AUCKLAND.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 223, 8 October 1887, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

To none of the.members of the new House of Representatis T cs does the description "an old colonial hand " apply with better truth than to Edwin Mitchei.son, the chosen the jo Eden electors. He is a colonial by birth and by sentiment to the very marrow. Mr Mitcheleon is just in tho forties, and therefore just in the prime of his manhood. He i& an. enthusiastic yachts man, a patron of the turf, and, indeed, all other kinds of sport, and just now he, with three other Auckland gentlemen, has several racehorses in training in Victoria for competition in the " classic " races of the sister colony. It is related of him that ©n one of his journeys .in the interior of this island, while Minister of Public Works, ho accomplished ths feat of walking from the Upper Mokau to one of the tributaries of the Wanganui Bi^er—43 miles of mountainous, trackless country— in fourteen hours. The hardy Taranaki bushmen and natives who accompanied him were quite astonished at the endurance of •' Minita Miterahena," and still quote ifc as a great feat. In early life he learned the trade of ,a carpenter, but subsequently becoming associated with Mr J. M. Dargaville, he took a prominent part with that gentleman in developing the resources of the Upper Wairoa district The work of subduing the wilderness brought him well-deserved emoluments, and he is now the senior partaiar of the wellknown wholesale firm of E. Mifechelson and Co., of Auckland and Wairoa. Elected several years ago to the representation of Marsden, though no speaker he became known as a good, practical man, who could be depended upon— a man who said what he meant, and did whafc he said. His selection by Major Atkinson as Minister of Public Works caused considerable surprise at the time, as it was thought that some more prominent Auckland member would be chosen. When Mr WynneWilliams, the membei of a Christchurch constituency (and who, by the way, biid occupied a seat in the House close to Mr Mitchelson tor two sessions), was asked to guess who had been appointed Minister of Public Works, he mentioned 30 names and then " gave it up," as the children say when a difficult conundrum is propounded. •• Mitchelson is the man," was the answer of hia questioner. " Mitchelson !" said old "Williams, screwing his eye-glass into his eye with well -feigned surprise. " Mitcheleon ! Who the devil is Mitchelson ? Don't know the man." This story, which has the zaerifc of being true, is an evidence <of the unobtrusiveness of the new member for Eden. Once fairly installed in office, however, his evident capacity for the work he had undertaken won for him "golden opinions of all sorts of people," and it is confidently predicted that when the whirliSig of fcime again places his party on tho 'reasuiy benches ho will stand a good chance of being again" selected for the same office.

Alfred J, Cadman, M.H.R. for Coromandel, js,>.like Mr Mitchelsou, a colonial in every respect. He was a schoolmate of the ex-Minister of Public Works, and there is a hoary tradition that both being of about equal age and strength, boy-like, the future legislators had more than one fistic encounter on old Barrack Green— before that celebrated spot was mowed and shrubbed and parterred into Albert Park. Mr Carlman's father was intimately connected with the Cape Colville Peninsula from early in the fifties and it was to him that the first -New Zealand miner's right was issued-— a historic document whic is still cherished

in the archives of th 6. .Cadmanu family., Young A'fied early took apart in public life. On the inauguration of the county system he became fi'-sb Chairman of the Coromandel County Council, aod has continued to act in that capacity ever since. He hai tat for Coromandol einco 1831, and being an advanced Liberal, w»s for Leveral yea-8 in close poHtical acco'-d with Sir George Grey.

WELLINGTON. A Stctaut MENTEATii; the new member fc c Te Aro, was member for Inangahua in the last Parliament, having be -ten MiReeves by 21. During the last election he went into Parliament as a supporter of the SbDut-Vo&el Ministry, bub was unable fiom political relations to continue his support of tho po'-fcy. Mr Monteath belongs to a very old Scotch family of title, and was educated in France. Fe came to Wellington in 1673, was employed in the National Bank in that city, and subsequently acted as manager of the branch of that bank at Reefton, Kumara, and Lyell. Ho left Reefton in 1880, and going to England was called to the bar fMicklle Temple) in 1882. He returned to New Zealand in 1883, and afterwards contested tho Inangahua seat in the House of Representatives with Mr Reeves, with the result stated. Mr Menteath is heir-ap-parent to a baronetcy. C. B. Izakd, M.A., is well known to most of the citizens of Wellington He arrived in New Zealand in 1860, and after practising as a solicitor for a short time in Auckland came to Wellington, where lie practised his profession with success until 1385, when he retired into private life. Mr Izard was born at Brighton, Sussex, and educated at King's College, Cambridge. Ho became a member of Lincoln Inn, and was called to the bar in 1857. Mr I?ard was Crown Prosecutor in Wellington for a number of years, a position from which he ictired in 1875.

