We have recieved some "lines in honour of Robert Stout, Esq., M.H.R., member for the city of Dunedin," by Mr George Scott of Mornington, a gentleman, who like Mr Silas Wegg, has upon more than one occasion "dropped into poetry in a friendly way." Mr Scott exhibits a very friendly feeling towards the Hon. R. Stout, and commends his action with regnrd to the Local Option Bill in the following lines: —
"For temperance's cause, he's framed good laws,
He never takes a shout!
His head is clear without the beer,
Our ain Bobby Stout."
Then, in admiration of Mr Stout's brilliant career, our poet exclaims —
"Like Summer showers, on budding flowers,
He's ever on the sprout,
He seems to grow, and that not slow,
Our ain Bobby Stout."
Our excuse for not republishing the whole of Mr Scott's lines must be that poetry is not exactly in our line. The taste we have given however, will doubtless whet the appetites of Mr Stout's admirers, who on their enquiring for more, had better apply to the author. -Otago Daily Times, 8/6/1878.
A LOCAL POET.
We have received some "lines in honour of Robert Stout, Esq., M.H.R., member for the city of Dunedin," by Mr George Scott of Mornington, a gentleman, who like Mr Silas Wegg has upon more than one occasion "dropped into poetry in a friendly way." Mr Scott exhibits a very friendly feeling towards the Hon. R. Stout, and commends his action with regard to the Local Option Bill in the following lines: — "For temperance's cause, he's framed good laws, He never takes a shout! His head is clear without the beer, Our ain Bobby Stout." Then, in admiration of Mr Stout's brilliant career, our poet exclaims — "Like summer showers, on budding flowers, He's ever on the sprout, He seems to grow, and that not slow, Our ain Bobby Stout."
Wife — "Well, Jones, judging by your breath, I can't tell whether you've been drinking whiskey or whether you've been swimming in it." Husband (reproachfully) — "Hannah, don't you love me — hic — enough to give me — hic — the benefit of the doubt?" -Otago Witness, 15/6/1878.
With a praiseworthy desire to assist in augmenting the funds of the Benevolent Institution, Mr George Scott, of Mornington, has caused to be printed a number of copies' of a poem composed by him, entitled "The Orphan Boy," which will be sold at a nominal price for the benefit of the Institution, at the Carnival in Messrs Inglis's new buildings. The poem is printed on a card measuring about seven inches long and four deep, in the centre of which is the photograph of a representative of the genus Dunedin street-Arab. There are in all seventeen verses, and the sentiment expressed throughout is of a very pathetic nature. The concluding verse embodies a moving appeal to the benevolent to help the object of the Carnival by purchasing a copy of the poem. As the price at which it can be bought is not exorbitant — only a shilling — the cards will in all probability command an extensive sale. -Otago Daily Times, 7/9/1878.
It is cheering to know that our New Zealand poetry — such as it is — has nothing of the didactic element in it. It is purely spontaneous, bursting from the heart, just as occasion demands. Hitherto our rhyming tributes, of whatever sort, have scarcely been above mediocrity, but I have before me a specimen of verse, bearing such a strong resemblance to the "Elegy in a Country Church yard" as to lead me to entertain the suspicion that is a rough draught from the hands of Gray himself, only just sufficiently altered to give it a local significance. It is entitled, "A Lament on the late sad catastrophe at Kaitangata," and is ostensibly from the pen of a Mr George Scott, of Mornington. I say ostensibly, because I cannot quite believe the colony possesses a genius of such magnitude as the author of the poem must necessarily be. Mark the admirable union of pure sentiment with noble diction in the following stanza — the opening one:
You would weep when the news was flashed o'er the wires,
Of thirty-four souls being buried alive;
While crowds they fast ran the Papers to scan,
As tears from their eyes they tried far to drive.
I only regret that the author's extreme carefulness to protect his rights, prevents my giving the whole — there are sixteen more of similar quality — of the stanzas. -North Otago Times, 22/4/1879.
