MAN ABOUT TOWN.

Auckland Star, Volume III, Issue 626, 13 January 1872, Page 2

MAN ABOUT TOWN.

THE MILKMEN'S MEETING

The Auckland Provincial Cowkecping, Dairymongeryin§, Self-Assurance, Mutual Stock-Protecting, and In-the-event-of-demise, Cow-Replenishing Society was held at the Eden Grapes Hotel. Long before the appointed hour over 400 horses and " mokes," belonging to those win had come from distant parts to attend the * meeting, were tethered to the toll-bar, j rails, and other available objects. Previous j to the commencement of the meeting, an immense quantity of shandegaff and other beverages were consumed, so much so that mine host Galbraith, fearful of being pumped dry, unceremoniously borrowed a strong colt from the multitude of horses, and, yoking the same to a neighbour's spring cart, proceeded post haste to Whitson's for a 3G-gallon of their XXX. This was fortunate, as events afterwards proved. The meeting appeared to be a formal ono, and was held in the large clubroom, which was crammed to suffocation. Several large milkmongcrs were unavoidably absent amongst whom was Mrs Ryan, who on her way up to the meeting discovered Sergeant Egan driving her cows from the Barrack Hill. The artful " villan" had taken advantage of the " lone widders" absence, and was impounding the beasts, when observed. The consequent formalties of releasing her cattle, prevented the buxom widow from attending the meeting of her kinscraft. Forty-three rules were agreed upon and passed by the meeting, the most noticeable of which was, that injjthe event of any member of the association losing an old cow by. natural death, or by meeting with the same fate as the horse of Marcus, Curtius or even by suicide, he is at once to proceed to purchase another, and to draw upon the society at sight, in payment of the same, it being remarked that after one or two such drafts had been honored, they would thenceforth pass as cheques, or as one suggested as Bank notes. .This was considered a capital idea, and a milch cow was immediately voted to the promulgator. It was proposed that a deputation wait upon Mr Alfred Buckland requesting him to act as banker to the Association. This was strongly opposed, until it was suggested that this worthy gentleman would probably allow the Society to overdraw their accounts, when the motion was unanimously carried. A proposition that the Society should include within its risks, accidents to milkmen's horses, was negatived on the supposition that it would tend to encourage reckless driving. The most important discussion of the evening related to the sinking of a well, that would avail the gentleman of the milk craft through all seasons of the year without being beholden to their neighbors, or the Superintendents' promised artesian wells : the result was very suggestive as no mention was made about watering their cattle, and considering the late stringent Corporation Act against cattle driving in the city except during certain hours, it would be a great inconvenience to them. They have, however, agreed to emulate the patriarchs of old and dig a well. The site is to be on a well known spot, and the con tract is already let to Mr Macquire, the well sinker, whose instructions are to bore 155 feet with a diameter of 18 feet this**is considered amply sufficient for the wants of all the dairymen in Auckland. Officers were elected and a solicitor appointed— namely, Mr Brook—field, to act for the society in the event of bankruptcy. It was wittily suggested that by engaging the services of this gentleman they might dispense with the well, but tho idealist was ejected through the open window for his vile pun.

The business of the meeting was sadly marred by the interference of the small boys in the street. These urchins appeared to have a good knowledge of the various quadrupeds outside and their respective owners inside ; and ever and anon, just as a speaker was getting into the thread of his argument, a voice came through the window, " Hi, master, there's a roan horse loose," " G-uv'nor, there's a black mare kicking a bay horse," or, " Gaffer, is that your grey, gone down Kyber Pass ? " This caused the speaker's retreattolook atfer his Bosinante. However, by quarter past one this morning all the preliminary business was settled, and the hat went round in the form of a small tea-tray and enough to purchase four-and-a-half Alderney cows was raised upon the spot. This is to form the nucleus of a fund for the providing of cattle to each other, at eachjother'sexpense. All this is but the forerunner of the great " Auckland Milk and Butter Company " that will e'er long astonish the universe by its vastness. A complaint was made that a certain member of the association was in the habit every morning of drawing up his milk cart to the pump opposite Barnett & Levy's, but it was considered that this could not be remedied during tho dry season, and the member who had advised him to assume a virtue if ho had it not, failed to offer him the uso of his own well.

Tho meeting adjourned before the clock struck two.