Our Member

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 142, 7 June 1887, Page 3

Our Member

Mr Macarthur sits a few seats away, near the door leading to the right lobby. This gentleman started with great promise and none had better hopes of him than myself. But again we find in him the fault just complained of in the member for Akaroa — the poorness and want of spirit in his delivery. Of course no one expects a temperament naturally cold and lethargic to rise to a white heat of fire and enthusiasm in debate, but even Mr Ormond can work himself into eloquence, and that ought to be sufficient proof that any man whose blood is above zero can, or should be able to, speak with some animation. Mr Macarthur' s best point is his assiduity, perhaps, and the intelligent interest he takes in politics generally, and especially those appertaining to questions of local Government; and this is a high qualification, for it will soon be realised throughout the colony I feel, that the proper discharge of the duties of local bodies is more closely allied to the public prosperity than most matters of a colonial and more general nature. — From sketches by "a Quixotic Quill Driver" in the I Waiuawa Mail.