POETRY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2050, 18 September 1880, Page 3

POETRY.

THE LAY OP THE BVDENHAM BOROUGH LOAN.

It was on last Wednesday evening, I, contrary to my rule, Went permiskus to a meeting At the Syd’num Borough School. In the chair I saw his Worship The Mayor, John Thomas Brown, And a couple of reporters, Writing tho proceedings down. And his Worship stated briefly The occasion of the patter, _ Hoping—calmly like—and quiet, They’d consider out tho matter. 'Twas to borrow thirty thousand Pounds to kerb and channel streets, And, says he, “ A quiet hearing For each speaker I entreats.” And he made one observation, Which, to say the least, was funny, And that was that the Council Wasn’t anxious for the money. Thinks I, Oh 1 Hookey Walker, Here’s the brewing of a spree, When, valiant on the school-house floor, Bose the well-known Johnny Lee. Says he, “I’d ask the question, Though I’m sure I knows it best, What’s the mileage of onr borough, From the eastward to the west.” But when the Town Clerk told him Its length in miles and chains. He declared he wasn’t satisfied. And was foolish for his pains. If the Clerk could not inform him, B e could tell that meeting straight It would take one hundred thousand— That meant a heavy rate. He thought the whole proposal Was entirely out of joint. Why not answer Joyce straightforward As to where’s the starting point ? Unless they forced an answer Where the starting point shonld be. It simply meant log-rolling And dirty jobbery. Much loud applause then followed, When a voice, much like a snort. Ejaculated loudly : “ I say old’un ! cut it short." The Mayor said ’twas ridiculous To chatter in this way, And, midst disorder and confusion, I thought I heard a donkey bray. Mr Joyce informed tho meeting That the present great distress Would surely land the Council In a pretty tidy moss." That was if they meant to borrow. So he’d test the meeting straight By a sweeping resolution Condemning loan and rate. Then again uprose the great Jack Lee, Says one, “ You’ve spoke before,” Whan Jack replied, “Dry up, old boss, “ I mean to keep the floor. “Boys, you’ve heard the resolution, “ Lot'each record his vote “ To put down more taxation. “ Or we’ll overset tho boat.” Well, after lots of patter. Heard with many a shout and groan, Mr Whitelaw said he fully Meant to sit upon the loan. Yet he thought that it was needful. And thought tea thousand pound Would kerb and channel all in wood, Coating threepence the pound. When Mr Joyce, in courteous terms, Said Whitelaw only meant To get a job and pocket part Of the little loan when spent. ’Twas solely for that reason Ho left the Council’s side. And trimmed his sails to suit the crowd. By floating with the tide. An ancient Borough Candidate, And Merritt was his name. Arose and asked the question If the Tramway was to blame For cutting up their streets, and wished To know the cost, if any, To the Borough : when the Mayor replied, “ It didn’t cost one penny; But the deed was in the Town Clerk’s charge; Would ho like to see the deed ?” When a voice cried out, exultant, “ That useless —Bill can’t read.” Well, the veto’ing of the Borough Loan, Was the wind up of the spree; And when the ratepayers meet again, “ May I be there to see.”