PARLIAMENTARY.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1104, 23 June 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

♦ Mr John Bathgate, raemberfor Roslyn, is an old member who has been absent from the House for many years. He is a good speaker, and a living witness to the fact that those who say a Scotchman has no wit, speak not the truth. Unfortunately, he is rather dull of hearing now, and is not likely to shine as a ready debater. Regarded as a politicany Mr Bathgate— to borrow a criticism passed on him by one of his coutrynien a few days ago— is "as good a man as yell find in the whole Assembly if he's just watched." He was a member of the Yogel Ministry about ten years ago, but only for a few weeks. He was too radical a reformer for the astute Yogel, and his special mission seemed to be law reform. He introduced about a score of Bills on the subject, and they were all thrown out. At that particular time Mr Strode resigned his District Judgeship in Dune» din, Mr John Bathgate, as Minister of Justice, possessed the right to appoint himself to the office, and his colleagues, glad to get rid of him, decently threw no obstacle in his way. He adorned the judicial bench in Dunedin for several years, not to the entire satisfaction of the legal profession, and then left it for the purpose of visiting Peebles, the land of his birth. He has now secured a seat in the House, and it may be safely said that Roslyn will be well represented. It is a standing joke against Mr Bathgate that in company with a certain Jock Graham, he was at one time engaged in the export of cats to the West Coast. The story is quite true, but where does the laugh come in ? Cats were scarce on the Coast while the Dunedin market was glutted with them — and there was money in the business. It is impossible to observe night after night the patience with which numbers of ladies sit out the debates in the House of Representatives, and then entertain for one moment the absurd idea that women are unable to take an intelligent interest in political questions. It is true that the fair ones are generally busy with their crochet, knitting, or crewel work while listening to the words of wisdom that fall from our legislators, but their presence is cheerful to all, and particularly to the younger members of the House, who may be excused if they sometimes "play to the gallery. " And the custom of offering floral tributes to those orators who find favor in the eyes and ears of their fair auditors is a charming one. A few days ago a veteran politican, who represents an Otago goldfields constituency, entered one of the lobbies, his countenance careworn, and his gait heavy and slow. A large official-looking envelope was handed to him by an orderly, and with an impatient gesture tore it open. Then what a change was seen. As he drew from the packet three white rosebuds he literally beamed on that orderly through the well-known gold-rimmed spectacles, and made for his old reception-room with the step of a three-year old" Mr John Sheehan does not appear to be "in form" this session. He promised the House a speech on Native affaire three days before he delivered it, and, to say the least, the result was disappointing. He was generous in his comments on the policy pursued by the present Native Minister, and his sincerity was not doubted, while his vindication of his own action during his term of office was satisfactory. But his address was jerky and disconnected— faults that are particularly noticeable in a man who has on former occasions been able to speak forcibly, and even eloquently. As Mr Turnbull said on Tuesday night, we are waiting for the "resurrection" of the John Sheehan we, used to know.