Written for the "Free Lance" Christmas Number.

Free Lance, 15 December 1902, Page 22

Written for the "Free Lance" Christmas Number.

LB\ F. DA C De L'lsle ] (All Rioiits Reserved.)

*' TXT^"^ a *°°^ honesty is' and yy trust, his sworn brother, a very simple gentleman !" * * * Tluere was a large house party at Te Nui-Nui, the largest for many years. Alic Muirhead was a gentleman oi tne old school, and had old-time ways. Once every year, if it were possible, ne would assemble his whole family under the roof of the old station-house, and, for a week or ten days sons amid daughters brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, with old Alic's grand-children too, would "dim the lamps of night in revel," and "mock the midnight bell. This occasion was Christmas time, and it had become an institution at Te Nui-Nui. „ Among the present visitors were : Mr. and Mrs. Ackland Dane, Prrnoe Probyne (the hunter-poet of New Zealand). Mr. and Mrs. Digby deeveland, Auriol Probyne (Prince Probyne's brother), Mr. and Mrs. James Lennox, Mr. Royston Buchanan and Miss Dorothy Dranfield. Mi i The married ladies were al! daugnters of Alic Muirhead, and Jtssie Lennox had brought her friend, Dorothy Draniield tb Te Nui-Nui, in order to find her a husband. Mrs. «lim« 1 im Lennox was an aecomolished match-maker. Married twice herself, she I ad passed a notable apprenticeship, and was mast accomplished in the ars amoris. "Look here. Jim," she said, to her adoring husband, as they dressed for dinner, the fourth evening at Te NuiNui, "I brought Dorothy on purpose to find her a husband. She is only seventeen but, as a penniless orphan, she should be married. It is abturd for her to talk of earning her own living ; she cannot do it. So, I brought her here, and I've founJd just tfc man for her." . t "Ah'" said Jim Lennox, reflectively, "I believe you found a husband for Jean, and one for Mab, and one for Nita, and " "Oh for goodness' sake, don't chaff 1 interrupted Mrs. Jim; "I am really serious ! If Dorothy is properly chaperoned, Auriol Probyne is just the man for heT l" "Or?" asked Jim Lennox, fighting with his collar stud. "Or? Or what?" asked Mrs. Jim. "My dear Jessie, you are getting old, and losing all your diplomatic caution In the early days you always kept a second husband in perspective, lest the first should prove refractory. Whos your second string this time — Buchanans" Jim Lennox chuckled. "Not" cried Mrs. Lennox, indignantly, "though he is rich, I -would rather Dorothy remained single tihan that she should sell herself to him — " "Hum ! There is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow ! Dorothy will come out all right under your matronly wing'" said Jim, patting the square, muscular shoulders of his fox-hunting wife with lovine tenderness. "Jessie, you are a born matrimonial agency!" "Don't tease, Jim! Are you coing to help?" said Mrs. Jim, clasping his hand. "Rather. Dorothy's fortune lies ui>on this -jump. Ride her at it carefully and I'll bring the hound — I mean, pup — alone!" "You are a good boy!" said Mrs. Jim, and she kissed him affectionately. Miss Dorothy Dranfield and Mr. Royston Buchanan were in the billiardroom that night, playing a nundred up. In her white satin evening dress, Dorothy Dranfield was most surprisingly beautiful. She was a blonde-brunette, if one may coin the term. Her hair was a golden russet brown, her complexion claret, cream, and lilies, her eyes like twin stars of sapphire blue, and her figure the budding of magnificent, womanhood. She had been en orphan for two years, and, now that she had come to a marriageable age, her bosom friend and mentor had determin-

