MR A. W. HOGG.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4834, 25 September 1894, Page 2

MR A. W. HOGG.

[BY " Phiz."] This patriot was pretty exhaustively described in " Political Portraits "of 1892. I should bo sorry to say that the Hogg of 1894 is no improvement upon that of 1892. Ovid tells us that a careful study of the liberal arts refines the manners and prevents then) becoming rude or fierce. Had tlio Latin known any. thing about politicians he might probably have added that success in politics has frequently, and in modified degree, similar effect. Mr Hogg 1 before lie actually seized, and some timo after he bad seized, that £240 per annum, was very .fierce, not to say rude, jfo \yasa patriot and had to live up to the character. He had to persuado his audience that they were being ground into the dust by tyrants—bloatcd'monopolists, vile plutocrats and social pests—and that-Hogg was about tlio only person who could save them. Well, lie litis saved them and—feels better.• So lie is not nearly so fierce. Always rubicund and rotund, two years of parliamentary sweets liavo added to tlie roses on his cheek rind to the robustness q! li'is figure.', lie occasionally indulges, in,- a. tirade against wealth, &c,; but these performances lack the ! ancient vigour, The House even yet fails to appreciate Mr Hogg's "eloquence—oh' occasions ho caij empty-it faster- jiljan a.bad earthquake couldr If he has fivo years longer of parliamentary existence it would not be surprising if ha blossomed mto a GousferyaUve.