POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 12, 15 January 1912, Page 7

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

An Auckland telegram says that, speaking at a social tendered by Mr Lang. M.P., to his election committees, Mr Massey said thiat he Party would gain larger individual aggregate majorities if forced to appeal to th& country again within Twelve months. ' . - Mr Massey at Mr Lang's social said that with increased numbers the party must assume a greater responsibility. It must give effect to the reforms which it had advocated for many years, and which were urgently needed. A favorite slander against the party was that if the Opposition was allowed to become the Government it would immediately reduce the wages of the workers, especially those in the State employ. No viler slander had ever been uttered. The reform party was ready for anything that may come along, he said, amid.st applause.

An unfortunate accident befel a httle girl, seven years of age, named Vera Irvino, daughter of Mr 13. Irvine, of the Grand Hotel staff, Ilotoraa, on Saturday afternoon. The child, in. the absence of her mother, jyoured kerosene on some embers that v.ere in the fireplace, intending to ),>nito the fire before her mother's return. The resulting flame severely burned the child about the neck, face, ar-.d head. The unfortunate girl suffered great agony, bub the results nnglit easily have been irfore serious had it not been for the presence of mind of an elder sister who was present, • and who pluckily enveloped her sister in a covering Avhieh fcho hastily secured, afterwards applying vaseline to the affected parts. Dv McDongall was soon in attendance and did all in his power lor the unfortunate little sufferer, who is now progressing favorably.