TALK ABOUT TOWN.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 64, 21 December 1878, Page 2

TALK ABOUT TOWN.

" There's a chid amang vc takin' notoa, Ami faith he'll prent thoui." This seems to bo the age of raffles and petitions, the coming Christmas season perhaps having something to answer for the cause, while the effect,—well, 1 leave it for those who pay for their experience to judge for themselves. On Monday morning last a petition was presented to me for signature, which, although it might he considered a little out of the ordinary style of such documents, I felt hound to sign as being in the first place a. resident of Matafele, and in the second place thoroughly concurring with the prayer of the petition. 1 believe it runs in something after this style, though as I am only writing from memory after reading it once over, of course 1 will not guarantee it to he exactly like the original :- "Matafele, loth Dee., LS7S. " To Emile St. l-'oy, Esq., - Acting French < 'onsul for Samoa, ''• s ir,—We, the undersigned residents in, and visitors to Matafele, suffering great inconvenience from the state of the road between the Hotel jnir Stadt Hamburg aud the International Hotel, on the one side, and the International Hotel and the Eigie House on the othorsido, humbly present the following petiti in : - hj That your petitioners are umfble during this uupreeedeiited wet weather to travel on the portions of the read above-mentioned, without wetting their hoot-tops. (i) That pools of water lie on the road to the depth of several inches. (3) That hearing you have a large punt, for which you have no particular use at the present Mm .—a punt 'i .m \ ■:.<:, i.m.—•/ air pet it ion,-in j,ray thai you will bring it to the portions of the road ahovementioned, and personally work it for the free use of

tlifj undersigned. Ami your petitioners will for era- pray, &c." Then follow the signatures— Chus. 11. Ruwson, Charles DeVere, Charles Vernon 8011, lion. John King Bruce, John Ryan, Ail. Volkinann, Alfred S.. Smalley, .< Axuiauu, T. Miller, John Petersen, C. X. (a constant walker), A. il. (a constant knocker), Jonathan S. Jenkins, A.S.S., Billy Bowloy, "Ginger Win.-," "Suum ( 'uique," " listagEmprenado,''"QuuCaruyo,"aud "Cyril." Whether this is intended as a Christmas "goak" or nut 1 don't pretend to say. Anyhow, the punt hasn't arrived yet so you petitioners should feel fjuietlv snubbed! "Tho cry is still, : They como!'" Another librae has entered for the Samoa Premier Cup, and taken up his training quarters in the Matafele stables. There is now in the Held an American, an English, and a French representative, and wo only want a German to cro.ite a capital race for this event. The Frenchman—L> V re—is only backed to tho tune of §ISOO against tho English racer, 1' i e a .1, at §2OOO (still advised as firm at the closing of the market), and tho American thoroughbred, Gen. I! r 1 t, at S*ooo, who stands as well as ever! with the knowing ones, notwithstanding tho -slight shook the new horse caused when p istod to enter at such a low figure. The " ring " arc prepared for anything now, and would not ho at all surprised to read the entry of yet another horse at a still .smaller price. Bui they are determined not to bo " bluffed," and will not hedge a penny on the American representative. 1 would advise tinder present circumstances, my friends tho "hookmakers," to work out their calculations in tho following manner, instead of trusting to the ordinary principles of betting. They will find it of groat advantage in tho unsettled state of tlie market. As instance : Br+Pr=2o,ooo,ooo Br-t-Pr:: 12,000.000 Required tho first powers (or hotting market value against tho Held of H. mid P. The new bookmakers work thus:— lir-r Pr-f Br-=-1' : 32,000,000, or 8r+8r=32,000,000, or Br-16,000,0000, or B : 10,000,000 moo. Therefore if B moo, Br- 10,000,000+ 20,000,000 IV 4,000,000 and P 4,000,000=2,000, exactly the prices at wiiieli they stand. The new horse is not firm c ugh at his bookers" prices to risk much on him. We only want n Qerman horse now at (1000, and I'll be "Mowed" it I wouldn't hack him I '

