CAMBRIDGE WEST.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2625, 9 May 1889, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE WEST.

It is a notable fact that the inhabitants of Cambridge West once or twice in each year arouse themselves from their lethargic state and do battle among themselves. Their usual course of procedure is to hold public meetings, and display their oratorical poweis in abusing road boards, domain boards, ci'Uiity councils, or indeed any body or tiling that dues not please them. A city divided within itself is sure to fall, and we fear it is even so with small townships, in which c.i.irt Cambridge West had better mend its ways lest ill befall it, for it is certainly one of the "most divided" places that w(i know of. Soma months ago we reported a meeting that was held in the newlyacquired Public Hall, at which " reddrcss :, was violently demanded from the domain b laid, but that matter his apparently been shelved, and the inhabitant:; have sought diversion in another form, which has culminated in legal proceedings, from which both parties retire with their pockets considerably lightened. The. case to which we refer is that nf Keehy v. Hall and Reynolds, which, together with a cmss-nction, occupied the Cambridge RM, Court for nearly three days, and ii'ji-t lin.illy dismissed last .Friday, each p.irty paying their own costs, the. evidence being so conflicting that the magistrate could not decide who was telling tile truth. Throe months ago, when this case whs first commenced, wo stated that, "it bad evidently arisen out of a. neighbour's quarrel, and was a waste of lime," which Mr (Jiles Keeley wrote denying, but as the case was then sab judico wo declined saying anything more about it until it was finished. The end having at length arrived, we now give what we consider

to be the true state of olf airs, so far as we can gather from enquiries we have made ; for, like the Resident Magistrate, we placo little reliance upon the evidence givou in court. The Keeley .s consist of three families, the parents and two married sons, and somehow they have made themselves very unpopular with many of the, inhabitants. To their credit be it said, no one seems willing to bring any specific charge against them, the general complaint being that they always waut their »wn way, and are rather of the goody-goody typs, and object to dances being held in the Public Hall. This appears to have aroused the ire of the young people—among whom are a few of the genus larrikin—and they have annoyed the Keeleyt in every possible way. A local poet had written a song called "The Keeley I lang," and this has been sung near the houses where the Keeleys live, but if anyone appeared upon the scene who was likely to give information, the word Keeley was altered to Kelly, and the song was then supposed to refer to the celebrated Xed Kelly, the bushranger. The court case having closed on Friday evening, the larrikins determined to celebrate the event. Knur effigies were prepared, and after these had been carried through the streets, a large bonfiro was lit on the Maori hill and they were duly cremated, after they had been baptised by one of the gang who was particularly careful to name them "Kelly." While the efligies were burning, guns were fired and a most hideous noise was made by "blowing bottles," which is made by breaking the bottom off the bottle and then blowing into the neck, as into the mouthpiece of a cornet. The evening was finished up by a dance in the Public Hall, a considerable amount of cider being consumed. We are informed that this is to be the last act of this little episode, and that in the future the Keele.ys are to be allowed to dwell in peace. We trust our informa. tion is correct, and would strongly advise the youths of Cambridge West not to again interview Captain Jackson, <<r the next time they will not get off so easily, ft is a great shame that t.vo old people cannot end their days in peace without being annoyed (..y ,i number of ynmig men who should be above noticing any little peculiarities that the old folks may indulge in. —Own Correspondent.