HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 432, 4 June 1879, Page 2

HAWERA.

A correspondent writes:—The grand topic of this week has been “ war,” and it is getting rather monotonous. The other day I went into one of the Hotels to see a friend, and had just put my nose inside the door, when with an unearthly shriek I was dragged into the room, and asked a thousand questions before I knew where I was. When I could be heard, I explained that I was not well up in native affairs,- and therefore could not give’ an opinion. I was looked at veiy suspiciously by two or three of the party, and thinking they intended doing me some injury, I made a frantic dash for the door ; after upsetting several chairs, &c., and barking my shins, I managed to get outside, where I breathed a sigh of relief. I then bethought me that a glass of beer wonhi go very we!) after the exertion, and thinking that all

the demons were at the hotel I had just | left, I made tracks across the road (by the way the tracks were not visible to the naked eye, as there is a river on both sides of our streets now, and consequently I got wet feet). I got into the other hotel, asked for my beer, and had taken one sip, congratulating myself that I was not likely to' be pounced upon again, when to my horror I saw a piece of paper flashed in front of my eyes, a pen was thrust into my i hand, and i found myself the next minute rushed imo a room, seated on a chair, with paper, pen and ink read}' for me to sign some diabolical plot to entrap young fellows into joining a Volunteer Rifle Corps. With all the indignation I had at command, I informed the obnoxious individual that I was a member of the liawera Light Horse. He had the audacity to disbelieve me, and with a fearfully ferocious look I pointed to the door. I think he must have supposed that there was another victim to be had outside, for he grabbed the paper, pen and ink, and (after spilling a good deal of the latter over my white shirt front) darted through the door. 1 immediately travelled too, and got out before he could tackle me again, leaving the remains of my beer on the table. I walked up the street, and looking carefully about me to see that there were no more suspicuous characters near, I mused on the troubles I had lately gone through. While deep in thought I felt a tap on my shoulder, and with a start (prepared for any emergency) I looked round and beheld a friend of mine, who asked me if I could do a drink. I put a ghastly smile ou my face and said, “ my dear fellow, I have been to two public houses iu this town to-day, and I am thankful to say I got off with a whole skin. If Igo into another one this mornI ing, I wont' be answerable for the consequences.” And seeing a person coming up the street with a sheet of paper in his hand, I darted into my den, locked the door, and emphatically declared I would not come out until the Maori war was over.