A COLONIAL MORAL—THE TWO FLAGS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 72, 26 March 1870, Page 2

A COLONIAL MORAL— THE TWO FLAGS.

The " Stars ard Stripes ' commingle AVith tb' " Union Jack " unfurled ; The greatest nations of tbe time, — The leaders of the world. Fit junction o'er the symbol bright Of Industry and Art, O'er Woodroffe's " glassy essence " Of these nations' better part ; — Twin rivals in the arts of peace. To lessen human woes, Bid steam make over-toiling cease I As Time's stream onward flows, And, -on these Isles of Southern Seas, — If ere the day shall come When parent ties are severed, And tlie child no more lcoks "Home," May "Zealand's Flag," the "Southern Cross," Freed from internal wars, Float proudly 'neath our azure sky Beside the " Stripes and Stars." ( To please a Little Boy.)

The following is oae of the unsuccessful effusions :— - Have you ever heard of Woodfoffe, How he did his level best ? How he made a glass steam engine, Tn the region of the West ? How for years he toiled to make it, Toiled ns only brave men can ? Was not he an energetic Noble, persevering man ? If you've heir 1, or if you haven't, Pay two shillings at the door ; And in half-an-hour I'll show you, What you never saw before. (Caution to small boys ) (Think not, boys, to sneak in gratis, If you do, just '• mind your eye," Mr. Peachman, at the entrance, Undeceives you speedily. As you enter, maids and gentles, Should your toilet be awry, On the wall you'll find a face glass, " Had you there — Oh ! what a guy ! 1" On the left sits the magician, With his mystic crystnl wand ; Edge in nearer ; watch him closely, If of marvels you are fond. See him blow the airy bubble, (Quite an elephantine trunk) Which, like Armstrong gun exploding, Put the whole room in a funk. See him spin the glassy ribbon, Soft as silk, and smooth as wax, (Is'nt that a great inducement To go ahead with Nelson flax.) See him fashioning the peace-pipe, With a chain to hang it by ; This alone wculd prove an heirloom, * - If 'twere won by you or I. • Think how cool the fragrant smoke clouds, (For it must not be forgot, That in working-up the pips-stem, He can tie it in a knot ) Come yet a little further, where The presiding godess sits, And see her making odds and ends, In such very little bits. See how deftly move her fingers, Doing work above all praise. The full-rigged ships, and love charms, Babes in bottles, and bouquets. Once mnre a yard or two, to where The Assembly platform stands. And behold the two glass engines ! (But don't touch them with your hands). Here you see the bubbling fountain Casting high its silvery spray; Here you see the stampers working In a most ingenious way. Wargapeka, where thy greatness? Collingwood, you'ro left behind. Fetch some quartz to Mr. Woodroffe, But don't "salt" the parcel, miud. Fetch it un-.dulterated, Fetch it as the stone was cleft; (All the gold that's not extracted Will most certainly be * left). Here both young and old may study Engineering, every night ; And the glittering wheels will furnish Tender babies witli delight; Here the anxious eyes are fastened On the tickets' numbered type, And envious glances persecute The man who wins the Pipe !, Then let us thank this brilliant man, And his wite of equal skill, And hope each night they sojourn here The Assembly Rooms may fill. Let every horse, cart, carriage, cab, And buggy bring its load; If the sight's not worth tiro slVdlinys, I can only say, ''I'm blomed!" * Suggested addition — "over the") — Printei^s Devil CIITJM. Spring Grove.