Mr George Scott, of Mornington, has published some lines suggested by the death of the late Mrs Young, the victim of the Kyeburn murder. -Otago Daily Times, 26/10/1880.
Scarcely Good Enough. — The Otago Times has received a poem (on cardboard) concerning the wreck of the Tararua, with an accompanying photograph of the vessel in the act of breaking up (an imaginative scene, of course). The poem is by George Scott. Our contemporary does not know who is responsible for the spelling — Mr Scott or his printers — but "Morn, Zealandia, morn for thy sons," is scarcely up to the recognised standard. -Southland Times, 30/5/1881.
George Scott's poem on the Tararua disaster has all the qualities of a Great Poem. Except for greatness...
DREADFUL WRECK OF THE SS TARARUA ON THE 29TH APRIL, 1881, WHEN ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY SOULS PERISHED.
'Twas on an autumn April Morn,
And verging on bleak winter drear;
No friendly moon did show her horn
To show the treacherous rocks were near.
With six-score souls from Port she steam'd -
And long we watched her mirky breath -
And "hankies" waved, all happy seem'd -
They left our Pier to meet their death.
With ruddy cheeks and pulses high,
Now pleasures reigned her ample deck;
Their faces smiled with scarce a sigh -
None dreamt to face a yawning wreck.
As night drew on, all crept to rest,
Save the lone few who watch did keep.
The babe lay quiet at its mother's breast
As the good ship ploughed the mighty deep.
Some paced the deck to view the sea,
And smiled at every wave that broke,
Some dreamt of friends they longed to see,
When she struck upon the fatal rock.
Then children to their mothers clung -
Fond fathers ran in wild despair -
While moaning waves their requiem sung;
Their cries of pity rent the air.
When the women saw their captain's eyes,
Where terror never yet had shown;
And when they saw he heaved few sighs,
Their fears and doubts were nearly gone.
The children scream'd and mothers wept,
And burning tears filled many eyes,
As big waves broke and o'er her swept,
Engulphing some no more to rise.
In grief they watch yon groups on shore
With streaming eyes and lips grown white,
As corse after corse the billows bore
In the dark and lonely hours of night.
See yon poor mortals bathed in tears,
Grasping spars in rigging high;
Their human captain there appears,
Asking help from Him on high.
In deepening night the yawning swell
Fast drew around in awful storm;
And on the rocks she toss'd and fell,
The Tararua's batter'd form.
With all the tides that ebb and flow
We gaze on some, alas! no more;
As seething billows come and go,
They heave cold corses on the shore.
Yet corses ride on the dancing waves,
With faces deformed by salt-sea brine,
Now a hundred roll in their watery graves,
And sea-weeds in their hair entwine.
Speak kind to those who're making shrouds;
For lov'd one gone, bear them in mind -
That oftimes threatening lowering clouds,
Tho' dark, are often silver-lined.
Roll on, roll on! thou restless Sea;
Let thy proud waters sing their dirge;
Who sleeps their last sound sleep in thee
They'll hear not thy moaning tidal surge.
Up braid not harsh her crew in grief,
But rather to their failings lean;
Speak kindly of her gallant chief -
For deserts have their spots of green.
When midnight shades around them drew -
When dead and dying close did float -
A voice o'er the seething waters flew,
"Bring help, bring help! a boat, a boat!"
On yonder shore you'll find their graves;
Midst waving grass there many sleep.
They will not hear, far are the waves,
Deep sorrow while some mothers weep.
When o'er her decks the waters ran,
The captain thus addressed the few: -
"Bear up, I have done all I can -
Oh, God! what are we all to do!"
Mourn, Zealandia! mourn for thy sons;
Weep o'er thy daughters young and fair.
Cold are the bosoms of your dear ones -
Comfort the mourners now in despair.
DUNEDIN GOSSIP.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) February 17.
