SKETCHES IN THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, HAWKE’S BAY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 189, 26 August 1864, Page 2

SKETCHES IN THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, HAWKE’S BAY.

Dogh. Como hither, neighbour; God hast blessed you with a good name: to be a well-favoured ;rnan Ms the gift of fortune; but to write and read comes by nature. 2nd Watch. Both which, your honor Dogb. You have; I knew it would bo your answer. Well, for your favour, sir, why, give God thanks, and make no boast of it; and for your writing and reading," let that appear when there is no need of such vanity. You are thought here to be the most senseless and fit man for'the Member of Council; therefore take you your seat. The beat part of our Council is the room. It is a lofty, airy structure, which, when the roof is in ordinary repair, keeps out the rain and lets in tne light pretty well. There are two fire-places—one on each side of the table, so that, supposing such an accident as two distinct parties being in operation, there will be a fire for each, by which means they would be spared the disagreeable necessity of warming their toes in company, or accidentally singeing each others whiskers by too close proximity. It is rather amusing to attend a meeting of Council. Nobody seems to take any interest in tho proceedings ; each member lounges after his own fashion either in his chair near the table, or, if the weather is cold in one near the fire ; some are scribbling on pieces of paper, others stare vacantly at the skylight, and all appear very uncomfortable. The public —that is, the great unwashed —do not take any interest whatever in the proceedings, in fact, one would be led to suppose, from the entire absence of an audience, that tho people cared very little what their representatives did or said, being quite sure that these good folks could say little worth hearing, and would most probably do nothing at all. The Council, then, is, for the most part, left alone in its glory during its sittings. Right before you as you enter, upon an elevated dais, appears Mr. Speaker, a quiet inoffensive looking gentleman ; so much so, that you wonder by what perverse act of Nature or Art he could have been afflicted with such apromineut position. He will presently show you, however, that he is extremely anxious to do his duty, but finds that sort of thing is more easily said than done. It is surely a misnomer, this of “ Speaker.” That title is suggestive of superlative eloquence, and of the bearer being obliged, by virtue of that great gift of tongue, to do all tho talking for the entire party. This seeming explanation is however, just the reverse of the fact. It is Mr. “ Speaker’s” special obligation not to speak at all, he has “ no voice.” But the office is nevertheless by no means a sinecure, for what with cries of “ order,” and little disputes with a refractory member now and again, ond having to control the energies of the combatants during a furious fusilado conducted on one side by Mr. Colenso, and on the other side by all the remaining thirteen members, Mr. Speaker may bo said to enjoy his dignitate with very little if any otiian. Going round the table from right to left, you first drop your eye upon his honor the Superintendent, sitting exactly under Mr. Speaker as Member No. 1 for the Country Districts. The personnel of the gentleman is striking, particularly when delivering a speech. Ho evinces a want of decision and a supreme and almost overpowering anxiety to keep things snug and comfortable, and make it quite a quiet family party. As who would say, “ Hero wo are, all friends met together in a pleasant quiet way ; let’s have no nonsense.” Ho has a very undecided way of speaking and never seems happy when in that predicament—he moves about on his legs iu a most uncomfortable fashion, as though ho was troubled with the idea that people didn’t believe what ho was saying. He always begins a speech “ With regard to,” and ends it with “ It is my earnest desire,” &c., &c., in a very self-deprecatory tone. In short, he doesn’t shine, and is evidently influenced more by the desire to do everything pleasant for everybody than with any tangible or definite line of conduct by which to accomplish that praiseworthy object. However, ho is not a bad fellow. Some of the best men never get beyond “intentions” and “earnest desires." Ho is extremely hospitable in private, and prodigiously flat and uninteresting in public, as witness his opening and proroguing speeches to tho Provincial Council. Everybody here knows M’Lean, but as there are many ’ of our readers who are not blest with that knowledge, we will give a sketch after the most approved style. Six feet three in height, stout and strong built, with a good-natured kindly eye, low wide flat forehead, large flat nostrils, and an extensive mouth, and otherwise not a iad-looking man, nor yet not a yootf-looking man. Would train well and show a good “form” in the “ring,” and prove an ugly customer in that