THE AMBASSADOR'S RETURN.

New Zealander, Volume XXI, Issue 2265, 3 November 1864, Page 4

THE AMBASSADOR'S RETURN.

[A DRAMATIC FRAGMENT.] (FROM THE " LYTTELTON TIMES," OCT. 18.) Scene I.— Auckland. —.4 room in Government House. Sir George Grey and Mr. Reader Wood sitting doivn. — The latter in shiny face and clothes, as just arrived from England. Sir George.—You see, Wood, I can't get on with these men. There's Mr. Whitaker—he says such nasty things ; in the whole course of my life I never was treated so rudely, not even by Domett. Wood.— (Sympathizing.) —Ah, yes; he always does it; everybody says the same thing ; he does it even to me. Sir George.—Then there's Russell. Why, he assumes regal airs—orders the General and the troops about—and makes war on his own account. I can't even get a run up to Kawau without going to him and begging for one of his steamers. Wood.—Yes, yes ; a presuming kind of young fellow —hasn't any manners, hasn't Russell—never went into society. (Hem). When I wa3 last at the Countess of Sir George.—As for Gillies, he sits and sneers at me ; I can make nothing out of Gillies; it's not the least use talking to him. Wood.—Well, lie is rather pig-headed, is Gillies; but he's not bad-tempered ? Sir George.—Oil no, he's never out of temper ; but he always says something about Colonel Browne. They always harry me about Colonel Browne. Wood. —Well, but you get on well with Fox, don't you ? Sir George.—Oh dear, no ! Fox gets so angry and red in the face. vVe used to agree in 1861, and of course I trv to go back to that time ; but whenever I remind him of what he used to say, then he gets so red in the face and looks so angry. I don't know what's the matter with him, Wood. — (Uneasily) —Well, sir, you know things are very much altered since our Ministry in 1861. Sir George.—Not at all, Wood, I assure you. If I had been allowed to do anything, I should have settled it all in six months. But I have no power—the Ministry won't allow me to make peare. Wood.—Not allow your Excellency to make peace? Sir George.—No ; won't hear of it. They keep urging on the war, and closing up every avenue of peace. Wood. —Dear me, dear me! Why, I promised Mr. Cardwell Sir Geouge.—That's it. When Mr. Cardwell's dispatch came out, so fully accepted by you, Wood, you know, and in such a way—so frank and unreserved —I thought we might get on ; but it's worse and worse. They harry m<» out of my life. Wood. — (Rising in haste.) —-I must go over and see them about this. My promises—Mr. Cardwell—my reputation—cau't hold office men who've been in society—pledged to the best society— (Exit, muttering.) Sir George.— (Aside.) —Oh, you goose! Scene II. —The Cabinet. Messrs. Whitaker, Fox, Russell, Gillies. Enter Mr. Reader Wood. ' Wood.—Why, Whitaker, Grey says you harry his life out, proloug the war, and close up the avenue s to peace. Whit.—Did he tell you that ? Wood.—Yes, he did. Whit. —Write him a"Minute, Fox; it'll be No 14,672 [Fox writes. Russell.—What does he say about me ? Wood.—He says you won't let him have a steamer to go to Kawau. Whit.—What does he say about the prisoners ? Wood. —He says he had nothing to do with them ; it's all Fox and Russell. Whit.—Oh, what a confounded 1 ■. Wood.— (Shocked.) —My dear Whitaker, how can you ? People in Society don't Fox.— (Interrupting.) — Here's the Minute. [Gives it to Whitaker.] Whit.—That'll do ; he must answer Yes or No. Wood.— (Bewildered.) —Yes or No to what ? Whit.—Never you mind. [Rings ; Enter Gisborne ; whisper and exit G.J Wood.—Well, but you know this is a very serious thing, indeed. I promised Cardwell Gillies. —Drat Cardwell ! Wood.—Oh, that's all very well; but I pledged myself to a good many people in society Whit.—Oh, d a your society. Wood.— (Greatly shocked.)— Now, really, Whitaker, how can you ? Besides, I thought Fox would be 6ure to go for a just and temperate policy. Fox.— (Getting red in the face.) —Mind I always said I was for war if they wouldn't submit. [Enter Gisborne. Gis. —Here's something from Government House. (Hands official to Fox.) Fox.- -(Reads.) —"The Governor acknowledges the receipt of Ministerial Minute No. 14,672, and in replybegs to state to his responsible advisers that Mr. Wood has correctly reported what took place in conversation this morning between the Governor and Mr. Wood. It is certainly the opinion of the Governor that Ministers are urging on unnecessarily the prosecution of the present unhappy war, and have closed up all the avenues to peace. The Governor thinks it the more necessary to state this plainly, because he is persnaded that Ministers would desire the natives to be most leniently and generously treated, and because he cannot doubt that they are actuated by the sincerest wish for the termination of hostilities, and the establishment of a speedy and honourable peace." Chorus of W. F. R. and G.—Oh, th« confounded hound ! Wood.— (With dignity) —I am grieved to hear this. After such a statement by the Governor, I have only one course to pursue. It is impossible for me, considering my promises to Cardwell and the statements I always made in society— Gillies.—Bother, your society ! Wood.— (Solemnly) —Made in society that we should pursue the just and temperate policy of the New Zealand Settlement Act, as limited in its operation by the despatch of 26th April; it's impossible for me to remain in the Ministry. The rest.— (With shouts of laughter)— What ? Wood.—Yes, I feel I must resign, in justice to my own reputation in so— Whit.—My dear fellow, you needn't trouble yourself. IJ'« are going to resign. Fox, send in the Minute at once, No. 11,673. [Fox glees Gisborne a Minute.~\ Wood.—Good GeJ ! [Exeunt.