Ed to marry her, and settle a definite future for her. Mr. Royston Buchanan, watched her playing a sample hazard, in off the red, with intense admiration. He was a connoisseur in female beauty points . From Soarboro to Deauville, from Narrangasset to the banks of the Ganges, from, the Neva Marbles to Sydney Harbour, he had seen women of all classes and all nationalities, and had learned to know and appreciate a beautiful girl with epicurean gusto. He had even once owned a Circassian slave, whom he was wont to describe, when in his cups, as the wife of Jupiter Olympus. Buchanan was a wealthy wool-broker, passably cultured, and good-looking. He was most scrupulous in his dress, always looked well, and he played billiards, like an angel with his wings folded. This was his onei supreme accomplishment, and he was right at the very top of tihe front rankers. He could make breaks of a hundred at almost any time, while his command of a cue was little short of marvellous. Dorothy Dranfield knew all about the theory of billiards ; her father had been a sportsman, and Dorothy followed in his footsteps. Therefore when she first saw Royston Buchanan play biL hards, she was instantly attracted, and they were always playing together. Buchanan watched the russet-gold head bending over the table, the starry eyes, fixed on the object ball were twin magnetic poles, the swelling corsage audibly groaned as she stooped, and her snow-white bosom rose and fell rhythmically with her breathing. cr Verona's summer hath not such a flower!" thought Buchanan. Miss Dranfield missed her shot, and, looking up, met his eyes. For one moment she fell under the spell, the next she laughed, saying — "I am getting a bigger duffer than ever. I should have run through the red, don't you think so?" "No. Try check-side. Let me show you." His strong hand closed over her tiny fist, and, directing her cue, he played the shot, lingering over the ecstaoy of neighbourhood to her. "There, high up on the check-side hit the obiect ball full, medium pace, and you score. See'" He gently loosed her hand. "How eiasilv you do it. I wish I knew as much about the game. But. billiards is too scientific for me. Mr. Auriol Probyne says he has a solution of triangles that will revolutionise billiard playing !" "Rubbish!" remarked Buchanan. "Auriol Probyne is as mad as his brother. Those poet fellows always are. I can give him nine hundred in a thousand up, and lose him. I'll take ten for this next shot, watch ; cannon first, two, in off the red, red in, eight and pocket you in the middle nocket, ten." He played it leisurely. Everything was perfect. The three balls disappeared as if by magic. Dorothy Dranfield was very much impressed. Auriol Probyne, followed by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Lennox entered the room. Probyne frowned, and said, in a low voice to Mrs. Jim • "Caviare to the general! I am a pipe for fortune's finger to sound what stop she pleases'" "Here's Mr. Proh^ne, Dorothy; we have been looking for you. Mr Probyne won't believe me when I teU h m you are a champion lady cuist. Play fifty-up with him, and prove it, will you dearP" She looked at her husband, and, for one instant only, his left eyelid lav flat on his cheek. She smiled knowingly. "Mr. Buchanan, I want to show you some photographs of the Leicester sheep Jim has got at Poverty Bay. You should be able to give us some valuable information concerning Leicesters." "Glad, I'm sure," said Buchanan, as he relinquished his cue, though he looked vastly annoyed. Turning to Miss Dranfield, he said • "I hope my puml will tnve her opponent beans! Mind

