MOUNT BENGER.
{Prom our own Correspondent.) , I Have not written you much of late because I could see the vagaries of the Mount Bengerites were growing stalj. Beoplc began to agree that all the lunatics in, the country converged by a hind of natural selection on the banks of the Tevibt, and there insanity ceased to astonish or amuse. I can not report any improvement, in fact things are a little madder than usual if that be possible, still 1 suppose your epitome of the worVahisfcory must include, even the latest intelligence from “ Bedlam.” The two rival kings of ‘Brentford have ceased to “growl at one another’s heels.” They have united in the grand patriotic scheme of injuring their adopted country as' much as in them lies; Fortunately, that is very trifling ; but 1 think it is high time for visit de lunaiico when colonists combine together to bofonl the fair name of the Colony and to. injure its prospects in the English labor markrt. Of course there have been various public meetings (the. important shppoft of the publicans could not be secured otherwise), and all sorts of resolutions,, memorials, and manifestoes have duly been proposed;'seconded, and “ carried by accla mation ” Equally, of course, the promoters —chiefly persons connected with the sale, wholesale rind retail- of spirituous liquors —have profited largely- by vending their commodities to the thirsty orators. On Tuesday ' last came 6tf the grand coup. Mr Holloway’s eyes were opened by th- citizens of Koxburgh, the first city o( the first district of. the first Province of the first Colony of the first Empire of th-» world, as an orator fresh from the perusal of the “House that Jack built” gracefully remarked. To quote by anticipation our special reporter, “the meeting was numerously and respectably attended, aud the utmost unanimity prevailed.” - ; The chief orators were Messrs Beighton (chairman). Michael Macarthy, and 6. Mackay. Tin latter individual gave the manifesto diluted, but .Mr Macarthy was more . original ano vastly more anausing. In a rich brogue he fave his own experience. ’ His career in fount Benger had been a continual'struggle with the bloated squatter, Be .had a passage of arms with Messrs Cargill and Anderson about a road through his land, but be “ dodged ’em.” This was scarcely over before he was afflicted by a water-race, and because he did not wear a paper collar he found himself bested. He was disgusted; with everything; His name at present was Michael-Macarthy, but as soon as be could realize it would be “Walker I” Then Mr Holloway made a straightforward and sensible speech, giving great offence by venturing to hint that Mount Benger was not Otago, and that Southland and the Mataura con tained perhaps as good land as the mountain ranges enclosing the ‘Molyneux,-: He . seemed to think that an English agricul- ~ tnral laborer with his six shillings a week and vegetable diet would not be altogether averse to being one of the persecuted Mount ; Bengerites with-three notes a week and butcher meat four times a day. Then there was a rumpus. In solemn tones the Chairman, warned Mr Holloway “not to be plastered > oyer,” He showed up the Superim tendent in all hia native deformity; but all this eloquence appeared t® have as much influence as the proverbial blister on a wooden leg. Talk as the talkers liked they could net completely disuuise that they were prosperous and comfortable, while men of.,the same.class in England were starving and miserable. In short, they had the roast; beef sad iJim pqdding, ,and f were only growling-for the venjson and turtle soup. On the whole, - ! do not think the Teviot people have-much, success to brag of. They havekept up their character for being the most Wand disaffected crowd in New Zealand, and this no .doubt is something gained, but for any influence their prating exercised they might as well have been silent. They may, however, be successful in inducing Mr Hoi* mway to advise intending immigrants carefully to avoid Mount Benger.
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Evening Star, Issue 3465, 31 March 1874, Page 3
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668MOUNT BENGER. Evening Star, Issue 3465, 31 March 1874, Page 3
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