ECHOES FROM MOUNT BENGER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 119, 19 May 1870, Page 4

ECHOES FROM MOUNT BENGER.

Come gather round, both young and old, and, listen to my song ; Grant me your kind attention, and I'll not detain you long. I'm goingr to sing a local song, to try and make you laugh, For I am sure there's none will take offence at a little bit of chnft". The diggers on the Pomahaka are all stuck in the mud ; Their claims are almost, smothered through a very heavy floo<l ; You'll see them fossicking the reef and washing heaps of dirt, And think themselves quite lucky if they raise a second shirt. The weather now is getting cold, and things are very dear, And those who can't pay ready cash of course will have to clear, For the stores are pti tting on the screw, to raise their money quick ; If they turn the screw too hard they'll find it's a monkey up a stick. The merchants of the Teviot are doing somethins: strange, By preaching moral lessons to the men across the range ; They say when diggers work so hard to earn an honest crust, They ought to pay their tucker bills, and not get cm the burst ! The packers, too, as I've been told, are often hunting round. And looking after debtors who are nowhere to be found. They bring their bills for you, to pay, and say you must not fail To seltle them ; but if you can't, you take the sliding scale. Now, as they mean to stop the tick, whatever shall we do ?• ' We'll have to seek for wages on the bands of Molyneux ; And if they will not give us work we'll try another mode, And pay them all four miles an hour as we travel on the road. So you unlucky diggers all, I've a word or two to say : You must leave off nobblerising if you want to pay your way. Take my advice and save your tin, and lead a steady life ; Make up your minds to settle down and get a prudent wife. J.J.S. Roxburgh, May 16, 1&70.