Mr Mackay and the Wife of Rewi.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 193, 22 July 1873, Page 7

Mr Mackay and the Wife of Rewi.

(Auckland Star.) " Mr Mackay has had an interview with Bowi's wife." Such is the latest telegraphic bulletin from the Front. It is in the Cross, and no doubt it is correct. We are glad to hear it. Wonder how Rewi likes it, or will like it when he hears it 1 It is the newest devolopment of Mr M'Lean's policy, the latest strategic move for subduing Maori territory. It is the peace policy bearing fruit, and it throws a halo of romance and chivalry over the horrors of anticipated warfare. "Mr Mackay has had an interview with Rewi's wife." It was courteous, it was kind ;we have no doubt it was politic. Was the interview arranged by Rewi with the object of cementing more closely the bonds of friendship by introducing the great negotiator into the bosom of his family, and into the confidences of the domestic hearth ; or was it an independent move of Mr Mackay, in the ab sence of the Chieftain, that he might approach the stern warrior through his emotional nature, and incline him more to loyalty and love of the pakeha through the powerful influence of connubial tenderness ? What he said to the dark but comely chieftainess the border scribe saith not. The time, the place, the circumstances are all unknown. To the world it maybe of no moment, to Rewi some, and we do not doubt his attention* being directed to the matter by the scribe he will make himself acquainted with a'l the circumstances. And yet we should like to know what passed on the occasion of this diplomatic convention, as we should like also to learn the ultimate results as tending to bring into closer and more intimate relationship the two races that occupy these islands ; and were we a member of the General Assembly we should certainly endeavour to throw light on this newer form of pakeha-Maori diplomacy ; Ave should enquire if the sword being sheathed for ever, it is in this way we are in future to approach and subdue the Maori; and without being chargeable with an undue spirit of curiosity we should move for a detailed report of circumstances so succinctly and baldly described as "Mr Mackay has had an interview with Rewi's wife."

A Martyr to Sciencs. The following story is vouched for by the Sa>i Francisco New* Letter, and therefore must be true. At all events it is amusing : "The power of the human eye over the brute creation is tremendous. If beset by a savage dog, simply catch his eye, and the brute will shrink and cower beneath your steady gaze. Briggs came across this valuable piece of information as he was perusing a newspaper. * Wonderful,' said he, ' wonderful, and yet so simple. In the interests of science I will try it upon .Towler's bulldog.' Now, a meaner animal than Jovvler's bulldog never worried cat. His name is William. His legs are marvels of crookedness, especially the hind ones. His eyes are yellow, and he looks out the corners of his eyes most sinisterly. His body is seamed with scat's ; not the honourable records of a hundred fights, but the impressions of lambentlyheated pokers, applied for the purpose of relaxing his grip. He ha 3 a quiet..way about him that is most beguiling. He will saunter

behind a fellow's legs looking as demure as possible, select the most fleshy part, and, without saying a word, make a huge bite and hang there, steadfastly resisting every blandishment in the way of yells, kicks, clubs, &c., to induce him to desist. Jowler lets him run loose in his back yard. With a mind conscious of rectitude, our hero climbed over the fence as calmly as Daniel enters the lions' den in Birnum's menagerie. William was at the other end of the lot, his equanimity roused to a pitch of excitement bordering on distraction by some playful boys, who were poking him with sharp sticks through the pickets ; but on seeing the intruder he made remarkable time towards him. The undaunted Briggs stooped down with his hands on his knees and hurled at the approaching animal a most searching look, enough to pierce his very soul. Now what follows may be deemed incredible by scientific men, but the truth must be told. The beast never stopped or swerved, but with erect tail and exceedingly open countenance made a straight shoot for Briggs's nose, and grabbing that organ between his teeth, hung to it like grim death to a dead darkie. ' How is this !' thought the poor man. '"' Can it be that the newspaper was wrong ? Incredible hypothesis ! I will try again.' Their faces being in most intinute propinquity the opportunity was a good one, and Briggs once more threw his whole soul into a look. He was triumph'-nit! The cause of science was never more nobly vindicated. William was petrified, entranced, mesmerised. The willforce contained in that withering glance rendered the dog so completely spell-bound that he forgot to let go Briggs's nose! This proof of the infallibility of newspapers was pleasing to him, yet his situation was becoming a little irksome ; so as a last resource he thrust his forefinger into William's eye. This broke the spell, and Briggs, taking advantage of the animal opening his month to howl, extricated his nose therefrom and. struck out for the fence ; but before, he could reach it the dog had fastened on to his rear with relentless pertinacity. The martyr to science cast a glance over his shoulder that again petrified William into unconsciousness, and things remained in statu que. until Jowler, alarmed by Briggs's cries, carat out and called off his dog. Jowler kindly pkstered up the wounded man's nose, &c, and lent him a pair of trowsers to go home in. Briggs thinks that although the experiment is a great success, it is gaining knowledge under difficulties. The symmetry of his face is gone for ever ; also the cartilage of hh nose. He may be able to sit down in a few weeks, the doctor says."