MAKURI WILDS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5077, 15 July 1895, Page 2

MAKURI WILDS.

From Our Oicn Correspondent.

Two bushfallers who were wellknown in this district by the suggestive names of" Me" ami" My Mate," have had rather au unpleasant experience. For a long time they have been matos, and have had to bear a good deal of chaff on account of their attachment to each other. If "Me" went on the spree, "My Mate" kept sober in order to protect" Me's" interest. If "MyMate" went on the spree, " Me " did likewise—not that they were Efiven to paying undue tribute to Bacchus, but they were nocially inclined, and sometimes bush whisky sends a fellow spinning for no apparent reason. Some time ago, when the Makuri was in Hood, in trying to cross the river on two or tlireo wobbly pungas which they had thrown across from boulder to boulder, "My Mate" fell in. " Me" immediately sprung in after him, and succeeded in hauling "My Mate " safely to the bank, where he was roundly abused for risking his life for such a worthless eneumbranco as a "mate." For several years they had worked bard, but had never saved a penny, so au idea struck" Me" that as the contract on which they were engaged, was a good paying one, they might as woll savo all they could and buy a place for themselves. They sat up late ono night discussing ways and means, and before they " turned in," it was decided that "Me " should be banker; an old sock placed in a hole under the bunk, tho hank, and—as thoy had an eye on the likely soction —they went to bed feeling, as they themselves expressed it, like '■ two lordly squatters," Thoy were hardworking men and soon had the last cbeqtio cashed and banked under the bunk; had obtained a perpetual lease section; had felled a clearing, built a whare, and fenced a paddock; and were packing up their blankets prior to their removal. Up to this time they had not spent any of their bank account, but decided to pay up and buy soyeral head of cattlo with the rest. So " Me" took a spade and dugunder the bunk forthe old sock, which ho did not find "Where is the cash, mate," asked 'Me.' "Blessed if J know," said 'My Mate.' " Come, now, don't be an owl; play fair," said' Mo.' At that "MyMate" got riled, and beforo ton minutes were over, a battle had been fought in that whare, and" Me," with his blankets strapped to his shoulders, was trudging off to begin: life alone. As "Me" was walking along, a thought flashed across his mind, that he had been too hasty, and be turned and went back to the whare, where ho found '' My Mate" sitting disconsolately by the firo, just as he had left him. " Here, just stand on one side a bit," said ; Me.' So "My Mate" stood as close to the fire as he could. " Me" rolled up his aleovoa, and commenced to dig up the floor of the whare, beginning at the bunk, and not leaving an inch unturned.' By and by, lie came to a trail of oatmeal, paper, pigeon's feathers, and bones, which be followed, until he found it led to the outside, and close to tho back of the chimney, where ho dug up four yonng rat 6, and the old sock -.with the cash intact, "Me" and "My Mate" spent that evening at tho "Pub," and it was noticed that "My Mate" addressed "Me" as Boss. Since then, they are kaown l as"te"a«d."L"