ARROWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1271, 21 August 1880, Page 3

ARROWS.

"My free drift halts not particularly . . . . No levelled malice infects one comma in the course I hold."

The classic halls of a police court are not the places whither we usually direct our wanderings when afflicted by depressed spirits and a sense of the world's coldness, but nevertheless it does sometimes happen that entertainment and instruction can be gathered even there. Not many days ago, here in Hamilton, it chanced that a boy of tender years was placed in the witness box, and questioned in the customary way regarding his knowledge of the solemn nature of an oath. The lad, with tears in his eyes, confessed his entire ignorance of the matter, and the Magistrate thereupon asked him if he knew where he would go to when he died if he told a lie. To the intense surprise of the court the boy said he did not know the name of the place j but his case was taken in hand by one of the learned gentlemen present who remarked, "It is very hard, your Worship, that a child should be pressed to solve a difficulty which has so long and so successfully puzzled the understanding of the most eminent men !' ? The boy's evidence was taken.

Have the recently formed Debating and "Literary" Societies paralysed .the Borough Councillors ? Have they, now that their efforts to establish a thirst for tho power of aloquence have been hiiccessful, retired with Ibeir honors full upon them. They must have done, else how can we account for the unwonted quietude which now reigns in the temple, sacred to the municipal maun ? But alas echo answers, " no money ; nothing left to fight over. "

There are two Highway Boards in Newcastle, and which of the Richmonds the Government will eventually give the reins of power to, is a question somewhat difficult to solve. Perhaps in a few months we shall know by the resumption of works on Bonfrey's road, that those cunning dogs in " the corner," who have studied the Local Elections Act so well, have gob the upper hand ; or, by the renewed vigor which, will be observable on the great main road to somewhere, that the "gallant four of Whatawhata have convinced the Colonial Secretary of the justness of their cause. Howe'er it be, it seems to mt, the sharpest man will win the day. If talent lie in Te Kowhai 'tis Wilson, or if not 'tis Day. There is a good joke in this connection. A meeting was held a few days ago to consider the position of parties, and thereat a gentleman of the Didymus persuasion asked if the members of the Whatawhata Board were assured of thpm standing. "What can be clearer proof" answered a well known Milesian hailing from that district "that the board have been legally elected than that they have given notice to strike a rate ?" Nothing indeed except the payment of the rate, which the ratepayers are extremely likely to do.

In a few days the burgesses oi Hamilton will bo called upon to exercise their rights as free-born citizens Jn the election of three councillors, and it is earnestly to be hoped that they are alive to the magnitude of the occasion. One of the retiring councillors is a man who, though he has laboured under the pressing weight of his sobriquet "Poteen," has made his mark as a financier, and ih becomes the duty of the free and enlightened to see that he is returned. With an exemplary Minister f ;>r Public Works in the person of Cr Vialou, it might, perhaps, seem of little consequence that we should have a clearheaded Chancellor of the Exchequer, but it must be rem rabercd that man is but mortal, and if through any unforeseen misadventure the portfolio of Works fell into the hands of a less able and more extravagant statesman the presence of a "financier" would be indispensable, and who so admirable as Poteen. If he be rejected, however, ho has one drop of consolation. The Council in admiration of his genius can make him foreman of works, which office wilt of course be rendered vacant on the elevation of the present occupant to the stylo and dignity of a councillor. Bibon.