THE TATTLER.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 1, 11 April 1877, Page 2

THE TATTLER.

" How pleasant 'tis to see one's name in print, A book's a book although there's nothing int." And by the same rule, a contribution's a contribution, although there's nothing int. I mean to write yo'i a contribution occasionally; but mind, Sir, I undertake no kind of responsibility as to its contents. There is a standing indemuity amongst shippers in relation to cargo, " All care, but no responsibility." And this is just my ticket. I shall, I expect, have sometimes to take In some peculiarly fragile cargo— material that will be likely to fall to pieces upon the most delicate handling, but it will be my aim to be as gentle as I can, without, mind you, being cxeeimely squeamish in the stowage. I shall, of necessity, have to deal in miscellaneous and sometimes perarlveoture' dan* gerous freights, and if therefore any portion should now and then " blow up," don't be a bit alarmed or surprised. This, however, I feel under an obligation to state, aye, even to guarantee, th?t such occurrences shall be the result purely of '• spontaneous combustion," or in other words, that such explosions will not arise from a lurking fire, or from the use of borrowed " dunnage" ; and with this brief but metaphorical and, perhaps in the main, incomprehensible prelude, permit me, Mr Editor, ladies, and gentlemen, to make my most humble obesiance. As one of a good many others who felt anxious to hear Mr Donovan's lecture on Temperance I attended at the tijae and place appointed, but it 13 needless to say that I was " teetotally slewed." The fact was those who like myself attended the hall were disappointed because the lee« turor did not pat in an appearance, iiowrever, as we could not control the lecture, we controlled our tempers as best we could. The subject is not exactly an original one, but f feel certain that in the hands of Mr Donovan ifc will be made interesting, and I therefore hope that we shall on some future occasion have an opportunity of listening to him. The last " Caledonian Gathering '' held at Larry's Crdek, appears t> hare bean a highly successful affair. I'm not engaged j either in or "for the Caledonians," l regret to say, but I would not mind at the present time holding; " tops" in that par* ticular set. ' I hear ie whispered that the company might have enjoyed the present "patch" some twelve months &%o hal they given their former raining mmajjer his way, as he was strongly of opinion at the time thtit if allowed to carry on the drive in which the present gold was struck he should get the reef. He was, however overruled, and the result is now known. This is not said in the least way to the disparagement of the present efficient raining manager of the Caledonia, but merely ia justice to the man Whose experience the company did not know how to value. But yesterday the name of Woolcoek stood against the world, and now there are none so poor as will do him rever* ; ence. The quotation may not be literally ! correct, but it hits off pretty well the po* ' sition which "our represent tive" now holds in this community. I See that the Greyraouth Star is very touchy upon this subject, and inclined to " jump upon " any body who dares to say a word about Don Carlos. I am possibly to |c told that because Mr Woolcoek has bjf|£ " domestic troubles" ie should on that account be left alone, but if any of M* , Wooleock's friends want to argue but that point, let them appear upon the scene tomahawk in band, aai I shall have some war paint ready. ' : ' ... rt