“ Way of the transgressor.”

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 278, 26 March 1889, Page 3

“ Way of the transgressor.”

"Bv Fancy.] Act 11. Scsne I. (Room in Auckland Hotel. Enter Mr Mitchelson, Minister of Native Affairs, Public Works, and Kail ways.) Sono (Mb Mitchelson). When Parliament is over, and the members left for home, And in Wallington remain the Ministers alone, Then comes a time of striving, of planning and contriving, To quit the windy city in the shortest space of time. Some cross the briny ocean, to view the Melbourne Cup; Some of us must stay behind to back prizefighters up, While not a large percentage will think it an advantage To overflow the country with their eloquence sublime. (Chorus.) —Oh. it’s grand to be a Minister I And it is such splendid fun To have your little expenses paid, And your honor-ar-i-um I When the session’s drawing near, we seek for some employment, Unwilling though we be to part with our enjoyment, For we scarcely dare confess that we've wasted the recess, And open out our lines to the enemy's attack. So we stump the country over, to tell people what we’ve done, And what we mean to do in the future that's to come; And we do our very best towards granting each request From the building of a bridge to the making of a track. (Chorus.) —Oh, it’s grand to be a Minister, &o. Members of the Cabinet for their fellows make it warm, Promising a lot of things they never can perform, But I think I’m safe to say I promise in a way That my colleagues can’t complain that I overstep the bounds; For I always make a point with every deputation, To ask to be supplied with fullest information, And I undertake to see, should Government agree, That action shall be taken if there are sufficient grounds ! (Chorus.)—Oh, it’s grand to be a Minister I &o. (Great noise heard outside.) Mr M.—Hello! What a dreadful clatter 1 What the dickens is the matter! A deputation I suppose; What’s up now ? Goodness only knows. (Enter Te Kooti, who advances and shakes hands with Minister.—Long dialogue between Minister and Te Kooti, in which the latter expresses his intention of going to Poverty Bay, the Minister replying that not only could the law not prevent, but he would go further and undertake that it should protect him.) Te Kooti.—Thanks very much I Kapai the law. (Aside). —My chance has come ; I ask no more. (Exuent.) Scene 11. (Place Gisborne, Crowd of persons excited by prospect of a visit from Te Kooti.) Ist Citizen—l think we’re all agreed to bar Te Kooti’a way, All—We are I we are 1

Ist Cit.—And if the Government will still refuse to act, we will, All—We will I

Ist Cit —And if it’s found our last resource is fighting, we'll fight All—Yes 1 of course I

Ist Cit,—Oome on. brave boys, no more rely, On fickle Government’s reply, But act, and acting let us show That courage in our hearts doth glow (Enter Mr Mitchelson with revolver presented by Te Kooti for his protection.) Mr M, —You speak ..f courage, you've not an ounce, And all yonr talk is nought but “ bounce,” As for Te Kooti, he will come ; The law shall see he’s harmed by none. (Exit Mr Mitchelson.) Ist Cit.—By actions, not by idle vaunts, The lie we'll give to his vile taunts. As for the law to which he clings, 'Twill stretch to cover many things. Sono, When human laws were first devised, It never was intended, That men should keep those laws intact Themselves be undefended. No 1 and we never shall consent That our mothers, sisters, wives Should be threatened by a scoundrel, To the terror of their lives. For we mean to stop Te Kooti, And we’ll surely find a way, To outwit the arrant rascal, And his clan to keep at bay, Hurrah I for our glorious cause I Hurrah 1 for the right to be won I A right of protecting our homes I Of being molested by none I (They move off. Enter hurriedly Sir Harry Atkinson.) Stay 1 I've important news to tell The Government have thought it well To atop Te Kooti’a coming, and I am to let you understand, They consider it a duty. To at once arrest Te Kooti. All—Hip 1 Hip 1 Hurrah—

(Hats thrown in sir, handkerchiefs waving, tremendous cheering, Standard extras flying round giving the result.) (Curtain.)