The Kaiser's "Abdication"

Levin Daily Chronicle, 7 November 1918, Page 1

The Kaiser's "Abdication"

DUNGOG'S DELIRIUM. (From the Sydney Sun). Dungog (N.ri.W.), October 19. Dungog has had its first night out since the wair started. It was late on Sunday night when word came through that Germany had surrendered unconditionally, and that the Kaiser had abdicated. There are some late birdie in this <M town and when they heard the news they scattered far and wide, cheering and shouting thte joyful report. People, young andi old, rushed out of their houses, half awake and less than ha]# diressed. In a few minutes Dungog was livelier than the oldest inhabitant had ever seen it. Women and girls in their frilled, laced and filagreed nighties, and men: in gorgeous pyjamas, crowded the streets, cheering deliriously. Some of tfhe hotels flung open their doors; nobody bothered about the law now; lights flashed: on everywhere; but the populace sought no seclusion. One publican, in th® fulness of his heart, gave away bottled whisky said to be worth £100. The. eager populace did not puill the oorks—they knocked off the necks and drank deep, and breathed mightily a few minutes later.

The effect was disastrous. Quite a number of highly-respected citisens who had never caJledi in their 'lives before for anything stronger than dry ginger ale, woke up later in extraordinary places with empty bottles in their hands.

But the worshippers of fire water did not have it. all their own way. Church bells rang out in joyous sound. _ The church doors were opened and midnight services were held, and joyful! thanks were offeredi up by men and women dressed as they had tumbled out of bed. That was Sunday night. On Monday morning Dungog woke up verv. late w'ith a_ "heavy feeling in its .stomach, ia pain in its head and a nasty brown taste in its mouth.

(People paired each other without saying "Good day." The shadow of their exploded joy hung like a pafl upon them. The donor of the whiisky is learning a new language. The people of Dungog wsll in future, believe that the news of the abdication of the Kaiser is true when the arch malefactor is brought Here in a cage and they are allowed to throw empty bottles ait him as a guarantee of good faith.