you win!" and, following Mrs. Lennox, he left the room. A silent signal from Mrs. Lemnox made Jim Lennox clear out like lightning, and Auriol Probyne was left alone with Dorothy Dranfield. He was a fine, manly fellow, very arustoioratic-loioikin~ very chivalrous in all his actions. He, Lie his brother, indulged in tihe glorious charm of verse>making. They were both educated, literary, and artistic men, with a sufficient income to live well, and practice sheep-fairming. Like his brother Prince, Auriol Probyne was a fine rider. Whem on hoirseback, "he grew unto his seat, and to such wondrous doing brought his horse, as he had been incorps'd and demi-natured, with the brave beast'" "What did Buchanan say about your being his pupil? Are you a pupil of his?" asked he of Miss Dorothy. She laughed a silvery peal. "If teaching me a few strokes makes me a pupil, well. I suppose I am," she replied. ' Then, you will probably beat me badly " said Auriol Probyne. "I am but a poor billiard player I" She flashed a glance at the clear-cut face, as Prohyne bent over his stroke. There was a, smooth, wavy curl in, his fair hia*r that tempted her to passi her finger over it. She could scarcely restrain herself. "Mr. Buchanan said he could frive you nine hundred in a 1 thousand, and lose you. Do -"ou think he could?" asked! Dorothy. "Most likely. If Buchanan were not a wealthy man, and a gentleman, I should put him down for a billiard 'sharo' ' Hard luck for me to be run down because of my inability to play billiards, while he Tiimself the primirtosei path of dalliance treads' !" He looked hard at his fair opponent. She blushed uncomfortably. "He cannot ride in the> same paddock with you, anyhow !" she replied, ouickly, "so that honours are divided'" "Yes. By tlie way are coming out for an early morning ride to-mor-row? Mrs. Jim amd Mrs. Cleeveland are' going. We will see 'the envioais streaks that lace the severing clouds in yonder East' when 'night's candles are burnt out amd jocund day stands tin-toe on the misty mountain tops'." Thelre was a magnetism in Probyne's conveirSiation that was irresistible to a romantic youns erirl. Dorothy Dranfield stood irresolute by his side. "T should be debVhted." she said. 'The morningsi at TeNui-Nui are remarkable lam told. What time shall we start?" "About five o'clock. The maid will call you when 'the glow-worm shows the matin to be near ,and 'gins to pale his ineffectual fire.' Ido not think anvof the beauties of Nature would get Mr. Royston Buchanan to leave his bed at four in. the morning !" said Probyne. Dorothy Dranfield looked down and tapped her pretty foot impatiently on the ground. It was quite evident that Probyne was a horribly jealous man. She did not admire jealousy, "He might;." she replied, pouting, "if he had a billiard-match to play !" "Ah!" said Probyne. "Of couree, for billiards I believe he would sell his soul. Even the" — he looked straight into her eyes — "the woman he loved!" 'Do you think so?" Really!" then, coquettishly, "would Mr. Buchanan sell me, do you think, for billiards!" Probyne gasped, and turned white. For one moment he thought that she was acknowledging an engagement with Buchanan. "For you." he gasped. "Why more especially you. I said for the woman he loved I" "Well, is it not possible for Mr. Buchanan to love me?" she pouted. "It would be impossible for hm not to love you !" said Probyne. "How nice of you," said Miss Dranfie)d, smiling, "you have not answered my question, though?" "Yes, he would sacrifice even you, I believe." "He will never have the opportunity," said Miss Dorothy. Probyne heaved a sigh of relief. "That last speech gives me hope. Latel^ I was in despair. Miss Dranfield, you are the world to me — may I hope that you will be my wife?" said Probvne, the commonplace remark biting into his heart with its garish crudeness. For one moment a feeling of repulsion stole over her. Then, she actually laughed. She would ioke with this adventurous lover. It would do him good. "You mat hope. Mr. Probyne, for, on the day that you beat Mr. Buchanan at billiards I will answer 'Yes' to your late question." He laughed bitterly. " Thou cutt'st my head with a golden axe, and smil'st upon the stroke that murders me' !" lie quoted. "I will quote again." she answered. " 'Be patient for the world is broad and wide. Conquer him but once, and the three-nooked world shall beai* the olive freely'! It is getting late. I must return to the drawing-room." She lingered by the cue-rack. Probyne grew passionate again.

