THE MEMBER FOR DUNEDIN CENTRAL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2598, 4 August 1882, Page 3

THE MEMBER FOR DUNEDIN CENTRAL.

[FSOM THB "rBSSB."] WELLINGTON, Aueust3. In the debate on the Gaming and Latteries Aot Amendment Bill in the House last night, Mr Dick ridiculed Mr Fish for his poor attempt to quote a Scotch proverb when he eould not even mouth the werds. On this arose a funny little occurrence. Mr Bracken rose to a point of order, and protested against this imputation on his Dunedin colleague, explaining that it wai a well known long: and not a proverb bv was quoting. On this there was loud demand that Mr Bracken should " sing it." Mr Bracken deprecated this request, pleading that he could not sirs well enough. On this the demand for Mr Bracken's song redoubled, and suddenly, to the amazement of every* body, the Otsgo poet prooeeded to sing, with stentorian voice, immense expression, and much drarnatio gesticulation, a etarza cf some quaint Scotch song, the refrain of whioh was—" Behave yersel afore fulV, behave yerielf _ afore folk," and so on ad lib. This astounding and unprecedented performarce was greeted with the most tremendous roar of laughter and cheering I ever heard within the House walls, members and strangers alike giving way to irrepressible merriment as Mr Bracken sat down, with all his blushing vocal honors thick upon him, and for a time it seemed impossible to restore gravity. Mr Dick tried several times to re- v name, but faltered and broke down. At lastmembers managed to regain their facial decorum, although now and then a subdued titter was plainly audible. The face of Sir Maurios. O'Borke was a study while this merry vocalisation was proceeding. It raid ns plainly as words could have done that he was dreadfully scandalised at such an unprecedented breach of Parliamentary deoorum, but he was too genuine an Irishman not to appreciate the fun of his brother Pa6dy, and had not the heart to interrupt him. lam informed that the words of Mr Bracken's historic chant run thus — Behave yersel' afore folk, Behave yersel' afore folk, TVhat'er you do in ithers' view, Behave yersel' afore folk.