The Daily Telegraph. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1889.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5549, 12 June 1889, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1889.

In the absence of any political agitation, und.no great questions being before tho country, it is no easy matter for a public man to make an interesting speech. Mr. Ormond, however, overcame the difficulties of the position, and for two hours and a-quarter hist night ho kopt his audience thoroughly interested. At times Mr. Ormond "became almost humorous, and more thai oncu provoked a laugh. As a rule tho member for Napier is a dreadfully dry speaker: adhering rigidly to solid facts, ho never soars into the realms of fancy, but depends ou the importance of his matter to enchain his audience. Now, most audiences consist of all sorts and conditions, of whom tho thoughtful and the earnest who tako a deep interest in the welfare of the couutry form but a small minority. There are numbers of people who fancy they aro politicians and know more than a Mr. Ormond can tell thorn, and theso are just thesortof men who arc on " pins and needles" all the time ho is speaking. These wise-acres were not very conspicuous at last night's meeting, 'lhcy reserve their forces for election times, when thoy make their presence known by boo-hooing common sense and sterling worth, and hurrahing humbug and tinsel. In the absence of these amusing adjuncts to a public meeting, Mr. Ormond last night might havo been delivering a lecture on missionary progress in Africa for all the enthusiasm or warmth that was shown. Everybody was so extremely decorous that it appeared that each one was afraid to disturb the solemnity of the proceedings. Tho result was that Mr. Ormond told a plain unvarnished tale, every word of which foil on listening ears, and his audience went away with somethiug to ; think about and to remember.