"Good-night beloved and 'flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.' I'll beat him, though I die in the attempt. Forget not to-morrow's ride when 'the grey-eyed morn breaks on the frowning night, checkering the eastern clouds with streak© of light, and flecked darkness, like a drunkard, reels from forth day's pathway.' Good-night, my empress. Te morituri salutant!" he bent over her ivory fingers, amid kissed her hand, saying "A hand that kings have lippd, and trembled, kissing!" Slight inclination had Miss Dranfield to discourage suoh a wooer. She gave him one sweet, swift glance, and gathering up her skirts, rustled out, smiung. at him over her shoulder. "My luck!" groaned Probyne. Beat Buchanan, quoth she! Beat the King Infernal I I will wander down to thei creek, and smoke my cigarette, the while I dream of this aueen of women. Ah! 'civil night, sobeissuited matron all in black' come aid my wandering wits. He walked out on to the verandah, and thence down to the creek. On the fallowing morning at 'the hour before the nea/venly-harness'd team begins his golden progress in the east ' Probyne was cantering happily along by Miss Dranfield's side, over the dewy upland fern, while Royjston Buchanan was dreamxnor o f a ma t c h he would some day P la Y the champion, of the world Ihe party returned from the ride to nnd. another visitor had arrived. He was an American electrician, who had come, afc Alic Muirhead's especial request, to fit out Te Nui-Nui %vith an electric shearing apparatus. He tui*nout to be humorous to a decree, and he soon became the life and soul of the party. That night, at billiards, he -'—ed Hoyston Buchanan, and got a most unmerciful dressing down. It seemed to surprise ham. since he himself was a strong player. Out on the verandah h© remarked confidentiaUy to Probyne-' bruess I could beat your man evervtime if I wanted to. I've got a littL XT^ tvs **** w <"*ld do the trick rk!ht rt.2"^ 0 S^ ai^ d "What's that? he asked, quickly. "What did you say?" "I've got a little electro-magnetic apparatus in my gripsack, which, I reckoi would settle your champion right easy' You see, it's this way, ivory WX sympathise to magnetic influence, but these bonzolme balls tlhey have here can be attracted and repelled by elec-tro-magnetism right quick. If I could ta .my little apparatus to the billiardtable, and wire the room, I guess you'd see a pantomime when I played your ob^npxon next time that would paralyse Probyne grabbed him by the shoulder. 'Look here! I'm " a desperate m .f^- , I've grot to beat Buchanan at billiards before I can win the cdrl I loye. Get -our apparatus fixed, and let me play him. If I win, you can command anything of me!" ' <Gre 2* oa!b&l Is th^ so?" said Mr. Silas P Ouff "Look-a-hyar, Mr. Poet, 1 always does a poet a epod turn ttl can. Ima bit shook on poetry myself. You clear all the visitors out this afternoon and I guess HI have that apparatus ready for you to-night!" Probyne thanked him profusely and then departed. That afternoon Te JNui-Nui was dteserted. Every one had gone out shooting. Ixl *£ c , evenin & after dinner was over, Probyne sent a fevered glance across to Miss Dranfield, and, turning to Buchanan, said: "You said you would give me nine hundred in a thous-and-uo and lose me. Are you prepared to try to-night?" "Certainly I" answered Buchanan. "At once, if yon like." "A wager!" replied Probyne. Come along. They all rose, and flocked to the billiard-room. Probyne remained behind for a moment with Buchanan. 1 will play you on one condiUon only The terms of the match to be that the loser shall leave this house to-morrow morning !" "What, on Christmas Day? No jolly fear!" exclaimed Buchanan. "Oh. then you think you'll lose!" said Probyne, quickly. "Certainly not. I was thinking how hard it would be for you," answered Buchanan. "Don't consider me. I'm not afraid of the issue!" said Probyne. "Nor I," said Buchanan, getting nettled. "I'll play you on you? owl terms. Come along, we may as well get this farce over!" and he led the way to the billiard-room. Mr. Silas P. Cuff was there, standing some way from the table, an interested spectator. The game began. i. "^'"whispered Mr. Silas to Probyne. 'Til let him sail in, and do all I can to increase your score. Don't be afraid; bang them up anyhow, I'll do the rest!" Probyne opened with a miss in balk Buchanan replied w-th a break of 245, and left all three balls safe. In fear and trembling, Probyne let drive. The result was most astonishms L Th e . three halls came towards each other in a distinct curve, cannoned hard. and. separating, shot into: three pockets like lightning.

"What a beastly fluke!" exclaimed Buchanan. Everybody else laughed. Probyne continued from balk, with only the red to play on. As he nassed SiLas P. Outf that gentleman remarked, sotto voce "Let her go. Sorry you lost the white. Do some fancy hazards'" Probyne aimed straight at the red. To his surprise, his ball shot into the right-hand bottom pocket, and the red took a curve of nearly six inches before it found a resting place in one of the middle pockets. Buchanan, stared, with mouth agane From the next shot, the white screwed back, and Landed in a top corner pocket, and the red wobbled and twisted all over the table until it went into the other top corner pocket with a Nobody noticed Mr Silas P. Cuff, who wandered aimlessly about round the table. In six shots Probyne made 31, and then miss-cued. His ball went three times up and down the table, and then hit the red, but it had lost pace, and no score resulted. Then, Buchanan took a, hand He raa up to 506 before he stopped scoring. Meanwhile, Silas P. Cuff had been talking to Probjne. "Say don't misst-cue any more or you'll be losing. I can't make it so strong; without thedr tumbling to it Sail in, and make a few this time. Probyne sailed in — he scored up to 70 when he broke down badly over a simple cannon. Then, Buchanan ran uv to 896. Probyne played a straight nooket, and grassed all three balls. They followed each other like sheep into th<? bottom Docket. The scores came to 944 — 896. Buchanan then got to 996 without an effort. "Good Lord' Are you going to see me beaten ?" gasped Probyne to the Yankee.

