UNKNOWN

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume I, Issue 43, 29 January 1873, Page 3

UNKNOWN

AXT i: ill’ll-1) BY NETSKTOniIKDIVUO. (A long way after “Rip Van Winkle.”) ISf Til MKK CH.U'TEH3. CiUVI’XKE tub Secoxb. My first care next morning was to carefully scan the advertisement, sheets of the Bay of Plenty Times (an enormously large paper, with four pages of advertisements and 07 of reading matter) in search of auctioneers’ notices, thinking that t might purchase a British ensign cheaply. My oyo at last alighted on the notice of Messrs Rotundity and Son, who informed the public that they would hold a large sale at eleven, at their sale rooms, 110, Piep»street. At 11 o’clock sharp I went to the sale rooms and found an immense crowd assembled, the great attraction being the sale of the library of a certain Dr Navyatuge. The tamo of this eminent practitioner had, it appears, travelled far and wide. I learnt on inquiry that ho .was an old identify in Taurangu, extremely clover, an authority on all things, but more especially on the subject of other people's affairs, I had to wait a long time before the sale of book# was over, when a sale of clothing commenced, Seeing mo take an interest in tbo proceedings, one of the auctioneer’s clerks beckoned mo to him, and strongly advised me to purchase a pair of what ho called “figure developing trousers.” On examining a pair of these articles winch ho hsindod. t*» me, I found a ticket inside labelled “ The Ifocleii.” My figure being most symmetrical, 1 did ruifc indulge in a pair. Succeeded in getting a British ensign for next door to nothing, that description of ensign being, I was informed, at a discount. Being fond of horso exercise, and finding it expensive to hire from Signor Bennetini, I determined to purchase a hack. I accordingly went to a livery stable, tho proprietor of which advertised in the papers that ho had horses of tho “ White Stocking” blood. After carefully reading the pedigree of this stock (which I found dated almost as far back »» that of a certain Mr Bidecombe, an old resident of Taurauga and a Member of Senate for tho last seventeen years), 1 concluded a bargain for ono of the White Stocking brood, paying 500 dollars for him. My next step was to buy a twiddle, bridle, &a. I mass recommended to the cstabU-hincnt of a well known saddler —an old resident. On entering the premises through enormous plate glass doors, I was accosted by a gentleman of prepossessing appearance. On mentioning to him that L wanted a good riding turn-out, ho called out “Lemons.” On hearing this expression, I for a momentthought he was giving vent to lua foaling# u! tho prospect of making a good bargain, but soon found out my error. Lemons turned out to bo the foreman. Lemons was ordered to show mo what I wanted, the proprietor standing by smoking a chovoot. after selecting a very excellent saddle, bridle, and martingale, I entered into conversation with tho proprietor, and mentioned that I had just purchased a horse, and asked him if ho knew anything of tho “ White Stocking” breed. Ho told me with a benign smile that ho had imported tho stock 27 years ago, and had several brood rnaros and fillies of that breed now. Seeing customers coming and going through tbo glass doors, I remarked that he must be doing a brisk trade; to which h« replied that, “ There is a wee living to bo made out of it.”. Ho very kindly asked me inside, and wo had a liquor. Cilancing round tho room, I perceived a largo glass easo occupying a corner of tho ruom, ami on asking what it contained, ho told me that ho kept his testimonials, patents, &e., in it. I expressed myself anxious to inspect tho papers, which he accordingly showed mo. Among other patents, I found ono reserving to him the solo right of manufacturing the “ "Dolly Yarden ” riding and pack saddles, as supplied by him to tbo American Government. Altogether this gentleman struck rno as being in a capital way of business, and I know plenty who would like to hate his “ wee stocking.” Before leaving, ho gave me an invitation card to a municipal banquet, to bo hold that same evening in tho Town Hall; given by tho Mayor and Councillors to tho officers of the Jonathan", and Xerxes, I gladly accepted it, and 8 p.m, found me seated at the banqueting table. Tho chair was, of course, occupied by tho Mayor, in whom 1 recognised my opponent at billiards tho night before, who beat me owing to his proficiency in making “ screw cannons," and whose name I learnt was Embryo-cmpici., I found at least 700 people present. The eatable 3, which- were excuT lonr, were provided by Mr Makesplomiul, whoso chef do cuisine rose very high in rny estimation in consequence of tbo excellence of tho tru/Th s. Tho dial! decorations were magnificent, and must have cost a great sum. I heard that a great many tenders had been sent in, and that tho parties who did the work were not the lowest by some hundred dollars or so ; but that owing to tho lowest tenderer having got himself into a scrape by pulling down some fencing, or a gate, or something of that sort, round General i > rvoids Government residence, he had been col fa red and given three months. Consequently they had been given the contract as rest lowest. Tho speeches were good, hut I flu not intend to diiatu on them, as it would lake too mu- ii time. 1 may, however, mention that the captain of the Jonathan “ guessed that Tnur-irga had, since it# emancipation from British misrule, g-urn ahead tarnation quick.” My friend, the patent-e of tfce ** Holly Tardea” horse gear, res poo ”cd to “Tho ladies,” nnd in doing so characterised them as “ wee pets.’* ( "J he uffiiir broke up about midnight.