PARS ABOUT PEOPLE

JOHN WEBSTER, who died at Devonport last week at the age of 94, was certainly one of New Zealand's most interesting and admired citizens. He was a remarkable example of that type of pioneer who, possessing superabundant energy and courage, without which mental fitness is impossible, battles successfully and makes colonial history. That he should have been hale until a month or two ago and able to move about actively without assistance, pleased all who knew the ..splendid old gentleman, but it was felt, when he sustained the fracture of a leg when stepping from a bus at Devonport, that his age would militate against recovery. His great vitality, however, temporarily sustained him, but his inability to take exercise was, no doubt, a contributory cause to his death.

As a youth in Scotland his active mind became fired with a desire to live the wider life of new lands, and in a year that seems remote to most of us (1838) he left Glasgow for New South Wales, then a wild romantic country, of which little was known, except that penal settlement existed there. He overlanded cattle from Sydney to Adelaide, when the risks were very great, the blacks active, the water holes were difficult to locate, and to morrow was a blpnk. He and a party were the first white men to explore the great water-way, the River Murray, in days when the largest mobs of blacks were centred in the Murray and Darling country. Mr Webster discovered the Edwards River and named it, knew " Marvellous Melbourne " when it was a collection of tents and stringy-bark huts, and Adelaide when it wpp a camp, stuck down between the hills.

As a New Zealander he was one of the original '41 party from Australia, his brother (Mr William Webster) having settled in Hokianga in 1839, and being then engaged in running the first sawmill in New Zealand. It was in Hokianga that he met Dr. Logan Campbell, and began a friendship founded in mutual esteem and affection which lasted all his long life. Mr Webster remained at Hokianga during Heke's war

One of the most stirring and romantic episodes of his life happened in 1849. He visited California as supercargo in a vessel belonging to Messrs Brown and Campbell. He joined Ben Boyd, the Australian squatter millionaire, on his yacht a 240 ton topsail schooner—for a cruise in the South Seas. Boyd went ashore on the island of Guadelamar (in the Solomons) on a shooting expedition. It is presumed the cannibals got him, for he never returned. The yacht was fully armed. The cannibals, presumably having filled the millionaire, attacked the Wanderer," and then Mr Webster put up the fight of his life. The bow-chaser, which was in action on that distant day, is now an interesting relic in Albert Park. The Wanderer was subsequently wrecked at Port Macquarrie, and the South Sea Republic, which had been contemplated, didn't come off

Mr Webster subsequently became a gold-miner, fought blacks, starved, travelled and pioneered, and took a trip to Britain, where he waß something of a " lion," for his unique knowledge of little-known islands. Subsequently returning to New Zealand, he established an export timber trade. A good many years ago he decided to rest at Hokianga after a long life spent in adventure and hard work, and his home at Opononi was a historical gathering place for eminents. For the past few years, however, the distinguished

pioneer has been in retirement among his people at Devonport, highly respected by the whole community.. Of nis eleven children, six survive, these being Messrs J. C. and J. F. Webster, of Devonport, H. M. Webster, of Hokianga, Mrs E. Baker, of Opononi, and the Misses C. J. and F. Webster, of Devonport.

Sir Joseph Ward is in the proud position of being able to keep three great countries in suspense. It_ is commonly agreed that at a critical moment his presence in the House of Commons would act as balm to the souls of Britain's warring myriads, it is justly held in Australia that the Commonwealth is unable to select one of its own politicians on whom to throw the mantle of leadership—should Andy Fisher accept a dukedom—and it is unrequivocal that New Zealand is standing on the doorstep with its hanky to its eyes beckoning him back to the Premiership. _ Sir Joe is in a most awkward position. If he neglects the House of Commons he may miss an opportunity of nipping a revolution in the bud, if he won't assume Australian control the drought will continue, and if he can't see his way clear to unravel New Zealand's political tangle, the bottom will fall out of the butter market. The curious thing about it is that neither Canada nor South Africa has as yet approached him. But ; at an rate, he ought to be "thinking Imperially" at the present time. In which case, the " Commons " has it.

Sydney correspondent to Melbourne " Punch " says this and is justified : " Baden-Powell arrived in Sydney. A very common-place person who defies all conventions and considerations of military etiquette by wearing medals and decorations intended for a mess jacket upon an ordinary tweed tourist coat. Apparently the keynote of Boy Scoutism —as struck by 8.-P. is Bohemianism. He refused to be interviewed by the newspapers, then on the advice of his manager repented, and wrote out a little story of himself, or his manager did, which is the same thing. He inspected a review of Boy Scouts, or rather he stood with his back to them while they were reviewed. He stayed with the Governor, Lord Chelmsford, dined with the Governor-General, Lord Denman, and generally mutely but most decidedly conveyed the impression that he was the one and only BadenPowell, Hero, and Chief Scout, engaged upon a lecturing tour, which seems tolerably certain to be extremely profitable. He can be seen and heard at popular prices, reserved seats 2s extra, and there are no free views and no free talks. What is the good of being a Hero for nothing ? * a Thank you, Mr Hamilton " Argus " for this : " There is no Empire building about it ; it is purely a dollar hunting expedition ' 8.-P.' has undertaken, his prices ranging from 5s to Is. and yet the railway authorities hang up the Wellington

express for half an hour in order that he may lose no time in handling, the shekels in the capital city. It is not every travelling showman who could secure such a concession. In this instance at least, the new Minister for Railways has displayed a lack of the sense of proportion and the fitness of things which is not characteristic of him.

