Wairarapa Jottings.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 40, 6 April 1901, Page 7

Wairarapa Jottings.

AS Napoleon and Alexander are never mentioned except in connection with their gallant deeds of war, so Percy Young has ever been associated w lth his priceless dappled grey. Past is all that now, for the prince of agents has parted from his isarhoise. Few have heard unmoved the beautiful strains of "The Arab's Farewell" so it may well bo imagined that future generations will shed a tear o'er Percy's lament for his grey • — Farewell, farewell, my gallant giey, In sunshine and in rain We've crossed the countiy night and day, And now I'm left in pain. No more astride thy noble back — He's sold, yes, at a loss, sir, — We'll gallop down the winding track, Oh no, as I'm a josser. My grey, I've traded you away , But one thing is secured , Don't foam and fret yourself I pray — Your life is well insured. • • • Ex-Mayor George Heron is about to take a trip to "the land o' the leal," — meaning thereby Scotland, of course — and, by George, he's one of them. Before leaving it is proposed to present him with a golden snuff-box — not a bad presentation at a pineh — but, George takes with him much better than that , the golden opinions of all who know him. • • ♦ The prevailing dulness of the District Court at Masterton is occasionally relieved by a stray flash of wit. The occasion, however, is so rare, that I cannot afford to miss the instance that occurred last week. A well known jockey was in the box, and proved quite a match for the bench. His Honor happened to rally him on "the backing of two horses being wrong," and got the prompt reply, "I didn't know it then, your Honor, but I did after the race was over." The jockey had a good lead that time — right on the rails. • • • It is surely time some notice was taken of the oft-repeated complaint of the judge about the inadequate Court accommodation in Masterton. The wretched little hole would be a disgrace

to Wellington ; why, then, is the most important inland town, the home of so many of the culchawed and the elite, left without a decent habitation for the District Court and the weekly drunk ? • ♦ • Mr. Hogg, M.H.R., has been called upon by Surveyor Austin for an explanation. The affair evenuated from a meeting to consider the advisability of, and to promote the interests of, a light line to somewhere. Mr. Hogg, who attended the meeting, made a passing assertion that the line would more likely cost a million than £120,000— the roughly-estimated cost of Mr. Austen. As a matter of fact, Mr. Hogg did not intend himself to be taken literally. Mrs. P. Darroch, confectioner, etc., announces elsewhere that she has removed into her new premises, Cubastreet (next to Veitch and Allan's), in which special provision has been made for the convenience and comfort of patrons. The tea and social rooms are large, airy, and well fitted up, and the catering is in competent and reliable hands.