A CRUEL JOKE.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3666, 25 September 1880, Page 2

A CRUEL JOKE.

The Oamaru Mail is responsible for the following:—" Amongst the numerous pleasant incidents that relieve the 1 monotony of parliamentary life is one in which Mr Vincent Fyke was the chief : actor. That gentleman was sitting in his ; place in the House, thinking upon the ' utter demoralisation' of the Government, and the ' absolute rain' that they were about to bring upon the country, when a ' messenger banded him an official envelope. He received the document with evident ' satisfaction, and muttered audibly that he had been expecting it. It ran thus:— • Portfolio—To Vincent Pyke, Esq.—His Excellency has been pleased to offer to you the portfolio of Minister of Mines and the position of Sergeant-at-Arms combined, &o. The corner of the document was turned down, and the following added by way of a postscript;— Attached to this portfolio is the very delicate and difficult task of Acting Prima Donna Protector [an allusion to the interesting event which was recounted in Parliament

by Mr Wright, a member of the Bailway Commission]. (Signed). H. E. When the messenger handed it to Mr Pyke, that gentleman's fae'e beamed with satisfaction. He appeared as though he was the recipient of some long expected favor. [This was before he broke the seal]. When he opened out the document and. saw the heading, he could scarcely believe his own eyes, and he impatiently adjusted his spectacles to remove all doubt. It certainly was not what he expected—it was something batter. A complacent smile overspread his rubicund and ample features. But it was of short duration. He came to the words 'Sergeantat-Arms.' This was ' bad enough; but the prima douna business was more than he could stand. A hasty glance at the signature, and a gruff' messenger' ran through the House like the belching forth of an hundred-ton ton gun. The uuoonscious offender appeared, and with fear and trembling, asked 'What's the matter, sir?' 'What's the matter!' roared tho lusty Pyke. I'll show you, sir. Where did you get this sir?' The reply meekly came: From the messengers' room, sir.' 'I have been grossly insulted,' said Mr Pyke,' and if you bring me any more of these things I'll report you to the Speaker.' Mr Pyke had evidently forgotten that it/was not the province of a messenger to ascertain the contents of a document before delivering it to a member; but he gradually restored his wonted complacency, and prepared his next bombshell for the Government on their financial proposals."