CHRONICLES OP KAWARAU.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 141, 23 July 1872, Page 6

CHRONICLES OP KAWARAU.

And it came to pass in the latter days of Taylorius, King of Kawarau, and Emperor of the Bannockbites, that the people were gathered together to nominate a king. For Taylorius was now stricken in years, and the people desired a change. And many and loud were the complaints against Taylorius, for he gave them nought but dirty water to drink, and extracted much gold from them in the shape of taxes. And the people murmured amongst themselves, and said, " Let us put away Taylorius, and elect another in his stead." But many of the wise men of the city said, "No, Ave will not put away Taylorius ; but he shall continue to rei"n over us for the space of another year. And as the time of the election drew near, there was great noise and confusion in the land. Now the twenty-second day of the seventh month was the day appointed by the wise men to elect a new king. And behold there w; s a great multitude gathered together : the Oogliites, the Fraerites, the Kellarites, the Marshy men, the Grantites, and the Hillites, and all those having possessions in the city. And the Grantites and the Hillites said, " Let us have Michael the Fraerite for a king: down with Taylorius.'' But the Marshy men and the Oogliites cried, " We are for Taylorius : great is Taylorius of Kawarau." And notwithstanding the dirty water, the taxes, and the infirmity of Taylorius, many were still heard to cry, " Great is Taylorius of Kawarau."

And after one Smitlmis, a scribe, had opened his mouth, and gently closed it again, Duncan, a follower of Taylorius, cried with a loud voice, "Let us do no low or dirty tiling this day : let us be men, and do all things in order, and as appertained unto us, as leaders in the land." Then Michael the Fraerite'lifted up his voice, and said, "Men and brethren, hearken unto niv voice, and the words of my mouth. Have ye not known me ever since the time that I began to keep the wine and oil, the coin, merchandise, and raiment of my master, Benjamin the Israelite ? Have I. not also kept his gold and his silver, amounting to ten thousand ducats, these many years ? And which of you will say that any ever went astray I No, good people ; your servant Michael hath kept his masters gold safely. Have I not likewise kept your coin, good citizens, and your books, and taken a part in every good thing I" Then all the people shouted, "Michael the Fraerite for our king: Michael for our king." And aftar much silence, Taylorius came forth and said, " Men of Kawarau : Behold I, your servant Taylorius, am in danger of being cast down from off my ancient throne ; but in you I put my trust, that ye will once more establish me upon it, and suffer me not to descend. The Fraerites are an abomination unto this land. They have been the cause of much mischief and tremble unto me. But if ye will again elect me to be your king, ye shall have cause to dance with exceeding joy, and to make merry before mine eyes": all manner of music shall be played unto you, and a feast shall be prepared for you, of which ye shall cat and drink until ye shall be satisfied with the plenteousncss thereof." But the people hearkened not unto his voice. And, when the votes of all the people were taken, Michael -was elected king ; and the Fraerites were lifted up exceedingly, and rejoiced with a great joy.