“The Man in Dress Clothes”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 80, 25 June 1927, Page 17

“The Man in Dress Clothes”

A SERGEANT-AT-ARMS "Who is that imposing-looking gentleman with the white shirt front and the row of medals?” invariably asks the small child in the gallery. "That, my dear, is the Sergeant atArms, a most important man." answers mamma as she makes an impatient dig to save the two purls from becoming embedded in a sea of plain. And he is important. He is part of the pomp and pageantry of Parliament —Quite a large part too. When Major H. H. Browne _is not carrying out liis duties in the House at Wellington lie lives in Christchurch. A Good Listener He does not put into words his opinion regarding the Government of the country, but he attends every meeting of the House of Representatives, and listens to every debate. He looks as though he had been poured into an immaculate dress suit. A row of ribbons and miniature medals decorates his right breast, telling of service abroad and not a little at home. His clothes must be the joy of his tailur. If the mace is to be moved then the Sergeant-at-Arms must move it. •Officially no one else is allowed to handle this symbol of authority. A most austere person named Oliver Cromwell once said in the House of Commons, “Take away that bauble!” He meant the mace. The Protector has been dead these many years, but the mace is still a symbol. Back in the days of Robert Bruce it was a deadly weapon—a spiked affair used ostensibly to “blip” the enemy over the head. Perhaps in the old days, too, it was used to deal with recalcitrant members. That, of course, must have been in the dim, dark ages before brotherly love existed among legislators. But we wander from the real issue, which, by the way, is a Parliamentary failing everyone contracts at some time or other of his existence. ! The Mace-Bearer Mr. Speaker’s entrance to the Chamber is heralded by the Sergeant-at-Arms, who bears the mace on his right shoulder as the trusty infantryman carries his rifle. “Mr. Speaker:” he commands in a stentorian voice : and the sitting members rise as that | dignitary takes the chair. Then, with movements as mechani- | cal as the trained soldier on parade (Major Browne was a cavalryman for ! years) the Sergeant-at-Arms walks to the Table of the House, clicks his heels, and, with a one-two-three movement, swings the mace over and deposits it on a rest provided for the purpose. The business of legislation can then begin.

Quite often the House goes mio Committee. That is the signal for the mace to be removed from the table. The Sergeant-at-Arms, who is seated behind the members, at his own little bench, comes forward and places his treasure under the table out of sight, Mr. Speaker leaves the chair, and the Chairman of Committees takes charge.

There are times when the House goes into Committee suddenly. The Sergeant-at-Arms then shows a pretty turn of speed.

But he never loses his dignity, incidentally his laundry bill for those immaculately - starched shirt - front* must be tremendous.

A COLD CURRY A London restaurant famed for its curries serves this dish from time to time. For the average size household one young chicken is enough as a loundation for the curry. It should be roasted lightly, left to get cold, and then cut up into joints. While it is cooling the sauce may be prepared. Mix the yolks of two perfectly fresh eggs with a tablespoonful | of olive oil. Stir the oil in slowly until the mixture is stiff, and then add just a dash of Tarragon vinegar, a 1

| teaspoonful of Worcester sauce, and a j small teaspoonful of curry powcfer. These should all be blended very ’ i smoothly. If the mixture seems too * | thick a little milk may be added, but j it should be stirred in a teaspoonful • : at a time and well mixed so that the j sauce is not lumpy. I Put the joints of chicken into the sauce, see that they are well covered. | and allow the dish to stand for at I least half an hour. Serve on a dish witl v a border of | boiled rice.