PARLIAMENTARY INCIDENTS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 995, 3 September 1877, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY INCIDENTS.

I_PEE X’EESS agency.] Wellington, September 1. It is said that there is dissatisfaction felt by the supporters of the Medical Practitioners Bill at the manner in which it was shelved by the House on Thursday night. The Order of the Day for the second reading came on unexpectedly, other Orders having been postponed, and many of its supporters were away. They say that they are assured that they have a majority in both Houses. [EEO3I THE “ POST.”] Mr Moorhouse last night kept the House in

onejcontinual roar of laughter for about an hour. He was, witli no gentle hand, “ dusting the coats” of the leading Opposition talkers, and he devoted special attention to Mr Reader Wood. He made immense fun by referring to him as “the tragedian, magician, buffo-singer, or whatever lie ought to be,” and telling how, “ dressed in a smoking cap of llaming colours, a gorgeous dressing gown, and slippers of mediaeval length and proportionate magnificence,” lie had come down to the House last session to juggle with figures and facts in a most remarkable manner. A certain public building, “ which frightens people as they walk in the streets in Auckland, and which the meanest carpenter that ever devoted his attention to making pigsties would blush to acknowledge as Ins own,” was referred to as “ the most enduring monument the lion, member for Parnell would leave behind him;” and Mr Wood’s financial mission to England was the subject of several satirical remarks, Mr Vincent Pykc also had his fling at the ex-Colonial Treasurer, describing him as “a Peri looking longingly into that Paradise (the Ministerial benches) lie could not re-enter,” and in grief-stricken tones expressing his sorrow that, by a freak of fortune, the State had lost a “star” to gain a statesman. Mr Moorhouse hit all round him in the most amusing manner, and was just elaborating a joke about Mr Grisborne’s moustaches being as stiff as toothpicks, when he suddenly subsided. The Speaker’s voice was heard condemning those personal allusions, and Mr Moorhouse did not ofl'end again. Mr Rowe delivered a tale in the House last night, and for the nonce Mr Reader Wood may hide his diminished head. Tbo tale was of a dog and a gentleman. The latter was very fond of his canine friend, but strongly objected to its tail, which, lie thought, flourished and waxed large out of all proportion to its body. So he detailed oif “ Chawles,” his valet, to cur-tail that dog. The howds of the poor beast much disturbed the serenity of its owner, and he congratulated himself when the howling ceased, thinking that the surgical operation was complete. Rut next morning there was a repetition of the howling ; and yet a third time was the tender-hearted gentleman’s appetite destroyed. So he called “ Chawles,” and asked him “if be could not dress the stump more carefully.” “Chawles” explained that be had not yet arrived at the stump, for, thinking that to have its tail cut oif all at once would give the dog too much pain, he had decided to reduce it at the rate of a joint per day. That dog was the colony of New Zealand; its tail was the land-fund ; and the Govcrnment were acting the part of “ Chawles.” That dog’s tail has put Mr Reader Wood’s nose completely out of joint. The great interest taken in the appearance of Mr George Jones at the bar of the House, to answer for an article attacking the Hon. the Attorney-General in the Oamaru “Evening Mail,” was evidenced by the unusual number of members present at prayers, and the crowded public and ladies’ galleries. The House talked over the peccant Jones for seven mortal hours. They wished Jones in Bulgaria or the Balkans —anywhere out of Hew Zealand ; and Mr Sheehan happily hit the nail on tire head when he said, “ The 1 louse has been hungering and thirsting after Jones fora fortnight, and now they have got him they don’t know how to get rid of him.” In the meantime, Mr Jones was in clover. A comfortable room, furnished with every requisite, even to a dressing-table, looking-glass, and brush and comb, was set apart for him; refreshments were supplied od libitum , while his less fortunate brethren of the quill were vainly punching the electric bell, which, by a popular fallacy, is supposed to instantaneously bring a waiter from Bellamy’s ; and, to crowm all, he had the most courteous of gaolers in Major Paul. Ho was kept pretty well informed of the progress of the debate, and when ho heard of bloodthirsty speeches, he consoled himself with most excellent cheroots, provided by a grateful country, and, when liberated, iris face did not present such lively indications of gratitude as might have been expected. It may be mentioned that the Speaker last night informed the House that every courtesy had been shown to Mr Jones, even to paying his passage to Wellington, and extending the same liberality to his stay in town.