CMRIST€I3CItCXS[. ■\Yfstley B, Pkrcival, the new member for Chiistchurch South, id as ncai'y as possible a native of New Zealand, having been born in Tasmania while his parents were on their wav to the colony. He was educated at the late Mr Merton'a school, Rangiora, and afterwards at Christ's College. There he gained a scholarship, one of the coveted pi izesat the well-know nChristohurch school, for which it is indebted to the generosity of a lady, Mrs Maria Somes. Leaving Ohiist's College, of which for a short time he had been captain, Mr Pei rival went home to England in 1873, going to Stoneyhurst, wheie he enteied what is known 03 the " philosophy cla^s," matriculating subsequently ab London University, though ho did not go through the usunl course for a degree. Ba-sing determined to enter tho legal profession, and " eaten his dinners'' iv the Middle Temple, thenewM.H.R. was entered ban ister-at-law in 1877. Very shortly afterwards he returned to the colony, and haying passed in New Zealand law, in duo course he entered into partnership with Mr T. J. Joynfc, a partnership which lasted &ome live or six yeais. and was dissolved when Mr Percival was compelled totako a trip to England owing to serious illness. Happily he recovered, and soon aftor his return made his first entry into public life as a thorough supporter of the Midland railway scheme, then in the infancy of its agitation period. Ho was thus brought into somewhat prominent notice, and when the Canterbury electors began to look about for a suitable candidate to put into the field for the city constituency their choice fell almost natuially on Mr Percival. His election may be taken as a test both as to his personal popularity and of the Society 'b good organisation, for he was returned by a large majority, though two other candidates were standing for the seat in the Government interest, and an Opposition member to boot. Mr Percival is just three and thirty.

W. P. Reeve**, who will represent St. Albans in place of Mr F. J.Garrick, is the eldest son of the Hon. W. Reeves, M.L.C. Three years Mr Percivarsjunior,andlikehim, an old pupil of Christ's College, his school career was unusually brilliant, and if the winning of several Government scholarships at the University and the Somes scholarship, numerous form prizes, besides extra prizes for essays and work of a literary character, could assure anyone a position in the House, that of the new member for St. Albans should certainly be secure. In 1874, Mr Reeves went Home intending to matriculate at Oxford, and to study for the law in London alter taking his degree ; ill health, however, put an end to both these schemes, and after a few months spent in England he returned to New Zealand. A year or two later he entered the office of Messrs Harper and Co. , passed the necessai-y legal examinations, and was admitted to the bar here. Law, however, had fewer charms for him than journalism, and the former profession was speedily relinquished for the latter as a member of the literary staff , of the papers owned by the Lyttelton 44 Times " Company, and more especially of lateas the editor of the Canterbury "Times." Mr Reaves has now for some yearß been a journalist. The first step in his political career was taken in a semilpublic way as one of the " Government " in ,a now defunct Parliamentary Union. The next was the Presidency of the Canterbury [Electors' Association, of which he was <onevof jtKe origin aters. This position he resigned when the requisition to stand for St. Albans showed the wish of many of tke electors for a change in their representative. The finale (at present) was the winning of the same St. Albans seat after one of the most fiercelyfought campaigns of this present election. Mr Reeyes has represented the province before in other ways, having twice played in football teams as half-back, and also against the Otago, English, Australian, and Interprovincial cricket teams. In these, and numberless local matches, he has gradually gained the reputation of being one of the best bats in New Zealand. Though well known amongst old school-fellows and others as a ready and fluent after-dinner speaker, it was not until fairly launched on the St. Albans contest that he began to develop the very considerable powers as a speaker which he now possesses, and which are likely to distinguish him even in a House by no means devoid of members strong in debate like the two members alluded to.

A. E. G. Rhodes, the chosen of the Gladstone electors, was also educated at Christ's Colloge, where he was captain of the school and holder of the Somes scholarship. A wealthy son of a family known throughout these islands for the rich possession of this world's goods, Mr Rhodes has for many years been quietly preparing to take a share in the government of the country. He is a graduate of Jesus College, Cambridge, where he matriculated in 1877, and took his degree of B.A. and LL.B., a second-class, in law tripos three years later on. He has had some experience in a London lawyer's office, is besides doing a good business in Christchurch as barrister and solicitor, and is president, vice-presi- '.

