SIR GEORGE CLIFFORD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1930, Page 11

SIR GEORGE CLIFFORD.

THE MAN. SOME SIDELIGHTS.' (By S.S.) People who knew Sir. George Clifford intimately over a long period of years, some of them for so long as half a century, some even longer, will remember him rather as a pioneer of settlement and national development, a generous philanthropist and a sturdy Imperialist than as "A Great Sportsman" or "Father of the New Zealand Turf," as many of his newspaper biographers have styled him. That he was a great sportsman, as every great man must be in some measure or another, goes without saying; but he appeared on the scene too late to appropriate the title of "Father of the New Zealand Turf" — even had he ever desired it —Mr. Henry Redwood having acquired this distinction while Sir George still was at Stonyhurst College equipping a sturdy frame with all the arts and graces available to the earnest student at that famous place of learning. What biography Sir George would have had of himself, had he been its author, may be judged from the few lines he allowed to appear in "Who's Who in New Zealand" at the earnest solicitation of its very tactful and capable compiler four or five years ago. "Clifford, Sir George Hugh, Charles,' Bart., Christchurch," it runs. "Born 1847; educated Stonyhurst College; second baronet, succeeded 1»93; barrister 1870; farming Stonyhurst Station, Amberley, originally taken up by Sir Charles Clifford and Sir Frederick Weld; prominent sportsman; many years president New Zealand Racing Conference; in that capacity' has done much to secure purity of racing." Perhaps I am betraying confidence in saying that the last sentence was printed without the personal approval of Sir George and was the subject of a reproof which, quite properly, did not rest upon the punctilious head of the compiler. The bearer of a historic name, the holder of thousands of broad acres, a promoter of many successful industrial and financial undertakings, a pillar of his church and president of the Racing Conference, was among the most capable and the most modest men in the Dominion.

The Family Tree. No doubt Sir George Clifford, as in duty bound, thought as much of his birth as do other people born in his station of life; but it never was indicated even to his personal friends, save by his scrupulous observance of the amenities of life, and even the newspapers appear to have been a little worried the other day by the necessity of presenting his genealogy to their readers. It may not be too late to offer it in extenso to the public now. "Clifford," a biographical dictionary tells !us, "is a family descended from Walter, Richard FitzPonce's son, who by marriage, prior to 1128, acquired Clifford Castle on the Wye, and who thence assumed the name of Clifford. . . .Among Walter's descendants were tho soldierjudge Roger de Clifford, who by marriage with Isabella de Vipont got ; Brougham Castle in Westmorland (cinea 1270); John (1435-01) the savage Lancastrian; Henry (1455-1428), the 'shepherd lord'; Henry (1493-1542), fifteenth Lord Clifford and first Earl of Cumberland; George, third earl (15581005), naval commander, whose daughter Anne (1590-1676) married first the Earl or Dorset, and then the Earl of Pembroke; and Henry, fifth and last Earl (1591-1643). To a cadet branch belonged Thomas Clifford (1630-73), a Catholic member of the Cabal, who in 1630-73 was created Lord Clifford of Chudleigh." Just what all this means I do not quite understand, but I recollect that at Timaru 40 years ago my friend and tutor, Mr. Edward Cutts, Sir George Clifford's trainer, brought to me from Sir George himself, who was not present at the meeting, a "tip" to back his horse Chudleigh for the Timaru Cup. If the whole truth must be told, I admit that I thought the investment so bad I passed it on to a bank manager of my acquaintance who happened to be present and that this shameless Croesus drew by a very modest investment some £50 from the totalisator on the strength of Sir George's kiftclly intentions towards an impecunious journalist. The Father. It was Sir Charles Clifford, the first Speaker of the House of Representatives, that planted a branch of the family tree in New Zealand, in conjunction with Sir Frederick Weld, and so gave to this country one of its nation builders. That Sir Charles was worthy of his son may be judged not merely by the landmarks of courage and integrity he has left upon the face of the Do-

minion; but also by the testimony of other pioneers who met him lace to face and witnessed his actual achievements. Two of our most critical historians may be quoted in this respect. "He combined ability, firmness and impartiality with dignity and good temper," ill*. William Gisborne wrote in hi& "New Zealand Rulers and Statesmen," and in a score of letters and criticisms emphasised his appreciation of the candour and versatility of the man. Mr. Alfred Saunders in the first volume of his "History of New Zealand," tells of an incident in the House of Representatives in the 'fifties which he regards as characteristic of the chivalry and integrity of Sir Charles. "Whilst in committee," he says, "the Speaker (Sir Charles Clifford) clearly explained the circumstances that had compelled six of the Wellington members to be absent, and then remarked, with a calmness and dignity worthy of a Speaker, and yet with the indignation of an honourable man: 'If I had to choose between two courses, that of taking advantage of my opponents' absence, or postponing a measure until they could fight it out with me, the latter is the course I should adopt.'" The sentiment expressed was so characteristic of the man that Mr. Saunders could not forbear from handing it down to posterity. When Sir Charles retired from the Speakership and from the House in 1860, to take his family to England, his son George, of course, being included, warm eulogies were heaped upon him bv the respective leaders, Sir Edward Stafford, Sir William Fox, and by Parliament as a whole. Like Father, Like Son. Though, like his father, a reticent man, always more ready to listen than to talk, Sir George was a delightful conversationalist and a most excellent platform speaker. As president of the Racing Conference, at the annual meeting of that body he gave, all unconsciously, year after year, an exhibition of how the House of Representatives might be conducted to the enormous advantage of the Dominion. As a man of business, of resource and A'ision, he had no superior. It is not correct to say he was averse to public life _ and service. Had public life been available to men of his calibre —-had it been big enough for the man—his services would have°been available. Perhaps, however, it was better otherwise. He was not the father of the New Zealand Turf, but he was in a great measure its sa\ ioui. That in itself is a bigger service to the community than many politicians have rendered during the last fifty years. Then there is the assistance he has given anonymously to scores of individuals and bodies of individuals, not solely in the relitef of distress, but also in the promotion of enterprise. And there was the manner of the man. Fifty odd years ago, when scarcely out of my 'teens, I met this strong man in an election contest in the backblocks of Canterbury, he a man of parts, and I a mere novice without resources of any kind, unless it was a very lively realisation of my own incompetence. But I was taken in—not to be done foi • but to be cheered and assisted by a most courteous opponent. In the end my side, with all the disadvantages that seemed to beset it, won, and my first congratulations, so poorly deserved, came from my hospitable friend and host. That was the manner of the man, as I realised during the following years, and with him sport did not mean merely horses.