HOW PROVOKING

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2336, 11 September 1880, Page 2

HOW PROVOKING

The opening of the handsome suspension bridge over the Tekapo Liver, which has just been completed to the order of the Mount Cook Load Board at a cost of £SOOO, was celebrated on Tuesday last by a champagne luncheon, which took place at Macleod’s accommodation house, within a stone’s throw of the bridge. The auspicious occasion drew quite a number of visitors together, including the members of the Load Board and several guests from Timaru. There ■ was a plentiful supply of good things and unlimited champagne, but the absence of one guest —the contractor for the new bridge could hardly escape comment, and very general regret was expressed when it was known that Mr L. B. Sibley could not possibly be present. As a matter of fact that gentleman had been summoned to Timaru as a witness in a sly-grog selling case heard before Mr Bcetham on Monday, and the consciousness tliat his presence here as a witness would be pretty sure to interfere with his getting back to the Mackenzie Country in time to hear his own health proposed, had a rather curious elfect on his temper. On being called Mr Sibley, with one foot on the step of the witness box, exclaimed testily—

Yoiii’ Worship, what about my expenses ? His Worship (looking slightly amazed) —Never mind your expenses. Get into the box. Mr Sibley (encgetically and with emphasis)—But what am I to be paid ? Ilia Worship (severely)—You must get into the box, sir. Y r ou are called as a witness. Mr Sibley, grumbling audibly stepped into the witness box, and gave his evidence with evident reluctance, his pent up indignation Jinding expression in jerky monosyllables. On being recalled at a later stage,Mr Sibley again got his feet on the step and remonstrated .

I want to settle the expenses subject, your Worship. Magistrate—Get into the box, sir. Mr Sibley—Well, your Worship, this trip has cost me over £lO,

Inspector Pender (throwing oil on the troubled water) —Your Worship : Witnesses are always allowed their expenses. Mr Sibley (glancing furiously from Inspector to Magistrate) said something in a low but fierce tone about *’ expenses,” “ inconvenience ” “ annoyance ” and “ getting waylaid.” Mr Beetham —I am sorry for you, but I can’t help it. Mr Sibley—lt has cost me over £lO, and I want to know what I am to get. I would not have been detained for anything. Mr Beetham—You will be allowed the ordinary expenses of witnesses. That’s all I can do for you. Mr Sibley again wont into the box, and repeated bis evidence, grumbling painfully between the interrogations. The whole of the cases of alleged sly grog selling were dismissed, and Mr Sibley had the satisfaction of knowing that he might as well have stopped at home. It was five o’clock or past when Mr Sibley found himself at liberty, and the Albury train had left about two hour’s before. There was therefore nothing for it but to wait until next day (the day of the ceremony! ). Taking the morning train, however, and then making a push and changing horses at the Pass, he and Mr Spalding, reached Tekapo by half-past one —doing the 38 miles or thereabouts of road in about four hours’ About the time that the champagne corks were Hying and toasts were being proposed, Mr Sibley and his friend were urging their .steeds at their utmost speed towords the festive scene, at which they arrived just as the last toast was being proposed !