THERE IS NO HOUSE NOW.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 219, 17 September 1869, Page 2

THERE IS NO HOUSE NOW.

O The Welhngton Post thus mournfully alludes to the close of the session; — Theie is no House vow. The fietce debates and waim altercations which enlivened the Assembly Hall have died away, and utter defaolaiion leigus in the once animated ohambeis. The great champion of '• vigorous prosecution" and "centralisation"— who .clung so tenaciously,, not only to office, but to the. Ministerialresidence— has abandoned his grasp of both, and, like' a second Jason, departed Northwards, in quest of the golden fleece. His adherents are scattered far and wide : Bunny has returned to that land of Goshen ('yclept Wairarapa) to attend to his flocks and his herds, and give an account, of his stewardship to his constituents '; Haughton, the keeii, the witty, the indefatigable, has abandoned the turmoil of politics for the nonce, and betaken himself to making money, oh shares ;' the Westland members have departed in quest of milder skies, aud more genial climes, where dust and wind do not prevail ; the eloquence of the ponderous Ludlam no longer falls like music on the ears of the rapt listeners ; and the denizens ol the '• Cave " have emerged from their shaded retreat, and, in sulky humor, returned to the laud ot this pilgrims, to relate how signally, they. failed •in their attempt . to secure the power of swaying, as they chose, the destinies of the State. Those who rallied round the standard of Mr. Fox during the long sustained battle of the session, have also wended their way to the various havens or rest, after their arduous labors in the cause of their country, and only the Premier, the Defence Minister, aud the Colouial Secretary now remain. These, " like those who tread. alone some hanquet-hall deserted," flit round the scenes of their former triumphs, and muse upon their, glories passed away. Empty and crusty stands the reporters' gallery, ; no hon. councillors pushing reporters from their stools as once in days of yore ; aud the casual visitor now exclaims as he gazes on empty benches, and the vacant gallery whence the bright eyes of ladies used to glance inspiration on the senators, "Ichabod! Ichabod ! the glory has departed ! "