BORDER RESTRICTIONS DEFEATING CUPID.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4605, 23 December 1875, Page 1 (Supplement)

BORDER RESTRICTIONS DEFEATING CUPID.

Scarcely a day passes that the people of the Border are not harassed in some form or direction by the protectionist policy of Victoria, and its accursed twin-sister the Border duties. Unless something is done our grievances will become unbearable. We will not follow the advice of the Victorian demagogue who suggested the crack of the rifle, but commend the following to the consideration of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce. That body are already aware that the coffins of the dead are blackmailed to appease the rapacity of protectionists, but they are scarcely prepared to learn that the Border restrictions have snapped the cords which bound affianced lovers. The melancholy story is soon told, leaving out, for obviou3 reasons, the names of the principal sufferers. Young Blank was as fine a specimen of an Emerald Islander as ever did duty as a boundary-rider for any pastoral prince in Australia. It is no wonder he won the heart and affections of the lovely and accomplished governess on bis employers station. The happy day was fixed, and the clergyman in attendance. Robes and other bridal paraphernalia were ordered from Melbourne, and reached Albury in due course, when orders, regardless of expense, were sent to Mr. Jones, of the Exchange Hotel, who is also agent for Cobb's coaches, to forward them to their destination without delay. The Customhouse officers, however, demurred, as no invoice accompanied the goods, nor nothing to indicate the contents of the box, excepting a label stating "perishable goods with care." It transpired on examination, after the lapse of a few days, that the mysterious box contained [a few jars of jam, some pickles, bridal gowns, Sydney rock oysters, Paramatta oranges, Tasmanian apples, and other sundries. However, the stoppage of the goods in transitu put an end to the wedding. The hottest love is the soonest cold, and the shortest story is the quickest told. The boundary rider, with a woe-be-gone countenance, passed through Albury yesterday in a state of mind 'bordering on delirium, and not highly impressed with the fiscal policy of Victoria, nor yet of the other trammels of trade, whereby he lost all that made this world enjoyable to him. There are many who may talk lightly of his affliction, but we are amongst those who think otherwise, for the chances are in favor of his going headlong to destruction.— Border Post.