debt', aii&oomiriiirf&emanHDf soofefcies/orubs and associations of all kinds. His experience of public business is as yet limited to that gained on the Chi'istchurch Drainage Board, of whidKliody ho has been a member for the^past three oc four years. He is not likely at present to add—fortunately the cynical will say — to the oratorical forces of the House, but the thoughtful ViH o«*tf to irfind Sheridan's ejaculation Still a budding orator, and tremble for 6he future. Mr Rhodes is about thirty years of , age. His election manifesto pledges him to be an opponent of the Government as at present constituted. The experiences of life seen by John Joyce, who reigns in Lyttelton vice Mr Allwright, deposed by the will of the sovereign people, have been of the most varied kind. Born at St. Ivess, Cornwall, in 1839, he is of Irish extraction, but evidently has the roving, seafaiing, progressive, West Country blood running through his veins, it is the sort of blood that breeis colonists naturally. No wonder, then, that the Cornish fisher-boy whose first experience at thirteen years of age was a trip all round the British Isles in a tiny fishing smack should have gradually found better occupation in life than coiling in the foot ropes of a big net. Coming to Melbourne in 1854, his first employment was on the water-police boat, of which his father had command. Smuggling and sailor rowdyism were in full swing in the digging days, and young Joyce can tell of some curious experiences during the three years that passed, till an acute attack of retrenchment — a disease which has afflicted the sister colony, too, at times — swept police boats and police away. Service in the Emigration Department and the command of a small " hooker" of 55 tons, in which cook, stevedore, agent, and crew all answered to the name of Joyce, filled in a space in the new member's life till shortly beforo his arrival in New Zealand. Commissioner Branigan, when the "rushes" to the Otago diggings came about, organised water police at Port Chalmers, and there Mr Joyce did service in 1863 as officer in charge. Some years after he became clerk to the Bench. The transit to law was the simple outcome of a natural desiro to bettor himself. In 1868 Mr Joyce was articled to Mr Ho«lgkinson, widely known as an amateur painter in watercolours, and was admitted to the bar in 1873. He practised in Dunedin and the port town. In 1879 he moved to Christchurch, settled in Sydenham, was twice Mayor of the "Model Borough," and Chairman of the School Committee. There Mr Joyce is a shining light among the Volunteers, his old associations with disciplined men leading him to raise the Sydenham Ride Corps in 1883, the majority of which came to him in 1885. Like nearly all the new Canterbury members, he is a Vogelite of the Vogelites.

A. Lougiirey, of Linwood, according to his own account is like the proverbial happy nation, ho has no history. However, like those, the story of his life can be told. Mr Loughrey is another Irishman born in the colonies, for he is a native of Melbourne, where he was educated, and of which wonderful city's university he is a graduate, B.A. and LL.D. This law decree he took, as many school inspectors appear to do, in Victoria, viz., as being likely to lead to superior appointments. He arrived in New Zealand about ten years ago, and was at once made head- master of the East Christchurch School, one of the most important in the North Canterbury educational district. Hardly was he settled there, when the Victorian authorities paid him the compliment of sending him a cable message requesting his acceptance of the Inspectorship of Schools again. Though travelling and toiling in the great Au&tralian colony, it did not render him faithless to New Zealand , where he saw an opening for himself, and as a lawyer his LL.B. degree now stood him in good stead. He returned, passed as a New Zealand ! barrister, and joined Mr O'Connell, and afterwards Mr J. Holmes, the late member for Christchurch South, whose partner he still remains. "Some havejgreatness thrust upon them," says the poet, and Mr Loughrey in his way is one of these. Politics in Vic toria he h ad carefully escli c wed , but the Linwood folds kept bothering, as Mr Loughrey puts it, and his political career began. Like Mr Percival, his public appearance has been rather sudden. Before this, his chief performances of a public character had been the raising of the Christchurch Irish Hille Corps, which owes its existence to his energy and the war scare of 1886, Mr Loughrey is still Captain of the Iri&h Boys, and in Victoria was known as an all-round athlete who could hold his own with the best. He is a staunch Stout-Vogelite.

JMERCAKGILL. Joseph George Ward, who has been elected for Awarua by a large majority, was born in Victoria thirty years ago, and came to the Bluff with his parents when five years old. He was for some time engaged in a mercantile office. At 21 he became member of the Town Council, and three years later was elected Mayor of the Bluff, which position he held for five years. He has also served his district as member of the Bluff, on the Harbour Board of which he has been Chairman four years running. He has been connected with every public institution at the port, whose interests he loses no opportunity of advancing. He is also captain of the Bluff Rifles, and in short only a man of great energy could do justice to all his manifold engagements of a public and private character. He some years ago embarked in the grain trade, ana has built up 0118 of the largest businesses in the colony, with an offioe at Invercargill and spacious stores at the Bluff. Politically ho is aLiberaland protectionist; would make Bible reading in schools optional Avith committees, would support a well-considered scheme of retrenchment, making railway reform a strong point in his programme. He has been a lifelong abstainer, but thinks the present Licensing Act goes far enough in the direction of local option. Mr Ward is very popular both in public and private life, is a clear and forcible speaker, and has some practical knowledge and training in public business. He should take a good po&ition in the House.

