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Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 905, 1 June 1903, Page 1

Another Swanson story, dug out of Hansard, as an illustration of the old gentleman’s resourco in debate. On one occasion, during a discussion in the House of Representatives, a member stated that he did not believe there was such a thing as luck. Mr Swanson’s reply was apt: “ The lion, member says he doesn’t believe in luck. Good heavens! (with a characteristic gesture). There are some people so lucky that if they are thrown out of a boat at sea they will come up on the other side of the boat with a fish in each hand 1 ”

There are only five gentlemen in the House of Representatives. All the rest are mere men. That is, of course, how they are gazetted. “ Gentlemen,” in this instance, means that they aro not called upon to earn their own living in the ordinary humdrum way. Elastic title that of “ gentlemen,” anyhow. In the Army List Gazette, at Home, unless a man has risen from the ranks, he is always described as a list of commissions given to New Zealanders in Contingents, only one was so described. Queer, isn’t it ?—Lance.

The system of removing hotel licenses from one part of a district to another entered into a discussion during the argument in the Petrel license action, and Mr Justice Edivards said he did not think there was anythiug immoral in the practice. It all depended on the conduct of the Licensing Committee, and on them exercising a wise discretion. No doubt, be said, in the case of Newtown, a license was forced on that em? against the wishes of the inhabitants, and he had always thought that was done unwisely. If done with due discretion, it was not immoral or improper. Mr Atkinson said the fact that it was not dealt with adequately by statute was due to an oversight on the part of the Legislature. His Honor did not think so. The matter rested chiefly in the administration by the committee. The Secretary for Agriculture has given instructions for an exhaustive trial to be made of the alleged discovery for exterminating ragwort. The finder claims that in the course of a few months he entirely cleared certain paddocks in the Balance district. The Rc-v. Joint Dowic, the founder cf Zion City, intends visiting Australia shortly.