MINISTERIAL SKETCHES.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 90, 21 August 1878, Page 3

MINISTERIAL SKETCHES.

THE POSTHASTEH-aENEBAL. The Hon. J..T. Fisher served m the Royal Navy, and made his first appearance m New Zealand, m the then crack brig of the service, The Fly-ing Childers, m 1846. He subsequently served m China and India, and again came to New Zealand as one of the Canterbury pilgrims. During the vicissitudes, of Colonial life he has never forgotten his early training, his great order and resolution, and when twitted by a .political opponent that he could not represent the district, replied that he had been taught at school and sea te erase the word " can't " from his dictionary. ~ He was one of the first members of the Road Board for the Heathcobe district, where he remained | until he was elected for the same district*, for the Assembly. He was also m the Provincial Council until the abolition of | Provinces. On the accession of the | Grey Ministry to power he was ap- j pointed to the portfolio of the Post-office | and Customs, and few menin the House more thoroughly appreciate the honours conferred on them by their fellowcolonists then the present PostmasterGeneral. ' " THE COLONIAL SECEETAEY. The lHon. Colonel George Whitmore, M.L.C., of Nftpier, the Colonial Secretary and Leader m the Upper House, has also acquired fame both m his capacity of Assistant Military Secretary to Lieutenant-General Sir D. Cameron, and as a prominent commander of the colonial forces, after the British troops were removed. He was called to the Upper House during Sir G. Grey's Governorship, m August 1863. When he took office under Sir George it was Baid they were not m accord on all matters, and it. was believed his appointment was only of a temporary nature. The hon. colonel is a fair speaker, sometimes impetuous, and frequently instilling into his utterances, some of the old military energy for which he was proverbial. The gallant colonel's military training and experience m despatch writing have fully qualified him for the office he new holds. ' "-" MACAUIAY'S NEW ZEAtANDES. The last, but not least important member of the Ministry, is" the Hon. Hoani Nahe, member for the Western Maori District. t Mr. r Nahe belongs to the Ngatim&rd tribe, and. was born .at Te. Poho, near about f orty-fivd years ago. He was instructed m the 1 alphabet and primer by Mr,. Preece, missionary catechist.^andWiromu-Tu-riponi. He afterwards attended school under the Rev. Mr. Dudley, who , taught him to read the New Testament, | and presented him with one. Mr. Nahe was under Mr. Lanfear, who was m charge during Mr. Dudley's, illness. Subsequently Mr. Nahe w&s removed to St. John s College, Auckland, and placed under Archdeacon (now Bishop Arams and Lloy d, and Mr. Greenwood, son of the late Sergeant-at-Arms to the House of Representatives.- Mr. Nahe, not liking college discipline, ran away, and reached his home. Subsequently the late lamented Bishop.Selwyn came to the' Thames, and took him back to the college, where r he afterwards acquired a good English education. He took honors m arithmetic,and first,' prizo for general knowledge. It was intended that Mir. Naho Bhould become a clergy man,. but he did not care to study theology. When he left the college he was. presented with a first prize for good conduct. Mr. Nahe has been a firm supporter of Str George Grey since ,he.;has boon m the : House, invariably following him into the same lobby whenever a division took place. Mr. Nahe's education enables him to speak fluently and intelligently on all subjects before the House, more especially on those referring to his own countrynaetu He "is very astute, and conducts m himself a very becoming manner. THE TOTAL It will thus be seen that, although Sir George Grey's Ministry does not exacly represent the wealth of the House, yet to a great extent, it represents the brains and intellect of the Assembly. Excepting Sir George anol Mr. Macaudrew, they are all comparatively young men ; and, take them as a whole, they will be found a good all-round team, able to defend *H<?ir own againstopponcnts, and we feel sure that they have the interests of the colony at heart.