IN THE GALLERY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3793, 11 September 1883, Page 3

IN THE GALLERY.

All the week the bugles have been sounding the retreat, the steamers h;ivo been ready, members have been packing, and jj&ere has been a general I wish it were over air porvading every thing. The men who

so eagerly rushed to their places on tho assembling of Parliament are just as eager to got away, feeling that they have done their duty to their country and that the numbers of quo'Won.s they have asked, and the speeches they have made, should at least satisfy their constituents a.s to tho manner in Avhich they have carried out tho onerous duties entrusted to their care. The eager rush with which they came has been surpassed by the eagerness of the desire to get away. I have often wondered, Avhile myself indulging in tho pipe, how quickly Mr Jones, at the request of Miss Brown, the adored of his heart, has thrown aside the pipe, pouch, and matchbox because of the aforesaid Miss Brown having strong objections to smoking. But if Miss Brown has the good fortune to become Mrs Jones, it is still more astonishing to notice how quickly Mr Jones once more takes to the pipe which he so promptly discarded. And so it has been Avith members. They are even more eager to get away than they wero to put in an appearance" at tho scene of their_ former triumphs. lam not going to describe that retreat in detail. History has furnished us with tho accounts of many retreats, in which tho honours have been all with those retreating. 'What a retreat Avas that of Napoleon from Moscow. I have too much sense to compare tho present retreat to that. If I did peopio Avould think I Avas becoming grandiloquent. lam afraid, if I should describe it at all, I would describe it as a digger years ago described an inglorious retreat to me. Tho aversion to the Chinaman it is vroll known is not confined to the European races (my bull terrier Avas always puzzled Avhat to make of a Chinese hawker of vegetables, and as in difficulties wq are told to lead trumps soothe terrier used to go for the Chinaman). The first Chinaman that Avas ever seen in America puzzled the Indians ; he was not Indian, and he was not European, and Avhat ho avus, was to them a riddle. The same feeling prcA-ados the Australian blacks. My informant of that inglorious retreat had been to the gold diggings of Northern Queensland ; he Avas beating a retreat overland for "lack of gold " and Avith a desire for health, and I never can forget tho account he gave mo of tho manner in which the "path" he strode was strewn Avith revolvers, hats, coats, leggings, and everything a miner uses. In all directions it seemed as if an army had retired in utter disorder before tho face of a overwhelming crowd of pursuers, and the secret of all that rout was that two Queensland blacks had put to flight a baud of nearly one hundred Chinamen. Our retreat has partaken much of the same character. On every side there are newly drafted bills, bills in all status and conditions, bills for useful purposes, bills airing the fads of members, resolutions to catch tho eye of the enquiring elector, motions designed for Hansard, and the retreat has caused all these to he scattered to the winds, their fair promises unfulfilled, their achievement never destined to cast '' a halo of glory" over the head of its proposer, but alas destined to bo thrown away as impediments which could not bo allowed to encumber tho retreat.

Monday's proceedings opened gaily, and continued to be of a lively nature throughout. The Insurance Department-provoked a strong and stirring debate, and then another bone of contention arose in the shape of tho Russell Land Exchange Bill. Sir George Grey vigorously opposed such a measure being proceeded Avith, Avhile other claims equally pressing could receive no consideration; but then Sir George Grey ought to have known that having a partner Premier should count for something. Mr Shrimski denounced the bill, aud at the same time affirmed that he meant to use every endeavor to prevent such a bill passing, even if members had to delay returning to their homes for a clay or two. It is at times wonderful Avhat a small terrier can accomplish. Then a despatch from Mr Fitzgerald, the Controller-General in reference to £18,000 Avhich seemed to have been knocking around handy in a less circuitous manner than tho rules of redtapeism demanded, once rnoro caused war to break out. Major Atkinson, Avho apprrently docs not altogether love tho distinguished officer in question, said somo caustic things about how ho had not received the courtesyfromthatofficer to which hoAvascntitled. ThcnMrßuehananhadatilt, and one after another the men with the bitter tongue Avaged their warfare, and I am coustratined to say that tho points were not all on one side. Sir George Grey spoke bitterly and spoke well. Ho began by saying ho could not approve of anything the Treasurer did, at which the House laughed, and after tho style in Avhich lie has tilted

