"Dismal Dick."

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 February 1913, Page 4

"Dismal Dick."

LA UOl iIS—AND MAKES TROUBLE. At Adelaide a deputation recently asked the Hon. Richard Butler, Minister for Public Works, and a well-known pastoral ist and pu'blio man, to lift the railway from tlio main street. A local lawyer, Mr Webb, was [>articularly emphatic, declaring that Adelaide was "tho laughing stock of the world" because of it. This is what followed:—Mr Butler "smiled" and remarked that it was ".stretching it a bit." "The deputation says it is intolerable and you smile," retorted Mr Webb. Tho Minister smiled again. Then (thundered Mr Webb) T warn you. Mr Commissioner, it is not safe to laugh at a British community when they tell a Government it is becoming intolerable. (Laughter aiul uproar). The Government of England laughed at the little colony of America when it said tho tea taxes were intolerable ; but when the next ship entered Boston harbour tho people of that little colony boarded it and poured tlio tea overboard. The Government of Victoria laughed at Peter Lalor when be said that tho mining permits in that colony wore intolerable; but Peter Lalor walked with a body of men into the Eureka Stockade and .said there would bo no more of it. Tt is not wise to .jest with the will of the people, Mr Commissioner. (Loud laughter and cheers). Thereupon the awostruck Minister hastened to assure the deputation that the railway would be removed "before Christmas" (a fairly long wait), but added that he was astonished at the objections to his smile, as ho had earned the sobriquet of "Dismal Dick."