PARADISE AND THE PERI. Tam Duncan's Version.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 99, 24 May 1902, Page 8

PARADISE AND THE PERI. Tarn Duncans Version.

THE Hon T Y. Duncan, like several other of his Ministerial colleagues, has immortalised himself. He has opened the bridge at the Gate of Heaven (Hikiorangi), and, unlike the Peri of ancient mythology, he got a latchkey that will permit him to pass his time on either side of the stream to the joy of the transpontine denizens The fact that this particular Peri who bridged the gates of heaven had whiskers, and nothing much m the shape of wings, does not detract from the picturesqueness of the modernised version of an old tale, and "Tarn" has at last won glory for himself. * ♦ ■» He will go down to history as "The Ministerial Peri at the Gate of Paradise." Most of our present Ministers have performed some feat of derring-do, or achieved some distinction for which the nations yet unborn will ever chant their praises in song and story Of the Colossus himself, the world is hearing much now, thanks to that useful institution the cable, and if the cable-rate is cheapened, the world will feel grateful that it is enabled to hear twice as much about the same subject for half the money * » • From this remote speck of scoria, the Knight of Awarua said "Let there be iimversal penny postage," and it was even so. Someday, when future historians are writing up the era that embraces the reign of King Dick, they will couple the name of Rowland Hill and Joseph Ward If we were asked m what way the genial Native Minister had gained distinction, we should say by being chosen from among all his colleagues as a personal friend of tne Prince of Wales. If refusing an invite to stay with royalty is not self denial, we shall be glad to receive samples of the virtue for comparison ♦ * • Curious that Australian Ministers, hearing that Timi Kara had been invited to the Prince's palace, did not perform the wild literary deeds usual with them when a New Zealander steps m where Australians dare not tread Thus, Mr. Carroll is the cause of the establishment of a precedent. He will probably be remembered, m years to come, as the Maori chief who took the troops Home m March, 1903, and, when that time comes, the Prince of Wales may be able to effect his capture. • • • There is but one saint m the Ministerial calendar, and he is, unfortunately, patron of but a small portion of this island The "Patron Saint of Taranaki," the Hon. W. HallJones, may, m the history hereinbefore referred to, be classed with the celebrities among whom St. Patrick has been numbered. Fortunately, the country is less distressful than ould Ireland, and there are no snakes to drive out of it, so that Saint William's occupation, is a peaceful one when there's plenty of work for the navvies. There is reasonable hope that there will be ample time for the rest of the Ministry to do something remarkable. It is not given to every man to have the key of Heaven's gate, or to be invited to be guest at the table of the King's son. It will be with difficulty that another Minister will rise to the proud position of a saint — at least here, and certainly no one will achieve universal penny postage a second time What budding Ministers may accomplish we know not. The colony has already been introduced to the future Attorney-General, Mr. Napier, by the Premier, and "Ironsand" E. M. Smith threatens to sit at the right hand of Dick m less than no time. • * «■ A country never knows what is m store for it. But we are going too far ahead. We are talking of pre-sent-day Ministers, not giving tips for their future. The other members besides the distinguished ones catalogued are not specially remarkable except for wit and brains, but,

perhaps, with the incentive of the brightened wits of the sixty pounders to spur them to deeds, not words, during the coming session, they may yet find a place in the luminous pages of history. At any rate, Tarn Duncan may now lift up his voice, and sing — " J °y> joy, for ever, my task is done, The gates aie passed, the bridge is won."