"No feai, siree. watch the negative current get in it's deadly woik What ho'" as Buchanan played a slow red pocket. But the ball slackened pace perceptibly, and finally stopped right over the pooket. The player was paralysed, and howled with triumph when Probyne followed with a miss-cue Then, an extraordinary thing happened. The red ball, hanging rieht over the pooket, fell in without being struck, and Buchanans ball, within two or three inches of it, silently followed it into the pocket. Probyne had won the game.

What Mr. Buchanan said is unfit for publication. But, Mr. Silas P. Cuff, over a large Pommeroy and] seltzer, whispered confidentially to Auriol Probyn©. "I was standing on the negative. The wire was under my left foot, and all tihe pressure was on it. That kept the balls away from the pocket. When you fired, and missed, that stunning young pn'rl o' yoursi staggered against me, and I had to shift my pressure. The negative was off. I trod hard on my right foot, under which was the "nosdtive. On went the current, and in went the

two nearest bails. I thought the game was up 1 So it wae-^up to youl Do I get a bit of the weddin' cake, eh.?" What Miss Dranfield had to say rumour does not record, but there was a very swagger wedding in the Rangitikei shortly afterwards and the best man's name was Silas P. Cuff. He presented the bride with a gold brooch, shaped like a billiard cue, and under it was the motto "All's Fair in Love and War."

Golf Branch was busy among a considerable body of clerks supervising the preparation of handicaps for the next tournament. Harry Parker, in the Tennis Department, had only time to squeeze our hand and ask us to call

again, while Controller Churchward was sitting in, judgment m the Bowls Department, hearing argument before deciding a disputed question whether a driving shot, whioh raked a concluding head, and won a hotly-contested match, became burnt before it reached the ditch. The Hon. Dr. Grace was arguing in support of the complaint, and Mr. Thos. BaLhnger was defending the drive. Passing through another suite of offices, we found Mr. GaJbraith, in the Rowing Department, "up to his eiyes" with business. Through his exertions, tihe match for the Sculling Championship of the World, and a purse of 1000 sovereigns, was to take place over at Picton, and all the most famous scullea-s were entered for it. Mr. J. B. Speed was busy in the "Yachting Department" with the programme for an inter-colon^ ial regatta, and a championship fixture on the lines of tihe America Cup. Tom Shields was at the head of affairs in the Swimming Department. W. F. Pearson was in charge of the interests of Hockey, and J. J. Roberts, witthi H. McKeowen as right-hand man, was State Controller of "Soccer" Football. Messrs. MoKenzie and Webb had to hrarry away. Although, it was the "off" season for football, the Controller of Ruererer was up to his eyes. He was directing by wire the movements of two New Zealand champion teams — one in England, and another in Canada. Next day he was to leave per special aeromotor with a third champion team, to play a programme of matches 1 through Japan. As for George Webb, he had English and Australian Elevens on his hands, and no end of inter-provincial fixtures to look after. On the whole, we reckoned these recreation officials were about the busiest people we had stumbled across so far. Charlie Skerrett took our arm, and we strolled down the Quay together Incidentally we inquired after the Bar. "Nothing in it," was the laconic reply. ' The_ State Law Bureau was managed by Mick Myers, amd aggrieved individuabuwent there for advice. Litigation was discouraged. When cases had to he taken into Court, barristers wei'e appointed for both sides, witnesses were examined with great celerity, and arguments were stated with the utmost terseness. Juries were entirely dis Ipensed with and the iuderes flLord Stout Sir Theo. Cooper", and Sir J. G Findlay") were very prompt with their decisions. As for the Arbitration Court _it had not sat for years and the Conciliation Board was only a memory — some scoffers said a nightmare

