WHEN THE VILLAGE FATHERS MEET.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1394, 6 May 1915, Page 3

WHEN THE VILLAGE FATHERS MEET.

Robed in municipal dignity, Their naivete repress’d, The “Fathers” sit in conclave O’er public need by vote express’d. Prospecting on the fringe of knowledge With labour’d thought, they find Suggestions clothed with humour Too deep for rustic mind. Up rises, first, Sir Alfred, Chief of the village clan, Imperious as a Kaiser, As naive as Mary Ann : “For years, needs kept me dancing Whilst others nam’d the rune, But now I’m Mayor, I’ll show them That I can change the tune. Bring forth all your suggestions, And I will shape their course ; To keep our catch-vote pledges We’ll pool our last resource. We’ve told the poor old ratepay’r His needs —and many more— In fact, he never knew he had So many wants before. Suggested thirst to tease him With phantoms in his sleep, And then, to soothe and please him, Shown waters, pure and deep. In caverns of yon ranges In slumber undisturb’d; Of how to hold or bring them We’re not the least perturb’d. We’ll have to cross the valleys, Bridge stream, and tunnel hill— Away all thought of charges, For he must foot the bill. And should anticipation Bring fever'd brow to him, We’ve promis’d baths for swimming To cool his ardour in. And when from paying taxes He gets a breathing spell, We’ll teach him (free) gymnastics, To keep him fit and well. When time (and rates) have borne him To yonder silent hill, We’ll raise a stone in rnem’ry Of him who paid the bill.” —Wrongfellow.