The Two Horizons.

Vincent Pyke, when called to account by the Speaker for an ambidextrous vote on a question of ministerial policy, gave a satisfactory explanation. As a consistent ministerialist, he could not do otherwise—he had followed the Premier into one lobby, and the Treasurer into the other. Mr Ivess has been twitted with the fact that he is the proprietor of two North Island papers—one (Napier) giving unqualified support to the ministry, and the other (Patea) an uncompromising opponent. The critics forget, apparently, that the political situation (like the Island itself) has two sides—and that Napier and Patea look forth upon opposite horizons.

When gazing from the Napier plains
Upon the eastern sunrise glories,
My blood is boiling in my veins
With rage against the wicked Tories.

But when beneath the western brink
Old Sol eludes my observation,
Cold horror chills me as I think
Of Stout's corrupt administration.

You say that this is passing strange?
Not so—'tis not at all surprisin'—
We've but to cross the central range
To change at once our whole horizon!