PARS ABOUT PEOPLE
Observer, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11, 20 November 1915, Page 4
About this newspaper
PARS ABOUT PEOPLE
MR HARRY J. MOORE, of Samoa and very well known in Auckland, has just been presented with a handsome piece of plate, in recognition of valuable services rendered by him to the present administration. Harry Jay, who is an American citizen, has, during his long residence in Apia, formerly known as "The Hell of the Pacific." been the best hated man in turn by each one of the factions which in former years madle Samoa so interesting—and notorious. This was not caused by any change in political hue to suit the changing circumstances of the times, but rather the consequence of a steadfast faithfulness to the old chief Mataafa, for in his support oi the veteran warrior there was neither variableness nor shadow of turning. In the late 'eighties the Germans, if they could have secured the scalps of Mataafa and Harry Jay, would have gone frantic with joy, and danced their legs down to the stumps in triumph. In the early 'nineties, the three Consuls would •have been a comparatively happy f am il y —for at least one day, if they oouHf have deported H. J.M. to Timbucrtoo or Tartarus, with Mataaia and R. L. Stevenson as his companions in Africa or hie comrades in Hades. In the late 'nineties he was one day on the point of being sniped by a Malietoa. native, who had a gun, knew how to use it, and oouki shoot straight. If the Malietoa bullet had found its intended billet, the British and Americans would have been delighted, and many of the missionaries devoutly grateful. But Harry Jay Moore was not potted, for the shot was not fired. AVhen, shortly after. British interests m Samoa were thrown as a sop to Germany, and part of the price England had'to pay for being allowed a free hand in South Africa, Mataafa, who had been forgiven by the Kaiser, was made alii sili (principal bamoan chief) by Governor Solf, lived in peaceful retirement under the wings of the double eagle to the end ot his diayis, H.J. remaining his dose friend to"the last. * .* • Under German rule, when grovelling was required—which was somewhat frequent—there was wont to be trouble between H.J.M. and the official squareheads, for H.J.M. never acquired! the grovelling art. Then, when last year the double eagle was brought low and the Union Jack run up in its place at Apia, H.J.M. was not regarded by the present administration with an altogether kindly eve, and Colonel Logan, who by the way is now addfressed as "His Excellency," went co far as to declare that lie was "worse than a plague of grasshoppers!" This official utterance was neither polite to the grasshoppers—who are grasshoppers merely because they can't help it—nor complimentary to H. J. Moore, who is H J Moore because he thinks he ought to be. But now everything in the garden is lovely, and His Excellency himself made the presentation, so it is clear that the administration has attained a more amiable and, presumably, more intelligent frame of mind. Dropped off the Niagara at Auckland, fresh from New York, young Mr Greenbie, known in Santa Barbara, a quiet little health resort in California, as the producer and editor of a magazine. He was mildly surprised 1 to find that New Zealand had no magazines, it being pointed out to him that the incomparable magazines of the United States and tho far less valuable monthly periodicals
from the Homeland filled the bill, and made it impossible for New Zealand -writers, if any there be, to earn a living outside the well defined back circle of journalism. Mr Greenbie plans to live by newspapers here, and) to study tftie 'social life of New Zealand. He thought perhaps the intellectual people of New Zealand might have valuable opinions in regard to world politics and the most 'fascinating problem of. the ITniited States neutrality. Mr Greenbie, without giving his personal opinion, declares that very many Americans believe President Woodrow Wilson to be the one great president since Lincoln. He has at least been faced with a. supreme problem, the solution of which will vitally affect the national life. Asked as to the attitude ©jf the United States regarding the world conflict Mi- Greenbie says he believes there is an enormous preponderance of people who are unquestionably pro- Allies. In New York State the proportion of people of Teutonic blood is only 25 per cent. * * • Mr Greenbie aveiis that a decided ■exercise of internal Germanic influence would incite the people to civil war, if only for the reason that Germanic preponderance of government would Iμ* commercially and nationally suicidal. He is unable to understand why Australian or New Zealand people believe that in the east the people are pro-German. He declares that this is distinctly not so, and believes the supposition to have arisen because of the unpleasantness in California with the Japanese peopie.
