HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1960, 17 December 1906, Page 4

HAPPENINGS IN THE CAPITAL.

fj}HE NEW ATTOUNEY-GENEUAL,

(.13Y riONKLOTIO Woiliußton, J3ac. 10 T)io lion. Dr Findlay was the contro of a vary successful function on Thursday evening, wliott his accossion to tho Ministry was celebrated by a gathering of citizens in tho Town Ilall. Looking round, ono could see it was not altogether a political affair, for many people, not in sympathy with tho Government but on Iriondly terms win tho guest of tho evening, woro puosciit, and this was plainly tor the speeches woro not on party lines at all. Among tho thicket of palms on tho platform, ono caught irritating glimpses from the front Boats in tho hall, of sections of laces, and Hashes of shirt fronts, opora coats, and hats. Mrs llislop was absont through illness, but .Lady Ward, Mr Findlay, Mrs David Nathan and a nuinbo of other well-known ladies variod tho masoulino dulnoss of color. Sir Joseph Ward and his latest and youngest—unless Mr McNab contests tho honor with lnm Minister occupied a settee, and woio naturally the centre of thousands of interested oyes. Tho Mayor spoke well and concisely, then camo tho Premier, who gave us much about race purity, a good deal on native lands, and a little of the accession to tho Cabinet. Mr deddy Hill charmed overyono by his dcliguttul simdng of “ Coed Company,” and then came Dr Findlay, amusing, epigrammatic, and even a little abstruse in some of his hi'dier flights. Ho has a keen sense ol humor that may oiteu cheer dull Cabinet meetings, and a marvellous memory that makes his speeches rich in apt and unusual quotation. His recital very brio! but very interesting of his early days—was a lesson worth learning by the youth of New Zealand, for Dr Findlay owes all ho is to his own pluck and brains. He was orphaned and thrown on his own resources very early, and now ho is -il not Captain of the Queen’s Navy—AtLonioyGeneral and Colonial Secretary . •‘-lie Minister for Lands and lie metaphorically “ paidelt i’ tho burn,” for they wore students together, and together took thendegrees. By the way, Dr Findlay told Ins audience that Mr McNab-originally destined for the church-took up law instead, and dually fell to politics. Which rominds 1110 of a letter a friend ol mine got from an Australian, saying : bix weeks ago 1 was a respectable member oi society—now I am a member of 1 arluv - meat! ” Some of the Attornoy-Gcneral s quips will be quoted. His motto, for instance, for tho present Government Deep ] Watch and Ward ” was received with much merriment and applause, and Ins description of his duties—winch comprise everything that will not lit into the portfolios of the other Ministers, including permission to dig up dead bodies or to organise rallies, was most amusing. ±±e does not look physically robust, but sometimes thoso slim, small men are wiry, and stronger than their more goncrously-buiit fellows- After the stress of the past lew days, 110 will enjoy the trip ho, Ins wife and his two boys are planning. Accompauied by Dr and Miss Hay, and iron and Mrs Sahnoud, they go to ltotorua and intend to spend somo time exploring its wonders. THE MANUKAU ELECTION. It is one of the sad features of politic® that private griefs must give way to pub lie duties, and good and worthy man as Mr Kirkbrido was, his vacant seat had to be filled. Mr Lang lias bcon chosen mem. ber by a majority of over twelvo hundred, a fact that surely points to the strong freehold proclivities of the district. Mr Lang sat in the last Parliament, representing Waikato, and was defeated at last election by Mr Grccnsladc a Government candidate, Ho is now again in the House and will take bis old seat in the back benches behind Mr Massey. Mr Lang is one of the bachelors of the Chamber—a class that embraces two Ministers, by the way and is a pleasant, straight-spoken man, with a rather seductive lisp, which is not often heard, for its owner speaks but seldom, and then to the point ; would that this quality were more common among members. There arc men in the House who, in all seasons - in season and out of season-and on all subjects, whether they know anything of the question or not will talk. Nobody liecds them, except the poor Hansard reporters who have to listen. Cut the orators are content if they fill so many columns, so that their constituents may sec they have been doing their duty. There is a delightful Eastern proverb some of those garrulous politicians might consider with advantage —No Hies enter a shut mouth,”

SMALL-POX AND CRIOKEI'ERS,

Thfc arrival or tiro Giriuthlc v?aa a tuasscr o£ much interest, for it was not as alt certain whether she big liner would bo allowed to land her passengers. Had another onto of amull'pox brokoa out, or had ur.y on board refused to ba vaccinated, she steamer would have had to bo guarantied. But fortunately thero was no need lor this. Hr Mason’s persuasive tongue convinced she most obanraio of the wiaQom of inoculation, and iho ship's doctor oppoars to have acted witn extraordinary skill and tact. The English cricketers, who arrived by the Ootintnio, are a splendid lot of ineD. Borne of them ore esceodingiy fine looking. Tho Governor dined thtm on Friday evoning, and now they are at Itotorua fleeing what there is to bo aeon there before iheir matches begin. Fellow passangera with them were Mr and Mre Haroid Beauohamp and their throe girls, the latter of whom have been finishing their education in England.

A VALEDICTORY TEA.

Tho women of the Civil Service, for whom Mrs Neill, while she was assistantinspector of Mental Hospitals, had done much, proposed, when her resignation was made known, to make her a presentation. The idea would have been carried out enthusiastically, but, coining to Mrs Neill’s oars, she would have none of it. Tho only way she would permit them to • acknowledge their esteem for her was by a tea, to which no men were to bo invited. This took place last week. It was entirely organised by women, attended by women, and had a woman as its raison d’etre, and yet, incrodiblo as it may seem, it was a pronounced success from start to finish. Indeed, tho only little hitch was due to the tyrant man, who laid his embargo on the girls in the Education Office getting oil' to attend tho tea. This was the only department unrepresented when the address was handed to Mrs Neill, and she made her humorous little speech in reply. Her successor, Miss Hester McLean, sat on her left hand, and was introduced by Mrs Neill to those present. Tea and music—Miss Mills and Miss Lambert both sang.