THE MILK OUT OF THE COCOA-NUT.

Manawatu Times, Volume IV, Issue 68, 4 September 1880, Page 2

THE MILK OUT OF THE COCOA-NUT.

Human nature is human nature, whether it reclines upon the velvet cushions of ; St. "Stephen's, or sits upon the rough chair a"t.'a highway board. Duty is a^ grand thint? ; honor has its attractions ; but th© Almighty Dollar can giv# them both Jong odds and beat them hands dowr. J §iig.ixtly altering one of the proverbs of that drollest of philoso* phers, , Josh JBiLLiNGSi We may say, " JRetreuchment is likea tin-kettle tied to a dog's tail. Very fine fun as long as the dog is not ours." At the July sitting of the Manawatu Highway Board, Warden M-'Ewen said. that m : thje face ; of .the large overdraft, it became the Board to look to every penny, to cut ("own expenses, and avoid all useless expenditure— sentiments which were heartily applauded. In pursuance of that resolve, he commenced, "Gentlemen, I move that the Engineer receive notice that , threelnonths from this date his services will be no longer required." Carried unanimously. "Gentle 11 en, I have a second resolution to propose — ' That the Secretary's salary be reduced : •to £100.' " Carried. "Gentlemen, — I have a third resolution—-' That from this day. forward no warden shall receive any remuneration whatever' for attending the Board meetings,' " " Gentlembn,"' Continued the Strategist, as he saw a hesitating look on the wavering. "Retrenchment is. the order of the day," and he handed pen and resolution to his nearest neighbor. Oh, I'll do it 1" said helapplied to, as he took the pen, and signed bis name with a heroic effort; such as might have influenced Charles Cabroll, of Carrollton, when by attaching his signature to the 'American ; Independence, he signed away five hundred thousand dollars. To the credit of the Board, the motion was carried with a reckless unanimity which was most refreshing;. . Sweetly-r7.tho.ugh sad — they smiled, Looking quite bland and mild, No one would think them wild Cunning Highwaymen. Was there a soul afraid ? Was there a man dismayed P At thegroat gift they made — " Ne'er more to get paid ! ! ! " Noble Highwaymen. Not one word they spoke, Silent voice— solemn look, Tho' to the fuft a few awoke W«'re going to be plundered. Then on their souls there fell Something like a knell, Echoes—" What a sell "-= How we have blundered. Slowly they passed awaj ". Come back another day ?"* " Willi" did oneJma'n say, . v Not such a Simon." When th> day came round How many -there were found To nobly stand their ground Merely three Highwaymen. When shall their glory fade ? Oh ! the discharge they made \ Of their help andTaid, When no longer paid, Gen'rous HJightyaymra ! [SKQtTEL.] ! The! usual meeting of the IVTanawatu Highways Board was to have taken place on Thursday morning, but at the time . appointed, the only members present were Messrs. JMJ'Ewkk. JBrucb, and Gifford. The milk had been taken out of the cocoanut, and only thr«»e out' of the seven Wardens cared for the shell. Another striking example of — Cause and Effect. [It is only fair to say that the Ghairman was engaged m important business, which rendered his attendance impossible.] A ' ' : " '