The two newspapers of Santa Banhara are piro'-Allies. He lias oome to Auckland to seek the intellectual side of our social life, with the idea of being as well informed as possible, and to temporarily escape an environment which might bias his judgment in studying politics bearing on the United States. @ © &> Gunner Dawson, No. 1 Battery, N.Z.F.A., is a nuggetty Aucklander who learned his job in that excellent artillery school the "A" battery. He is back to Ids home town with numerous shrapnel wounds , , which tore his back and hie arms, but is rapidly getting fit. The few modest words extracted from the gunner convince one that the New Zealand artillery has been craftily screened on the GallipoK Peninsula, and, as far as can be gathered, no New Zealand ■gun has yet been accurately found toy the Turkish artillery. No. 1 Battery is in a large sandbag "room," properly roofed and screened. The shell that sent Gunner Dawson home possibly hit the edlge of the protecting bank and showered shrapnel through the roof—a "chance" shot from the Turks., who were "searching" the hillside. Gunner Dawson declares that great strapping men from the country "went to pieces" on the tucker served out to them, it being almost impossible to break the biscuits with the hands. For a spell it was "biscuit and bully" three times a day. Fresh meat gave the troops dysentry, so the 0.0. artillery cut out fresh meat. It has possibly been
found since that Galliipoli's special fly is the contaminating influence and the bearer of dysentry. Asked what effect the monotonous existence of living in the sandbag forts bad' on the artillery, Gunner Dawson said the cheerful men became quiet andi all hands , more or less grave. In fact, there's nothing much to get gay about. The battery has been extremely luoky, sustaining few casualties, including two deaths, possibly attributable to the cleverness in placing and screening the guns. © © © The mascots of the 3rd and 4th battalions of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, now encamped at May Morn, are a goat andi_a bulldog. The bulldog only arrived in camp last week, and it was sent by the ladies of the Auckland Patriotic League as a gift tbi the 3rd battalion, commanded by Major Cowles, known to liis friend's as "Barney." A condition attaching to the gift was that the clog should be called l Kitchener, and he answers to this title already. Kitchener was led from the train to the battalion orderly room by a young officer, and as the pair passed through the lines every soldier saluted them. Meeting a brother officer, the one who was leading the dog said, "Salute the mascot; he is on the strength now," and' Kitchener was gravely saluted. The next step was to introduce the two mascots, the other of which is known as "Plain Billy." It was not altogether a. cordial meeting, but it is hoped; to establish a friendly spirit between them, at least strong enough to avoid Billy being absorbed by Kitchener. © © © Gunner Eric Blomfield, No. 1 Battery, N.Z.F.A., writes from Gallipoli' Peninsula, September! 18th :— "Weather cool, rainy season beginning Digging in for the winter. Some of the boys have already finished their dugouts to keep the ram and cold out. Timber and roofing very scarce. Saw Gavin Alexander and Waka Hodgson the other day. Rish is away with appendicitis. Dick Kennedy was shot while putting out barb wire entanglements. We can tret plenty of clothes if we requisition for them. The Ma-heno has been here some time now. Some or the chaps managed to sneak aboard, and came back loaded with luxuries —fried, cutlets, Worcester sauce, good bread', scones and butter. Needless to say, this didn't last long. One chap managed to snare some baking powder, and his sub-sectioin had a real good duff for dinner. The cookin" was a ticklish job, but it turned out all right. At least they said so —and! tjhe proof of the pxidding is in the eating.
Mad&me Carreno, the great pianist, who displayed 'her unique gifts in this country; and who had developed an. arm like a blacksmith in doing it, is reported to be implicated in charges of spying for Germany ! Alas! Alas! • Madiame had some daughters, too. One was arrested' at Tun is ; and charged with being a German spy, and now Giovanni, a son, has had the lasso thrown over him at Milan. Madame, who was "without cavil one- of the finest pianists on earth, was in a constant ferment at the mispronounciation of her name. Most people calledl her Oar-e-no. Some made it "Oarry-no." A few put it Oa-re-
Glen Lewis', whose portly frame and rubicund features proclaim him the very •embodiment of the English squire, and who is popularly known as the Mayor of Okoroire, prides himself on his Jersey and Hereford cattle, and' rightly so, for he deno,,
and two out of 100 got it right, "Car-ray-neo." It doesn't look German, does it? @> $> © Hawke's Bay is poorer for the death of Alfred Dillon, ex-M.P. for Hawke's Bay. He was one of the best known men in the wealthy province, and one of the oldest residlents. Hawke's Bay for very many years returned a Conservative member, but in 1905 Mr Dillon altered all that by defeating Sir William Russell by 3138 votes to 2095. The late Mr Dillon took a keen interest in all local politics, and was an influential man on many bodies.
