'TEMPUS FUGIT!'

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 313, 19 October 1860, Page 3

'TEMPUS FUGIT!'

Good Nelson people listen to uiy rhyme, About a clock that seldom shews the time; A cathedral clock, egad ! above all others That ought to be a pattern to its brothers. Not like a lying mile-post used to say— " Proceed that road, I can't, I'm in the clay." Disgrace to Wardens, such a useless clock; Less service than the crow of morning cock. Yet I admire the clock's straightforward trick To at once " stop payment," rather than " go on tick." With lawyers plentiful, you'll with wonder learn The cause is—no one winds up the concern! Like to some traders, the maintaining power To go off's obvious, near the eleventh hour. When steam's the only cure in requisition To place a distance 'tween a bad position And awkward balances, which only bore you When an advertisement issued through a lawyer Winds up a 1 things, pays every one sufficient " Hard hearted," he who grumbles, though deficient. So might our clock's work then will ardor teem If the suspended powers were cured by steam— I mean a steam excursion—say, to Sydney go (Without permit of bailiff,) by the 1.R.M."C0. When there, the hands of some old workman skilful, Might free the clock from what now makei it wilful, Wash its interior, extirpate the dust Which clings around it; like some ugly must, Caused by our social atmosphere, not over graced, Which gathers round the steeple where 'tis placed. The highest point of any wood erection, The steeple forms a nucleus for collection, And social bickerings the height attaint With coats much thicker than a contract paint. (Where could these exhalations from the people Be blown to, if it is not to the steeple ?) But one thing bear in mind, while this I state No place more fitting to evaporate The mis-fo of Pride, of Rancour, Hate, or Sp'te, Selfishness, Untruth, converse side of Right, A 1 these us folks mu«t answer for my masters, Hard work we find for all our worthy pastors— But hold!—" The clock's the theme, not moralising. The subject started with there's no disguising, Revenons a nos montons, that's the tick, Just watch the clock, of time be in the nick Make some proposal fitting at this pass' '— I hear you say—Well Sirs 'tis done at last; Advertisements and meetings may now end, The clock in need at last has found a friend ; Even old Ben in peace may rest his head, And leave the clock to fostering care of Webb. " We'll 'tend Old Time" now says the Board of Works (No would-be corporate e'er a duty shirks), " As public property we'll make it go — " Cared for by us, no more you'll find it slow. " Our aim shall be, indeed, to mend its state " When we again obtain five-farthing rate. " As proof of gratitude, and mended times " We hold out hopes that we'll supply The Chivies."

Concert.—On Thursday evening next, the second concert of the Nelson Harmonic Society will take place at the Freemasons' Hall, Trafalgarstreet. On this occasion books of the words will be procurable for a small sum. Subscribers will be enabled to procure tickets at the Committee Room of the above Hall, on the day previously between 1 and 3 o'clock.