IT IS TOWN TALK

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 23, 8 December 1900, Page 17

IT IS TOWN TALK

That the pickpockets who have lately been " doing " the South must be a very sharp lot, for, on an Otago course last week, a Chinaman was nipped for £22. — That a smart accountant in the Big Buildings said he was fond of mathematical calculations, but trying to balance his wife's accounts beat him every time t —That the Power (ful) -Crane Company has a bit of good advice on its programme reminding patrons that she is the greatest lady who wears the smallest hat in the theatre. — That law-maker Hon. J. M. Twomey, of the Upper House, was a lawbreaker «ie other day. He was cited before the beak at Temuka, and fined five shillings and costs for ridmg his bike on the footpath. That an ex gaolbird, who thirsted to tell some tales to the press concerning a few things at Terrace Gaol, was assisted out of town by a benevolent institution the other day. — That a Dunedin money-bags, against whom a prohibition order was issued lately, on the ground that he spent his money bibulously, confessed to taking his seventeen nips a day. That Mr A. B. Paterson — otherwise "Banjo," poet and war correspondent — has some relatives residing in Christchurch. He hopes, after his lecturing tour, to come across to Maoriland and take a more leisurely look at us.

— That Mrs. Kruger hopes hubby Paul will not sojourn too long on the Continong. — That Secretary Ferguson, of the Harbour Board, will be back next week from his globe-trotting trip. — That many Wellingtoniau3 are not sorry that another city has the honour of receiving the "men of Harlech <Castle). —That the solicitor Roberts, who defended the aboriginal ruffian Governor, in Sydney, is a son-in-law of Dr. Laishley, of Auckland. That an ambitious lady of this city yearns with a great yearning to become -the Mayoress next year. But her husband declines to be tempted. That, anticipating the coming of many tourists to Rarotonga, British Eesident Gudgeon has advised the natives to •erect an hotel upon that coral strand. That Napier has the champion lucky man. He bought Jt's worth of 5s sweep tickets on the Caulfield Cup, his results being two starters and J6lOO, JE2O, and £10. —That the re-appearance of the plague near Sydney has scared some timid New Zealanders who intended spending the opening of the new year +here. — That if the popular interest in cricket continues at its present rate of growth, citizens will have to acquire Miramar, in order to provide pitches for budding Hills, Nobles, and Trotts. —That Alf. Hill (late of Wellington) will be a proud man on Commonwealth Day in Sydney, when he taps his baton, runs his fingers through his hair, and calls upon the big choir to sing the National Anthem. " I wish Wellington could see me now!" will probably be his unexpressed thought.