PARNELL WATER.

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 86, 6 May 1882, Page 116

PARNELL WATER.

AN EASTERN ECLOGUE

Attend, ye wise men of the East, My truthful story follow, And learn how things are managed in The town of Sleepy Hollow. I sing no song of direful strife, Of bloodshed, or of slaughter ; I tell a tale of humble life — Of pure and dirty water ; Of how, our Rip Van Winkles swore, And stamped around quite " shirty," On how to bring pure water in, And how drain off the dirty ! Quoth Engineer — " On drainage here Not much need be expended ; Just bring it to the Boylan point, And all your trouble's ended!" But Boylan's point was rather high ; 'Twas thus each burgess thought, or 'Twas Prudence bade them quickly fly And thus escape hot water ! Quoth Seccombe— " While you gas and talk The water runs to wasting ; I've got a well, which, truth to tell, Is pure and everlasting. " Just pay twelve hundred pounds a year ; For, like King Pharaoh's daughter, I'd dearly like if I could take A profit from the Mater !" The ancient joke which Seccombe spoke Quite spoiled his good intention, And paved the way for wild dismay, And loud and long contention. The noble Mayor lie took the chair, And told about the water, While Abbott and Friar, and Knight of the Shire, All armed themselves for slaughter ! McKenzie says, — " Come drain the streets And end this unco pliskic ; The "water's f^ucle eneneli to drink If nicely mixed vri' whisky 1" The Abbott from the hill-top eried — " Both schemes be blowecl — 'Od rot 'em," While G-uird was girding on his sword, And shouting from the bottom : — ■ " Drain off your filth, whate'er you do : Don't send it down upon us !" " And don't pollute the harbour's shores !" Cries doughty Captain Thomas. The jolly Abbott eries — " For me, My drink from heaven is caught, or Distilled in Nature's Breweree ; If Secombe wants to show esprit, Send beer instead of water !" Thus wordy war, and jest, and gibe, In speedy sequence follow, Till they agree to drain the streets Of the town of Sleepy Hollow. But all the Mayor's logic power And talent as a talker For water pure was no avail ; Perhaps it was too dry a tale ; Perhaps the thought of Seccombe's ale Had turned their heads j I cannot tell They bade the iin-well'Come theme favcivell, And murmured — " Hookey Walker !" The Black Knight. Auckland, April 25th, 1882.

On Tuesday next Mr W. Dowden will sell at hia Mart, Queen-street, the house and land now in occupation of Mr Deylin, Shelly Beach- road. The house i 9 nearlr new, and the garden well planted with fruit tree* and flowers.