THE NORTH SHORE FIZZLE.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 78, 11 March 1882, Page 405

THE NORTH SHORE FIZZLE.

"There was a sound of revelry by night." — Btkon. " Victoria ! Victoria ! the bold Britons cry !" — Dbtden. "Grand moonlight carnival— dancing, fireworks, and promenade concert." — Vide advertisement in daily papers. " What went ye out for to see ?" Gardens so lovely and fair, Scenting the sweet autumn air ; Labyrinth, arbour, and grove, Where ye might whisper your love ; Melody, music, and mirth — All things mosb pleasant on carth — Glory of shrub and of tree ! Yes : but the gardens were bare, No cool grove nor arbour was there ; For seats there were ranged round the wall Logs whereon scorpions crawl ; No trees— except lime — could be seen j The shrubs were invisible green ! That went we out for to see ! " What went ye out for to see ?" Fireworks and calcium light, Making the darkness all bright ; Lanterns hung up everywhere, Fiery balloons in the air ; While Beauty tripped light as a fawn Over a smooth grassy lawn, Sporting and laughing in glee ! Yes : but the fireworks were tarne — Luna quite spoiling their game ; Small boys with candles went round, Planting 'them into the ground ; Dancers, 'midst rubbish and stones, Kicking each others' shin-bones — That went we out for to see ! "What went ye out for to see ?" Promenade in the cool air — Wit, Wealth and Beauty all there ; Ladies who, sipping their wine, Make their fair faces to shine ; Hours that can never- seem long, Evening made lovely with song — All full of verve et esprit ! Faugh ! Scrambling and tearing like mad Were larrikin, servant-gal, cad ; Men 'neath the tallow-dips' pale Guzzling bad whisky and ale, Trying to treat as a " lark " The dirt, and confusion, and dark — That went we out for to see ! " What went ye out for to see ?" A wonderful raree show — Four bare walls in a row ! Paid your colonial " bob," Jostled and squeezed by the mob. Men from the shores of the South, Where ginger is hot in the mouth, Went to the North for a spree ! Surely we all were Stark mad — Larrikin, lady, and cad ; To the joys we had all left behind We turned with a satisfied mind ; Everyone soon " cut his stick," And rushed for the boat double QuicJc .'" Crying— " Sanguine d.f.— Q.E.D. !" The Black Knight. Auckland, March 6, 1882.