THE MEMBER FOR DUNSTAN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1063, 8 September 1882, Page 3

THE MEMBER FOR DUNSTAN.

“ Stranger,” in his sketches of members of the Hnu-e of Representatives, in the Morning Herald has the following to say of Mr. Pyke, M.H.R. for Dnnstan. Thors is another member from Otago whoso name is quite as well known us a’e the names of Messrs Macandrew anl Bathgate, and yet I cannot dismiss him in the sum mary manner that I have disposed of the members for Port Chalmers and R slyn. I refer to the genial and irrepressible member for Dnnstan. Who does not know Vincent Pyke? Not to know the “ County Chairman,” is to argue one’s self unknown. Vincent Pyke is a man with an Australasian—l m'ght perhaps add a universal mm. tat on The man who his p wed himself to be a successful writer makes himself known and feft wherever our language is in use. As quaint old Roger De Busy observes—“ book made renders succession to its autl or, for so long as the book remains the au her being immortal cannot perish.” lam not pr. pared to assert that M Pyke is a great author, but some of his works have been hj moured with flittering notices in the columns of leading British and American journals, and therefore it is not overstepping the mars to state that- Inis universally known. Butapait from the emanations of his fluent and fac'le pen, Mr Pyke is a man who is worthy of something more than amere passing notice As ao-do-ni il politician of thirty years’ standing, the member tor Dnnstan is en itled to a great dedof consideration, in fact a great deal mire than the spice allotel me in thes ■ pages will nermit me to devote to him. When Mr. Pyke represented Castlemaine in the Victorian A-semb y there were few more popular politicians in that Chamber and his selection as a Minister of the Crown evidenced the p sition he held rmonghis brother legis'ator.. Coining to New inland in the early days of the gold fever, Mr Pyke took up a prom nent position in this colony. A min of his calibre c mid nit well be spared from the House of Represents-' •ivos, an 1 ho soon made himself heard and felt in the political arena. Tint Mr P.kc is a mm of genius is admitted on all hands, but like many men of genius he be has not successfully put into practice the art of getting on in the world- The proverbial saying that ■“ genius is erratic” was never hotter exemplified than it is in the character of Mr. Pyke. Ths’O are numbers of colonial statesmen with not one tithe of his brains, who have managed to climb to the highest rung of the political ladder, and yet he has remained below at the foot. It is not my intention to discuss the “why and where fore” of this position, but the {act. neverlho less remains. Mr Pyke is one of the most forcih'e sp-akers in the House. He has a o ! ear incisive manner, and his style of reasoning is logical and cog nt He is the j >l- '■ best looking man in Parliament, save when he is a'tacked with a t uch of his old enemy. the gout. A great drawback to Mr. - Pvke’s power ai an orator is due to the fact th it re cannot for Mie life of him look serious. On ordinary occasions there is a merry twinkle in his eye and a beam o' humour in his good-natured foe a But on extraordinary (■cessions the and'es vanish, and he strives m'ght and nm nt look serious. But., as I previously obse ved, he cannot look serious, and when he si rives to do so he looks savage. lie can look savage, but he cannot look serious. Wipe gazing down from mv 1 er Ii in the gallery on that beaming face end portly form I have often wish-d that 1 coni 1 have seen Mr. Pyke in the role, of Sir John F alst fl So far as his fac ■ ami form are concerned he would fill the character “to the manner born ” With what an unctuous smack would he exclaim - “ Give mo a cup of sack, rogue.” I do not mean to suggest that there is any other resemblance between the member for Dnnstan anl joky old Jack Palstaff, save the personal appearance of both. Ido n it know wh it Mr Pyko’e histrionic talents are, hut I am assure I of this that if he de voted hiirsidfr-o the study of the part of Falstaff he won d cioate a smisation in the character greater than any that has been madi since “ My” Lambert, essayed the role in flic old Me bourne Royal many years ago. A few wor Is nure. and I have done with Mr Pyke and the S nthern inembcs. That the disliict of Dnnstan is fortunate in having so able a representative is a matter ps dispute. His long political training, hi- extensive colonial exnerieneo, his thor u;h knowledge of man and manners, his sound views on the land question, tho deep interest he takes in mining pursuits, all point to the fact that Vincent Pyke is entitled to take a place in the front iank of New Ztaland statesmen. Ho possess m all the necessary qualifications needed, but there is something lacking, and T am not in a position to state whit that something is. Whatever his shortcomings may be, bis ability cannot bo doubted, and his name will ever ha associated with the political history of New Zealand,