Our Public Men.

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 23, 2 July 1894, Page 6

Our Public Men.

PHRENOLOGICALLY AND PHYSIOGNOMICALLY DELINEATED.

[By Professor R. White, President of the Wellington Phrenological Association .]

No. 40.—Mr. W. W. COLLINS (member for Christchurch City).

Mr. Collins has a fine mental temperament, giving him great quickness and clearness of thought. He is somewhat small in the vital and motive temperaments, causing him not to be as robust or as strong physically as I would like to see him; but he certainly will make the very best use of what he has. No

part of him will lie idle.

Activity, work, advancement are his characteristics and his delight. If you desired to severely punish him, put him in a position where he would have .nothing to do mentally; no abuse to attack, no reform to propose, no scientific investigation, no books to read, no letters or articles to write, and you would hear him cry aloud with Cain of old, “My punishment is greater' than I can bear.” Physiognomically ’ considered, his features are nearly perfect. The chin is fairly prominent and broad, denoting considerable kindly feeling; the nose is a good Roman type, indicating distinct individuality of character; the eyes are large, wide, and prominent, showing quickness of perceptivity, command over words, and clear intelligence. The forehead is particularly well formed, showing to great advantage his literary ability, his keen, logical reasoning power, and his capacity to acquire and utilize facts and ideas to the greatest possible advantage. The moral region of the brain is broad and fairly high, imparting to him a keen sense of right and strong feeling of responsibility. The powers of perception, conception, imagination, and expression are all well developed in Mr. Collins, making him mentally a superior man. He has also excellent organic quality, fineness of texture, imparting to him acute sensitiveness—almost too acute to come into contact with coarse natures. He will certainly be a valuable acquisition to and a live member of the House of Representatives.

No. 41.— Mb. D. PINKERTON (member for Dunedin City)

Mr. Pinkerton possesses a full organization. It indicates good health and a strong mind. Determination, application, and perseverance should be leading characteristics of this gentleman. He is somewhat aggressive and critical. His emotional nature is deep, and when touched by adverse comment it would be liable 10 be stirred up to white heat, causing him to

speak with great force under its influence. Political daring and

personal courage are traits of his character. The higher sentiments of ideality, sublimity, and spirituality are not as well developed as his powers of observation and executiveness. He possesses good practical capacity. He is rather heavy and laborious as a thinker, the physical being stronger in him than the mental, His paternal and social faculties are well developed, making him a firm, kindly father, and a sincere friend to those who gain his affection. If occasion required it he would become a strong “ stonewaller” in the House. He would appear to greater advantage in Opposition than in support of any Ministry, as he would have more play for his powers of criticism.

No. 42.—Mr. JOHN McLACHLAN (member for Ashburton). Mr. McLachlan has a fine, hale constitution, good health and good humour being characteristic of him. He knows how to make friends and how to keep them. He possesses a genial nature, a warmheartedness which makes him a welcome guest of any social company. He can pick up facts and ideas

very quickly and make use of them. He is essentially a practical man, possessing excellent observing powers and considerable capacity to express himself, his words always being flavoured with a good deal of wit and common sense. He does not allow his mind to rust for want of use. He is ever active, both mentally and physically, and he enjoys working for the advancement of any friend of his constituency and of his adopted or native land. His head is compact, and represents a bright, sunny intelligence and a natural aptitude for practical legislation.

No. 43.— Me. H. D. BELL (member for Wellington City). The leading traits of this gentleman are naturally refinement, personal taste, and love of the beautiful. He has a steady, reliable, and constant disposition; day by day and year by year you will . find him pretty much the same unchanging, consistant Mr. H. D. Bell. He has considerable powers of thought and fair observing capacity,

but he is wanting in the literary faculties. Language, eventuality, and ideality are deficient, preventing him from ever attaining good power of speech or excellent memory for facts, dates, and figures. In this respect he is the very antithisis of Mr. W. W. Collins. Mr. H. D. Bell will never exercise much influence in the House as a speaker. His sense of justice and love of right are well developed. He has nothing like the vigour possessed by Mr. Pinkerton. He is naturally cautious, and possesses a deal of the good English gentleman. It is not likely he will leave a very

deep mark upon the “sands of time” or the records of the House as a statesman or a politician. Steady, plodding, mental work is his fortc.

No. 44. —Mr. CHARLES HALL (member lor Waipawa). Mr. Hall has a good*

vigorous organization. He possesses a thick long nock, raising his head well above his shoulders, indicating longevity. He has “plenty of lip,” and before lo is much older the House and New Zealand generally will know it. He will be an active, working, talking member, and he will have something of importance to say. The mental as well as the physical powers ; are well developed in him. Language, memory, and conception are all good. He will be a real, live member, as he will have matured ideas on most subjects, and he will know how to.express them. Hois combative, and will quickly show it when any motion or measure is introduced with which he cannot agree. He will be a useful, able, and energetic member of the House.

No. 45.—Mr. B. McKENZIE (member for Bullor). This gentleman has a

superior organization. His head and face indicate a man of first-class ability. Good taste, natural refinement, and love of the orderly and the beautiful are leading traits of his. He has a clear, quick, and decisive mind. He has a high and broad well developed eyes, and

clear Boman nose, which

indicate great range of thought, power of expression, and distinct selfhood. He possesses a positive disposition, a constructive and a progressive mind, with a leaning to the Conservative or the “respectable party.” He would object to the designation John S. Mill gave this colour of politics—" the stupid party." He wants everything done orderly and perfectly, as he has such large ideality and personal neatness. He has a steady, moral disposition, and should be a consistent M.H.R.