Passing the Police Head-quarters, we met an officer m charge of a draft of probationers. It was Commissioner Tunbndge, and, after ex changing salutations, we asked if any unusual emergency was on to make it necessary for him to step down from his pedestal, and take a hand in street duty. "No," he said, with a sigh ; "nothing unusual. You don't seem to notice that I wear a sergeant's uniform, and, consequently, am Commissioner no longer. I didn't turn up trumps in the last shuffle. Just now, I'm training the last draft of probationers up at Mount Cook, and O'Donovan is Commissioner." The probationers were a mixed assortment, and, as most of them were old acquaintances, we were soon amongst

them, shaking hands. None of them yearned for a police billet but they aJI

accepted it like Britons Little Ted Hill and lofty Levers Joe. Mandel the nuggeby and McKerrow the tall and ample, Kinsey and Horry Lyons, Ike Hyanw and Marcus Marks. "How's crime?" we asked of Sergeant Tunbridge. "Steadily falling off— think I must have weeded the criminal population right out. Our time is now chiefly taken up in enforcing the by-laws, which are so numerous that every constable and citizen has to carry the volume about with him for constant reference. The only main who has "swatted" them right up is the Beak — Mr. Wilford." " The remark was well-timed, for His Worship iust then drove up in state, and alighted with dignity from his barouche. He had grown to aldermanic proportions, and looked altogether a -person of very great consequence, but retained the urbane manners of former days.

•'Ah, how-do, how-do?" he graciously remarked. "This Court business is wearing me away. I really must have assistance on the Bench, or else I resign. The Amateur Opera Club are wanting me badly for the "Baillie" in "The Bells of Corneville," and, although half the community are dying to see it, and they won't do it without me hanged if I can find the time to work it up." Charlie Skerrelit was offering condolence, when a luxurious motor-car pulled up, and somebody called out to us to step aboard. Three heavy swells, thought we, as we approached the vehicle.

It was another surprise party, consisting of Sir Wm. Barber, first member for Newtown, Mr. James Godber, M.H.R. for Miramar, and Mr. Tom Bush. Mayor of Hataatai. They were dressed for some important function. That was evident, but it took some time to grasp the full strength of affairs. Briefly, however, things panned out this way Barber had won his knighthood for his services in establishing the splendid ferry between Island Bay and Picton. The Bay was now a highly-im-

portant terminal port, possessing a mole and wharves and railway communication right down to the steamers' sides. Then the member retired from Parliament, to devote himself heart and soul to his great work of propagating new varieties of chrysanthemums, on which subject he was the recognised authority in New Zealand. He was on his way, along with Messrs. Bush and Godber, to open a Floral Fete, m the aristocratic region of Kelburne. "And so Hataitai is also a borough?" we observed, turning to Bush. "One of the best," he replied chirpily. "It was all right from the very start. Turnbull and Williams made a huge success of the first public sale of sections — and look at it now'" he proudly exclaimed pointing across the' harbour. Yes, there was no doubt Hataitai was all right. The hill-sides had been terraced, a cable tram scaled the steopest silope from Oriental Bay, and electric trains ran betweein the seiried rows of trim villa®, with their neat lawns and plentiful shubbery. "And, how long have you been Mayor, Tom?" we asked. "Right from the iump," he replied. This sort of thing ought to go round, of course but they won't let me out of it." Mr. Godbar, as member for Miramax, had made his miark in tihe House we algo gathered. His annual poll-tax, equal to £5 a head on bachelors, had made him the idol of the ladies. They erected triumphal arches in his honour when he forced the Passage of the law decreeing that the State should bear the expenses of allhoneymoons, and must grant special privileges to mothers of families larger than five. And his last great achievement had been the passage of his bill ordaining that the State should present a gorgeous threedecker wedding cake on the" occasion of every silver wedding throughout the country. "Look here " said Sir William, "Godber has the ball at his feet. He has only to lift up his little finger, and he could be in the Cabinet to-morrow if he wants to." "Yes, but Godber is not eroing to form a joint in any Minister's tail!" quickly retorted the member for Miramar. "When this child crosses over to the Treasury benches it will be with a Cabinet of his own, not one of Allan Git's handiwork." By this time, we had arrived at the entrance to the Kelburne Tramway, and. wonder of wonders, Martin Kennedy himself was* seated at the receipt of custom As he snipped a card for us, and gave us change for our small "credit " we apked what wa^ the matter with the company that its managing director should be snipping tickets 9

