A HAPPY INTERLUDE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16330, 20 January 1921, Page 2

A HAPPY INTERLUDE.

SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE’S* REMINISCENCES, Over the teacups yesterday the meeting ot fair J iioinas -.viacKeuzie and ins leu low-members of the Koval Colonial institute took a very humorous turn u lien the talk suddenly went round to the substantial proportions ot the guest, and the impressive influence ot overseas giants on air airs ot state in the Old World.

The impressive physique ot Sir Thomas, said the Hon W . 11. Triggs, iu a happy after-dinner mood, had had not a little to do with the success with which lie had carried out his duties as High Commissioner. Who could look on that stalwart form, he said, and

doubt any longer of the bracing qualities of Otago and the seasoning properties of Canterbury mutton? Was ii

any wonder that at the present time there were not sHu>s enough, to ‘bring out the colonists who were clamouring

to coino to tliio favoured country which ©reduced men of such a type? It really looked as if the Government believed in this war of impressing the Motherland. because Sir Thomas s successor was another son of Otago, if not such * son of A nek—an old athlete and Rugby footballer. Then again, at \crsUlles, th© massive figure of Hie Prime Minister was received everywhere with tlje greatest respect, and created a deep impression among the delegate-? at the Peace Conference. There was nobody op more striking presence and commanding proportions than Mr Massey. Was it any wonder that after iho valour shown by New Zealand soldiers in the field, th© nation* of the earth, when they saw the Dominion represented in diplomacy by such very impressive figures, should realise that New. Zealand was a country to he taken notice of?

•Sir Thomas Mackenzie met Mr Triggs’* observations by showing how very moderate were his proportions, comparatively speaking. He said that

on© of his finst ventures to the Wild ! West. Coast, was in ©otnpanv with Sir James Allen and Professor Scott, in th© eighties, when they crossed the range and returned. That was his first attempt, and his companions looked oi him rather disdainfully as far as proportions were concerned. Then, asrairi. when he wont out with Sir George Reid to so© th© troop* in Egypt, t.he.v met a delichtfi.il Ecyptologist. a French doctor. who. finding that Sir Georg© was unit© beyond the task of walking through the Temple of Karnak. arranged to have him carried by four stalwart natives. A verr funny incident ©rose out of tb’s fa©*- He _ and Sir George were called ,l Pasha* ” in these parts. IT© hannened to he travelling next, day without Georg©., when the French doctor got into a fearful row with two native guards. He could not understand wUat it was about, but one of the natives seemed to he protesting, and stretching ont ..his arm* to the fullest extent. When the. doctor returned he said- " Well, that row was all about, you." He replied f Aes, T Thought as much.” The doctor said. “Yes. th,ey failed to salute you. I told them you were a pasha, and they said, * Wiiat! A rvasha? That'fellow rAch’ng p donkey? We <*aw the real pa*lm last night a& he ought to be. mounted on the backs of four stalwart, natives.’ ”