THE AMBASSADOR'S RETURN.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2121, 29 October 1864, Page 5

THE AMBASSADOR'S RETURN.

[a dramatic fragment.] Scene I. — Auckland. — A room in Government House. — Sir George Grey and Mr Header "Wood sitting down. — The latter in shiny face and clothes, as just arrived from England. Sie Geoege. — You see, "Wood, I can't got on with these men. There's Mr Whitaker — he says such nasty things ; in the whole course of my life I never was treated so rudely, not even by Domett. "Wood. — (Syn^athizing.) — Ab, yes; be always docs it; everybody says tho same thing ; be does it even to me. Sie Geoege, — Then there's Eussell ; wby, be assumes regal airs— orders the General and tbe troops about — and makes war on bis own account. I can't even get a run up to Kawan witbout going to bim and begging for one of bis steamers. "Wood. — Yes, yes ; a presuming kind of young fellow — bas'nt any manners, has'nt Eussell — never went into society — (hem). — When I was last at the Countess of Sir Geoege — As for Gillies, be sits and sneers at me ; I can make nothing ont of Gillies ; its not the least use talking to bim. Wood. — Well, be is rather pig-headed, is Gillies : — but bo's not bad tempered ? Sie Geoege. — Ob no, he's never out of temper ; but be always says something about Colonel Browne. Tbey always barry me about Colonel Browne. Wood. — Well, but you get on well witb Fox, don't you ? Sie Geobge. — Ob dear no ! Fox gets so angiy and red in tbe face. We used to agree in 1861 ; and of course I try to go back to tbat time ; but whenever I remind bim of what be used to say tben, be gets so red in the faee and looks so angry. I don't know wbat's tbe matter witb bim. Wood. — (Uneasily.) — Well, sir, you know tbings are very much altered since our Ministry in 1861. Sin Geoege. — Not at all, Wood, I assure you. If I bad been allowed to do anything, I should have settled it all in six months. But I have no power — the Ministry won't allow me to make peace. Wood. — Not allow your Excellency to make peace ? Sie Geoege. — No ; won't hear of it. They keep urging on tbe war, and closing up every avenue of peace. Wood. — Dear me, dear me ! Why, I promised Mr Cardwell ■ 5 | Sie Geobge. — That's it. Wben Mr Cardwell's dispatch came out, bo fully accepted by you, Wood, you know, and in such a way — so frank and unreserved — I thought we might get on ; but its worse and worse, they harry me out of my life. ' Wood. — (Rising in haste.) — I must go over and see them about this. My promises— Mr Cardwell — my reputation — can't hold ofßce — men who've been in society — pledged to the best society — (Exit, muttering.) Sie Geoege. — (Aside.)— Oh you goose ! Scene II. — The Cabinet. Messrs Whitaker, Fox, Russell, Gillies. Enter Mr Header Wood. Wood. — Why, Whitaker, Grey says you harry bis life out, prolong tbe war, and close up the avenues to peace. Whit. — Did he tell you tbat ? Wood. — Yes, he did. Whit.— Write him a Minute, Fox ; it'll be No. 14,672. Fox writes. Eussell. — What does he say about me ? Wood. — He says you won't let him have a steamer to go to Kawau. Whit. — What does he say about the prisoners ? Wood. — He says he bad nothing to do with them ; its all Fox and Eussell. Whit. — Oh, what a confounded 1 . Wood.— (Shocked.)— Mr dear Whitaker, how can you ? People in society don't Fox. — (Interrupting A) — Here's the Minute [Gives it to Whitaker.] Whit. — That'll do ; he must answer Yes or No. Wood.— (Bewildered.) — - Yes or No to what ? Whit. — Never you mind. [Eings ; Enter Gisborne ; whispers and exit G.] Wood. — Well, but you know tbis is a very serious thing, indeed. I promised Cardwell Gillies. — Drat Cardwell ! Wood. — Ob that's all very well ; but I pledged myself to a good many in society Whit. — Oh, d n your society. Wood. — (Greatly shocked.) — Now really, Whitaker, how can you P Besides, I thought Fox would be sure to go for a just and temperate policy. 'Fox.— (Getting red in the face.)— Mind I always said I was for war if they wouldn't submit. [Enter Gisborne. Gis. — Here's something from Government House. (Hands official to Fox). Fox. — (Beads.) — " The Governor acknow- ; ledges the receipt of Ministerial Minute No. 14,672, and in reply begs to state to his re- ' sponsible advisers tbat Mr Wood has cor-

, unnecessarily the prosecution of the present . unhappy war, and have closed up all the i avenues to peace. The Governor thinks • it the move necessarv to state this plainly, because he is persuaded that Ministers would desire the natives to be most leniently ancl i generously treated, and because he cannot doubt, that ihey aro actuated by the _ Binceres t wish for the termination of hostilities, and the establishment of aspcedy and honorable peace." Chorus ofW. F. It. and Cf.— Oh, the confounded hound ! "Wood — (wilh dignity) — I am grieved to hear this. After such a statement by tho Governor, Ihave only one course to pursue. It is impossible for me, considering my promises to Cardwell and the statements I alwa} r s made in society G-illies— Bother your society ! Wood (Solemnly) — Made in society that wc should pursue the just and temperate policy of the New Zealand Settlement Act, as limited in its operation by the despatch of 26th April ; it's impossible for me to remain in the Ministry. The rest. — (With shouts of laughter.) — What? Wood. — Yes, I feel I must resign in justice to my owh reputation in so • Whit.— My dear fellow, you nced'nt trouble yourself. We are going to resign Fox, send in the Minute at once, No. 14,673. Fox gives Gisborne a Minute. Wood — Good Ged ! [AExcunt. —-JLytteltoii Times.