THOSE BLACK SWANS.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 36, 1 December 1894, Page 5

THOSE BLACK SWANS.

(to the editor). Sir, —On the 13th of November last I read in the Southland Times that a Chinaman named Charley Le Nang had been fined for being in unlawful possession of two black swans. Little did I dream what was in store for me. Thought I’d heard the last of those birds, did I ? No, Sir. On November 20th the Times served up an intensely sad and sorrowful story about disconsolate John standing on the banks of the lovely Puni and wailing “ Peter, Peter,” and on hearing his voice, added the chronicler, the swans appeared as if about to hasten to their old and loving friend from whom they had been so cruely torn. “ Only appeared about to hasten.” Oh the sorrow of it ! Fortunate Chinaman to find a chronicler so sympathetic. It was worthy of Laurence Sterne in his most pathetic mood. To add to.the effect we had a letter signed “ Justice,” attacking the mayor for keeping-the swans. On November 21 “Law” appeared on the scene and bowled over “ Justice.” On November 24 “Justice” replied to “Law.” On November 26 (Sunday intervening) “ Law ” renewed the attack on “ Justice ” —wonder if he stayed at home from Church to do it ? On November 27 “Justice” again bobbed up serenely. By this time the subject possessed a kind of fascination for me, but surely, I thought, this will end the matter. Delusive hope ! On November 28 “ Nemesis ” entered the arena, his target the mayor. Now, I used to think our old friends the sea serpent, the big gooseberry, and the abnormal potato, were hard to beat, but bless me they were nothing to this new instrument of torture that the Southland Times has invented for its readers. Nations may rise and fall, but that Is nothing—they must keep on finding space for this wretched squabble over a couple of swans. If I’d my way I’d wring some necks-—-those of the writers, or the editor’s. Why doesn’t he “ shut down ” on these long-winded scribblers, and give us something’ worth reading ? I used to derive a certain amount of pleasure —of a calm and sedative nature, it is true —from the Times, but now lam beginning to dread the sight of it. That horrible line Law T s,” paraded with such exasperating persistency, is fatal to enjoyment. —Yours, etc., Pro Bono Publico.