THE MOAS.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1227, 10 November 1874, Page 4

THE MOAS.

[OTAGO WITNESS.] My dear Mr Smythe, It seems so absurd, (If the thing's not a mythe), That this very large bird Should remain nu discovered so long : I really do hope you're not wrong. I don't know Browning's Pass, But I really must say Tou were looking for grass In a very queer way, On the top of a mountain of snow : But, I merely repeat, I'don't know. It seems passing strange ; ] don't mean to suggest That the top of this range Is an unlikely nest; But I once heard that birds of a feather Were given to flocking together. Now I put it to you (Though I don't mean to doubt) Whether only these two Were strolling about On that lonely and steep mountain side. Where you chanced to be out for a ride? The one was a mother ; The younger her child ; (And you say that this other Was not very wild) : Now, where was the true-hearted pa, The spouse of his happy mamma ? I feel rather sad That this family small ( Who were not really bad) Should be broken at all; Tet science demands that this " he " Should perish of grief and ennui. Now, my friend, are you sure (For your narrative's loose) That this bird is a moa, And not a grey goose That was looking for country (like you) In a place that was lonely and new ? The Irish Secretary lately stated in the House of Commons that since IS3I the number of public houses in Dublin had diminished from 1400 to 800, to the great benefit of the community. The population of Dublin in IS3I was 203,000, but at the last census it had increased to 2-46,000. An editor says that when he was in prison for libelling a Justice of the Peace he was recpiested by the gaoler " to give the prison a puff." A Daw Suit.—-A solicitor's wig and gown. Intending mistress to applicant: "Of course, you can cook V " Applicant : " Oh, yes'm ! Plain cookin " she knew—puttin' a jint on a dish ready to go to the baker's."