BURNING IN EFFIGY.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 531, 10 June 1880, Page 3

BURNING IN EFFIGY.

The Wellington “ Post” says : The Timaru people arc literally in a state of ‘'burning indignation with Mr. Blackett on account of his strongly-worded report in reference to their beloved breakwater. It appears from a telegram that on Wednesday night the inhabitants of the town assembled togethc in large numbers, and solemnly consigned an effigy of the Engineer-in-chief to the flamesWhat the Timaru ruffians thought to achieve by this demonstration is not altogether clear. It does not strike one as a logical method confuting an engineering opinion on a technical question; but then we never heard of the South Canterbury people being accused of special weaknes for logic The practice of “burning in effigy” seems to be rather on the increase in New Zealand. Not content with perpetuating the memory of “gunpowder treason” in this way, the residents of Carlyle the other day treated the local medical man to a vicarious cremation of this kind, apparently because 1 he was not able to attend to all his patients who were in need of his service. In this:particular instance at Timaru, we suspect that Mr. Blackett’s sentiments are very, much like those of the stalwart “navvy” of historic fame, who was afflicted with a virago of a wife. One day a “mate” of the gentleman in question looked into, his humble dwelling, and to his amazement found him quietly smoking his pipe, with ah air of resignation and content, while his vixenish little wife was belabouring him with a broomstick. “ It’s all right, Bill,” said the herculean but long-suffering man, in reply the visitors look of astonishme, “It amuses the old woman and don’t hurt me! ”