NOTES FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1852, 20 May 1887, Page 14

NOTES FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

BY PEARL PEN.

Wellingtg^ May 10. Now here is just a passing glance at a few old friends and hon. members of the House of Representatives. Imprimis. There's the versatile V. P. still well to the fore, •Looking gallant and gay as ever of yore ; On (jolafields he's great, and he's never at sea On '• feminine rights "—between you and me. Then Nelßon, a city of somnolent renown, Sends M.H.K.'s as noted as is their pretty town : Per ■ example, there's one— he's not unknown to fame — A dapper little gentleman, one Leveofcam by name* K. J. Seddon's as dauntless and sturdy to-day k As when he first cleared a political way O'er Kumara'a mounds to a senator's seat, Where to hear him orate is & genuine treat. A smart lawyer is Menteath> of Eeefton renown, Who one day will don a judge's silk gown ; Meanwhile he's a member of very fair show. Wot at all too " talkee," and guileless of " blow." The brave " Buller lion " can blarney and bounce, And vow for our rulers he cares not an ounce ; But like the old monarch he's wary and bold, And does not intend to be left in the cold. Fergus the fiery must have a special note, For when the Franchise Bill come 3on The fair ones want to get his vote ; And if he'll only plead their cause In softened tones and low, They'll put him in office with a nice portfolio.

But I must really stop rhyming and become serious, and I may do so with reason, for rumour iiath it that there will not be any entertainments given of a particularly grand or extensive character during the present season in Wellington. The real wherefore of this I cannot now explain. Several causes are assigned, but with so small a show of reasonableness in any one of them that I refrain from putting them forward. One thing is certain— namely, that just at the present time we are nothing if not economical ; 80 it may perchance be that motives of thrift lie beneath this decision, which, alas ! threatens to deprive us of some at least of the sessional gaieties. But, after all, I dare say there will be more than enough in the way of festivity to satisfy the most frivolous amongst us. At any rate the season has started very fairly despite these forebodings, the Ministerial dance at the Premier's residence last Saturday being the first of the, series, and was in every respect an unqualified success, although it is to be regretted that larger rooms are not available, as the crush is apt to become decidedly uncomfortable at times. However, in this instance everything that could possibly be accomplished for the convenience and enjoyment of the numerous guests was most skilfully managed, and Lady Stout is at all times a charming hostess.

The "Lords" love comtort and cosiness above all things. And why not? For what would life be worth but for a little luxury to eoften its asperities ? At any rate Legislative Councillors recognise and are indeed sworn votaries of the Epicurean philosophy. Well, the weather was execrable, very wet and altogether unpleasant, and a well- known gallant colonel was expected to appear in full uniform to assist at a State function of some little importance, and so fires were lighted in the legislative chamber to counteract the evil effects of draught and damp. But, alas for the expected cpmfort! the fires being lighted for the first time this wiater refused to burn properly, the flues declining to draw or something of that sort. Now we all know that smoke is at all times conducive to somnolence, and it was so in this case, for as the vast hall filled with vapour one hon. member gave vigorous nasal evidence to the fact that he was completely overpowered by the smoke -beclouded atmosphere, and for some time both smoke and snores interfered in some degree with the eloquence of various speakers.

Mr Pyke was unfortunate enough to forfeit his right of speaking in the debate on the Representation Bill before it went into committee, and the irascible gentleman was exceeding wroth thereat, making things quite lively in the House far a little while. The mischance was purely accidenta], for Mr Pyke was busily writing at his desk in the House at the time, and did not hear Mr Hamlin (who was acting as Speaker in the absence of Sir Maurice O'Rorke) ask if any other hon. member wished to speak, and as there was no response the Premier rose in reply, and it was several minutes before Mr Pyke discovered the fact that his opportunity had gone by. Then V. P. raged exceedingly. And, by the way, what a curiously unattractive measure is this same Representation Bill in committee. While lam writing this it is being pulled about, hashed up, torn into shreds, and patched up again by hon. members in a most extraordinary way. Some of these gentlemen want it just as it is, while others won't have it at any price — not at any rate in its present form. Some loudly declare the bill a farce, but others more far-seeing consider that future requirements will be met most adequately by the bill as it now stands — and so on, and so on. How it will ultimately fare yet remains to be seen.

Some hon. members are much given to the use of Scriptural quotation and illustration in their speeches. The other day the member for Timaru, while speaking on a certain measure, likened his opponents to the Ephesian silversmiths, to the no small amusement of the House.

