The Festive Digger of the.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3146, 6 March 1889, Page 3

The Festive Digger of the.

(To the Editor.) • - Havemck, Maroh 1. Deab Bib. —I thought it might . interest some of your readers to know ■ something about how the diggers in ■ Mahakipawa amuse themselves after (kgjmesa has set in, and digging ~ opsations are suspended. Of course, one can imagine that the hotels are the principal rendavous; and, in one of these hotels was formed "The ; Mahakipawa Hard Case Society," of whose rules J herewith send you a copy. The rules were evidently formed for a joke, and, of course,- are not rigidly enforced. Trusting they will amuse, I remain, etc., H. A. Gaskill. Mahakipawa Habd Cm Society's

Bules, The persons, well • known to the police as "hard cases," who shall have signed their names to this paper, bind themselves to observe the numbered rules after this date (January 26th), under the penalty of £1 (tdie spent in "boozes" for the observant members), such observance of the rules to be in existence till April 26th, 1889. 1. No member shall refuso a drink, if the inviter has got the necessary cash . 2. No member shall drink" soft stuff," unless properly diluted. 8. No member shall "shout" for any person, unless the said person shall advance him the cash for the ifj&ne. : ' 4. Each member shall make it his speoial business to "collar" likely" shouters." 5, All members shall frequent the hotel bars, for the purpose of catching " stray" drinks. 6. Aiiy member calling for "short", or "small beers", or " ahandy-gafffl" shall pay an extra 10a, such Bum to go towards the siok and needy fund"— espeoially thj^Lneedy." ' w"Needy" shall refer to any person who has not had a drink for one hour or under. 8. Packets of cigarettes in lieu of driflks not allowable. 9. " Tick" to be asked for, for drinks, on all occasions. Refusals for same not to be recognised, Any person refusing "tick" to be considered a deadly enemy to the "Cause," and striotly treated as auoh. Subsequent apologies from suoli persons may, howover, be considered by the " Hard Case Committee." :

10. "Snatching drinks commended, and will be rewarded by the Committee, i.e., if undetected. 11. All members are very strictly • enjoined to keep on terms of friendship witli the police, who, however, V eliould be avoided particularly : about 12 p.m. 12. No member shall induce any pwn to join the Society unless such piSrsoh be in a position to properly " booze" bis initiation. Suoh initiation may take place at any hour, Sundays not excepted; in fact preferred. 18. Insults may be" wiped out" in;gore, but "shouts" preferred. Barmaids excepted from this rule, unless under four feet in height. 14. Strangers arriving in town (particularly those with heavy gold onains), to be shepherded very 'assiduously, most efficient "hard oases " in this line to' be told off for the duty. "Dead drunks" to be carefully "gone through" "dead beats" to be avoided striotly. 15. No "hardcase" "making" a bottle or bottles shall share Bame with other members,or non-members, nor shall he leave a bar until forcibly ■ ejected. After, ejectment he shall prowl round the building for some time on the "off chance " of getting jn again. 16. All members are expected to /' Jake part in "shakes" for drinks, member paying money for / 'Era ohance will be expelled from the Society with ignominy. 17. 1 It shall be the business of all members to smell glasses or bottles left about the bar or other convenient •, for the purpose of getting a • " 61$" mouthful. 18, Any member doing a term" in the jug " will not necessarily be considered off the Society 1 !) membership. 19, At holiday timas, races, etc, members are expected to heparticularly active. 20, On all festive occasions, suoh •as deaths etc, where there is a pro- ., bability of a bottle appearing, members are expected to roll up in force. Any member failing to appear at a "tin kettliug*" expedition to be summarily ejected. The precints of Taledictory dinners, congratulatory addresses, declaration ol'polls, election committee rooms, etc, to be haunted. 21, Members votea at next election ■ mußtbeinfluencedbynumberofdrmke obtained from the respective candidates,'drinks of coume, should be itoken from all candidates, irrespecof their views, which should be "bleary." 22, Cadging tobacco 1 and matches to be considered a iipeoiality, foi -• . which the Committee'offer a hand 'prize..- ' 'T' 28. Brewers to have tho warrrem [ri«Qd(liip of thr So«i«:y. in m«vr of i