MOUNT BENGER.

Evening Star, Issue 3093, 17 January 1873, Page 3

MOUNT BENGER.

(l-UOM OUR OwN CORUE3PONDKST.) My last was written under the influence of Saturn, the melancholic, and all things were tinged with a cerulean cast. lam bettor now, I think you, and to bring my n-tuial “sweetness and light” down to “ our own level, have to consume vast quantities or malt vinegar. I did attend the Chri-tys after all, and found nothing to object to save the darkened faces. The music and singing wore quite up to the amateur average, although in the former case the valuable services of Professor Lewis were of great assistance. 1 want to know, I dew, why on earth white men should consider it funny to disfigure themselves as niggers, aud why people applaud the dreary and monotonous stuff of which the modern comic song is chiefly composed. There is plenty of wit and wisdom in the works of our great lyrists, without descending to vulgarity or horse-play. Herrick, alone, forms a repertoire, impossible to exhaust, and, in fact, every one of the Elizabethan poets and dramatists has contributed real gems very different fiom the paste imitations now current. The Governor has come and gone. At Ettrick there were two arches, a flagstaff, and seventeen addresses, the population of that delightful spot being so united and friendly to one another as to prevent their agreeing to a single welo ante. One of the addresses I picked up on the Benger Creek shortly afterwards; it runs as loi" lows : “ To His Excellency the Governor. “Sir, —Your super-eminent talents, your unspeakable magnanimity and gallantry, as Commander-in-Chief of the New Zealand Militia, your profound attainments as a metaphorical writer, Ac., &c., &c. (for six pages.) These noble and original qualities of intellect and heart lead me the inhabitants of Ettrick to bow down in humble adoration before your vice-regal presence. —I am, Ac., (one signature. )” The Governor, after weeping a few tears of joy, which he hurridly wiped away on th • manly sleeve of his velveteen jacket, replied as follows : “ Sir, —This proud day shall never be erased from the tablets of my memory. After death the name of Ettrick shall bo found engraved upon the inmost recesses of my heart. Your cordial welcome has touched me most deeply, aud I shall take care to bring the facts under the notice of my royal mistress in case she might be. foolish enough to contemplate visiting you in person.” One ambitious soul actually perpetrated what was generally supposed to be a Chinese motto ; general opinion was, however, as usual, wrong, as it happened to be Greek. At the Teviot there w«re 135 addresses, one being presented impromptu by the lady who erected the only triumphal arch. It was : “ Sir,—Those nasty jealous things up the town wouldn’t help me, but 1 put up au arch, your honor, which I wanted them to present an address here ; and if your honor’s worship will have a glass of beer, and her ladyship’s grace a nobbier of brandy, I’m sure I’ll never think of charging.” The Governor replied “ Madam, this proud day shall never, &c.” It is a noticeable fact that the Superintendent was loudly welcomed at all points. Up-country residents are beginning to appreciate the liberality and enlightenment which, combined with honesty and singleness of purpose, serve to render Mr Macandrew inferior to no Colonial statesman of the past or present.