The Right Hon. James Bryce, the famous, scholar statesman and Imperialist, comes on a jaunt to New Zealand after he has spent " the allotted span," fresh and keen for work. Mayor Parr and a bunch of local eminents gazed on him and said kind things in the Council Chamber as soon as he landed. The famous little man sat very still while the flattery was going on, and this gave one a chance to view the materials nature selects when she isbuilding a monument of eminence. There is no outstanding example of a large sized eminent, and the Rt. Hon. is in small bulk.

In profile, the beholder seems to see very little but eyebrows — they are large and shaggy and overwhelm the eyes. They, wag either singly or in pairs with intelligent appreciation of compliment. The bald head that has done so many acres of thinking in America and for Ireland and the Empire in the distressful country and for the young" Empire in the halls of learning is of the long, wedge-shaped imaginative type, the buried chin pushes out the white beard, the back is a little bowed with thought and age, but the whole apeparance is one of courage, virility and rugged charm. Mayor Parr took occasion when extending the civic hand to one of.the world's leaders of thought to remind everybody that this city had lately welcomed another celebrity — BadenPowell. There is a sense of unfitness in linking the name of a profound thinker, a past-master, in statecraft, a great diplomat, with that gentleman to marshal the Rembrandt with the cheap chromo, the Venus de Milo with the dental photo post-card of a comedy actress. » • •

Mr Bryce was obviously touched that he had been thought worthy of a -civic reception. Didn't Showman Sandow have a civic reception or two handed out to him in New Zealand ? When Professor Egerton and Mr Leys had thrown a < couple of bouquets, Bishop Cleary " spoke as an Irishman," and his nice tribute to the big little man who had done great work for the green isle disclosed the prelate as being a keen and racy Hibernian. Bishop Cleary told a story. An Irish lady had told an English statesman that the Irish " could get sunshine out of cucumbers." The statesman visited Ireland. He ultimately told the lady that he had seen Irish people, but there were no visible sunbeams being manufactured from cucumbers. "Ah," said the Irish lady, " the people your lordship saw had no cucumbers 1" The story is here repeated as showing the inevitable pathos, without which an Irish orator's speech is incomplete, and it forced from the veteran celebrity the acknowledgement that he was half Irish in birth, too.

When Mr Bryce is speaking, the great eyebrows lift, and the old man's eyes are seen to be working overtime. They are busy lenses, taking mind photographs for future pictures. There is much of the keenness of the eagle about this distinguished little man — and no one would ever mistake him for a New Zealand member of Parliament. Apropos of which Mayor Parr made a passing and satirical reference to our House of Lords, the suggestion being that in a great democracy it might have been a misfit. Mr Seymour Thorne George, the only member of the august body present, noticeably blushed at the Mayor's remarks. For his part, Mr Bryce touched no debatable ground, and was extremely careful to avoid wounding susceptibilities. Perhapß this is not the least valuable asset in a statesman.

ISam Dickson, M.P., gave a little shivoo to his election committee last Wednesday night and invited a miscellaneous assortment of males to provide the necessary applause and sing "for he's a jolly good fellow " on the slightest provocation, also to say " hear, hear." . For the convenience of the Applause, beer, lemonade, some whisky and sandwiches were suplied, nor must it be forgotten that cigarettes were provided to give the atmosphere essential to smoke concerts. Sam Dickson, habilitated as the perfect haberdasher, with moustache reduced to perfect vanishing points, received his guests at the door with that ineffable graciousness which can only be acquired through a career of diplomacy. Among the notabilities present were Mr Rutherford, a member of the Hospital Discord, and Mr Harris, a sprightly youth, whose abilities are not likely to be hampered by a foolish excess of diffidence, and who has the additional distinction of being a member of Parliament for Waitemata. Mr R. A. Armstrong was apparently the foremost guest, and has a deserved popularity and a sense of humour, which last asset, however, does not prevent him from being an enthusiastic batler for the North against the South. For his energetic endeavours in fighting the Findlay faction last election, he was awarded a spirit tantalus, which, as he sensibly remarked, was rendered even more of a tantalus by being empty.

Joe Brown, the burly Parnellite, who ocupies a seat on the Parnell Borough Council, was chairman of the shivoo. He is the president of the Parnell branch of the Sports Protection League, and he didn't allow anyone to forget it. J. H. Bradney, M.P., was also there .to ladle out diatribes against "the'big gentleman from Wellington " (screams of mirth), who sought to sneak the suffrages of patriotic Parnell. There was a thick colour of Reform mingling with smoke haze, but sports protection also largely permeated the atmosphere, giving it a curious shotsilk feeling. In the intervals between the songs, the various Distinguished Guests conveyed to the Applause that Parnell was well rewarded for its wisdom in returning Sam Dickson and rejecting the

Southern buccaneer, an ignoble Southerenr whom the party of privilege and prevarication had attempted to foist on them.