Dr. Hodgkinson, who has been returned for Wallace by three votes, represented the district in Parliament prior to 1879. The doctor's parliamentary career is remarkable from the fact that during on© session he simply charged expenses, and refused to accept the balance of his honorarium, He favours the curtailment of borrowing, and would go in for radical retrenchment. He would maintain the education system, but limit primary school teaching to the fourth standard, and economise in the High Schools. The Bible he would have read before ■ ordinary school hours. As to protection and free trade, he holds that the Customs tariff should be framed to meet the ' circumstances of the colony. He has a great dislike to Sir Julius Vogel's continuance in office. The doctor, who is well up in years, is scholarly and philosophical in style of speech, and in this respect is a decided improvement on his prelecessor, -Mr H. Hirst, who seldom troubled ihe House with his views. i

k-k -' 7 CuTllßiA^ Cowan, re-elected for Hokonui, will be in opposition to the Government,. He will insist on large retrenchment, favours Bible-reading with time table and conscience clause, and objects to increasing the property tax and customs. He took a very active part in the negotiations leading up to the purchase of the Waimea Plains railway by the government. He has good knowledge of political questions and local gqyornmenti and. will . be very useful on committees appointed by the House to deal with those subject?, fie ia not a brilliant speaker — solid rather than showy — but able to express his ideas clearly. Captain McKenzie, the chosen of Waikaia by three votes, represented Mataura district from 1881 to 1884. He ha 3 previously been in the Provincial Council. He is a free ti-ader, retrencher, and id if anything of Conservative tendencies. He is an old Indian army officer, but bears his years well, and is unrivalled as a political tactician. He is all there in the lobby, and when occasion demands it a strong out-spoken debater, rough and ready, but none the less effective. Taken altogether, a sturdy ! character, and one well able to hold his own.

G. F. Richardson, re-elected for Mataiira, is a surveyor by profession, lias been for many years member of the Southland County Council, and is thorough master of local government. He takes a great and intelligent interest in public works, and was regarded in the last Houso as a possible Minister of that department. He took a prominent part in the debate on the Representation Bill last session, and argued point after point with Sir Robert Stout, with whom he more than held his own, winning praise from Sir George Grey for the ability displayed. He is a firm iree trader, would support Bible - reading with a time - table and conscience clause ; is in the prime of life, and has great practical knowledge added to the power of giving terse and forcible expression to his views on a wide range of subjects.

Henry Feldwick, who represented Invercargill in two previous Parliaments, was whip to the Grey Cabinet. He is in opposition to the Ministry, strongly advocates a sy&tem of intelligentprofcection, is opposed to the property tax, believes the present licensing laws give people sufficient power, and would supporbßible-readingwitlmtime-table and conscience clause. He will maintain the present system of education, but. thinks the cost can be considerably reduced. When previously in the Houso he took a leading part in introducing measures affecting workmen, wages, mortgages, etc. He is always found on the Libeial side of the House ; is not so voluble as his predecessor, Mr Hatch, but quite able to put his opinions lucidly. Judging by past records, he will be an energetic and industrious member. He has been a member of the Education Board, is captain of the Artillery Battery, ard has taken an active part in various local movements.

OTAGO. Hugh Sutherland Valentine, member for Waikaia, was born in Aberdeenshire and educated at Aberdeen. He represented Warwick constituency in the Sydenliam Parliamentary Union of 800 members, and in wliich a number of members of the English House of Commons take a leading parfc. He is Captain of the Gore Rides, and has shown alively interestin the Volunteer movement. His commercial career commenced in 1867, and his connection with the colonies two or three years later — first in London in the office of Messrs McCulloch, Sellar, and Co., from which firm he went into the New Zealand Loan Company's London Office in a minor capacity. By . dint of perseverance and close attention to the interests of the Company, he improved his position tin til ultimately he took first place next to the manager as accountant in the London office. From here he entered the service as Secretary to the New Zealand Agricultural Company, and afterwards became manager, then managing director, and finally general manager in the colony. Mr Valentine is under 40 years of age, an energetic, shrewd and far-seeing man of business. His election is an extremely popular one, particularly in Gore and Waikaia. He was the prime mover in starting the Gore Dairy Factory, one of the mostcompletely successful in the colony. He has shown groat prudence in dealing with the position of settlers on the Company's estate, and in view of the depressed times reduced the value of their farms and rents, which has, in many instances, enabled them to combat successfully with the commercial stagnation and place them on a firm footing.