SKETCHES OF MEMBERS.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 223, 8 October 1887, Page 4

SKETCHES OF MEMBERS.

D. IT. Macarthub, who for the second time has been elected to ropiesent Manawatu distiicfc, is an old colonist. He came to New Zealand in the year 1855 when quite a boy, and had to go through some amount of roughing it, ai many others o* our now legislators and old settlers have. He gained his colonial experience on the gold fields as a digger on Otago, Nelson, Wakawarua, and the West Coast diggings. After searching for wealth in this way for many years he retired with what he had made, and took up some land in Nelson province. From Nelson he came across the straits to Fielding district, having received an appointment, through the influence of his friends at Home, of subngent to the E. and C. Aid Corporation. In 1881, Mr Macarbhur was appointed agent for the Corporation, and in that office ho still remains. Mr Macarthur has been Chairman of the Manawatu County Council and the Oroua County Council. When the Counties Act was suspended in the latter county liB was elected Chairman of the Hoad and Town Boards in the county. His Parliamentary career began in 1884, when he defeated Mr Donald Fraser by 334. During the time lie has occupied a seat in the House, Mr Macarthur has been identified with the Atkinson party. His wide experience in local government gained a name in the House and throughout the colony. Mr Macarthur has been Mayor of Fielding on several occasions, and like a great number of members of the House of Representatives, is connected with the Volunteer movement. He holds the post of Captain of the Fielding Rifles. Of the members who held a scab in the late Parliament, R. C. Bkuce, member for Rangitikei, is one of the best known, at least by name. As hi& name indicates, he hails from the land o' cakes, and, what is more, he is a descendant of " the Bruce." lie was born in the East Lothian, and in the year 1856 his roving propensities induced him to ship as a midshipman on the East Indiaman. He first landed in the colony in 1860, bub could not settle down then, and soon left again for a sea life. Mr Bruces ambition was not sufficient to induce him to care about advancement, and ho served " before the mast," his one des'r'e being to see the world. He sailed principally in American ships and round about the world till 1877, and then returned to New Zealand and settled down. His seafaring instincts, however, were not yet completely mastered, and in 1883 ho actually worked his passage homo to England as a sailor before the mast. In 1884 ho came out as a candidate for Rangitikei, having been settled in the Para* karietu for some years, and though he had had no previous experience of public life, he defeated Mr Stevens. His name is associated with the attempt to pass an Act giving special suffrage to seamen. He is noted also as a free trader and public speaker. In politics, he is an Atkinsonite, though of leaders in that party he was perhaps most in consonance with Mr Bryco, and it i$ an open secret bhab on the defeat of bhe latter he offered him his seat for Rangitikei. The genial, " hail-fellow-well-met " disposition of Mr Bruce is recognised by his political friends and foes alike, and there are few men in the House who are bebter liked.