We have been busy with the Licensing Committee elections. Everywhere the small districts are condemned. There are three hotels in Roslyn and Maori Hill, and about six districts. In one case — the Kaikorai district — only one member of committee was nominated, so that Government will have to elect the remaining four. In some cases men quite unfit have been nominated, and in one or two cases elected. For instance, at Mornington Mr George Scott was elected. He is a kind of crack-brained poet, whose verses on “Our ain Bobbie Stout” is of historic celebrity. -Cromwell Argus, 21/2/1882.
MORNINGTON RATEPAYERS. - Poem, "Brunel Street, in Defence," by George Scott, can be had from the Author. -Evening Star, 18/10/1882.
JUST PUBLISHED, Poem (“Problem of Poverty”) by George Scott. Copies from Author, and Sligo’s, George street. -Evening Star, 27/3/1883.
We have received from the author, Mr George Scott, of Mornington, a poem upon the death of the boy Wain. The circumstances attending the death of this little fellow will be remembered by all. The cruelty of the boy's father and stepmother, and the sufferings of the child himself are well told in the verses. The lines are printed on a neat card, and a photograph of the house, showing the deceased's room, is attached. Within a fortnight after publication, Mr Scott had disposed of over 1500 in Dunedin and suburbs, and we understand that a considerable number are being purchased throughout this district. It is one of the saddest stories of inhumanity that we have heard of as taking place in the colonies for many a day. -Bruce Herald, 25/9/1883.
We have received from Mr George Scott, Mornington, an ornamental card containing verses written by him, suggested by the late child beating case at South Dunedin. The verses possess considerable merit, and we believe Mr Scott has disposed of upwards of 1000 copies. -Clutha Leader, 5/6/1885.
Mr George Scott, the Mornington (Otago) poet, has published some "Lines touching child-beating." They are founded upon certain incidents which have occurred in Dunedin, and witheringly condemn the too-common practice of treating children with cruelty under the name of chastisement. The lines are nicely printed on a large card, upon which is also a photograph of a woman in the act of beating a little child in its cot with the butt end of a horsewhip. -Manawatu Standard, 11/6/1885.
MUNICIPAL
BY Request of the Ratepayers, I am a Candidate for Third Ward, Mornington.
GEORGE SCOTT. -Evening Star, 7/9/1885.
THE FREETHOUGHT ASSOCIATION FESTIVAL. (excerpt)
The Lyceum bazaar and festival were opened last night under most favorable circumstances, there being a large number of visitors. The decorations of the building and the large amount of wares which meet the eye of the visitor show unmistakeably that a great deal of trouble and labor have been bestowed by those connected with the Association on making the affair a success. On entering the building one is struck with the large variety of both useful and ornamental articles for disposal. One side of the Hall is taken up with stalls for the sale of fancy goods, while on the other may be seen a large collection of articles of furniture, ornaments, etc. We have not space to enumerate the many articles offered to tempt the visitor, but mention a few on account of their superiority. One article, without doubt one of the best exhibited, is a handsome rustic chair, containing 8,000 pieces of wood, the workmanship of Mr George Scott, of Mornington, and which is nicely surmounted with florals, etc. -Evening Star, 17/10/1885.
Passing Notes
Now that elections are conducted without the assistance of the straight-flying egg or onion, it becomes necessary to cast about every other clay for fresh methods of puffing or pasquinading candidates. A veiled newspaper correspondence has been the means adopted by local aspirants to the vacant mental science chair, but one of the candidates for the humbler civic position of councillor for Leith Ward has hit upon a happier plan than this. He has enlisted the services of a poetic friend — none other than Mr George Scott, the bard of Mornington — who has touched up his muse to such purpose that handbills containing seventy-two "lines in honour of James Cramond, Esq.," are, at the time of writing, being distributed broadcast among the Dunedin ratepayers. From an allusion in the earlier part of the poem to "the smiddy's din," it would appear that James Cramond, Esq , has graduated for civic honours at the anvil, but his claim is not based solely upon this training. He is, to quote the poet —
Sprung from a race of dauntless chields,
Who fought for freedom to uphold
Their country's flag; on Stirling's fields,
And spurned to have their birthright sold.