particular branch of science. Next to M’Lean sits Mr. Ormond, J.P., member for the extensive but not very thickly populated region of Porangahau. A smart-looking, self-possessed, middle-sized young man. Would, judging from exteriors, have made a fortune as an Old Bailey attorney, and no doubt he would have been one, only that ho took to sheep-farming as the next most innocent and profitable pursuit. This gentleman is the animating principle—the soul of Mr. M’Lean—a very Mephistophelos to Mr. M’Lean’s Faust. Ho is always ready with an answer ; not at all particular to a shade or two ; is by n'6 means choice of language; speaks with a strong provincial patois, which is more expressive than eloquent ; fond of cutting small jokes at the expense of his opponents; has a not unpleasant manner and plenty of impudence ; makes a speech now and again, but generally of an explanatory nature ; defends and sticks up for M’Lean’s rotten Government with praiseworthy pertinacity, as in duty bound, being one of the Executive—upon the whole, a shrewd, observant man, evidently of a business turn, and well able to take care of himself and the interests he represents. It must, however, bo a dull man indeed who cannot speak when sura of the applause of at least a dozen Jout of fourteen blockheads. Mr. Ormond is “member of the

House of Representatives for Clive, but is not given to much utterance in that elevated location when there. Ah! whom have we here? Why, it is the identical Smith, remarkable for his good favor and euphonious name. This distinguished statesman is another of M’Lean’s Executive and a J.P., and member No. 2 for Napier town, and in fact a tiptop swell, rather on the shady‘side of life. Though he never speaks except upon occasions of something in the maritime line turning up, and then' not much to the purpose, ho is supposed by an ingenious fiction of his admirers to be an authority in matters appertaining to the sea, and wo make no doubt could Ihvor the company with that celebrated song the “ Bay o-o-f Bis-cay Ok ! with greater effect than with a speech upon that or any other saltwater subject. But beyond supporting the Government, and'otherwise in hopes of something in the salary line turning up, Smith is a nonentity. This gentleman sitting near the fire, and not far off from Smith, taking matters very easily with the self-satisfied air of one on good terms with himself and the world at large, is Mr. Joseph Rhodes, J.P., member for the flourishing (when not under water) and otherwise very damp city of Clive. This individual is another out-and-out supporter of Mr. M’Lean, that prudent person having discovered Mr. R.’s blind side, and presented him with a lease of the Deputy-Superin-tendency by way of an “eye-duster.” Mr. Rhodes is afflicted with a notion that he is a person of importance, and when he does speak wishes it to be understood that such is the case, seasoning his insipid remarks with one unvarying sauce—“l see no good and valid reasons,” or “If the member for can shew good and valid reasons,” and so on ; but it matters not in what shape those remarkable words appear, they always do appear when least expected, and turn up, like a thief in the night, in the most unseasonable manner and times, and to the extinguishment of the last lingering hope on the part of the audience that he is going to say something else. Mr. Rhodes’ personal appearance is not remarkable. He is a good specimen naturally of the English yeoman, but he spoils that favorable appearance by an unlimited conceit, as who would say—“ Sir, I’m a gentleman ; so none of your cheek !” When this gentleman speaks, his speeches are reproduced by the reporters something like what they ought to be or were intended to be, and not as they were actually delivered out of the mouth of Joseph, and wo make no doubt that Mr. Rhodes is frequently very much astonished at his own eloquence when perusing the papers. On Mr. Rhodes’ right hand we observe Mr. Dolbel, member for the Mohaka district, for which place he has sat for several sessions. He may be looked upon as a “ trimmer,” supporting nothing “ nor nobody.” He was only once found guilty of making a speech, and therein went off into “ fustericks” about some Arcadian settlement to be found up in the inaccessible fastnesses of the Pohui Bush ; after recovering from which effort he subsided to low water mark, and will probably remain there, for some time. His personal appearance stamps him as a man who, by his industry and intelligence has raised himself to a respectable position. A worthy, inoffensive man, who, if he does no good, will be very careful not to do harm if he can help it. When Mr. Tnke favors the company with his presence he generally sits somewhere near Dolbel as member No. 2 for To Aute. He supports the Government upon the happy reciprocity principle that “ one good turn deserves another,” expecting, not without reason, to get his reward, for ho has got appointed to a lieutenancy of Militia and to * be J.P. No. 336 for this Province. Burns says upon this