THE WANDERER.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 170, 4 November 1892, Page 3

THE WANDERER.

So the Governor has had to give way and must accept the advice of his responsible advisers. Well ! there are tricks and dodges in all trades, and professions, and there is not the least doubt that the Hon. John scored a big point when he wired Home as Premier of New Zealand congratulating Gladstone on his success. There is one thing quite certain and it is, that this little episode has strengthened the conviction in my mind that it is high time the Upper house was made elective. But what about the old politician. Why has he been quietly shunted and left in the lurch, for the single reason as I before stated that the Premier was far too wise to call one of that stamp to the Upper house? Ah, no ! let him get elected and popped into the Lower house if he can, one session will be quite sufficient, he’ll soon he at his old games and at the next election his constituents will be sure to pop him out again. But mark my words, once in the Council he’d be a mighty big thorn in the sides of the very men who'placed him there. Yea verily. When in Kaihu the other day I was rather pleased to notice that the Government had repainted and decorated the Post and Telegraph offices. The buildings now have a greatly improved appearance but by the powers ! what a fearfully dilapidated appearance it has caused the adjacent houses to have, but perhaps the owner or agent wont have them painted unless the contractor hinds himself to procure the colours, oils etc , from the bhoy’s shop—that confounded monopoly ag-ain. Another session and precious little g-ood done. The faymales ‘have not’ got the franchise, which is a scandalous shame, and the men ‘ have got ’ the increase in screw and for which Wee Bobbie voted. Well done ! my little man, you’re a brick, you stuck to your colours right manfully ; though by the same token I don’t envy you the reception you’re likely to get from your constituents, An Auckland“parson was lately greatly ruffled in mind and spirit over the idea that gtimdiggers washed their dirty shirts on the Sabbath. Last, week while on one of my northern wanderings I had occasion to call at one of the camps ou some business, and I mentioned this to a digger whom I chanced to he in conversation with. I told him that I sincerely hoped he was not one of the Sabbath shirt-washers. He quickly convinced me of his entire innocence by exclaiming niver a fear honey ! for by Saint P. ither, divii a shirt I’ve got to wash, ‘ shore and beg'orra it’s lying nbsu I’d have to bo while I washed it.’ On the occasion of znv last visit to Kaihu I

noiieed some chains stretched!?) along either side of the wharf, they no doubt had originally been placed there to prevent people from falling or walking over into the river, but in their present state they are quite useless and an eyesore. A very iriSing outlay would put them right and I merely drop the hint for the benefit of the County Council. At the same time I certainly think the said hint might have been given by the Buster, and thus have saved the Council from being dependent on the Bell for it. Councillor Dargaville what are you up to? * * * in a recent issue of your up river contemporary I noticed a paragraph which somewhat amused mo. It stated that Capt. Harrison (our old friend Johnny) was grossly insulted at being told to desist from taking part in a game of football. Now what rubbish ! I won’t for a moment believe that Capt. Harrifon was so foolish as to make any remark. For my own part I should feel more inclined to be grossly insulted by the Buster people having the impertinence to style me 1 their old friend.’ * * * Mr Webb, allow me to congratulate you upon your excellent ‘Notes on Grasses,’ there is a lot of exceedingly useful information in those few notes. And now that the ball has been set rolling, I trust that other members of the Association will keep it going and follow with other notes, In a young country like New Zealand there are always a lot of young settlers going on to land, and who are very glad to get all the information possible. * * * A writer in a Blenheim paper recently took umbrage at some remarks made by a Wesleyan local preacher about drinking, and retorted that the beer was a good deal better than the local preaching. True most likely, as far as the writer was concerned, for he is doubtless one of those individuals with more stomach thau brains * * * A storekeeper up North informs me that he had over a hundred-weight of large gum stolen at Opanake recently. He said that previous to the time-table being advertised he had to pack his gum over and store it in a maori whare till the first boat sailed. He further informed me that this is the third lot of gum he has lost at Opanake. Does not this clearly show the urgent necessity of a goods’ shed at the railway terminus? Judging from some of your contributors’ notes I came to the conclusion that a rich and rare treat was to be had by attending some of the auction sales at the village of Dargaville. I therefore decided to attend one of these sales aud by the lord Harry ! it was a treat (?) 4 tremendous big query Mr Comp., please. Ye heavens ! what a brilliant display of oratorical powers, what fervid eloquence, in what magnificent language did this youthful imitator of the great Christie describe the various articles offered! How sweetly the words rippled from the slightly parted lip)3 Yet I could not help thinking what a crying shame it was that such talents should be wasted in such a way. Why was not this talented young man made an Archbishop or a high commissioner, or better still, why did not the premier have him called to the Upper House ? It was while thus thinking the matter over that I was rudely awakenedjfrom my reverie by a faymale voice close beside me exclaiming ‘ Begorroa now ! hut it’s a pity the poor bhoy’s tongue has out-growed the size of his gob ’ Great Scott ! Confound the woman, why couldn’t she mind her own business ? ’ 3 I trust your contributor ‘ Old ’Un ’ will not object to my correcting a slight mistake which he made in his ‘ odds and ends.’ He states that a certain ‘ big man ’ at Kaihu (who has sympathy with the proposed regatta), nonsense, friend the whole of his sympathy is kept in stock at a small shopi on the other side of the itreet. That makes all the difference. * * * What a scandalous shame it is to see such destruction. of that rare and splendid song bird the tui. Many persons living in the towns would hardly credit the number of these birds constantly being- destroyed, but let thorn b 9 constantly on the w inder like myself and they would soon have their eyes opened to the fact. I often wish I had the authority of a ranger ; I’d make it a caution to some of the shootists. * * * Talking of shooting reminds me of a quiet little chuckle I had to myself recently. I was quietlj riding along the edge of a bit of bush up by the Bluff, when three tnaories emerged from it a tew yards in front of me. On getting up to them and having passed tenakoea, I, seeing that they were armed, asked what they bad been up to. Shooting pigeons, they replied. Now, I’ve not the slightest intention of doubting their words, bnt at the same time judging from the style of weapons and ammunition which they carried, well, I don’t think they would have been very particular about noticing whether the pigeons were branded #r an branded. The dusky ones know a wrinkle. * * * Another nice little scandal among the said dusky ones ; this time at Opanake° and both the erring ones married ; consequently each poaching on another’s preserves. Upon being bowled out the gentleman (?) cleared for fresh fields and pastures new. He’s gone to the East Coast oil urgent business, I told you the dusky ones were advancing in civilisation and if anyone doubts it they have only to watch a certain dusky party ‘ boxerising and putting on side at the billiard tables at Kaihu. They’ll grin. J * * ‘ Old ’Un,’ —Thank 3. 3 Mv wife and four children were lying dead in the creek while I myself was lying in a hut within a few yards of their dead bodies in a beastly state of intoxication. Thus may bo summed up tho evidence of a chief witness at an inquest held recently at Dargaville# Horrible. °