AN OLD JOKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3655, 21 June 1927, Page 3

AN OLD JOKE.

* WITH VARIATIONS.

At a farewell social gathering at Wanganui last week, Archdeacon Creed Meredith the Mayor, and Magistrate Barton all told the same joke unbeknown to eac-h other as each arrived at the function at intervals. Those present enjoyed the repitition Avith variations. The Archdeacon: I remember being present at a fareAvell to a clergyman in a parish in the Old Country. The clergyman had not been very popular with some of his parishioners and they rather Avelconied the opportunity to give him a great send-off'. When the time came for him to make his reply, the clergyman said he was so touched Avith the farewell that he had decided not to go. (Laughter). Enter the Magistrate at the close of the Archdeacon’s speech. The Magistrate: Farewell gatherings always bring to my mind an incident that happened in South Australia, where I Avas for some years. A man had not been altogether popular in the town, and when he recognised his position and decided to live elsewhere the.-towns-people were so pleased that they gave him a very good send-off. At. the close of the evening he said he had never known he had so many good friends and he had decided not to go away. (Loud laughter and cries of “Encore”). Enter the Mayor, some moments after the Magistrate’s remarks. The Mayor: I once heard a good story of a man Avho had the misfortune to be unpopular in his town and Avhen he was learnng people were glad of the opportunity to bid him farewell . . . (Uproarious laughter and repeated cries of encore”). The Politician: Ladies and gentlemen, I shall not tell the story.