A Fallen Idol.

Manawatu Herald, 17 November 1904, Page 3

A Fallen Idol.

THE CHANGE OF A DECADE. “ Our George 1 *’ The phrase was one to conjure With for many a year in political circles in our Empire City. To-day, George Fisher’s light appears to have gone out. He sits in the Chamber in an attitude of brooding, as though he were thinking of opportunities lost and the large amount of paving operations performed in another place. “ How the mighty have fallen ! ” There were great possibilities in George Fisher only a decade ago. This Dublin comp., a member of a family which has turned out some remarkably good printers, gave his attention to reporting, and became one of our most expert stenographers. He became one of the Hansard staff, and later on a City Councillor, and then Mayor ; from the City Council he went into the House, and from the House he was called up higher, even to a- seat, in the Atkinson Cabinet. He was so much the friend of the friendless Italian in our city that he became our Italian Consul by special request. And so able was he in debate, and so large a grasp had he of the colony’s affairs, that there seemed no end to the possibilities of Q.P. The people were delighted in him, and were pleased to call him “ Our George,” just as to-day the Premier’s highest compliment from the people is to be called plain “ Dick.” Where does George Fisher stand now ? He does not stand. He who was of the strenuous, most strenuous, nowadays sits down, and, like Brer Rabbit, keeps on saying nothing all the time.—Wellington Paper.