OPENING OF THE MOUNT IDA PUBLIC WORKS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 414, 1 March 1877, Page 3

OPENING OF THE MOUNT IDA PUBLIC WORKS.

After a lapso of five years in their construction, those works wore opened with gre.at.ee/nJ by tho Hon. the Minister of Public "Works, who «yas efficiently assisted by tho Hon. George M'Lean, .Tames Macandrow (lato Superintendent of the Province of Otago), and a host of local celebrities, who are unknown to fame outside the tailings which enclose their much-loved town. For tho first time in its eventful history tho ancient Borough of Naseby was lavish in its display of bunting, which fluttered from every flagpole and decorations, which were exhibited from every point of vantage. Chief among these were a crown, beautifully executed with evergreens, surmounting a handsome floral monogram of the characters "J. 0.E.," which was placed above the entrance to Packman's .Royal Horse Bazaar. On the Pantechnicon on the opposite side were admirably illuminated characters, artistically wrought in brass, and representing the letters '■ T. 0. B. Y." Nature seemed to smile upon the occasion. Tho sky was cloudless, and a gentlo breeze prevailed tempering the heat. Great preparations vvero made for the ceremony of opening the works at Carboniferous Basin, tho site of the Kescrvoir, and, to give proper effect to tho spectacle, Naseby sent forth its sturdy burgesses accompanied by their wives and children in holiday attiro ; tho minor deserted his claim and the shepherd forsook his flocks, the surveyor his staff, and the dominie his desk, and trended towards the great point of attraction at Carboniferous Point. On the embankment of the reservoir a commodious stage was erected, on which were congregated the lions of New Zealand's political and scientific world. Among them were obeerved tho burloy form of " Old Mac," the " hero of a hundred fights," Otago's veteran politician, still looking fresh and " panting for the coming fray ;" " Oor ain Geordie" W aikouaiti's chosen, looking nervoua and ill at ease, feeling tho responsibilities of a Cabinet Ministor resting heavily upon him ; the polished and affected Bowen, - ib©,representative of Justice, not blind, but in the cut of his coat and tHi?, Btylo of his hat ; Hutton, the great moa/vhonos collector and fossilologist, conchologJsi,-.and malachologist; Vincent Dolphin tho celebrated author of " Who kicked Cromwell" and " As Slippery as an Eel ;" &c, &c. The Hon. the Ministkb of Public Wokks then stepped to the front, and said : —Ho was extremely glad of tho opportunity afforded him this day of being preset!' on so auspicious an occasion, and to celebrate so important an event in the progress of New Zealand as the opening of the public works of the Mount Ida district, or rather, he should say, of the Maniototo County. (Choers.) Before proceeding further ho felt constrained to oiler an elaborate apology on behalf of himself and his honorable colleagues for the negligent and extremely careless and disinterested manner in which they had acted towards urging on tho completion of these really beneficial and reproductive works. If we have been careless and negligent, and I regret to say, we admitthe insinuation, the community of this place I rejoice to remark, are animated with a spirit of activity and enterprise which is quite refreshing to see coming from Wellington. As a community water, and in abundance, is a most indispensable element of your future prosperity and ultimate success. Through your perseverance and ingenuity you have gathered tho waters from a thousand hills and made them subservient to your behests. In that respect you have been untiring and unflinching in your exertions, and all honor and credit aro due the energetic and determined men who have accomplished so successfully these hazardous and in many cStfes dangerous undertakings. (Applause.) Now, gentlemen, these works are finished, and a large and lasting supply of that element which you prize so much is brought to your very doors. In this reservoir you havo sufficicient to float a fleet of Britain's ironclads, aud supply a thousand miners. The means of your prosperity are now at hand ; your young men will rejoice, and generations yet unborn will hail with pleasure and delight the wisdom which animated the Government which gave effect to the prayers of their fathers in the construction of such stupendous works for the enriching and progression of this portion of tho Britain of tho South, your adopted home. Band—" All's not gold that glitters." His Worship tho Mayou said : Prose well becomes the lips of a successful man. IAm cradled into poetry by wrong— Have learnt in suffering what I teach in song. A truce to war, to civic strifo ; Toby or Parchment as my life To me be now most dear. I fear I dream, but wake in time to tear Tho horrid phantasy away. A kind welcome now to Naseby Extended is to all this precious throng That now doth hedge mo in. When first

upon . The civic throne, I dared not hope this day To see. Nor yet but yesterday, When T a victim fell to Magisterial zeal. Nor Mayor, nor even Councillor, nor heel Upon the sacred bed of justice—my heart Grew sad; but now upon this water's edge, Tn touch of Ministerial Majesty 'twere sacrilege To raiso the horrid past. A truce! drink, all Our guests—Macandrew, Atkinson and Hall, M'Lctin, our Geordic (whose., power to raiso the wind You know), Eolland, of Blackstone Hill, who signed Our bill of rights. A trifle this of nuts, Gimcracks. . .... .-.■•: Baud —"The.funny little man," While the last notes of the pathetic tuno were falling upon the ear the rising generations of JNaseby, able to control their feelings, no longer, , cried out lor Macandrqw. The cry .spread,, and, in delorence. tq the popular wish, the veteran. '*, cam- forward, leaning, for support upon >th.c\Htautiheflßted< "Mayor land Cr.. Toby;. ; H*spoke : *.". ■'

Mayor Shrub, Horny-handed Sons of Toil,— Prom plough I come, once more to share again With you your hopes and joys. Macandrew's blood doth boil To see around yon habitable plain But rocks and sheep and iron wire fences. Where are Otago's yeomanry—her defences ?

