AN ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, DUNEDIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 173, 1 June 1871, Page 6

AN ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, DUNEDIN.

Ye chiefs and rulers of Otago, (A province I was wont, to brag o', But now, not knowing how things may go, And sore perplexed, I fairly could go to Chicago I'm so much vexed.) Ye dabblers in legislation — Unto the word a desecration — What in the name of the Creation Can you be doing? And works and trade afc a stagnation, Impending ruin. Has it escaped your recollection How each of you at Ins election, "With garbled phrase and fluent diction — With zeal professed In moving works to instant action To do his best 1 What in the world's come o'er Macandrew, If to his word he means to stand true — And which he should if he's a man too — That he oft said, Then why does not the line go on, Lhnnv'h Kight straight a-head V Yet, while the press is crammed with tenders, As if you all meant to do wonders, An honest soul it perfect scunders When all's begun ; Yet through some vile politic blunders, There's nothing done. Now wanting cash to buy their crowdies' No wonder that the press is now-days Of bankruptcies and drunken rowdies Filled with reports, While the chief interest now avowed, is Our Police Courts. As things go now, I'm fairly daunted ; Of this Scotch province once I vaunted, But now, confounded and affronted, I blush for shame — My very country I'll recant it, And change my name. For gude sake sirs, arise, and stir ye, And let this thocht to action spur ye ; Just take a glance at Canterbury Your sister state, And see how far she is before ye In railway's date. They to their work, like men did muster, Though on the line a hill — a burster — They tunneled it with little fluster Some years asjone ; While here, with all the fret and fluster, There's nothing done. The sight by you can't be respected Of poor hard working men neglected, Watching your steps with looks dejected, Pass chro' the lobbies, Or round the corners groups collected, Eyeing the bobbies. Than this, how much would it be better To start the works in deed and letter ; Then things on all sides would be better, And just as should be ; While every working mm your deb or By this means would be. Besides the thing in its own value — Instead of bitter words to gall you — The warm respect would then befal you Of all classes, Who do not scruple now to call you A sec of asses. ! D. F., Outram.