WOEFUL WAIHI.

NZ Truth, Issue 70, 20 October 1906, Page 3

WOEFUL WAIHI.

Way back at Waihi, where the gold comes from, things aren't too sudden and the pace that kills is an altogether unknown quantity m that benighted portion of "God's own paddock." The deadly dullness of the place got on the nerves of a few Waihi weary. ones a little while back and they started to make things jig. On weekdays life was just about bearable by reason of there being work to distract the mind, but Sundays are simply impossible. So the despondent souls bethought them' of a little scheme whereby things might be improved somewhat. Someone suggested Sunday concerts. It was a happy thought, and as events proved, a popular one. The one thing necessary was the permission of the ' Waihi Borough Council. This permission the Council, being as usual only about half awake, granted. The concerts became an accomplished fact. That Waihi wanted something to liven up' its wretched, monotonous existence was proved by the support accorded. Every time tha doors opened an eager crowd sought admission, and things vent with a boom. ■•■•'"■■ Then the trouble began. The prurient • parson ical push that seeks to save the souls,. Waihi way, found its 'oly 'ousds deserted. And no wonder. Who m his sane mind would spend his time listening ta drivelling, dour devil-dodgers when just acro,^ the way ho had the opportunity of listen--ing to bright, cheerful music and singing. Anyhow, Waihi doesn't seemto have hesitated as to which show got his august attendance, and, incidentally, his tray bit. It wasn't the man, or the woman, or ths child straying away from his "fold" that caused heart-burning m the weary wowser of Waihi. It was the fact that there v/as a terrible slump m the plate receipts that got on his nerves. So the bible-banging, good shepherds up and said things. They stalked round and breathed into the Council's lengthy lu^-; their tale of woe. Last Friday's Council meeting showed the result. A sin-shifting cove named Slevin got un on his props, and, drawing a lengthy countenance, championed the cause of the good ministers. He said, m a shocked voice, that some of the socalled sacred concerts that had been given m Waihi were a disgrace to the to,. n. Weepfully he howled that the i churches had a right to Sundays all on their lonesome. The poor churches were emptied, he cried horrorfically, jas a result of these entertainments, land he moved that no more permits be granted, no matter who the promoters were. Councillor Carter followed up his woeful display by I making the assertion that Slevin was only doing this because the churches couldn't keep "holt" on their "faithful followers" when there was a more appetising show for. them to go to. Councillor Evans was righteously indignant. He said it was m;- -; terference with the liberty of the subject. A majority of the public [preferred these concerts, and he reckoned if the parsons couldn't keep their people together, well— their troubles. However, this didn't avail J anything, for the Ker-ristian Kouncil, barring Messrs Carter and Evans supported the motion, which was accordinp-Jv carried. So Waihi, after its spasmodic splash into something akin to life, has settled down once more into its accustomed gloomy, nerve-racking existence. Until^ that is,, the next election comes along and it has the opportunity of bumping out these clergy-cudgelled, spunkless councillors and electing a few men, j who believe m a little harmless re- j creation for the mind, m their stead.