I little thought to stand a stranger without power To right a wrong and point the way or hour To fortune. . . . Forgive, Sirs, the errant tongue. This dam, by which we stand, reflects what poets have sung, The clear, deceptive blue, men, as trees,

reversed : So 'tis, and in my place—but this our Geordie hath rehearsed.

Macandrew's tongue was never wont to fail him so When calling on the clans. A race degenerate Has fled the field, and he is left to stem the foe. In Mexico are acres wide, Where Eedmayne he and Duncan their troubles hide. Farewell! a long farewell! to all my greatness! I have ventured, Like little boys that swim on bladders, These many summers in a sea of trouble, But far beyond my depth. Now I'm left, Weary and old with service, to the mercy Of abolition that must for ever hide me. Fair maid ! Turn on the sludge ! I darken mirth, while Richardson cries " fudge." Immense cheering, and cries of " You're not done yet," to which Mr. Macandrew replied with bows. Sandy M'Fash said—lt wasna aften he was in sic great company —amang Members o' Pawrliment, Majors, and Mayors 0' incorporated toons, and oor ain big folk. He was sure everybody was weel pleesed at list'ning tae the graun' discoorses that day, at leest he felt sae himsel'. It looked as tho' each ane was tryin' tae blaw his ain whussle the loodcst. But thae needna' try it, for auld Mac has mair inside his bannet than a' tho ithers pit thegither. Canny and faur seeing Jimmy! the day wulJ yet come, and that before Jang, whan ye're sayin's wull be better appreciated in that widdin toon o' Wellin'ton. But he wasna' gaun tae delate on the fauts o' ithers. He had na tae gang very faur frae hame tae dae that. Thcro were a number here wha shoold bo perfectly ashamed to show their coontenances on an occasion o' this sort, for they try'd tae dae a' they could tae interrupt the feenishin' o' th' warks, an' tae pit as mony difficulties as thae could in tlio m- ■■•«' *'ieirconstruction. Butnoo he didna care twa cracks o' Lii iVrotnb for them and their opeenyins. In fak they are na worth list nin' tae, as their perdictions o' non-success have trooly turned oot tae be valuehss, and the wise shakes 0' their heids full 0' empy meaning. As a cless, he was prood tae say, thae croaking folk were gettin' pretty thin and sair worn oot, like his auld freen Joe's shoon. (Cheers.) Band—" Kyeburn Brose." Major Atkinson then stepped forward in the midst of an ominous silence :

Fair Jacobine ! I've a word to Fay ; I glory in our miners and their strength. It's they The backbone of New Zealand. Like Constantine I love sludge channels dearly. Many a night I've tossed for fear this hour should not arrive When you and I should meet; but flight Of time, faith, hope, and luck have kept alive This Ministerial wight, your servant now before you, Who gives you all your own, and something more, too. Subsidies? aye, in plenty; the sky shall rain them Before Ida shall want. Ahem !

Geordie reminds me : reporters are unpleasant. But I'm your dear friend, remember all here present. I grieve dear James is in the dumps, Unlike himself, and Whitaker, quite busy witli the pumps Of Thames. But James again shall be employed (In Mexico). . . My joy is quite alloyed To see him so unhappy. Your glasses— A toast I Jollity we preach when on our travels. Do you take great Ministers for asses P Two guineas a day, at which Grey cavils. Little enough. Here's to Naseby and Walter Hindoor. Band—" Piako's Mossy Dells." There was a brief interlude, during which Host Horseswell, of the Royal Philanthropic Dispensary, sang two soDgs, in his admirable style, entitled, " The Big Gooseberry," and " Come and see my little Pig." Mr. W. Hindoor then rose to reply to the toast:— Great Minister of many millions, I feel quite small on this occasion, Though hot. My friend Macandrew I mistake. The king is dead; long live the king. My friend M'Lean I mean. (M'Lean frowns.) My feelings overcome me. My friend Chang Sin Foretold a great event. Three stars conjoined, Last night, he said, meant devilment. But to my subject: The dam, the works, The water. Yes, water should be free, At least for miners. Note that Kuffie. I'm no orator, and speaking's made me puffy; Turn on the water! Band—" The Blue Bells of Maniototo."

