PRESCRIPT AND EXAMPLE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 351, 10 February 1881, Page 2

PRESCRIPT AND EXAMPLE.

*-3ZSPMLreferlhoa to the banquet to Major Atkinson and Mr. Oliver, at luvercargill,the Southland News says:— ._ Under the cirouuistances it was perhaps excusable for the gentleman who made speeches at the Ministerial reception banquet last week to disregard the fine old proverb that says " self praise is no recommendation." Thsy, or rather pome of them, had just encountered* a demonstration expressive of antipathy or contempt, and it was only natara

that they should try to console themselves by the reflection that they were immeasurably above the 'unwashed mob" whose displeasure had been su plainly evinced. From Major Atkin-on downwards, the speakers administered to themselves and those aroiui 1 them gentle ~- doses i.f delicate flatterv, which., together "J with the delicacies of the table, and th» juice of the grape, no doubt tended to efface the lecollection of the " howling populace." The Major, it must u e admitted, "drew it mild." He only called those around him "representatives of the hading settlers of the district." Mr Oliver who had been most coidially hooted, called his fellow-feeders " men representative of the wealth an.l of the intelligence of Southland," and declared lurther that lie was solaced by the reflection that " the thought, the intelligence, and the property of the .colonv was supporting: the Government." * ' Hr- had apparently forgotten the maxim, " the voice of the people is the voice of God," or preferred the theory of the " right divine." M r Thomas Denniston's heart seems to have warmed at these complimentary allusions—or was it the effect of the champagne ?—for he, in responding to the toast of" The Press," declared with unctuous fervour that "the Government, in the great work they were so satisfactorily performing, had the hearty and generous support of that portion of the press which represented the strength, substance, and intelligence of the colony." Seeing that a representative from the '• opposition shop" was present by invitation, the exquisite taste of this bit of self-laudation, kcomes evident. Had the gentleman reporting for the News been as little versed in the proprieties, or .*s much carried away by the excitement of the moment, as Mr Denniston, a very comical episode might have varied the monotony of the proceedings . He might have fairly questioned the validity of the claim so egotistically preferred, and so nearly approaching a downright insult. Being am an of mild and even temper he let it pass—unwilling 1 , no doubt, to mar the harmony of the party by treading on the tail of the coat so temptingly trailed. " Comparisons are odious," but in this case they were so plainly invited as to excuse their institution . But the temptation was successlully resisted—it was not even hinted that the " other side " might fairly claim a share of the attributes of respectability, intelligence, and even patriotism. Having appeared in the character of exemplars of propriety it might have baen expected that Messrs : Atkinson and Oliver would have tried to keep it up during the remainder of their visit. But, alas for poor human nature, the effort was too much for tiiem. They went the following day to Riveiton, and the next (Sunday) did the trip to Orepuki and back. Life is short, and the time of Ministers precious, but surely it was not necessary that the ~ repres ntatives of the " higher intelli- j gence " should break the Sabboth, and i tempt others to break it too. If the cultured few, the cream of society, those vhem the " leading men," including Mr The mas Denniston, delight to honour no regard for the decent observance of the day of rest what are the great nn- ] washed to think ? Will they have faith that their betters (?) believe in its * sacredness ? It has been suggested r that it was almost a work of necessity ] on the part of Ministers, or rather a i choice of evils. It is hinted that if they ' had remained at Eiverton over Sunday they would have been bored to death by deputations and interviewers, and that they took to the road as a measure of self-defence. It is further hinted that J their experience on the evening of their arrival at lliverton was of such a nature as to make them wish themselves " anywhere out of the world," if only they cculd escape from the pestering ( attentions of people with grievances to ventilate, or advice to give. Perhaps, then, after all, they were more sinned against than sinning.