subject— A prince can mak’ a belted knight, A marquis, duke, an’ a 1 that; But an honest man’s aboon his might, Gude faith he mauna fa’ that. Mr. Tuke is conspicuous only for his personal attacks upon Mr. Colenso, for which purpose, at the instigation of the Government, his master, ho appears to live and have his seat in that Council. He is perfectly useless for anything else, and does not shine even in that questionable capacity. This gentleman just down hero at the far end of the table fronting Mr. Speaker, and who is just going to say something or other, is Major Lambert, member for Waipukiifau. He is an old soldier, and is consequently by nature inclined to “ follow my leader,” and does so with pertinacious obstinacy. We take him to be a well-meaning man, but one who, from sheer force of habit, will uphold the “ King and Constitution” in whatever shape and under whatever circumstances His Majesty or the other thing may appear. Wo do not expect that this worthy individual will originate anything like the Code Napoleon, or the laws of Confucius., for the benefit of Hawke’s Bay. However, he makes up in self-complacency for what he may want in wisdom, and is ready at all times to uphold the sheep-farming and J.P. interests. “ Hero we go up, up, up, and here we go down, down, down !” and arrive at that wonderful man M. Eitzgerald, Esq., a reality in the flesh, but a mere delusion as representative of the town of Napier. He systematically plays fast and loose with the Government and with the vox populi, and of course fails in gaining with either. He holds himself to be of prodigious consequence, but is not without his weak point, and is always open lo conviction when the argument is illustrated bv anything in the pecuniary shape. Never speaks at any length, and never much to the purpose, but what he does say is more to keep the pot boiling than with a view to elucidate matters. He will, however, always go in with the winning side, right or wrong ; he is not one to help a lame dog over a stile if he cau help it. This gentleman is a man of mark ; ho glories in a multiplication of dignities, in all of which he distinguishes himself, being, as a captain of Militia, a perfect Ajax, and, as a Justice of the Peace, a complete Solon. He also made a partial trigonometrical survey of this Province with tolerable accuracy, some years ago, for which he was duly paid in the ordinary course of business ; but somehow or other, whether he has been all these five years turning the matter over in his own mind, or whether the present Government has come to the conclusion for him in consideration of a vote when wanted, it appears that he got a sum of fifty pounds placed upon the

estimates as a sort of recognition of his having (Oh! remarkable man !) at a distant date done his duty in the public service. The Council, however, didn’t see the matter in that light, and the fifty pounds was knocked off. Fancy what a bargain the Provincial Council, with its usual supineness, lost that time; —a trigonometrical surveyor, a captain of Militia, and a J.P., with a seat in the Provincial Council, all going for the small sum of fifty pounds, and “I’ll ask no more, and I’ll take no less.” Tor a' that, an’ a’ that, Their dignities, an’ a’ that. The pith o’ sense, an’ pride o’ worth. Are higher ranks than a’ that. Next in order on the left side of the table sits Spencer Curling Esq., J.P., Member for the salubrious district of Waimarama, famous in the history of Hawke’s Bay for nothing in particular. Mr. C. is a gentleman of the old school and a thorough conservative—a perfect rock of conservatism. He is Chairman of Committees, and always sides with the Government—has always sided with the Government—and will always side with [the 'Government, so long as that Government is respectful of the sheep-farming interests. Mr. Curling is one of our oldest settlers, and is, moreover, a gentleman by birth and by education. He generally sits apart, as one not anxious to be mixed up in the occasional broils which may transpire in the ordinary course of things. He is extremely quiet and unobtrusive, But wad ye see him in his glee, For meikle glee an’ fun has he. Then sit him down, an’ twa or three Guid fellows wi’ him ; An’ port, Oh port! shine thou a wee, An’ then ye’U see him! Mr. Richardson, as No.'2 member for the Country Districts, has just taken his seat, but seems innocent of intention to do anything for his constituency. He was got in under strong Government influence, and is, up to this date, harmless of the gift of speech. We come now, in the fulness of time, to Mr. Kennedy. He sits for Napier town, but it is a matter of wonder what on earth that gentleman does in Council. He does not appear to represent any interest except that of his firm. His mission, if mission he has, appears to be to. support the Government, and to contradict Mr. Colenso on that account, in broad Anglo-Scotch. Ah! Here is Mr.'Edwards sitting by the lastnamed party—another member for the Town. A most remarkable-looking man, small of stature, but a