"Just Like Pukekohe!"

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 114, 29 November 1915, Page 1

"Just Like Pukekohe!"

[TO THE EDITOR.] Sir,—"Just like Fukekohe!" was the exclamation heard oo all sides after the Coronation fiasco on Wednesday last, and so, Sir, a few individuals, as a result of childish muddlement, did the residents generally, and this town in particular, a most grevious injury. How much longer, Sir, are the residents of Pukekohe going to tolerate this log, rolling, this individual whispering in th« ear, of a few leg-pullers? How much longer, Sir, does the honourable portion of tbis community intend to stand by and allow half-a-dozen or eo nonentities to rule their destinits, to ruin every forward movement, and' to damp every individual effort for the uplifting and enlightenment of the residents

generally? And eo, Sir, Fukekohe's great opportunity haa been ruined, the liberal expenditure ot ita residents generally for a good causa vntually defeated through the incompetence of less than half-a-dczen people, who so glaringly logrolled to get control of the arrangements for a ceremony for which they did not know the simple A.B.C. of detail and organisation necessary for its success; and then when the crucial teat waa applied, and the gaunt skeltton ot their incompetence stood nakedly revealed, tried to shift the blame upon the shoulders of a man whose "little linger" contained more power for organisation than the whole of their bodies. And so "Cardst?r! Cardston! Crucify him! Crucify him!" like their ancient counterpart!) of old, the Pharisees. No, Sir, it waa the crasa blindneta and unbounded ignorance of thia "clicky" tew that ruined Wednesday's undertaking, for with everything placed at their hands by the liberal expenditure of time, nroney and material by the public generally these incompetent muddlers glaringly demonstrated

their ignorance ot the simplest rules of organisation. Who waa responiable Sir, for the breach of faith by which the visitors to this town, who after great expense and inconvenience came here to witness the advertised crowning of the Queen for the Lower Waikato, were treated to a complete fiasco, a comedy of comedies, and a burlesque of the crudest order. Was it Cardston's fault that not even a rude wooden chair, Ist alone a throne and canopy, was placed upon the staging that had been ereeled for this imposing and

' interesting ceremony? Was it Cardston'a fault that no provision whatever bad been made for the refreshing of the numerous children? Was it Cardston's fault that when after evident painful brain stretch the local schoolmaster had marshalled his children and with "fark" attuned got so far as to get live notes from their dulcet throats that the Band struck up one of its refined selections and thereby completely extinguished the children's efforts? Was it Cardston'a fault that after issuing full and explicit insttuctions for a rehearsal at 9 a.m., in the Premier Hall, on Wednesday morning, only a few children, including the pages from the Convent School, put in an appearance to learn their duties? Was it Cardston's fault that the procession did not leave the assembly ground until over one hour after the advertieed time of starting? Was it Cardston's fault that no decoration or provision for the evening ceremony, even up to 5 o'clock on the afternoon of Wednesday, had belli made on the stage of the Premier Hall? Is it not true that this unfortunats man bad to go on to the public thoroughfare to pick up carters and instruct them to go down to the showground entrance for the greenery in use there, and then, on its arrival at tee hall, erect same by his own labour on the stage? Was it Card-

ston's fault that after many days of patient toil and much expenditure of hard-earned mouey no provision had been made for moving the Queen's pages from the Convent school to her chariot? And had it not been for the liberal action of Messrs Barter, Motion and taclntyre in most graciously granting ready response for the use of their cars this necessary part of the pageant would have been absent. Was it Cardston's fault that no padding whatever was provided for the inside of the Crown, and that this scapegoat, in his extremity, had no option but to take a sash off one of the children to line it with? Is there any woflder that the threat exists of rotten eggs and horse troughs, for truly the limit of endurance is at breaking point at last. —I am, etc., CECIL ROAULEY.