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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 660, 17 September 1891, Page 4

At thia point he is struck with the geographical view ot things from the breakwater. “'I he only Harbor from the North Cape to Wellington.” He unfolds a map of the North Island, holds it aloft, and gives a rapid sweep of his finger down the coast, stopping in triumph at New Plymouth. A voice interrupts, saying softly, “ Kawhia,” " Oh, yes,” he retorts in great scorn, “ Kawhia’s a very fine harbor when you get there, but what sailor is going to face a bar like that in a storm. The open sea is the proper place for him.”

Mr Smith picks up a Blue Book and points to facts. He seizes a roll of official-looking paper of portentous dimensions, and tapping it with every sign of satisfaction says “ Lands,” and then he takes up again the question of his enemies.

The first is the Wellington press, which be worries for its unfairness ; but it is jealous of Taranaki—“ They don’t want to see the English ships off the Waitara.” He gesticulates triumphantly, as one who has smitten the enemy hip and thigh, and he follows up his victory by detailing what those ships have done for the district. The transition to Westport is rapid. He is sorry not to see Mr O’Conor. “ Where’s the member for Buller ?" he asks in a voice clearly intended to invade the precincts of the lobby. He intimates to the applauding House that he has a little observation to make to that gentleman. “ There’s a harbour there, and railways, and a bridge over the Buller river—all taken over by the Government. Five hundred thousand pounds they have taken over ! More than double what Taranaki has ever dreamt of asking for. And why ?” Here Mr Smith takes a most judicious and canny attitude, looking the very picture of cunning ; hon members rolling in their seats with enjoyment. He begins by an excursion to Greymouth. " There the Government has done ditto repeato,” he says with an emphasis simply indescribable. And why ah this? I tie his artful point, end we all know it by his “ leery "expression. "Honourable gentlemen, I’ll tell you," he says, dropping his voice Two hundred million tons of coal they _ have in these parts. "Good security,” he shouts, raising his voice once more. Very well; he is very glad that there is such good security. It is a glorious and a noble principle. “ I’m not a lover of Taranaki." There is ironical interruption, very general, not unaccompanied by laughter.

“ Not a narrow lover," says he in self-correction, “I’m one of those who loves the whole colony. I'm a colonial, I am." A sentiment which seems to require some sawing of the air anA, m uch beating of the breast, acts which send the House off into roars.

“ Look at Taranaki,” he then continues, “ There’s two hundred and fifty millions tons of coal there, and not yet a proper geological survey.” More irony from the House, and then the champion precipitates himself on the Government, and calls upon them to be consistent and just. “Put them out," comes from the Opposition Benches. “ Yes sir," shouts the man on the breakwater, curbing his gestures and becoming solemnly impressive and slow, “ Yes, sir, I would put them out, if I only had the power.” The ingenious display is too much for the House, and the speech has to stop for quite a time. The interrupion makes the champion angry. He strikes an attitude, like Sancho Panza might have done in his celebrated, but unrecorded act of Ajax defying the lightning. “I’m not going to be shuffled off from my duty. I’m like the great Kractacusrwho was dragged to Rome, where he took care to defend his countrymen, the AngloSaxon, of which I am a descendant, and proud I am of it, and will always be found doing my duty. You’re not going to shuffle me off,” he concludes, shaking his head and rolling his eyes at the shaking, shouting House. Buller coming in at this moment learns that he ought to have been here, and is invited to return at halfpast seven to hear something to his advantage. " 1 el’s go and have our tea comfortable, sir,” proposes Mr Smith, “ and come back and talk this thing over properly.” The House, before going to dinner, gives him a round of applause for his enthusiasm and his simple eagerness and his bluff determination—qualities which the House always admires and respects.