Recreations of Queensland statesmen.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4419, 12 July 1884, Page 4

Recreations of Queensland statesmen.

It is said that one night, after a most festive dinner, a member of tho Cabinet, wellknown for his admirable stylo of dress a d a gentleman who, for the salto of tho story, we will call Mr Green, being in that sentimental state which a good dinner and a large quantity of champagne sometimes produce, determined on their way homo to pay a visit of rcspoct to tho grave of a mutual friend not long dead. They Rtoppcd tho cab outside the cemetery, and whilst groping about (for the night was darkand wet) a kangaroo rat jumped up. Away went all thoughts of tho dead friend, and helter-skelter after tho kangaroo rat rushed tho Cabinet Minister and our friend Mr Green. After, however, falling over graves and tombstones, tho chaso had to bo abandoned, and our friends stood wet and mud-bespattered among tho tombs. Mr Green was equal to the occasion. " Let us frighton the cabman," suggested he. No sooner suggested than done. So, pulling their coats and waistcoats off, this worthy couple arranged their shirts outside their nether garments, and covered their heads with pocket-handkerchiefs. In this guise they crawled through the wot grass, and, suddenly emerging into the road, raised an unearthly shout under the cabman's very noso; but, alas for tho sceno ! the latter was fast asleep, and nothing but a shaking would wake him! Imagine Mr Gladstono or Lord Derby being tho hero of such a story as this. We can hardly fancy even such smaller stars as Mr Mundella or Sir Henry James under tho circumstances ; and yet, in Queensland, Cabinet Ministers* are openly chaffed about such things in tho club.— " The Never Never Land," by A, W, Sterling.