FIRST FOOTING AT HUNTLY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2421, 17 January 1888, Page 2

FIRST FOOTING AT HUNTLY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin,—Your late correspondent on the above subject is possessed of an amount of assurance that is truly refreshing. Now Sir, I very much doubt if lie can boast of the honour of having set foot in bonnie old Scotland or even had the satisfaction of a gc,od feed of oatmeal porridge, ai t d yet lie has the presumption to pose as one oFbonnic Scotland's champions in upholding her dear old time-honoured custom of 'First-footing" ! but lam open to admit that he and his jovial companions evidently have a great love for the dew of Ben Nevis, this of course would endear the "First-footers" to tho "First-footed." Your lale correspondent also says the " First-footed" joined the " Kirst-footors," uutit nearly the whole township was out, now this statement is hardly correct but we will attribute that to tho addle,'! state of his brain (always suptiding that Nature has been liberal enough to give liiin just a few). Allow mo to say if that was a specimen of how tho muchhououied custom is carried out ill bonnie Scotland mv sympathies are with the muchabused "First-footed." Your present coi-rcspondtmt was awakened from his peaceful sluir t bcrs by kicking of doors, shouting, cat calls and other hideous noises of a most distressing character. I wonder if this is what the " First-footers" term serenading. If so. I devoutly pray I may never be° favonrod with a repetition, but even this 1 will excusq taking into consideration their 'fuddled brains. Now for the "saurian" that the "First-footjjrs" ijfliriri they one and all saw. I hardly think he would Ipive ventured so far from his strong hold for tliu vqry doubtful chance of a free feed from an empty butcher's shop. It must have been tlio unearthly uproar of the "First-footers," or possibly the dew from Ben Nevis (which, .1 am told, has a most exhilarating effect on some beasts) that excited his curiosity. That he was a very uncanny "monster," I haven't the least 'doubt, as I hear the beast left tho mark of his claw on one of the most venturesome of tho " First-footers." Probably this is how ho got the exact length of his foot (j.7-'< inches). Your present correspondent vitas further under the itnpressioij that Scotchmen were a very valiant face, and as sugh have excited my admiration'; but I fear they are fast degenerating. Can you tejl me, Sir, why this great crowd of jovial—not to say brilliant—"First-footers" did not try to capture their monster instead of sneaking off, as I hear some of them did ? Ido not believe they were all Scotchmen. I was told- that one of the "First-footers," whose sense of self-preservaticn was more activo than the others, was heard to remark—" Look out, boys, he is a spiteful d--—JJe i;(';st indeed have been a frightful 'creature, and eonsoqi/ently so much the more valuable for show purposes. If the jovial serouaders ha'tj had the courage to capture the curiosity they might have reaped a rich harvest. I do j not ]:;;o\y from experience, but I have I heard I 'that th(J show 'business is far more renutnerative than store-keeping,' mining, contracting:," a in'ueli-doveted 'Government billet,' or' even the' m/>re gentlemanly cabling of' mrister, or, I should say, captain of n kteam'Vessel.—l am, iite., • ■' • ■ ' ' RKRKIE. ft'V