TALE BY PETER THE LUNATIC.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 301, 6 March 1878, Page 2

TALE BY PETER THE LUNATIC.

TO THE GREAT RECORDER.

Oxen upon a time there dwelt in the land of Lyle, by the sea-coast, and near the banks of a pleasant river, a gifted people, skilled in all the arts of agriculture and commerce. But, behold, the river near which their town was built, was small, and shallow, insomuch, that it was dangerous for ships bringing merchandise, and many had been destroyed thereby. And all the people murmured. Then arose the mighty men of tire land, and assembled the people together, and said unto them—“ Let'us cry mightily unto our rulers, that they appoint"wise men to search diligently, and enquire if our river may not be made deeper, so that ships from far countries and from the isles of the sea, may bring their merchandise to us, and go in and out with safety, and we become a great and prosperous people.” And it was so. But it came to pass, that certain seditious persons —like unto those calling themselves li Dogs ” and “ Cats ” —sent letters unto the chief scribe, to be printed on his scroll, and sent abroad over all the land, saying —We will not have these men to rule over our river ; but we will ourselves choose men, having large possessions in the land, and rich in flocks and herds, and gold and silver, and much substance.” And this sayihg pleased tire people. And when it came to the ears of the rulers, they said— !I Let it be even as they desire.” Now there abode in that land, a man by the name of Geordicus. He was a cunning man, learned in the structure of those machines that mark the lapse of time, and in all the learning of that land. Moreover, though a man of small stature, and mean appearance, ho esteemed himself exceeding much. And he communed with himself, and said—“ Who among all this people is

like unto me for wisdom ? Or who can so well speak for them before the mighty men? Now then I will arise and journey through the land, from Lyle even unto the border of Manu-ta-hi, and will speak sweetly unto them, that .they choose me to be their oracle, and guide, and rivergod.” But there dwelt also in that land,-a notable man, whose name was Williamus. He was a dealer in general wares ; a man of fair presence, with a beard of patriarchal length; yet he esteemed not himself so highly withall as did Geordicus. And lie had a friend, named b’ahbicus, whom he loved as a brother ; and the soul of Rabbicus clave also unto him. And he spake unto his friend Rabbicus, and said—“ I will drawv this people unto me by the power of my cheek ; and by the simplicity of my speech, which is innocent of grammar, will I charm them.” And Rabbicus lifted up his voice, and said —“ Great is the wisdom of Williamus, for he can interprate the dark sayings of the rulers.” But, behold I upon the day appointed, it was so that the people choose Geordicus to be their leader, and the guardian of their river. And when this was told to Williamus, he was sad ; and he rose up, and tore his beard, and fell upon the neck of his friend Rabbicus, and wept. But Rabbicus spake tenderly nnto him, and comforteil him ; yea, be comforted him even as a mother comfortetli her child that is sick, saying—Come now, and let us search diligently, and examine if in all things the (Statute of the land has been observed ; and if we find it lias not been so, then will wo execute vengeance upon the head of Geordicus.” And the saying pleased Williamus, and he said —“ Blessed art thou amongst men, 0 1 Rabbicus, and what saith the proverb—are not two beads better than one, though they be but the heads of sheep.” And Rabbicus smiled. And when they had examined, they found that it was even as they desired.

Bat when Geordicns understood these things, lie was wroth ; and be arose in haste, and went out to commune with his friends. And as he went, grim vengeance sitting on Ids lofty brow, he murmured — “ The end is not yet, 0 ! Williamus, mine enernv 1”

But as for 'Williamus, his soul was exceeding glad ; and jubilant sounds were heard to issue from the midst of Ins flowing hoard, while his countenance shone even as shineth the countenances of those within whose garments is heard the sound of gold. And ho spake pleasantly unto his friend Eabbicus, and said—“ 0 I Babbicus, friend of my heart 1 I, even I, will yet bo the guide of this people. And I will da mighty things for them, and greatly increase their riches. And when lam old and stricken in years, I shall be gathered to my fathers ; but my name shall be honoured to many generations.” And Rabbicus answered and said “ Amen.” P. T. L.