This verse is explained by a foot-note to the following effect: — "The city of Stirling, which is Mr Cramond's birthplace, overlooks the famous field of Bannockburn." Precisely. This is the kind of reasoning it is easy and pleasant to follow. If a man whose birthplace overlooks Bannockburn is entitled to a seat in the City Council, a man whose birthplace overlooks Waterloo is entitled to a chief justiceship at least, and then has not got all his deserts. But independently of these details Mr Scott works hard for his friend throughout 18 verses. The remark —
Your pounds and pence he'll wisely spend;
Good counsel's cheap at any price;
is perhaps scarcely judicious, as calculated to create an erroneous impression as to the price Mr Cramond intends to charge for his services to Leith Ward; but such a verse as the following carries conviction with it: —
The bees on tiny flowers oft swing,
And suck the modest violet's bloom;
Small words well chosen tears may bring, —
Finest jewels want little room.
If Mr Cramond in the character of a busy bee can find any modest violet in our City Council Chamber from which to suck the bloom, by all means let him have his innings. If, in addition, he can wring "well chosen tears" from any members of the Corporation all the better. Tradition says, it is long since any were shed in that assembly. The poet's closing appeal also should not be looked over: —
When the streets you're idle strolling.
Let not depression make you grin;
Please, do come early to the polling,
And slip James Cramond quietly in.
This I cordially echo, especially the second line, "Let not depression make you grin." This low-comedy depression of ours has a dangerous tendency to tickle one's fancy at improper moments, which should be resisted. Scowl sternly at it and it will vanish; but above all, slip James Cramond in. -Otago Witness, 9/1/1886.
Mr George Scott, of Mornington, has printed some verses apropos of the loss of the Taiaroa on Waipapa Point. -Evening Star, 1/6/1886.
Late Advertisements
WRECK of the s.s. Taiaroa, Pathetic Poem, illustrated, by George Scott, Mornington. Now in circulation. Can be had in any quantity from the above. -Evening Star, 1/6/1886.
Mr George Scott, the Mornington poet, announces the publication of a pathetic poem on the Taiaroa wreck. The verses are in Mr Scott's well-known style. -Otago Daily Times, 7/6/1886.
The Mornington poet, Mr George Scott, has left us a card bearing on its face a photograph of the wreck of the Taiaroa, and 20 verses on the subject written by himself. The card is very nicely got up. -Bruce Herald, 23/7/1886.
Read Clempson's Testimonials. — Poetical effusion of 16 verses, from George Scott, Mornington, is remarkably racy. -Otago Daily Times, 6/4/1887.
Mr George Scott, of Mornington, intends to issue gratuitously on Tuesday, at the unveiling of the Burns Statue, a pamphlet containing Craig’s prize poem, and Stuart’s “Lament” on the death of Burns. -Evening Star, 21/11/1887.
Death.
Scott. — On the 5th inst, at his residence, Glen avenue, Mornington, George Scott; aged 54 years. -Evening Star, 5/11/1888.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
THE Friends of the late Mr George Scott are respectfully invited to attend his funeral, which will leave his late residence, Glen avenue, Mornington, for the Southern Cemetery, TO-MORROW (Wednesday), the 7th inst., at 2.30 p.m.
HUGH GOURLEY, Undertaker, Clark and Maclaggan streets. -Evening Star, 6/11/1888.
FOR SALE, Section and House; good garden and vinery; Glen avenue, Mornington. Apply Mrs George Scott. -Evening Star, 16/3/1889.
Death.
SCOTT. — On the 10th inst. (after a painful illness), at the residence of her nephew (A. T. Napier), 32 Ann street, Roslyn, Jessie Scott, widow of George Scott, of Mornington, aged 83 years. At rest. Private interment. — Wynn and Hope. -Evening Star, 10/8/1906.
"The Poetical Works of George Scott, the Mornington Bard" (pub. 1982) can be found in the Reed Room of the Dunedin Public Library.
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