PERSONS, PLEBS AND PLUTES

NZ Truth, Issue 786, 27 November 1920, Page 1

PERSONS, PLEBS AND PLUTES

D. M. Manllal, M.A., L.L.13,, of Auckland, ihas been cabled to by the secretary of the ; Indiiin Association and Indian Laborers' tlhion, Nadi, Fiji, to the effect that/his countrymen's wishes are that he should- apply for candidature to be their representative m the Fiji Governor's newly-to-be-construct-ed Legislative Council. "This will now make room for two Indian members," observed Manilal to a "Truth" rep "apparently m addition to the Go\'ernment's one nominee puppet. Under the circumstances I have cabled to Mr. Mitter, their present secretarypresident and a leader, thanking my countrymen, but asking them to obtain from the Fiji Government permission for me to land m Lautoka or any other port of call. lam now awaitingdevelopments to see whether the prohibition order against me m relation to certain specified areas m Fiji, viz., those that really matter, will be modified or cancelled, as I cannot now go back on my life- long pledges to serve my countrymen In any capacity by not responding- to their calls across the Pacific Ocean," '•'> :: :: Much to the surprise of his many friends, "Jerry" O'Kane, the popular proprietor of the Cecil Pharmacy Wellington, suddenly beat it from this world on Saturday last at his home In Hataltai. Jerry was known everywhere as a good, sort, and his genial company was as effective as his prescriptions. Whereas Jerry was an expert at diagnosing' ills, it needed no expert to diagnose the popularity of Jerry, for it had its source m his thorough good heartedness. He was the man of the evening at many social activities, and now he has gone he will be sorely missed. Like many other good fellows, he came from the West Coast. He was educated at St Pat's College. Much real sympathy will go out to his widow and child. The cause of death was heart failure. Barney Dolan, th 6 well-known Napier lawyer, who had enough Irish blood m him to wish to have a peep at the, ructions going on m the distresshful counthry, writes from the land of trouble to say that he expects to be back m Noo Ze e abtfUt the end. of January next. ..At the time of writing- he was m his old home town of Sligo. Barney 'has no ambition to be shot or to go a hunger-striking, and as long as that eloquent tongue of his does not go wagging too much m the big argument he should be back again In peaceful, sunny Napier .at the time appointed. :. ' •/■ v - ti . , ::.'. :: Mr. C. L. Morgan, , one-time editor of Westralian "Truth," went on to the big .file a few days ago, death coming along while he was living at Manley. Frbin "Truth" deceased went to the Kalgooriie "Sun," on which he remained until he retired from journalism. C.L. was- called "The Colonel" on the staff, he having held an Imperial Commission m the Indian Army. 1 1 it - : : One of the most successful entrants m the recent Wellington Competitions was Kevin Dillon* the elocutionist. J

He landed the elocutionary championship of New Zealand for 1920, and out of eigrht entries secured four firsts, two seconds and one third. He also won the commercial travellers' handsome gold medal. Kevin Dillon is, perhaps, at his best when he is spouting anything Irish. Get him on something that rings passionately with the wrongs of Ould Ireland and he'll have any Hibernian within hearing- distance half-crazy with enthusiasm. The more he rouses his hearers to enthusiasm the greater fire does Kevin put into his work. You want to hear him at. a. St. Patrick's night concert with the bowchals hooroing him on — it Is then he is at his best. Kevin Dillon ■also shines m Scots recitations, and. is an expert society entertainer. He's always ready to give his services gratuitiously to a charitable cause too. Many people think K.D. is a West Coaster, but he was born m Melbourne. He has lived on the West Coast for ten years and has been resident m Wellington for the last six years. :: :: :: A. W. Hogg, pioneer, journalist, and ex- Minister of the Crown, finished his strenuous life last week at the age of 75. Deceased was remarkable m that he was an honest politician, ■whose main concern was for the people he z-epresented m Parliament for close on a quarter of a century H 6 lost his seat m 1911 to G R Sykes, and was defeated by that gentleman again m 1914. Mr. Hogg was a Minister of the Crown for a brief period, but he was to o honest to hold ' ■his portfolio for long. Who will forget that memorable occasion when the member for Masterton astounded, the House with his Cabinet revelations? Mr. Hogg was a consistent supporter of Liberalism of the advanced Radical type, till the end. He had stood by and fought for Ballance Seddon and Ward m turn. .When he was defeated the country lost a fine, vigorous speaker and a 3elf- sacrificing honest politician, The late Mr. Hogg was a member of Wellington Education Board for over a quarter of a century, and of the Wellington Land Board, from its inception up till 1904 when he resigned. The deceased was born at Glasgow, emigrated to Victoria at the age of twelve, and after twenty years there as digger, storekeeper, farmer and journalist, came over to "Noo Zee," where he was actively associated with newspaper work until h 6 took up politics. Bob Riley, of the Dunedin "Star," who has been appointed political writer of the Sydney "Sunday Times," is known m the Press Gallery here as one of the best lobbyists th c gallery hatf had for many a ye&ir. His press work was interrupted last year when he was selected to accompany Mr. Massey-and Sir Joseph Ward on their last. trip to the Old. Country. Bob's luck continues, for, after having that "cushy" little job with Its valuable experiences he has now landed a comfy little possie m. Sydney.