perfect giant in dignity; in fact, he endeavors to make up in this last article for what ho may be wanting in other parts. Mr. E. sits for the first time this session, and, judging from appearances, w.e should say that the fact of his not having at present distinguished himself is to be attributed to a desire to husband his resources for some great and overwhelming effort which is to come off upon a future occasion. Mr. Edwards appears, however, to be great on. Constitutional subjects. Passing Mr. Edwards we find ourselves looking at Mr. Tiffen, Member for Te Aute, who, in that capacity, has successfully represented himself for several years, which, seeing that ho is a largo flockowner and a sound practical man, we suppose is equal to, if not exactly the same thing as representing the people, upon the principle so clearly and beautifully expressed in those pithy lines of the popular song— Supposing I was you And sup-pos-iug you was mo, And sup-pos-ing he was somebody else Who tho deuce do you think he’d ho ? We do not recollect Mr. Tiffen ever being guilty of making a speech. Eloquence is not his forte, but what he does say is to the purpose. He, however, appears to pass tho time away very agreeably in sketching facetious caricatures, more or less witty according to circumstances, of his fellow-suf-ferers, during any protracted stretch of eloquence on the part of any more than usually talkative member. The news of Sir George Grey’s seedpotato treaty having been successfully accomplished with the Tauranga natives, gave Mr. Tiffen occasion to represent his colleague, who holds a command in the Military settlers, as in tho act of planting those tokens of Sir G. Grey’s softness, which feat is about tho only kind of “ service in the field” that that gentleman and his command are likely to share after all. Last, but not least, amongst the Apostles is Mr. Colenso. We have reserved our notice of this gentleman to tho last, because he appears to us the most noteworthy amongst the lot. Ho has a remarkably intelligent face, a fine forehead, and in fact looks like a clever man, which he is. There is, however, a lurking look of chronic dissatisfaction in his eye, which indicates that he is a man whom it would be difficult to please, and, who, in consequence, shines more as an oppositionist than anything else. , Mr. ■ Colenso is an industrious speaker, but there is much in his speeches, which is worthy bf commendation, and much which might have been dispensed with. He evidently studios his part carefully, and looks upon tho duties of representative of tho people as by no means a light matter to be treated with indifference. He appears, moreover, to seek to infuse into that Council a more earnest and business-like tone, which, indeed it greatly needs. Mr. Colenso, it is hardly necessary to say, is, par excellence , the opposition, from which it would seem, if wo are to take that circumstance as a fair indication, that the present Government is popular. We respect the courage with which Mr. C. supports his cause against such long odds, and the plucky manner in which he resents tho frequent insults hurled at him. It has been objected that he is rather irate and loses temper: we should like to see the holder of that opinion in Mr. C’s shoes, undergoing the outpourings of abuse.from the mouths of some ten or a dozen first-class blockheads. There are some people who, under such conditions, would bow to the storm, and immediately join the conquering hosts, and bray as long and. as loud as the rest; there are others, again, who would most likely resent a great many things which Mr. C. stomachs, by the adoption of a species of argument which is more forcibly expressed by action than in words. Mr. Colenso manfully bears his burden in spite of all. He studies carefully tho subjects under discussion, such as they arc, and is armed at all points with facts and figures, a kind of armour which, when attacked by his careless and ignorant compeers, is found to be irresistible,

therefore their absurd clamors. Mr. Colenso is a very good example of a hard-working member, and it would be well indeed for the Province if the other members took as much pains and devoted as much time and trouble to their duties as he does. The reason why the members of this Council side with the Government is because they are incapable of thinking for themselves; for as that Government supports the runholding interests, in which they are all but Mr. Colenso bound up, it answers just as well as the best. We cannot conclude these short notices of tho members of the Provincial Council of Hawke’s Bay, with any congratulatory remarks to their respective constituencies upon their choice. Upon the whole, from M’Lean downwards, they are very ordinary men, and it says very little for Hawke’s Bay, that such as these are should be called the representatives of its inhabitants. The fact is, the Provincial Council as at present constituted is the veriest ‘‘machine” imaginable, to use Mr. Wilkinson’s own expression, dropped at M’Lean’s dinner.