.

TO THB EDITOR OF TUB BTAU. Sir.— ln the absence of anything to do in the way of business I climbed to the top of the post in the Market place called the "Fire Alarm," and f tilt much amused at the various scenes I beheld going oh below. First of all. there was a cluster of young men who wanted to spend more money than they could spire trying to get up a half-holiday every week for tha purpose of having an opportunity of getting nd of the spare cash required on the future rainy-day, and I saw they drew within their net sonre of those in trade who were not overburdened with business; but, after several trials, a happy thought occurred to gain their end by changing the market day Kew of them were here when that day was fixed by the farmers at the original Golden Fleece, when one of the proprietors carried a more intelligent smile on his countenance than now ; yet the farmers' interests are to be totally ignored in the present time. Stupbl dolts, let them bring in their eggs when it suits the purchasers and consumers in the city ; the farmers need not be studied. The merchants say,— We will be jolly on Saturdays ; and the bankers say, — Keep your cheques two days longer ; some of the drawers will, in the meantime, have a chance of leaving the province, and you must bear the loss. Well, now, what holidays have we coming; let me see— The Encampiiient is to be on the 7th, Bth, an<l 9ih November ; the Agricultural .show on the loth; the Northern Show, 13th; the Anniversary Day, 16ih December ; Christmas Day, 2.th ; Boxing l»_y, 26th ; then comes New Year's Day. We need a preparation for thtse events. In another direction I saw a lot of men sitting in solemneonclave devising philosophical means how to deal with a large building which had no legal own. r, and they wauted to hand it over to the Government in order that all men maybe allowed to go in and read the papers, smoke their pipes, and drink their beer free of any charge. What a luxury ! Presently I saw these men come out and dance round a pile of paper*, which were all in a blaze ; and just at the conclusion they jostled an old man on to the burning pile on account of his irascible temper. There was a ti.ket pinned to bis coat, on which was written " licensed to sell stamps." 1 afterwards f. und out they contrive) to assemble all the shareholders there, and having locked them in a large room, plundered them of their shares which constituted the bonfire. I turned from the scene in perfect disgust, and sought to refresh my eyes on the beautiful green sward of the park, the future pride of the metropolis ; when, what should I behold but a lot of old women digging it up. Oh you sacrilegious monsters, thought I, what are you about ? I could not give myself time to descend by the iron ladder, so I slid down one of the posts, and ran with all speed to the sc«ne of horror, where I found they were making what they called a "Carriage road" from the College to a public house, for, as I understood, the accommodation of the collegium. Oh, I said, you are wiser than all the Lord Mayors and councillors of the province, go on with your good work, it will add to the prosperity of the whole of the city. Your obedient servant, JIM CROW.