PATEA TOWN BOARD. The ordinary meeting of the above Board was held at the Council Buildings, Carlyle, on Monday evening last. Present. Messrs G. F. Sherwood (in the chair), Ailchison, Conits, Adams, Milroy, Williams, and Taplin. Minutes of previous ordinary and special meetings read and confirmed. Correspondence—Letters from Wellington and Auckland enclosing prices of drain tiles; from Secretary of Customs, acknowledging intimation of election of Harbour Board members; from G. D. Hamerton as to charges for deeds; from Undersecretary stating that the Carlyle Town Board would be gazetted trustees of cemeteiy; from J. Gibson as to level of street for building mid about vernndalj,* from S. XnpJiii submitting the name of Do G. Fraser, as Trustee of cricket ground, wice R. C. Tennent, resigned; from 11. Young requesting permission to transfer sections G, 7, 8, block 2—Clerk to write informing Mr Young of conditions ©f lease. Proposed by Mr Coutts, seconded by Mr Adams, and carried, “That the Works Committee confer with the Engineer as to the levels of kerbings referred to in Mr Gibson’s letter.”

Proposed by Mr Williams, seconded by Mr Sherwood, and carried, “ That Mr He G. Fraser bo accepted as Trustee of the cricket and athletic grounds, vice Mr 11. C. Tcnnent, resigned.” The Clerk was instructed to apply to Mr Hamcrton for plan of the town now in his possession. Proposed by Mr Milroy, seconded by Mr Taplin, and carried, “ That Mr W. Cowern, auctioneer, be instructed to re-lease by auction Block No. 43, township of Carlyle, as a paddock, (formericy leased to Mr McCarthy), with all improvements thereon, for a period of 8 years from 6th of May, without any valuation for fencing. Upset price to be same as formerly fixed.” On the motion of Mr Sherwood, seconded by Mr Contts, it was resolved, That resolution No. 7, of October Ist, 1877, allowing of sections passed at sale to be taken up at the office of the Board at same upset prices, be rescinded. Proposed by Mr Milroy, seconded by Mr Williams, and carried, “ That in future the Clerk be empowered to pay any claim for day labor certified to by tbo Working Committee, at any time during the month.” Proposed by Mr Milroy, seconded Mr Taplin, and carried, “ That this Board approve of a sum not exceeding £2,000 being borrowed for street and other improvements, and that legal opinion be taken to ascertain what are the borrowing powers of the Board in respect of borrowing.” An amendment by Mr Aitchison, seconded by Adams, as follows, was lost, “ That the members of this Board form themselves into a committee, and confer with an approved Engineer as to what improvements are most urgently wanted, and form an approximate estimate of cost of same, and afterwards consult the ratepayers by public meeting, whether they approve of the Board borrowing for such improvements —the committee to arrange amongst themselves when to meet,”

Proposed by Mr Milroy, seconded by Mr Taplin, and carried, “ That in every case when rents are due in terms of leases, the Clerk take immediate action to recover the same in the Resident Magistrates Court.” Proposed by Mr Aitchison, seconded by Mr Coatts, and carried, “ That the resolution rc Wright’s lease, passed at last meeting, be rescinded, in order to amend the numbers of sections.”

Proposed by Mr Milroy, seconded by Mr Taplin, and carried, “That Mr Wright be released from No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 sections, in terms of application.” Statement of receipts and expenditure

for month ending 28th February, showed; —‘Receipts—Balance from January, £B43s 2d; receipts during month, £2O 8s lOd, Expenditure—£l6 12s; leaving a balance of £BB.

Accounts passed as follows—Refunds, £8 10s 8d; H. E. P. Adams, £8 15s ; W, Aitchison, £3 es ; County Council, £2 8s 3d; salary, £4- 3s 4d. Board adjourned.