LOOKING BACK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1937, Page 12

LOOKING BACK.

NOTABLE EVENTS. THE GREATEST. NOVELIST. NEXT WEEK'S ANNIVERSARIES

(By M. P. WHATMAN.)

Last Tear was the centenary year 01 '•Pickwick Papers," and all over the world many thousands of people who had not read his works for years past renewed their acquaintance with the novels of Charles Dickens. To read Dickens after the lapse of years is like a refreshing breath from the past. His books never date. Their humour is as fresh and natural as ever, their social lessons as telling, their pathos as heartrending, and their simplicity as appeal-

ing. "Time will never rob such pasi?agce ae the- account of Christmas at "Wardle's h;.:iie of their charm, or Sidney Carton's farewell of its power and deep emotional qualities. These books will live as long as the English people.

Tito- statement that Dickens is- the greatest novelist of all lime may well go unchallenged. Xo other lias ever approached him, in the consistent merit of his works. "Pickwick Papers," "A Tale of Two Cities," "David Copperfield," "Oliver Twist/' "The Old Curiosity Shop," and "Great Expectations," have been part of everyone's literary occasionally seem rather mawkish in this, more matter-of-fact century, but his books hold a place in the hearts of the people from which they can never be ousted.

To-morrow will be the 125 th anniversary of Dickens' birth. The story of his career is well known—how he worked himself up from humble beginnings to the highest position in the world of letters." Ho died in IS7O. Well-liked Viceroy. Wellington folk turned out in large numbers*on the afternoon of February S, 1930, to bid farewell to Xew Zealand's departing Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) and Lady Alice Fergusson. As the Kangitata pulled away from the wharf, hundreds joined in the singing of "Auhl Lang Syne."

Xew Zealand has never had a more popular Governor-General than Sir Charles Fergusson. Both he and his wife, Lady Alice, endeared themselves to tho people among whom they dwelt for live years, and their departure was deeply regretted. Sir Charles made a deep impression on the people of thics country. His quiet courtesy and unfailing charm of manner made" him a man eminently suited for his high office. ■Without ostentation in any form, he made many friends. Lady" Alice, too, was greatly liked. Her specially was tho performance of quiet acts of kindness, and there arc many who remember her unobstruive charity with deep gratitude.

Sir Charles was all excellent soldier, and his war career was distinguished. He had a lively sense of humour, and at little gatherings there was one story he liked to tell." The story concerned a peasant woman, in whose cottage Sir Charles had his Divisional Headquarters, a few weeks after the outbreak of the Great War. The British had to evacuate the village, and it was four years before it was retaken. In the advance was Sir Charles, and. on his return to the village he decided to make his headquarters at the same cottage. His former hostess recognised him: "Why," she cried, "it irt the British general who ran away." Railway to Amberley. Just now, when so much public attention is focused on the completion of the South Island main trunk railway, it is interesting to recall that it will be 01 years on Tuesday next since the north line from Cliristclmrcli was opened with the terminus at Amberley, a point at which it was to remain for Home vcais.

The great occasion was narked by a luncheon in the railway goods shed" at Amberley, into which were squeezed 22.-) guests. " It had been a great month for railways in Canterbury, for only four days before, there had been a similar luncheon at Tininru to mark the opening of tl|o lino from Christchurch to that town. At the Amberley luncheon the speakers indulged' in little Irut a flow of lavish compliments, and the proceedings must have been dull indeed for those who had memories of the function

At Tiinaru there had been an unfortunate scene, when a resident burst into violent criticism of the General Assembly, which ho accused of robbing the province of its land fund. Students of New Zealand history will agree that the speaker had some provocation for the. vigour of his remarks, especially after ilr. Stafford, representing the General Assembly, had told the audience that South Canterbury owed its railway to the people of Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. It was, however, a. most unfortunate scene, and those remembering it were little impressed by the apparent cordiality existing between the representatives of the Colonial Government mid the province only four days later. A Pioneer Printer. Towards the end of December, 1834, there arrived at the infant settlement of Paihia, Bay of Islands, a young man from London. He came to "the colony under the auspices of the Church Missionary Society and his spirit was filled with thoughts of high endeavour. William Colenso was the young man's name. He was a missionary-printer and it was by his hand that "the first books were printed in New Zealand.

Of Colcnsos arrival, his journal gives a vivid account. It says: "When the Rev. W. Williams gave them to understand that I was a printer nnd come out to print books for them they were quite elated. No hero of olden time was ever received by his army with greater eclat; they appeared as if they would deify me. During the week I was busily employed with the natives in landing the goods; and, 011 Saturday, January 3. 1835, a memorable epoch in the annals of New Zealand, I succeeded in getting the printing prefs landed. They danced, shouted and capered about in the water, giving vent to the wildest effusions of joy; inquiring the use of this and the place of that, with all the eagerness for which the uncivilised nature is remarkable; certe3 they lind never seen such a thing before. . . ."

Colenso found his equipment incomplete and faced many difficulties with unaided, he printed .'!(! items in .Maori, ranging in size from a single sheet to a hook of 330 pases, and in quantity from 70 to 20.(1(10. copies. Colelifo died at Niipier on February 10, 1599, at the ago of SS years.