STRAY LEAVES. FROM "PEARL PEN'S"NOTE BOOK.

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 10 July 1890, Page 32

STRAY LEAVES. FROM " PEARL PEN'S " NOTE BOOK.

Anyone having a strong penchant for really good music should pay a visit to the Catholic Cathedral in Wellington, where one invariably hears the very best of its kind. I recently attended Divine service in that sacred edifice, and, apart from the enjoyment derived from the exquisitely rendered music, I heard one of the most praotioal and common-sense sermons that I have listened to for many a day. Preaching on the Christian virtues, the reverend gentleman said : — " There are many among you calling yourselves Christiana. Well, you may be so in theory, but, alas ! not so in heart, for you lack the greatest of all the Christian virtues — that of charity. So far indeed are you from practising this towards one another that you spend whole afternoons going from house to house drinking tea, telling lies, and tearing each others' characters to pieces. No one is safe or sacred from you." I have quoted the preacher's own words, which bore no uncertain sound, but were, on the contrary, pealed forth from the pulpit wich a fearless eloquence that spoke volumes.

Sir Harry Atkinson was accorded a warm welcome when he appeared in tha House last Wednesday night, hearty oheers greeting him from both sides of the chamber the instant he arrived upon the scene. The Premier looked sadly pale and worn as he rose to his feet and thanked the House for its cordial reception, informing hon. members that as his medical adviser considered it absolutely dangerous for him to attempt to deliver the Financial Statement himself, that office would be undertaken by the Postmaster-general, who thereupon read the lengthy Statement in a rather monotonous voice that made the endless quotations of figures buzz in one's head like bees in a hive, and thore was many a long-drawn sigh of infinite relief when the reading — lasting two hours — came to a olose. There was a pretty fair attendance of the public, but certainly the galleries were not —■as I have frequently seen them on like occasions—packed to suffocation. People do nob appear to take such a keen interest in political affairs as they did in past years. The excitement is not so intense even in so called political circles as it used to be. The Premier's retention of office will doubtless be made the raison d'etre for many a fierce attack from the Opposition benches during the present week, with what effeot remains yet to be seen. But why Ministers and members alike should descend to such disgraceful personalities in the course of debate it is impossible for the impartial onlooker to say. It used to be thought that New South Wales had a monopoly of parliamentary turbulence, but I question whether a casual viaitor to the House of Representatives in New Zealand, wh ) chanced to be present during the progress of a heated discussion, would not think other* wise.

Sir George Grey looks his age this session, but then ho has not been in health of late. Yet,. whop he prepares to address the House first pulling off with grave deliberation the warm over- • coat he usually wears in the chamber, and then, coming well to the front of the benches, gradually warms up, and grows eloquent on the theme - of some pet measure ho is bent upon carrying through— one cannot fail to see that there is still a fitful power about thelold veteran, say/ what they may of his decadence. At any ratehe worsted the legal fraternity, w,ho so obstinately opposed the second reading of his Law Practitioners Bill, although such a measurecarried into law would unquestionably be a grave mistake. Our old and esteemed friend,. Mr Vincent Fyke, olad in a large check cloak, looks as if he had made up his mind to live and look young for another half century at the very least. Both Mr Bryce and Mr Ballance are in excllent form this year. The former gentleman it w b a pleasure to see in the House again. The genial member for Eumara is, as usual, very much en evidence, as are also the Messrs Fish and Fisher, both of whom are glib of tongue and ready in debate, although differing widely in general characteristics.

Glancing over the assemblage, composed as it is of men as varied in intellectual capacities and attainments as in physical appearaaces, one cannot help wondering who among them will occupy the same benches after the general election.

The presence of the late Mrs Batklin in the Ladies' Gallery was well known to be a " power for good," and it may therefore be said of her with truth that she is sadly missed; Emphatically a gentlewoman, she was courteous to all, yet anything like conversation oarried on above a whisper, or the slightest breach of the rigid decorum obtaining of neoessity in that portion of the House, was instantly and mercilessly 11 frowned down " if within the radius of her eye or ear ; so that any lady wishing, like herself, to listen quietly and comfortably to a debate, could do so with ease. Then, too, the information she possessed on points bearing upon parliamentary procedure was invaluable to the^ novice in such matters, and she was ever ready to impart this knowledge to the intelligent inquirer, Well, she is gone, and the gallery knowsher no more, but the name of Mrs Batkin will, always remain associated with its early history.

The dance on Thursday at Government House' is the event of the week, about which I shall have something to say in my next.

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