THE TOWN COUNCIL'S "WHITE ELEPHANTS."

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 286, 24 July 1873, Page 10

THE TOWN COUNCIL'S "WHITE ELEPHANTS."

(To the Editor,) Sic, — Having been absent from 1 Lawrence for some time, I was quite unprepared for the changes that have taken place while I have been away, so consequently I was rather astonished on Monday evening last on approaching the township to see the reflection in the sky of what I conceived to be a large fire or some grand illumination (probably, as I thought) in connection with turning the first sod of the railway or some other great public work), aud, fearing I might be missing soni( - thing, I touched my trusty steed with the spur and pushed into the town, when judge of my astorishment at finding Lazy Lawrence pursuing the even tenor of its way, as if nothing particular was occurring. On putting the question to the first public character I met (who happened to be a gentleman called familiarly by residents as " Old Dick ") what meaneth all this illumination ? Ho answered " It's something about 'four white elephants' imported by the Town Councillors ;" and, on further enquiry, I found that the " elephants " refened to were that number of lamp-posts that had been erected by the Council, and lit for the first time that night. Ou enquiry, I found that was no public dinner or ball to commemorate" the event ; so, to while away an idle hour before retiring to my virtuous couch, I prepared to visit the monuments of progress, and after some difficulty I discovered, by the aid of a wax vesta, the whereabouts of one of them. I looked in vain for nninscription, such as secundo euro, or the perfect cure ; but, coining to the conclusion that they were as yet in an unfinished state, I racked my brain to discover an appropriate inscription, the following being the result. — Apos tfo ras se sto ru oa ga inst. (I must not charge for the idea.) — I am, &c, Snooks.