THE MINISTER AND THE BARBER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2065, 27 April 1907, Page 1

THE MINISTER AND THE BARBER.

People are laughing just now (according to tlie Wellington correspondent of the Marlborough Herald) at •i story told by tbo Minister for bands. Ho was travelling; in tbe

Auckland district, and Ids efforts to make tbe farmers bear and understand that tbe Land Bill was tbo Greatest blessing ever offered them bad made bim tired. He thought a

shave and -brush-up would brighten him, so he hied to the local barber. That person chanced to bo talkativo, and after he had referred to the weather, and the crons, and the Auckland Handicap, and the chances of Grafton for the football championship, and the prospects of wet weather, be came to politics. He heard there had been changes in the Ministry and that Charlie Mills and Tam Duncan were “bounced out.” "What

was Turn doing now? be enquired. The Minister answered that Mr Duncan was attending to bis farm. “Oh! That’s not as good as being Minister,” •esponded the barber. “He must have bad a good screw ns Minister.” “Ob, something like a thousand pounds a year.” replied Mr. McNab. The barber whistled. “A thousand jim. eli! ‘Well, from what I know of him I wouldn’t give him that! ft’s rod hot the screws these blokes get. and I suppose the new josser is no better than Tam.” Bv this time the harbor was making his run along

that part of the face which a pugilist calls “the point,” and his eyes and the Minister’s were in direct line. “Who is this new waster, anyhow?” he enquired. “I am 1” quietly replied Mr. McNab, looking him straight in the eye. The barber put ■n .three long sweeps of the razor, broke all records with the sponge wipe and brush-up, silently collected his sixpence, and for the first time in his life omitted to answer the “Good morning” greeting with which the Minister cheerily made his exit.