THE Manawatu Times. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12, 1881. TURN ABOUT IS FAIR PLAY.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 107, 12 January 1881, Page 2

THE Manawatu Times.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12, 1881. TURN ABOUT IS FAIR PLAY.

" Words are things, and a drop of ink fulling like dew upon a thought, produons t'.jat which makes thousands, perhaps millions think."

A month or two since, the quidnuncs were Borely exercised about the representation of this county, and the personnel of every probable member for Manawatu was the theme of general speculation. A " change would now appear to have come over the spirit of the scene," and the supposed refuge for every sucking politician or cast-off representative has been allowed to take a "breather." Young Miss Manawatu has dropped into the shade, and her elder sister, Rangitikei, has been trotted out, and although according to that sage authority, the Knight of Westoe, the nuptials cannot take place for the next fifteen months, still the young lady has plenty of suitors. It was the misfortune of the wife of Cha.rles Dickexs that her busband was a great man ; she could not soar to his sublimity ; he would not descend to her less than mediocre level ; there was neither affinity nor unity between them ; and so the union was followed by misery and w retch edness. Rangitikei is already mated to a man who is far too great for her, and four-fifths of the electors are anxious to get a divorce ; their pre?ent member is Charles Dickens ; she, the despised wife. But although Sir Wtllia/m Fox cannot waste hi» brilliant abilities and powerful influence upon his humble charge, he is by no means willing to part with the source fV ■;tn v, !u:h >> that influence is dfM-ivfd. A i'^v;] 1 ; has riMMi i;' \' ■■ ! " '■■■'•{ ; ' - ; ' .-■■'■;>' i! i '-! 1! -'!f ; '■;.,!i;,;h :., - i :. ■■.>■ ;i;^ ;:':: r-!t;, ■■■•■■■^ "!- ; ih •..;; ■•' '■ <<■'■ ''•■-■■ ' '' ; '^.yvd ; d fuglfOK-:.! ■■..-;■.■ -■ r..';i •ft.vrnng j across thy sceut. There ia a. homely

yet honest saying to the effect "Handsome is as handsome does," and although the followers of the knightly representative lose no opportunity of piling on the paint which is to adorn the political character of their Chief, and wondering at the ingratitude of a people who would not be proud of his condescension m representing then ; the vulgar heard have come to the decision that a man with less reputed ability would make a far more useful advocate. To their mind b the interests of the county would be far better guarded and advanced by the humble John Stevens, who has yet to win his spurs, than by the belted Knight, with all his past Ministerial honors, and present Royal Commissionership, and thereat the lovers of the great man are exceedingly wroth. They think that Sir "William is far too great a star to shine m their humble constellation, and m wishing to cut the painter their only desire is that the aristocratic clique of which he is a part will place him on the perch vacated by Sir Dillon Bell beside his brother magnate the Hon. Mr. Whittakeb. Dropping metaphor, and coming to facts, we are pleased to see that Mr. John Stevens has definitely decided to stand for Ratfgitikei at the next election, and the manner and matter of the announcement is a good warrant that while he will not be above attending to the wants of his constituents, he will be well able to hold his own m the political arena. Tour too brilliant politicians are to their constituencies what a reigning beauty is m the family circle — too superior to bestow a thought upon such a vulgar thing as household duties. "Straws serve to show which way the wind blows," and already those whirling indices have begun to flutter, pointing to the fact that this is more than likely to be the last session which will see Sir William Fox representing Rangitikei.