NUTS BY LIBEL.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 212, 25 August 1893, Page 3

NUTS BY LIBEL.

I have sometimes wondered if it would not be advisable to start a ‘ Prevention, of Cruelty to Animals Society ’ in this district. No animal perhaps is a more faithful servant to man than his horse, and yet how often do we see this noble animal treated in a cruel and heartless manner. Let anyone look through the district at the present time and see the number of lean, raw-boned, starved hacks he will find. He will be a hardhearted person if it does not bring the bile to bis mouth, and the tears to bis eyes, to see the way in which some of them are treated. The winter has been a hard one, undoubtedly, and feed is scarce, but a man who does not look after his horse does not deserve to have one. Even now in my imagination I see a gall-eyed, raw-boned crock, dragging its weary way through the mud, when apparently its only wish in life was to be left to lay down and die. Nor is it only in the matter of feeding their horses that pepple err. I have seen a lady—yes, a tender-hearted lady—riding a pony when the blood was oozing from under the saddle cloth. ‘ If the cap fits pout it on and do better, In glancing over the names ©f the Aucklandfootballers which were to compel; against our boys on Saturday last I noticed that of the Rev. P. Williams. The question arises how far is it admissible for a clergyman to go in connection with sports, amusements, etc. I am not one who would have nothing but solemn-faced, long-visaged clergymen, but I certainly think a line should be drawn somewher j, and maybe ’twould be as well to draw it outside the touch lines. Opinions may differ of course, aiid some may say that a minister of the gospel is entitled to go as far as ordinary mortals. The old man eloquent wants to know why he should be identified with what appears in his ‘ bhoy’s ’ paper. Ye saints and ministers of grace defend us ! Whg.t next? Why it is perfectly well known that he is the lock, stock, -and barrel of the concern, that he puts the charge in and pulls the trigger. It is very unbecoming surely for a late captain of a volunteer corps or rifle club to be afraid to stand ike return fire, and so try to hide behind someone else’s wing. But it is an awful pity that the old gentleman has such a poor memory ; family complaint I suppose. Me thinks I remember that at a Council meeting not a great while ago, when the subject of County advertising was up for discussion, and it was suggested that Councillor eloquent being an interested party should abstain from voting, he replied that he was not interested in the paper. Who then runs the show ? The Government in their large heartedness and their lovo for the working man have stated their intention of doing away with the vexatious system of imposing stamp duty on wages receipts. Flow thoughtful. However will the workingman repay such liberality. In twelve months ho will .save say two shillings, which could be so in the case of fortnightly payments. Now I should like to know how often workmen give receipts for wages, and in cases where it is given whether the employer or employee finds the stamp. But allowing that every workingman in the colony gives a stamped receipt for his wages, surely the shilling or tw© will neither make nor break him ; but in the aggregate it would amount to a tidy sum, and would make a considerable differance in the postal revenue. I once heard of a gentleman North of Auckland who used to pay his men in cheques and who deducted the cost of the cheque, one penny, from their wages. This gentleman was a M.R.R.

once, and was also a leading direotor of a certain bank, and further, though this must not be mentioned above a whisper, was a Liberal. Now young ladies just one word to you. The Bachelors’ Ball is about to take place. Don’t snub that young man again even if he is not a ‘ toff.’ Last time you did so ’twas nearly a case for the coroner. Really it’s too bad of you. Read, mark, and tremble; ‘ Libel ’ is going to be there and will take stock, but shades of Caesar iff* you snub 1 Libel ’ look out.