WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 27 March 1912, Page 3

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

(Makarau' Correspondent.)

Last week a rather mild sensation was baiised at the sequestered settle'" ment of Makarau, by the sudden appearance of a smart oil-launch, towing a huge empty barge, dashing tinder the Makarau bridge at full speed, as if racing with Scott and Amundsen for the South Pole, and as suddecly turning tail and dashing down stream as if ,it had suddenly found it. The first impression of those at a distance was that the! dreadful Germans had at last invaded our shores through the unguarded portals of the Kaipara Heads, and that the launch was the first detachment bent on invading our cupboards and hen-roosts as well. The 1 " dashing " of one of the crew across Farmer Manuell's paddock gave additional colour to the surmise, but, fortunately for the peace of mind of the residents, he turned out to be no Teutonic marauder, but a HelensviJle free-trader in the person of Captain Tivian McLeod,, of the good Mahutpro, in search of some one who could give., him the latitude and longtitude where he cpuld .pick up a pile of firewood that Stewart Bros, had sent him to load. On learning that the wood was . at Kakanui, not Makarau, he exclaimed vigorously: "Well, dash my but* tons! It was tc Makarau I was ordered to come." As the gallant skipitfi&r was in undress uniform, his appeal *fo his "buttons" was not as effective as it might have been. However, all's well that ends well, and the Mahutoro ' and her tender got loaded up at Kakanui anc! away next tide. The last words that the harbour- master heard as she was shoring off were those of the skipper addressing chief-officer Boss, ■•' Andy, I guess Stewart Bros, are good enough for a tin of benzine for this delay." , (Latest advices say he got it;*