NOTES BY THE WAT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 158, 16 February 1871, Page 6

NOTES BY THE WAT.

(By our vagabond Reporter.)

I was now seized and warmly shaken by the hand by a gentleman I had certainly never seen befcro, but who insisted upon my at once partaking of refreshments. I excused myself upon the ground that I had not got breakfast. "Breakfast, be d — d !" he kindly observed ; "it's free liquor to-day. Who wants to eat except a lot of mangy curs, who go in for teetotalism, and such rot. Come along." He seized me by the arm. Not wishing to be considered in the category of ' 'mangy curs," I accompanied my friend. "Your for Haughton ?" says he; "mum's the word — it's all right." Here he winked audibly, and made some mysterious sign with his thumb. " This gentleman's right," says he to the man behind the bar. "Poll him early," says a dirtyfaced man, who was conning an equally dirty electoral roll. "On the roll ?" says he. "JN T o," said I. " Miner's right ?" I nodded. Safer, thought I, to be on one side, leaving alone the dignity of figuring for one day as a "free and independent," not to speak of freedom in the absorption of alcoholic drinks, so far as financial operations are concerned. Having partially wetted an eye, I bethought me it would be as well to find out, if possible, which was the strongest, and consequently the safest side to take. " Who's going to get in ? " Dirty-faced man, apparently the chief speaker : " Why, Haughton ; they all goes in for him here lemons, old man." I thought this a disrespectful mode of address ; but continued, " Why so ? " "Ax no questions and you'll here no lies told, my old buck." The indignity of his address was capped, I may s.vy, by his slapping me on the back. 1 stepped back, and evidently trod on somebody's toes. " Where the are you coining to, mate ? " says a gruff voice. I looked up : a tall, six-foot man in moleskins, and bright red Crimean face to match. 1 apologised ; red man grinned ; conversation ensued, also further refreshments. Found I had stumbled upon what they call in the papers a bond fide digger. "Come into vote?" Yes, he had, he and his mates. Haughton was his man — didn't believe in Shepherd's bunkum about the Chinese. Thought him a blustering booby. Miners weren't fools or children to be led away by such arrant rot as Smiler talks. Who wus Smilor ? Didn't I know ? They knew him, so he'd find out. Thus and thus did ths miner talk, and on many other points did he enlighten me, of which more anon. Shall I endeavour now, in Homeric language, briefly to describe the incidents of the day ? Don't be uncharitable, and ascribe my style to the electoral accident of a free tap ; rather tKinb tliat xlie poetical afflatus— there's a word for you — has broken out at last. Westminster AJjbey or a lunatic a^lum ! Then approached the hour of fierce ficjht, when the poll would be opened ; and Haughton, radiant with coming victory, at a fierce gallop, rode into the town, stirring up the friendly dust — ivith him, his armourbearer, Harry White, who, defiant to the Shepherd mob, waved aloft an awful placard, and called o:i opposing champions, " Como on!" Come on they didn't, but, sheltered by the friendly bar of Butler, the black- visaged, they bided their time. But Shepherd, scowling horribly, advanced along the street. Seeing on every side the hostile bills, and hearing the scornful laugh of his many foes, and meeting Patterson, man of many acres and cattle ; and Scoles, famous for heroes ; and Douglas, fat with corn ; he frowned npon them with his heavy brows, and spoke these winged words, "Eh ! didn't E say so ? Squatter land monopolists. How about 1600 acres under lease, hey, Patterson ? Nice thing squatters going about sticking up bills ! Hey, horses ! hey, traps ! Very hard up for votes. Hey, wait and see the ballot box opened ; you'll laugh the other side of your mouth." Scoles, famous for horses, laughed a hideou3 laugh ; and Patterson, of the acres, loudly spoke, "Self-conceit and bunkum fill thy narrow brain, deficient in sense as in every other admirable quality. Go to ; thy own people scorn theo, and swill not notice thee except as a serviceable tool. Into their homes thoti enterest not. Go to ; away and mend thy life." And the visage of Shepherd turned a purple hue, and the swelling of his head was terrible to behold ; but he spoke nothing— departing, whence he had come, to the black one's lair. And at the hustings the battle raged ; and with fierce cries and shouts of defiance the many-headed host of Haughton thronged the ballot boxes— now on winged steeds they tore the ground : anou the the thundering chariots shook tha air. Shepherd the terrible "wrung his 'hands, and wept aloud. "So much, a head, so much a head," he cried, " and yet 30 few. Deceitful race and treacher "ms class ! The men of Arrow are men of might. Oh my ! my eye ! " Snuffling he left the field. And then the terrible one, seeing all was up, bounded into a passing chariot, and through the howling crowd was borne, whole as to skin, but raging in his heart. And the brave men of Arrow took the champion and bore him on their shoulders ; and the trumpet's shrill sound was heard proclaiming that the victory was won.

There, Mr. Editor, what do you think of that 1 You would like more details 1 I dare say you would. Ha ! I laugh demoniacally, and defy you. The fellow's drunk, is he 1 Envy me ; I am supposed to have voted right, and am to spend the evening (i.e., from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.) at Savages' with a few of the right sort. I post this first. I shan't disgrace, you, old boy. Haughton for ever ? P.S. — If you don't hear from me in a week, write to Police Camp, Arrow.

The annual meeting of the Kuranui Gold Mining Co. was held on Wednes day, when a very favourable report was brought forward by the directors. It appars that during the past year, after poying all expenses, the company cleared over £24,000. Of this, £18,247 10s. was divided amongst, the shareholders in dividends, and a debt of £4,002 4s. 4d. was paid off, a bank balance remain, ing of £486 14s. 7d., and good debts to the amount of £259 15s. sd. The entire income for the year was £41,530 ss. 6d., and the expenditure, exclusive of dividends, £22,787 os. lid.— " Auckland Weekly News, "