Joe Brown talked sports protection and handed out generous dope to friend Armstrong, who in turn spoke of his strenuous fight against the Bare Majority Macchivellian from the South. Sam Dickson, M.P., poured praise on the devoted patriots who fought for the local product with the slogan of " Parnell for Parnellians," and gave particular praise to the Sports Protection League for organising to strong a defence of its principles, which he subscribed to most readily. There was some singing, and everyone seemed to enjoy himself in trying to remember the choruses, and at a late hour they departed for their homes full of enthusiasm and sandwiches.

That kindly old basket, chair and perambulator manufacturer, Edwin Arnold, of Wellington, whose enthusiasm in prison reform, with particular reference to the reformation of criminal natures, and who is visiting J.P to the Wellington Gaol, is pleased with the Observer. The Dundreary-whiskered old humanitarian has in his visitations to prisons learned enough of their methods and machinery to make him an authority on prison treatment, and he forwards us a N.Z. " Times' " clipping from an Observer lancing of May" 2oth, in which adverse comment is made on the Grand Jury's recommendation of flogging as a cure for sexual degeneracy. He hands us a slab of commendation and says words of wisdom, as, for instance : " I have seen a number of poor, mentally weak wretches flogged — the judges believed it would alter their course of life. I think any flogging ordered in the future should be witnessed by the judge who ordered the brutal treatment. And when he had seen a mental ( weakling tied up to the whippingpost and flogged until the blood from the cutting lash ran down his sides, he would say there was better treatment for the degenerate. If I were to tell you of the sights I have witnessed, if I could properly convey them to the people's imagination in printer's ink, I think there would be no more flogging

ordered. .. . Bad men, like bad dogs, must be kept on the chain." Which remarks from a man with the authority of experience and an eyewitness of the lash cure, should convince lash advocates that there is something to be said against the treatment.

The "road" will know two of its veteran commercial travellers no more and the Auckland Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Association gathered in solid phalanx at the club rooms on Saturday night to deplore the fact that Mr William A. Wilson and Mr W. C. Ricketts would discontinue to tote samples round the Fortunate Isles. While the occasion was primarily social, the grand old British idea of set formality and the introduction of business was followed. Commercial travellers are essentially a warmhearted and unconventional lot, and some day the brotherhood will devise a social that does not follow the precedent established by stolid Parliamentarians and turtle-fed aldermen. In short, presentations and valedictories generally on the good old plan are not so interesting as a gathering of smart "commercials " in the commercial room of an upcountry " pub."

• • • Under the leadership of -President A.Sneddon, who preserved the dignities and solemnities, the gathering made little speeches complimentary to the two kindly and well preserved veterans • and handed them nice gifts. Mr W. Wilson, a fine, handsome fresh-faced old gentleman with a long white beard, and an unmistakably young and alert manner, took occasion to reminisce about the earlier days of twenty-six years ago, when the iron horse was less frequent than the meat variety, and many an order was won by fighting a rearguard action through a sea of mud. But the clear-eyed old gentleman was most emphatic when he implored the bald-headed and actue habitues of the road to be kind to the young and inexperienced " drummer," whose heart might be breaking at the more successful operations of the ancient ones of the craft. Several youths of thirty and upwards murmured "hear Hear."

Mr W. C. Ricketts might easily be mistaken for a successful veteran mariner. He is a bright-complex-ioned gentleman, who is probably more fluent when emphasing the value of goods to a customer than in replying to a large sheaf of carefully arranged public congratulations. Whe he had read a nice reply he wiped the obvious perspiration from his brow in thankfulness. President Sneddon seized the glad occasion to remind the travellers about those five pound debentures, to mention that tlie five hundred pound deposit in regard to a new building might fade it they were not taken up, and to say that "commercials '' in the Australian states had magnificent quarters, and frequently had State governors and ODPer great functionaries to dinner, ivir tiquirrell, whose hair has been worn out on the road, but who is otherwise in fine going order, made kind references to presentations and business, and the McGlashan, whose forehead also extends north a good deal, showed distinct symptoms of " cheerfulness, firing off an excellent American drummer recitation. A plethoric toast list and programme of entertaining items rounded off the comercials' evening. (

Noticed that Sir Joseph Ward, Bart., P.C., L.L.D., etc., says that things do not seem to be going well with the present Ministry but that he is on hand to help it out when necessary. Tarn Mackenzie, Premier, fiercely denies that Sir Joe is the power behind the throne—says he can't be, because he did not receive any advisory letters from him. The general impression is, neverthless, that Joseph is the power quiescent, awaiting an opportunity for exertion. It is not necessary for power to be active, and Sir Joe's knowledge of -things political makes him the reserve force, whether acknowledged or. not. Australia seems to be taking him as the actual, tangible substance of the Dominion's politics, and is probaly right in doing so just at this uncertain period.