Clares that he has them tamed to a hair, and from the oldest bull to the youngest calf all will eat from his hand or lick his ear. Thereby hangs a tale. Glen had a prospective purchaser who wanted a quiet Hereford bull. Hans was not to be disap-
pointed. "Quiet? What? Come, I'll show you." crossed the bridge with , tlie anxious eyes of Bill Griffiths of the Okoroire pub. following them, entered , a. paddock—that is Glen did. Hans discreetly awaited results. The Squire of Glenduddy
with. He had some celebrated Jerseys. "Quiet? Pooh! All my cattle are quiet. Look at that beauty. Go in ? Certainly! Come on and stroke him and feel his points." This time Hans took Glen's word and entered the paddock where his
Lewie, in spite of his twenty stone, reached the gate first. .Hans just rolled under the wire to mise his
strolled up to a. resting Hereford bull of big proportions and ferocious mien, and cast his partly form acoras its flanks, crossed his arms and smiled. So did the bull. Purchaser Hans was pleaised, but that was not the bull Glen Lewis wanted to part
majesty Mr Jersey was casting over a wicked eye. Glen casually fished to find Hans' financial strength, and, being much mystified at the grocerlike reply, was just about to give the bull his sweetest smile when there was a roar and a snort. Glen
prospective purchase's solid nut. Quiet? Pooh!. That bull just kept things going lively for quite a time.
Among those who took part in the Newton Congregational Church Jubileo celebrations this wook was Mr John E'llyetfc, of Cruinmer Road, one of the founders of the church. Mr Ellyett has watched the progress of the 'little institution through many changes. He is hearty .and well at 84 yeans of age, and his interest in the church's welfare is unabated. Others w'ko were present at the celebrations and! who have been closely identified 1 with the church sine© its inception were Mr 11. F. Webster, Messrs Elijah, Wesley, and Charles Sprang j Messrs Noah, and Enoch Wood', and Messrs W. E. and F. Baxter. . ® © ® A cousin of Major the R/t. Hon. Winston Leonard Churchill (who isn't Lord Churchill because his father was the . youngest eon of a marquis) writes from the Waikato: — "My illustrious relative is going soldiering again, andl I'm glad of it. He's got cheek enough for anything, brilliant but unbalanced. Can't it out of my mind that Winston owes his sparkling insolence to the American side of the family, his father (Lord Randolph) had the requisite cheek to push past St. Peter without a pass. He's a flame is Winston. Is most of all a soldier. At Harrow he either fought or finessed out of all scraps. At Sandhurst he was more brilliant than painstaking, and before he was 21 he was away to work with the Spanish forces in Cuba. He rushed war service wherever he could l find a war. Was with the Malakand Field Force, the Tirah Expedition and the Nile Expedition. Unattached in 1899, hedived across to Africa, joined up with the South African Light Horse (the best irregulars who ever drew the breath of life), and got the job of correspondent for the "Morning Post." He was nipped' by the Boers. He hated being a prisoner, and escaped. The Boers advertised for him as 'An undersized, cheeky red-headed Englishman.' * * * "He can easily run a navy with oho hunVl ami write books with the other, lie wrole 'The Story of the Malakand. Field Force,' 'The River War,' 'London to Ladysmith via Pretoria,' 'lan Hamilton's March' (read it), and a biography of his fathor
nine years ago. You know what a noise lie has mad© as a Cabinet Minister and as '.First Lord.' As politicians go lie's only a, child— 41 years of ago. He's a 'major man in tiie Oxfordshire Hussars (yeomanry cavalry). I believe that if cousin Winston mot the Kaiser he'd) bo cheeky to. him." ®® ® ■ Ashuiead Bartlett, the i>ale Eng- Jish aristocrat who cut up rough when he was pushed over Cape Holies and told to take his writing pad with him, threatens to come to New Zealand on a literary tour. The Ashmead Bartletts are same-family, renowned in diplomatic and writing circles, and this chap is the son of Sir Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, an American man from Massachusetts, and his wife, an American woman from Philadelphia. Sir Ellis, of is known as an M.P., but better for "The Battlefields of Thessaly." The fact that his pa was an courant with everything that had ever happened. in the three monarchies which were ceded by Turkey to Greece in 1882 by the Treaty of Bedin 3 may have been the reason why he was pushed into the Thessalomian breach, so to speak. Correspondent Bartlett will, of course, get a terrific reception in Australasia if the Home authorities permit him to come, which is doubtful. He is a judicious youth, who has been careful to praise colonial troops, and he's exceedingly clever in the management of his stuff. A paper that will baulk at two lines of Malcolm Ross will swallow twenty columns of Bartlett whole. As a censor wheedler Bartlett is "on has own." © <B © The "Bulletin" has this:—Dead, as a result of an accident, Glenville Barclay, oi' Wellington (M.L.). He was the eldest son of Captain W. de R. Barclay, and' for many years was Maori interpreter to the House of Reps , . Probably there was no one in the Land o' Quakes who knew more of Henare, his language, ancient lore and traditions than "Pakare." There nv< many goodi translators— Alf Grace, for instance, but very few of thoin can talk Maoiii well. Glenville Barclay could do it more than well: in the use of the musical language there are few Maoris who could have equalled him.
