THE TIMARUFFIANS AGAIN.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 7 October 1880, Page 2

THE TIMARUFFIANS AGAIN.

The TimarufSans, as the inhabitants of Timaru have been called because of the larrikinism of some of their number, gave Captain Barry a lively reception on the occasion of a second lecture whioh he essayed to deliver on Saturday night last. We must preface a few excerpts from the Telegraph by informing o.iw readers that his first meeting in Tim,arn was not in the least degree more pacific. The captain evidently believed I tliat the more excitable and larrikinish mem- ! hers of the community had expended their effervescence, which, he told them, he thought was intended for his chairman, who appears to have been a Count of some description, and, with feelings of renewed confidence in the respectability of the " Timaraffians," he hopefully enounced that he would be his own chairman, A voice ; Tom Mews—Cries of yes, yes ; Tom, Tow-. In response to these yells, a local vendor of pies, confectionery, and watercresses, whose stage-struck proclivities are already well known, advanced from tUo. pit, and, clearing all intervening obstacles, jumped upon the stage and nv\d& three grotesque salaams to the captwfli The Captain (rising and striking a theatrical attitude whilst pointing down into the pit X; Go. down, sir; go down.—(Applause i and yells-) Tom Mewis : But I'll be The Captain : Go down immediately. The aspiring pieman, amidst a deafening uproar, beat a hasty retreat, evidently alarmed at the savage appearance of the lecturer. On quiet being restored,. The' Captain continued I have an interesting*, lec-ktur- to, give if you will only listen., and I'U be ray own chairman.—(Applause.) A voice ; The Count.—(Applause.) Another voice : Oh, wliar is he 1 Third voice : Glory halleluliar.—(Laughter.) A voice : Give us a song. The captain : As Bracken says— Who wrote a book of wondrous tales, And stories about hulks and jails, Who rode upon the backs of whales? The audience : " Why Captain Jackson Barry." The captain : Which I did. The lec Mirer then gave the whole of Mr. Tom Bracken's well-known poem, the audience shouting the chorus vociferously. At its conclusion he said—Gentlemen, I am very much obliged to all this evening, and I must say you have given me the greatest courtesy possible. I don't think as bad as I did of the Timaru people,. A voice : Ain't we happy. (Laughter.) The captain > S don't think 'em as bad before, but I know you had your spree; but riOj o,n,e can, say as how I deserved to have j eggs, thro,wa at me. It's unfortunate, you've i men amongst you, leading men, as didn't know better. A voice : What about the Count ? The captain : You've got the laugh, but I don't think you'd like to injure me, and its got in the Dunedin press. One of the papers has copied a column and a half from, cse of your papers, a saying as I had <?gga- thrown at me. Now I call on you to, say as whether it was the Chairman QX me those eggs was meant for. The audience : The Chairman. The captain: I don't believe as any 1 man'd be guilty of throwing anything the captain. The audience : No ! No. I Mewis the pienjan < Captain Barry, I know you're not the only man as has had eggs thrown at you in Timaru. ; The eaptain : I must say as liow the Dunedin papers is a taking up the case. Mewis : Why, its not as bac\ for you as me. (Laughter.) The captain : Why, the Dunedin papers said as how yon ought to, have respect for his grey hairs. ' A voice •He was a Count* Captain Barry here, commenced to pack up his books aud papers.. A voioe : Qive us a. bob's worth. Oth,er voices ; The Queen's, letter. Thomas Mewis ;. H<vvo> you any objection, Captain Barry, to my addressing the people ! on the stage, I • T3arry : I have, indeed. You may i depend on it I'll be cautious in future who's |my chairman. If you'd be quiet, I'd give my Californer experiences; if not, I'll say good night. An uproar ensued, in which Mr. Mewis urged his claim to address the audience, and on quiet being restored, the.Captain gave a sketch of his " Californey " experiences, inclusive of one describing his obtaining 72 pounds of gold in one day, in -company with another digger, which, AUadinic assertion again aroused the audience, and finally compelled the Jeaturer to pack up, his final words being i—" Well, gentlemen, I must say the name of larrikin still sticks tcs a few of yer." ' A voice : Come here, and explain yourself. The Captain : I'd Ipje to know who could explain hisself. Good night. The curtain then dropped, and almost immediately, amidst yells and cries for Mewis, the gas was turned out, and the audience dispersed.