"WILL YE NO COME BACK AGAIN? "

NZ Truth, Issue 1051, 14 January 1926, Page 4

"WILL YE NO COME BACK AGAIN? "

IN the old clays, when Christchurch was little more than a village, a certain young man had then more than a word to, say m all that was going on. He had visions of a big city, and he imprinted his mark on quite a few social and civic institutions! He was not altogether content with parish pump politics, and his next move was to' collar a seat m Parliament. He pushed his way there, and finished up as Minister of Education and Labor. Then he packed his grip and sailed for England, where lie settled down fora bit as Agent-General m London. But that job did not last indefinitely, and when he came to Jook round for: fresh fields to conquer, he found m the Big Smoke ample outlet for his talents., . . . • ■ . . : ■ : :■ He made good, and besides a few books which brought him literary fame -hQ da;bbled m banking, a very successful venture for him. Fortune .smiledii^pori |him, but the years were getting on, and he turned his thoughts to ! liisv eai^ly^days arid decided to look up the' city of his ' youth. :. 'seyeyaj?: weeks past, .Lne name of the- Hon. Pember. Reeves has hit the eye of ; the|; newspaper reader every day, for he is not shy of publicity. He.h as been talking more than a mouthful on a variety of subjects, including Imperialism, art, the "good old days," and what not. Receptions, dinners, luncheons, . and "at homes" have been showered on the prodigal irom all quarters of select Christchurch, and he has been basking m the rays of the adulation of his old friends. . . . . But, sad to relate, Pember Reeves is not expected to make a prolonged stay m the city and land of his youth, about which be has raved m such impassioned phrases lately. Rumor hath it that London is calling and that he will be returning there once more. , Of course, there are unkind people who think that the Flat City's famous son should spend the evening of his ■ days— for he is no chicken — m the old place and give the benefit of his wide knowledge to the community. ■He. has talked, enough about the wonders and advantages of the Dominion. • But, quoth rumor, London calls. Funny, ain't it?