TAUEANGA.

Observer, Volume 5, Issue 116, 2 December 1882, Page 182

TAUEANGA.

The wily Jordan, in anticipation of the struggle for the Tauranga ermine, gaye two notices of motion in the Borough Council. One was to the effect that the Council "erect an inexpensive pump" at the Quarter Acres, otherwise known as " Val Marino." Wow this matter of a pump has been made a party question by the guileless inhabitants of the local little Pedlington and the candidate for office thought that by a semblance of interest in matters of vital importance to the one suburb he might pose as a benefactor of that salubrious locality. But it was not to be. He was called away from the counsels of the People's Elect and was obliged to throw his infant motions on the broad but unwilling bosom of the greatest of his fellow councillors. However, they were brought before the meeting and the discussion pro and con was rapidly entered into with characteristic warmth until it was brought up standing by these remarks from the sententious Conway, " Where do you intend to put this pump ? Will it be on the roof of a house or up a tree, for though I hear very much of pump, pump, I hear nothing of well, and I do not think that an inexpensive pump, even at election time, is much use without a well." As the mover had no intention of providing a well, the discussion collapsed... Considerable consternation was caused in bat and wicket (or bad and wicked) circles when the Times announced that Mr E. A. Pyke's arduous official duties would prevent him from continuing the active management of the cricket club. At first it was feared that all outside matches (including the one with Auckland) would have to be abandoned and the club wound up. But at a hurried council held after the announcement it was decided to struggle on a little longer and bear this awful visitation of Providence with Christian fortitude. N.B. — I feel like a literary Christopher Columbus, only more so, for Christopher's claim as a first discoverer is not universally admitted. Have I not discovered the hitherto nnknown fact that native officials have arduous duties ? , It has ever been my fondly treasured delusion that the most arduous and exhausting duty of a native ofEcer consisted in signing his pay voucher.