"A norsol o horse | my kingdom for a horse.l' cried hump-booked, bandy-logged Richard the Third when be was sorely pushed foronoof those useful animals. If he had live I in our time, an 1 had been knocking around on this beach, particularly about Apia and aUttfelo, be could

easily have been supplied on tie shortest notice, for there are nearly aa many stray fa naa H dogs, whoso owners have no objection to their Proving on private lands and being a nuisance to every one but the right person, until some irate neighl>our See up the straying quadruped and demands reparation mm the owner. There are four or live hones kicking up their heels along theheaoh who are not only a particulaj nuisance, but a source of great danger to young children. If the owners were kanakas I could understand it : but us 1 happen to know that the horses which are the greatest trespassers are owned by foreigners, I urn constrained to »y that if one or more of these miserable rats are at any time "missing" the owners will only have themselves to blame, and the public will bo well rid of a great source of annoyance. From the talk 1 have heard about town on this subject, I would strongly adviso the owners of theso horses—it is not necessary to mention names just at present—to keep their tiery steeds tied up on their own premises, or "otherwise they will come out the losers. The horses areas well-known as their owners. " A wink is as good as a nod to a blind horse!"

There is likely to bo some fun betwoen two individuals in the American and Chinese sections of our little community, v but lest 1 should unfortunately put a damper on what is likely to prove a splendid parody on the comedy of "High Life Below Stairs," I will at present, simply say, well,—Verb. sap. Latest betting on the Premier Cup : Samoa Betting Market, Friday 11 :)0. p.m. In addition to the French representative another entry has been received by the club, but the" horse has not yet been named by his backers who have put only g 1000 on to him. it was rumoured at the club this evening that in consequence of this new entry, and the small figure at which the horse is hacked, the trainer and principal supporters of the American thorough-bred contemplate scratching him. The racing committee of the clutt intend to request these gentlemen toreconsider their proposal. As soon as this was made known the betting rose at one step to the old prici—$4000, showing the great confidence the fraternity have in this horse. For the minor races the betting may be quoted as a fortnight ago, with the exception of the Attorney - I ieneral candidate who has risen in price, stood firm at the closing of the market, and 4io\vs overy likelihood of a "Walk

"Christmas comes but once a year," and that "once" for tho yoar ouo thousand eight hundred and seventy-tight, will have arrived and passed by before 1 shall have another opportunity of addressing my readers in the Samoa Times. Christmas is essentially a time for explanations, apologies and the renewal of friendships : it is a time which is looked upon throughout the whole of the civilised world as one of feasting, merriment and good fellow-ship ; and it is the mo.-t appropriate of all the holy-days throughout the year for repairing and renewing broken faiths and friendships, and also for cementing the bonds of good-fellow-ship which have remained firm and true through all the trials and vexatious vicissitudes of the battle of life during the past twelve months. It is essentially a time when every man with broad and liberal views and an open, generous spirit will freely and heartily join with his fellow-men in the glorious hosanua:— "On earth peace, good will toward men!' For this brief—alas ! too brief—period of Christmas time, is the hatchet buried to give place to the pipe of peace. This is the grandest opportunity, the best and most suitable in tho whole of the year, which is offered to all who are at variance with each other to bury tho past animosities and bitterness of heart, and to start anew another year of life's jouir.ev !;i love, good-will and fellowship. Availing mysolf of this peculiarly happy time, when contentions and discord are drowned in the brimming cup and the flowing bowl I desire, if tho spirit of thetinio, to say a few words with regard to the brief " notes" which 1, tho "chid" have been "takin' amang ye" dining the pant tivo months for the Samoa Times. Like many a better man I have been slandered and reviled ; threatened with severe and personal chastisement; and had all sorts of mercenary motive.-, heaped upon my head tor the sketches I have contributed. But 1 waiteil paitently for this glorious time of Christmas to arrive knowing it to bo the most appropriate time to reply to my revilers, or make the "amende bottomaide" where necessary, feeling sure that 1 could do it with a better will and in a more generous spirit at Christmas than at any other tinij, In this, as in other similarly small and isolated communities, one of the most difficult tasks, even to a long experienced newspaper writer, is to contribute a Boneur article for the local paper. The writer is sure lo offend someone, no matter how careful and how desirous he may bo not to give offence, because tho majority of the community cannot or will not accept the articles in tho spirit in which they are written. These people refuse to look away from their own "Little Pedlington," and seo for themselves to what an extent Haneur writing is carried on in the newspapers iti the colonies and abroad. Even many id' those who are pretty well supplied with Colonial, American and English papers refuse, in their tmnow-uiiiidodness, to allow that a flaneur writer should exist at all in this community of ours. In thia, a, in man; other instances, when the judgment hi weak the prejudice is itrong! ami I know that in m'ore than one quarter, through weakness or total absonce of judgment, a stroug prejudice