"Company!" he ejaculated, 'there's no company. This is a State concern now, and, at the Grand Lottery, six weeks ago, I happened to draw this billet — that's all." "Rather a different kind of snuggery to sit in," we remarked, "from the penthouse the original ticket-takers had to put up with in the company days, eh, Martin ?" and we pointed, with a smile, to the neatly carpetted and furnished office and retiring room the ticket-taker was provided with. Mr. Kennedy's nose wrinkled with a suppressed smile. "Here, you gents will join me and friend Isitt in a cup of afternoon tea. It's just on the table inside, and I'll detain the next car for a minute or two." We accepted the invitation, and found the Rev. Frank inside. We were informed that just at the time of our arrival he had been lamenting that, now that Prohibition was carried, his occupation, like Othello's, was gone. Felt like a fish out of water, and so forth and had looked in on his old friend Martin to talk over old times again. Could stand the ennui no longer and was eoing to launch next week a Prohibition movement against smoking. Had also in contemplation the formation of a Juvenile Anti-Lolly Brigade. Ihe consumption of sweets was fraught with ereat moral evils. It ruined the

teeth, thereby leading by inevitable stages to imperfect mastication, of food, impaired digestion, dyspepsia, shattered health, and abominable tempers, household jars and flat-irons, general misery, and divorce. As the Rev. Frank seemed good for half-an-hour on this theme, we crept forth and boarded the tram.

No sooner were we seated than we T^^Tl! "P oll^ ™r old friend, James McLellan He rapidly acquaint ed us with the fact that his political views had undergone a complete revolution. VVas now secretary of the Kelburne branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation, of which Mr T W ±l'slop was treasurer, and pressed us to buy a guinea ticket for the complimentary banquet at which the branch was going to entertain Premier Allan Orr the following night. We parted much marvelling In further conversation, Mr. McLellan informed us that he was out of galvanised iron, and, by the latest Lottery, he had been placed in the Audit OffiS! wJTTV^ the term i"i S , we could hardly believe our eyes. The change was bewildering. Far as the looked, m all directions, lines of streets, rows of shops, villas, and pubchurS CcS -^ Gr ° and there tands^me churches, theatres, and concert halls public squares, pleasure gardens with kiosks and band rotundasf The Botanical Gardens had been enlarged, and the Floral Fete was in full progress there, a vast concourse of people being present. A fourhorse landa,u and a brass band 3TW waiting to convey Sir Wm. Barber and Messrs. Bush and (xoaber to the ceremonial, and our natural modesty prompted us to decline £LX grcqCGSt to acG ™p™? Our curiosity, instead of being drilled by what we had seen, was only now properly whetted. From Keiburne, we travelled by electric car to Karori, and returned by wav of Brooklyn and Upper Willis street diverging thence to Oriental Bay Park' where we admired the great improvements effected through th© spirited initiative of Councillor George Winder and feasted our eyes upon the colossal bronze statue of heroic size which had been erected in his honour.

Returning from Oriental Bay, tihe offices of the "Evening Post" arrested our attention, and we dropped in to see Editor Lukin. More surprises. The "Post" also was a State institution, and, more than that, was the recognised Government organ; the "Times" being placed at the disposal of Kis Majesty's Opposition. So much we gathered from Mr. Louis Bluadell, who was still in charge of the Commercial Department. Brother John was 1 now Government Printer. All the daily news was illustrated, and AJister Brown was kept trotting about snap-shottir.3 all day long. So many people were on his trail seeking explanations why they were left out, or how he came to make suoh a mess of their futures, that he left no address at the omce. We asked for the editor, found oat there were forty-five people ahead of us, and after waiting an hour and a-half nearly fainted when we were ushered mto the presence of Mr. William Uoffey. (Continued on page 28.)