What Everybody Says.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1741, 1 August 1874, Page 2

What Everybody Says.

" In multitude of counsellors theer is safety —Old Provirb

That apostle of temperance, the Hon. Mr. For, is determined to' make a stand for his peculiar ideas, but there is not much chance of his seeing them earned out. The new licensing bill has been to this eccentric gentleman of extreme views what a red rag is to a bull, for 110; sooner is the new bill submitted than he makes a deliberate set at it. He is going.' to make people sober by Act of Parliament—*tl«aat he it going <to try> Bar* • maids are going to be dnren from their occupations, their employment as dispen- - sers of intoxicants rendering the employer liable to a fine of twenty ponnds. If the Good Templar Fox doesn't succeed in carrying this point, then he will propose that no barmaid under .thirty years 01 age , shall be employed; a proviso which,if carried, would be as prohibitory in effects as the clause to Uiipehae with barmaids I altogether,; for not. one of the fair Hebe's 1 who now dispense intoxicants at the bar would own to haying passed the age? of thirty. Mr. Fox is also going to abolish the practice of engaging girls to dance with men in public houses. This practice is peculiarly'<a -West Coast institution," and it is one which might very well be. put dowh'by legal'enactment.' *\Danbitig in: puplic houses with girls hired for that purpose is as questionable a proceeding as that kiss-iu-the-ri.ng .business of the Good Templars reported of some time ago. Another idea o£Mr.- Fox's-is to have the public house Uslt* fronting on the Streets with,, glass ■windows; unadorned, so; that* persons pasting outiide may see tiw peis-

ions drinking inside. This is another idea which may be characterised as pe-' culiar —very;, but' tliia reformer in the cause of temperance appears to lose his head whenever he niOunts'Shis favorite hobby. It w^ll-not surprise" anyone fo hear that he has been laughed down when the time comes for a debate on his amendments. _ It is not every member % who can say he represents a temperate.constituency; and if Mr. Fox satisfies his frienda by concentrating his energies on'attempts of a Quixotic character, other members will have to^quietly sit upon him.' His declamation may bo tolerated for §-while, but when Tie comes it too strong and too often, he had.,tetter be told to rescrrtr < hit extreme opinions foil the beloved of Qtangitikei and Eoitonj hi* kindj»d{«ptttta._ : •- W sSX'JjJ&i Members of parliament are not overburdened with modesty. " What they jran^ they; jdon't mind asking for; and thejjf fcow'jhow to ask., They have tKeir.prn vate"club.afc. t the Colony's ancf they.jiKve their honorarium', (winch in soro.?: instances amounts to more than the income they, derive from their ordinary avocations),' and now' they' want to send* andxeceive telegrams on- private .business! at press- rates. > Whether -this little «on* cession will be granted remains to be seen." They might go a litthvfuirther arid claim for themselves a right-t» isehd letters free of postage. is nothing like plenty of cheek, and certainly hon., members seem tcr think so, forthey lose, nothing for want of asking. , The great native* meeting that is to be has caused some stir,.and there are r a few things that everybody would like, .to know. Item:, When the meeting will take place, and where. What^will be done when it does take place. Whether the meeting is a little arrangement of James Mackay's to do a big stroke of business in the land purchase line, or whethei* it has been arranged by a number of private speculators' td further , their t own' ends. IJoth assertions have beerf made, and also in -refejeenoe ta-the- latter,-that -Mr. Mackay intends heing#restin£ to spoil the little game of .the speculators. . These trifling matters'everybody would.like to hear something about, and further, whether the food to. bo consumed will be paid for by the' Native Department. Peisois in the secret will be hanJsomely remunerated for any, information on these points.^ Hot one of Mr. Vbgel's J 'great schemes for the regeneration of the colony appears to have elicited such a genuine expression 1 of surprise from an honorable member of the " House " «s the proposition' to adTance fifty thousand pounds to the big pump of the Thames. It would seem to have startled -one honorable, member, whose experience oft pumps must have been very limited,, or his ideas'very contracted. His expression .of surprise has caused amusement anjtongst those who know. something of the big pump, and it has suggested the following— £50,000 FOR A PUMP! A ROMANCE. In the House of Asietably 'twas Yogel'that spoke*' ' •'• . ;- And the > members all thought he was making a joke, Bat the Premier was aerious—-by Jove he 0 i a trump— ; Ho asked them to vote fifty thou. tip our < , pump. " ' \ l Then % member who'd just been taking a *aP> • Thought this a fin* chance for having a slap ' At the Premier, so, he jumped up from his . seat, ,-. ■ ■ ; While the others looked «n expecting a treaty; . The Premier smiled—the honest member glared, v'f- > i The Speaker looked surprised, but nought he ; eared*- •. , ,* • * - - ! 11 Yes/eirj ',' for fifty thousand pounds, I ask ) this Home, ) And members won't refuse If they have any ? souse} ' The pump's a big one, and the sum's not 1 } small, 1 But you mutt vote the lpt, or none at all." ' The member on Tub f«t Btill itood," More like a piece of animated ivood . L Tkan solid flesh and bone—in weight, good sixteen atone— Says be; " What ? fifty thousand pounds To make a pump ; why, zoupdn, This puts the cap on all that ever I did hear." ] With this the astonished member left; bit place, t Erect Sis hair, and purple hue hit faoe j To Bellamy's he rushed, and there - He''found some censolatioa -for the scare He'd got—in whisky hot. The House adjourned—the watchman on his L rounds ' ■ I Was startled by. subdued and muttered sounds. ' , ■■ v j Looking about he very soon discovered A portly gent> asleep—not yet recovered. ' Disturbing dreams oppressed him as he lay, And, listening, tbe man was heard to say , "cWhat?-fifty thousand pounds—a pump! < Dmi't you believe it; you'll not get a dump." " The 1 vote was pasaed,"but ever sine* that day -f The member's voice is heard in plaintive lay—- ! In lobbies and in corridors—and most sad^- j Tis said the big pump vote has driren him ! mad. , ' '