MR JOSEPH ARCH IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Waikato Times, Volume xxvi, Issue 2458, 8 May 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

MR JOSEPH ARCH IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Mb Arch made a striking figure in the House of Commons during Mr Sexton's speech on the debate. He advanced slowly up the floor of the lowcrowned hat in hand, and with his usual good-natured tmile on his face. In doing so he, of course, violated the rule which forbids a member coming between the Speaker adn the gentleman in possession of the House. Steering along the front bench below tha gangway on the Opposition side, Mr Arch .spied a friend, and began an animated conversation with him. Meanwhile, a storm of jocular cries of 41 Order" wai surging around him, amid which Mr Arch, still blandly smiling, left his friend and continued his course along the floor. By this time the din was drowning the speak er'a voice, and a member had clutched Mr Arch's coattails, and was for dragging him into his own seat. But this kindly intention was as pleasantly resisted by the number for North- West Norfolk 1 , who, after surveying the House with mild surprise, just touched with indignation, slowly retraced his steps to the bar. There he was gravely expostulated with by a host of members, and, still obviously unconcions of offence, ptood listening quietly to Mr Sexton's brilliant chaff of the Orangemen. But in spite of thia awful delinquency, Mr Arch is one of the most popular members in the House.

At South Cornelly, Glamorganshire, a. widow lady, Mary Francis, has celebrated her one hundred and first year. The aged ' lady is in possession of all her faculties, and has remarkable mental and physical powers. She ia said never to have worn plassea and prides her self on being able to thread a needle,