The very highest authority has declared it bad form to be put out or worried by anything but the Divorce Court. Nevertheless I am of opinion that missing your tramcar, which you are just in time to see turning the next street corner, leaving you more than a mile away from the house which you desire to reach at a given time, is enough to put out and aggravate the most patient of people. Such ill chance befell me yesterday, but, thank goodness ! I was not alone in my evil fortune, for a well-known member not only of the House of Representatives but also of the legal profession also came tpo late upon the scene, and looking intensely disgusted was evidently inclined to give way to profanity, from which wicked impulse my presence saved him. At any rate we walked on together as companions in misfortune, facing the biting wind and blinding dust as best we might. Now it appears that the hon. member for has been studying " chirosophy" of late as a slight relaxation from politics and law, and on this occasion was brimful of his newly-acquired knowledge of the art, and like Mr Heron Allen, founder of the "cult," was qujte prepared to tell everybody the events of their lives by the appearance of and lines upon their hands. lam myself sceptical about this same science of palmistry, and do not believe it possible for anyone to discover that one

man has killed another simply from a peculiar line perceptible on the joint of his thumb, as Mr Allen claims to have done. So I gravely advise Mr = to test his skill upon the bands of his brother barristers in the House, for if one-half of what the late Lord Shaf tesbury used to say of lawyers be true, then indeed might he some "curious tales unfold" for our amusement. In his diary the late earl inveighs against lawyers in suoh a merciless way that one naturally concludes he must at some period of his life had experiences of legal amenities that were not of the most agreeable kind. "They are harpies," he bitterly exclaims, " who multiply business, and charge prodigiously at every step of it. They send in accounts which it is utterly impossible to check, and they lure you on in your ignorance, like Circe, and then turn you to a hog, a monkey, a bat, and certainly a fool." Not nattering certainly, but I suppose a germ of truth lurks within the husk of bitterness.

" Ngatitawharetoa" is the sweet but decidedly unpronounceable name of the Maori tribe who have recently through then- liberal old chief, Te Heuhau, so generougly ceded to the colony an immense tract of fine country as a public park. And most certainly we may rejoice in the acquisition, for not even our American cousins, who are so given to boast of their " big things," will be able to approach us now in this particular kind of show ground, for our National Park will be the largest in the world. Only think of a park containing two magnificent mountains — namely, Tongariro and Ruapehu, which are situated within the area — as well as a full-grown and active but harmless volcano (Ngarauhoe). Surely such attractions as these will doubtless offer ought to draw crowds of tourists to our shores, if only to do a little Alpine climbing. Mr Ballance will introduce a bill with the object of having the land set apart for ever, and the site vested in three trustees. And assuredly every colonist will feel indebted to the generous chief and his tribe for their noble gift.

The session is now in full swing, with plenty of business before hon. members to keep them fully occupied \ and although there are no doubt some pretty sharp curves along the line that will have to be taken, leaders of parties are prepared, and will be found quite equal to emergensies as they arise. At the present moment a prominent member of the Opposition is giving vent to his feelings anent the well-worn question of " depression " in most dismal style. By the way, what a droll idea is that of dancing away depression, and what a pity it is that we can't dance it out of New Zealand at any rate. It is a well*known fact that in certain provinces of Japan it is the custom when an epidemic breaks out, and the people are in consequence cast down and sore depressed in mind, for the Government of that most interesting country to immediately order the performance of a dance called the Kamogawan-odori. This is at once notified in the Gazette, and celebrated with due ceremony, and the sj)irits of the people are thereby aroused out of their lethargic condition, and their bodily health greatly improved.

Immense audiences nightly assemble at the Opera House to witness " lolanthe," which at present holds the stage, and which appears to be a greater favourite with the public than was " The Mikado." The downstairs portion of the house is invariably packed, while the family and dress circles are also liberally patronised. As this opera was produced in Dunedin, it would of course be superfluous for me to give a description of the various scenes and plot ; suffice it to say that, from the time lolanthe is seen amongst the lilies until the "curtain falls at the conclusion of the opera the applause is almost continuous.

When strolling through the Museum here one day lately in search of any new additions to the not over-extensive collection of things rare and curious, and which, en passant, I overheard a certain scientific gentleman characterise as " but little more than a collection of dry bones," I actually lighted in my research upon a perfect treasure in the shape of a medium-sized case of the most beautiful Brazilian butterflies imaginable. In variety of form and brilliancy of colour they far excel anything that I have seen before. Upon inquiry I found that this really valuable collection has been recently presented to the Museum by the Hon. Mr Waterhouse. It would be well if this generous example might be followed by a few more contributions to this institution of objects of art or rare curios of any kind. A few really good paintings, for instance, would be I am sure a very welcome addition to those which at present adorn its walls.