THE PRO-CONSUL'S MANŒUVRES.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1482, 3 January 1882, Page 2

THE PRO-CONSUL'S MANŒUVRES.

AiiCMKft to tb& tefegtam fotmwfecl dy I Sir Creorge Qrey to My Johu Shtf&sa, * congratulating him on his return for the Thames, the Uantcrhury Press says it was truly a touching missive couched as it was in the language — "When two friends engage in a contest, it is difficult to congratulate the victor." Our contemporary goes on to say :— "Anyone acquainted with the refinements of Northern party politics would gather from Sir George Grey's telegram that, whether Mr. Speight or Mr. Sheehan were friends or not, both of them were certainly friends of Sir G. Grey, The truth is, however, that there is scarcely more friendship between Sir George Grey and Mr. Sheehan, than there is between Mr. Sheehan and Mr. Speight., Last session there was a pretence of a rapprochement, but it was a hollow mockery. When the election came round, Sir George Grey, who could have won the Thames seat with ease, went to Auckland City East, probably not expecting a contest there ; and left the coast clear for Mr. Speight, his most devoted follower and humble companion, to oppose Mr. , Sheehan at the Thames. Who can doubt that it was an understood thing between ; Sir George Grey and Mr. Speight, that their ••friend "Mr. Sheehan was to be got rid of in that way ? The Thames electors, however, thought differently. TheypreferredMr.Sheehanonhismeritsto, Mr. Speight backed dy Sir George Greyf patronage ; and we think they were quite right. We do not like Mr Sheehan but, we like him far better than Mr Speight, who was an irritating nuisance from his stupendous garrulity, and a mischievous nuisance from his being ever at Sir G. Grey's elbow to assist him in his sudden surprises and practical jokes. Sir George will be more manageable without his noisy friend. But we cannot help admiring his cool assurance in telegraphing his congratulations to Mr Sheehan on bis return for the Thames. It is the best bit of satire that we have come across for some time. Sir George Grey's object, of course, in flattering Mr Sheehan, is to try to put a party together, which, as far as we can see, he cannot possibly do without Mr Sheehan's assistance.