POLITICAL POT POURRI.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 64, 3 December 1881, Page 185

POLITICAL POT POURRI.

— Major Jackson's prospects of election are regarded as morally certain. j — Mr W. J. Hurst was met hurrying down Q.ueen-street the other day, and being asked the reason for his hot haste, replied, " Oh, I've a Weighty niattah on hand just now !" — Mr Alderton, candidate for Marsden, in. returning to Whangarei, having addressed the gum-diggers at Maunga-Karamea, was thrown from his horse and had his hand hurt and eye blackened. Report suggests that a gum-digger has been dressing him down. — Ib is reported in weE informed circles, that a, certain city candidate whose prospects of election are about on a par with a forlorn hope, was merely induced to stand by the vanity of his wife, who likes to see Ids name coupled in the newspapers with any other that possesses prestige. ■ — •" What seat are yovi going up for ?" asked a friend of Mr Rees. "Well" replied the distinguished cricketer, in a sporting tone, " anything that offers." Mr Rees appears to regard an election contest very much in the light of a turn at the wicket. — This is what the Parnell electors are saying : — With, our old " fossil Member" we'll very well jog, Though with " Moss on the land " we are sure to have bog; But all Education reformers will funk At placing our schools in the hauds of a Monli ! — We have reason to believe that the Conservative candidate for City East was fixed in his intention long ago, but kept from declaring himself until " the great Pro-consul " had spokenIt was no doubt a well-laid plan : — Said J. M. Clark, " I'll keep me dark, And burst at once in the blaze of day !" But ere he spoke, The morning broke. And the East all o'er wns tinged with. Grey ; And the flickering spark Of J. M. Clark Appeared but a weak, expiring ray ! — Believers in the transmigration of souls imagine that many of the characteristics of certain animals are reproduced in human beings. The action of some candidates in the present election lends a colour of probability to the theory. They resemble some of the canine species in the meekness with -which they court a whipping, in fact they rather appear to like it. — Scene: Q.ueen-street. Candidate for suburban constituency (ironically) — "Does not Sir George G-rey talk a lot of nonsense ?" City candidate-— "Yes, and I'm the man to shew him xip." Sub-

urban candidate. " And what an absurd thing on his part to risk defeat by you ?" City candidate. " Well, the fact is, Ido not expect to win, but I shall be satisfied if I poll -within a few votes of his number." — Mr Reos will do a little rat-catching at the Theatre Eoyal this (Friday) evening. — Some leading Orangemen are disgusted with the interference of the order in political contests. — Sir George Grey addresses a public meeting •at Hamilton West this (Friday) evening. — McGee delivered a capital speech at Panmure, and received a unanimous vote of confidence. He is working vigorously. — Mr Dargaville's chances for City "West were considered very fair until lie was seen walking arm-in-arm and discussing the electoral roll with Old Nickum. — The contest in Eden Avill be very close. Messrs Tole, Bruce, and Wood go to the poll, and the odds are small either way. Some of the friends of Bruce and Wood would be glad to see one of them retire. Their chances arc about even. — Mr Monk was only the " machine" lie says in rediicing the employes' wages to starvation point. Being a machine himself, he would have made machines of others. This, of course, Avill make the working men of Parnell exceedingly anxious to vote for him. — The future Premier and Colonial Treasurer (W. F. Buckland), came out in bad form at Mr Harris' meeting in Howick. He continued interrupting the speaker and when called to order by the chairman he said, " You shut-up and hold your jaw, I came hear to speak and I don't mean to slop for you." After a lengthy harangue — he called it a personal explanation — he asked several questions, most of which were of a most absurd character. After Avhieh Mr Harris gave him a hot quarter-of-an-hour amidst the cheers of about 60 eleetoi's. Mr Buckland produced a letter he had received from a Mr Forbes and read it to the meeting. On Mr Harris substantiating the statements be asked people to accomjjany him to Harris' meeting— he meant to make a h — of a toav there. — Mr Thomas Bailey, of Waitara, having declined a rcqxiisition from the elector-s of Taranaki—late Grey and Bell — to represent them in Parliament, the district is again afflicted for the next Parliament with that persevering billetImnter, Mr Robert Trimble, better known by the alias of the "Kurnle." Doubtless he -will be able to secure himself some permanent post, as he has done for others of his family. The electors of Taranaki fail to discover a single matter of good to the district performed by him or through his influence, beyond his advocacy of female suffrage, free trade in liquors, and last, his advocacy of the " Chinese" cause. The "Kurnle" asserted in Parliament that the Chinese were " equal, if not superior, to Englishmen." Mr Trimble, alias the " Kurnle," hails from Ireland and several other countries, Avhorc he has heen a failure. — It was Mr DonoA'an, an Emerald Isle elector, avlio thus addressed Mr Kelly at his meeting in jS"cw Plymouth a few days ago : — D.: " I want to ax ye a qucshtin, Misthcr Kelly. If returned to Parliament, Avill ye vote for shutting up the auld jintleman in Taranaki Avith Hiroki ?" Mr Kelly : " The old gentleman ! Who do you mean ?" D. : " Och, luk at that iioav ! Gammon ye are ignorant." Mr Kelly : "Do you mean the old gentleman, his Satanic majesty ?" D. : " Och ! that jintleman is a rale jintleman compared to the Taranaki auld jintleman." Mr Kelly: "Well, avlio are you driving at?" D. : " I mane the auld jintleman that dhraAvs six hundred a year fur keepin' the Maori shwindlo agoin', agoin." Mr Kelly: "Do you refer to Mi- ?" D. : "Ay cooirao I do." Mr Kelly : "Well, I don't know that I would vote for shutting him up ■with Hiroki." D. : " Och ! be jabers he desarvos it." Mr Parris beat a retreat at the double out of the room, and Mr Kelly was pledged to A-ote to abolish the N"atiA~e Department.