not only against the publication of these ■■*, but, because of them, against ' itter personally. To Umm 1 will • my that justice i-< blind as well timngst them : anil I hope for -akes that it will not Ik- loug . ift th" wi! whi hj ia hiding i r. .ture and aooept these ilaiK-ur writing! in the tame spirit of good humour in which they are invariably written. As to the mercenary motives which have been assigned to mo, I will only say that their aathora are bilious an i bad tempered : and 1 hope that their next Wednesday's plum pudding and brandy sauce will prove a pleasant corrective, and put them into a better temper for the next twelve months. 1 do not profess to write for the Samoa Times or any other newspaper for the simple love of writing. I like to get and do receive pay incut for my work, as well as unv other man; lint I cannot

plead guilty to the charge that in doing so J only write for mercenary motives. Here again is judgment weak and justice blind as well as lane-. Let tie' j>ast bury the past. And now having said my .say, .and again assuring these who may have taken offence that no olfenee was intended, but that I have only used the license which is given to all flaneur writers. "We'll fill the bowl—away with gloom ! Our joys shall always last; For Hope shall brighten days to come, And Memory gild the past. To my friends and those who have mis understood me, I have now to wish a very common, but in Christian countries a very general expression of hope,— which is none the less genuine because it is so universal, —A merry Christinas t" you all, and a happy New Year! Sn with overflowing glasses and brimming hearts, we will grasp each other.,' bunds in pood fellowship, and siug with I lures to the maiden of bashful sixteen ; Here's to the widow of fifty ; Here's to the Haunting extravagant

quean; Audi here's to the housewife that's thrifty"; Let the toast pass ; Drink to the lass; I'll warrant she'll prove an excuse, f. r the glass ! Next Tuesday evening n-xl Mr. Mc. Ilhenny will ruffle two of his pictures—each 30 inches by 12,—views of Apia harbour and shore. 1 am not great on raffles.as a rule; in fnrf I think they nr. rather overdone in this place. I'ut in this particular instance the young ai-ri-t is specially deserving of support. lie wants to sell the pictures simply because ■in their sale depends his daily bread. A ■:•■■:■■ ■inist in the most favourable ciiand countries has a hard task .n i illowing his beloved profession, which t r years only returns him a scanty livelihood, .'ii.; bore things prosper still less

with the jinii t, i- for reasons which are too obvious to tho thoughtful to require explaining. Whatever prejudice may he ntertaincd against raffles, there can be no doubt that, under the peculiar exig< ncies of this case, Mr. Mollhenny's mil,deserves the hearty support of the whiti s in Samoa. Particulars will be found in ■an advertisement. James Cordon Bennett, the enterpri■sin g proprietor of the Now York Herald, and whose name will always be honourably associated with Henry Stanley as the motive power in connection with the 'discovery of Dr. Livingstone has, —with that spirit of enterprise for wliich Ins name is now a household word,—fitt'd out a vessel manned by competent officers and seamen, and well equipped for the trying service of attempting to find the North Pole. How many vessels have been sent out for a similar purpose; bow many lives have been lost in, the prosecution of this, the most arduous of modern expeditions I What i- tln-re a:

tho North Pole ? Open sea, ice, or land : Virgil repented tho poetic legend of Hyperboreans current iu Ids age. As early as Herodotus strange stories wei told. But nobody Las penetrated so far North. It Ims long excited the imagination of adventurous Englishmen an 1 Americans, and expeditions have gone forth laden with high hopes for years upon years. They have given names to hays and promontories, bill have ahvavs met insuporablo barriers forbid lie.,' them to reach the goal. The announcement of the despatch of tl ■ Renie tl .■. ■ W, m brings to one's mi ■'.. fa • i] .loim V alwin hold a . ,:. i e ~ ; ~,: k id these bold navigators. He went northward on many a voyage, hut then unco he went and never caine bark. Search expeditions were seul iu vain. When others abandoned hope hisjrifsstill clang to the fond fancy that ho might yet be

found, awl snatched from inhospitable ics back to her arms and heart, She exhausted her own scanty means, shut not her lovo, in Httiii«r out a fresh oxpe lition, and one after another still in vniti. At last years of longing and of hhp'> came the crushing tidings of the fate that had really overtaken him, A few naval buttons ; some bleaohed bones ; and narratives of Esquimaux trader* told the (ad tale. Then his wife set up a mnnumsnt iu Westminster Abbey. On it is insoribod this verse, by Tennyson:— Not bore i the white North holds thy bom -: and thou Huroic-sailor-soul, Art pveiup; ou thy happier voyage now Towanl no earthly pole. Among the mnnv flue inscription* 1 have in the Abbey, J know mine flnor tli.'in that. It eclipses tlu> suggestive!'. .< ol that oo Ban Johnson's tablet, "<t ran Uen John: on ;" and it far surpasses that

on Shakeepere's, "the cloud caul tow< rs,' ' \r w t.i hj prophecies di ; DO bit I ■■' Well sings the [ pier that Frank is euil erl "the white North hold tin bones.' What are they ' Immortality gift to the spirit of i:. i . neither ; lab in the church, nor the llowci ■ i ■ : yard. We bun served its purpose in furnishing a temporary home for the devc 'sot spirit and abandon ii prrxi --'■- of nal tire. Uln n I churchyard and n "Ilea-lies the I, ly," I if 1 read that I f lie., tl 1 protest. 1 toil I; ■ .-< ■ said to his fi i nds, "Jto « it \ .11 will with my body, . i with me. While \ i ■ ,- J myself uui ■ • passed on an it in her turn, (hi s in incut 1 lean t \ -■■ \\\ r is in memory of the wi: 1 bis was e| to |iy .!■ bis wi after !mg waitint; 1 s : u. inv ::i search of him he: ell d-1 I .I.' in I him in tl, ■ I! Ims of Le, Julv LS, l„7.'>, eg .1 >:i v, ..." Tom-Liu-

i:i the cxtr. mo is tli" rev da'ion of undying love in the woman's hj art. Her sailor-husband, with the '•heroic-sailor-soul" )i:i i wandi re 1 :.' iv, bound on an expedition of (lis ov i ■■ ; ii. • ■' white .\. :•.!,' ,, ::;,:. :..-.. ;'..•;, v. - s ~: , .._ wlnv in the - iieaiius ..f Lite." and sin went tos. ;. liimc . itid ' I :il si ■ hou I lind him. 'I in l husband and uif ■. ;. . . the iuseriptii ::- •-n th iv I .nib -", • s a e full of ei nag in ul to Hold- I iris particularly ;. m - li--i- i-- irs wi . are b at . I i . tile u ;.:; • North in tne \i n net expe lit ion. I. I us hue one kindly thought for them in the midst of our Chiistmas festivities and hj .pe that this last enterprise of Jaincs ' iordon 1:. nneli's may noi be attended with tin- same disgnuidest. eti'ort. I trust there is some I Tittle (ruth in Dibdin's s.mg that There's a sweet Huh-cherub that sits up aloft, To keep watch fertile ii!'- of po, r.la.k.