at the Treasurer all the session it was no Avonder members laughed, but a.s ho Avent on lie improved, which is what he does not always do. The Treasurer had misnndcrstood tho matter the day previous, a fact which was noticeable to all, and for a wonder tho Treasurer admitted tho mistake, and here came a rather neat bit which told immensely, "If any member had disputed tho Treasurer's statement the other day he would have challenged tho House to disprove his figures." The laugh this time was Avith tho speaker and against tho Treasurer, and I am bound to admit the hitter's character was neatly summed up in the statement. A difficulty occurred as to Avhat should be done Avith the thousand, and perhaps the suggestion that did not meet Avith most approval Avas that of Mr Sheehan's, to divide it. After that little matter was satisfactorily arranged, it was not all over, for up rose tho grey-headed Knight and charged the Government Avith aiding their friends to acquire native lands. Of course there Avas bickering ad lib.

On Tuesday Aye had more Angeliquo Thcrasso. I don't know if your readers are sick of tho subject, but I confess I am. I have known persons sent to gaol on less evidence than Avas disclosed in this case, aud they served their sentences, I suppose, for I never heard more about them ; but this young French woman, aylio to be candid is not good looking, has apparently had many friends. My view is that a good many do not approve altogether of tho policeman instincts of Mr Ilardcastle, the magistrate, and so took an indirect way of attacking him. Then avo had a row on tho gaol enquiry at Dunedin. I confess to some knowledge of this also, and my onty surprise Avas at tho mildness of the report. But here againouo of tho curses of democratic goA'crnment Avas visible, for the warders avlio had been recommended for dismissal had friends, and tho Ministers of Justice promised to stay his hand in tho matter. Of what earthly use is it making recommendations if they arc to be laid aside. No one avlio does not read the evidence taken could belieA'O such things wore possible in a gaol, as Avoro abundantly proved to have occurred in this Dunedin gaol. I confess some of the revelations startled me, and I am not squeamish, and if there is one man in a community Avho gets "case-hardened" in more ways than one it is a reporter. After much sentiment figures .succeeded, the Government Insurance Department being reviewed, supplies granted, and then a wild charge was made by the member for Napier, who seemed desirous of following in Mr DargaA'ille's footsteps, but as you have already heard of this I Avill say no more about it.

On Wednesday, putting it mildly, "things were again mixed." Wo all know what a "row" there is at the end of a pantomime ; the children must be sent away in good humour, and so the fireworks rattle, the mock thunder is heard, and there are those deafening sounds which the children love ; the little dog is turned out in sausage meat, and the clown yells his loudest. AYe had our pantomine. It was known many members were bound South that evening ; their last chance for Hansard had come, and they eagerly availed themselves of it. That confounded £18,000 was again on the tapis. Mr Moss wanted his report laid on the table. The Colonial Treasurer objected. Mr Scddon, the bold, gave his opinion. Mr Montgomery had his say. Mr Barren, the radical (who to bo consistent must see the farce played out in Wellington in -consequence of his motion early in the session that members should be compelled to be in their places at the end of tlic session) gave his views. Mr J. E. Brown sided with the Government, and then Mr Shoehnn showed bis fairness once more by saying- the report was an unfair one. .Sir G. Grey charged wildly. Mr Petrio tried to throw oil on the troubled waters, in which ho was joined by Mr Fish, which made me stand aghast. That speech "took the wind out of my sails." Mr Fish on his feet, and the Ministery not being abused. Why this thusness ? Was Mr Fish talcing- part in some joke. I had to give it up, as many an one does a riddle, for want of a solution. Mr Shepherd gave us another of his inimitable haw uttered in his best manner, delivered as if he himself felt he was the personification of wisdom — well, Nature lms not given him the book. Mr Lovcrttam did as he has often done before, ho took a common sense view of the matter.

This member, quiet and unobtrusive, has always pleased me. It would be wearisome going through the lists. In tho evening we had a repetition of tho dose and a repetition of the speeches, and as these repetitions wore being made ad nauseam I left my seat in the Galleey.