The prolonged cheering that followed these bursts of oratory showed that the people were wrought up to an intense pitch of enthusiasm. Men as children, wept; children as men swore ; and the women as men and children, carboniferously excited, walked on two legs. In the midst of the scene a tall man, bowed with age, with locks dishevelled, pressed forward, and throwing himself on his knees before the great men of the North;, with upraised eyes, thus spake:— It's true I'm but an Inspector, Argus-eyed to see a rathole, or editor > When muddled. I've walked this blessed Channel Full many a month, and oaths enough I'vt spent ; To pave it, ayofifty such, and more too would have lent Admirable CrichtonThe popular enthusiasm could no lon *g'

be restrained, and all those nearest to the table round - the protactick" old man melancholy, till he was swallowed up in the throng. A horny-handed son of toil, however, made good his position by mounting the table, and, taking advantage of a quiet interval, said:— I loikes fair play, I does. My name's Yarmer, and now, as I'm oil mine legs, and my legs is on this table, tell I.this : Have.we to pay for this 'ere water. Mister Atkinson speaks fair, but central prison be. a; long way off. I wants a straight answer. There's too much sugar put on the bottled spider. .. ~ . ; Thereupon was a burst of rekindled enthusiasm, and cries were clearly audible of " Well done Jack! that's the talk ! no pay! free water! " The man of science had meanwhile been observed in raptured attitude, holding in his hand some blue clay. It was sup-, posed he offered worship at the throne of Nature, and a report was spread that he had mode a great discovery. At last an attempt was made to persuade the mystic himself to state the cause of his sublime reverie : —I hold here in my hand diati maceous earth —the dust of eymbellte and coccoiiemra ; oh, sirs, most rare dust! Politics and politicians I detest, and water fresh abhor —not but that it has its value when properly stagnant and full of life. Now Adam, Salmond says, was framed of dust. This dust is animal; Adam was an animal; therefore the conclusion is irre-, futable —Adam was framed from eymbellas and cocconemsD, The whole mystery of creation is clear, and based on evolution ! Direct creation! oh no, Salmond is out there. Most grand discovery! This dam is parent indeed of science, new sprung, Apollo like, from Hutton. • I see in vision the little mussels playing leapmollusc with the natica zealandica, and the tender-hearted fasciolaria. Great people to be privileged to walk on sacred dust, the posthumous parent of Adam. This is indeed the dust of ages. As the man of science concluded his remarks Major Atkinson, carried away by his feelings, drew his stick from under the table, commanded the wise man to kneel, and, striking him lightly on the shoulder, said : In Constantine's great name rise, Sir Cymbellffi Moabottom, the benefactor of mankind.

Band —" Lay me mother in the dust." The Mayor, having beaten violently upon the table with a sluicing fork for ten minutes, at last restored order: — Now, gentlemen, your souls to quietness charge! Our worthy "Warden will descant, enlarge Upon the situation. Up, justice, on thy legs ! Eight worthy workman, a Latin sonnet. Confound all folk that say a bee is in thy bonnet.

In hushed expectation silence reigned around, and even children, dismayed at sight of beak, did cease to scream, and the well-known voice, that oft made hearts quaku and kindle, was heard in dulcet accents: — Most worthy Mayor, the vulgits I despise. Yet to this great occasion I did rise A.t five this morning, and rum and milk, Thrice stirred and sipped by Phillip of that ilk, Did taste; —my Phillip sober not my Philip drunk. Still from this joyful jubilee I shrunk Dismayed. My clerkly pigeon talked of

guineas; Parchment came and took 'em fresh from haddock finnies. But now a lion not fright me, under cape Of Ministers : Great men! The gods in human shape Are with us. This water scheme is mine. Of great conception I saw water everywhere. The time Is come to claim your grateful phrases ; And, that you should be at no trouble, I'll take it all for granted in measure double; And sing myself in dreams your workman's praises Till the welkin sympathising rings, Rejoicing at the sight of a Warden's

wings That's classical; upon honor it is! Best thing I've said in my clerk's time any way. That confounded fellow would drive poesy out of Bracken ! The day is waning. Fair maid ! break now the bottle ; and as the waters rush from beneath the dam, a sentiment gentlemen. There's virtue in a sentiment well timed ! Band—"Jack and the Bean Stalk." The following sentiments we were able to record out of the many hundreds breathed forth as the screw was unturned and the waters of Ida rushed forth to unlock the golden treasures stored up from creation's dawn in the bosom of the common mother of all.:—The Mayor : " A world without fines or pence :" Atkinson : " Our virtues and innocence; 1 ' M'Lean : " Old shoes :" The Nicolite : " Bellyfulls of water;'' Pastoral Director : "An Impaled selector;" Yarmer : "Wild flowers;" Toby : ' A press for presses." The proceedings were now over; but as the people began to move to their homes Macandrew's voice, once again raised, stilled them, and they all as with one voice joined in God save our Otago, Save our free land ! Long may it live to contain a' us, Happy, not glorious; Long to contain a' us, Save our free land !