" Even As You And I"

(With Apologies)

A Fool there was, and he lived “up there,"

Even as you and I; And he made a home, with toil and care, Even as you and I.

And he trained many natives with fuzzy hair, Then the Jap came down like the wolf from its lair, And the Fool was sent to Australia fair, Even as you and I.

And the Pool lost everything he had, Even as you and I: And he cussed like hell, and went ruddy near mad, Even as you and I.

For the Army took all they needed, begad!

Yea! His ox, and his ass, e’en his presents from Dad, And when the Fool heard it, he felt pretty bad, Even as you and I.

And the Fool thought the Army his losses would pay, Even as you and I; But the answer he got, when he queried, was “NAY!”

Even as you and I.

With the word “consequential” he wasn’t au fait, When to “damages” it was conjoined, as they say, Thus the Fool has great losses in every way, Even as you and I.

Foolsmate.

A collection of carved bamboo boxes from Bougainville has been purchased by the Auckland (NZ) Institute and Museum for £5O. The collection, which comprises 264 pieces made by the Rev. A. H. Voyce while he was in the Northern Solomons, will be added to the Museum’s Melane sian section of ethnological exhibits.