FATHER AND SON.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15611, 8 June 1916, Page 7

FATHER AND SON.

A NEAV ZEALAND REMINISCENCE. INTERESTING STATEMENT BY SIR ROBERT STOUT. At tlio request of the Editor of "The Press," tho Chief Justice of Now Zenland. the Honourable Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G., has kindly contributed the following recollcctions of Lord Kitchener's father. Colonel Kitchener; whom lie met in Otago nearly half a century ago:— I met Colonel Kitchener in Dunedin in the later sixties. He was then on a visit to see one of his sons, who was a settler in Shag Valley. Otago. He was a strongly built man. with a large frame, but not tall like his son, Lord Kitchcncr. I mefc him on many occasions. and joined iu the conversation of the party when we met. I remember asking him many military questions about the Civil War in the United States, a war in which I had been much interested, having read all the accounts of the war that .1 had been a bio to obtain. He was not interested so much, however, in military science and history as in another .subject that was much discussed at this period of our history. This subject was spiritualism, and I was at many meetings with him. He had an ardent desire to find out whether there was any evidence of a life beyond the grave, and 1 thought then that his belief sometimes coloured bis conclusions. Ho was. however, a seeker after truth, and he was prepared to follow her wherever she might lead. 1 remember on one occasion, when the matter was being discussed, someone of the party remarked that this would be contrary to the orthodox Christian belief. Colonel Kitchener brushed this objection aside by stating that what mankind had to strive for was to ascertain the truth, and lie did not care what the result was to either religious or scientific beliefs. Ho seemed to mc a man of strong opinions and full of courage. He had a great devotion to his Queen and country, and, like many other soldiers 1 met, his duty to serve was over present with him. In short, he was a courteous and courageous gentleman, fond of his military profession and devoted in his declining years to the study of the future. In later years I met his daughter, Parker, and I remember being struck with her attitude during the South African war. 1 remember when she

accompanicd her _ son to cllington when he was setting out with one ot tho contingents. Slio seemed to me to have licr father's courage and his high senso of duty and of service for the Kmpire. That these qualities were hereditary cannot now be denied. Can there not be seen in his noble son, whose death ivc are now lamenting, some trace of his father —his courage, his devotion to duty, and his anxiety to follow the truth wherever it may lead. THE NEWS IN CHRISTCHUKCH. The first news of the disaster camo from the High Commissioner, and was received at the Telegraph Oftico at 7 a.m. It was at mice put on the notice board, round which a crowd immediately gathered. The news was read with expressions ot horror bv some, but many were dumbfounded and read it again and again lest they should be inl-staKon. 'lherc was keen emotion, and no news has so stirred or rousoil public opinion since the death of King Edward. The incoming tram passengers rushed the spoiial editions of the morning newspapers which wore out, and the uewsvendors could not kccj) pacc with the huge demand. As the news spread the telephones were resorted to, and the whole telephone system became congested, the attendants finding it impossible to an--1 swer all tlie calls. The olticers in charge report that it was a- record rush. The Cathedral bell, at 11 a.m., started tolling for the great soldier, and m tho early evening a muffled peal of bolis was rung.

LOCAL CONDOLENCES. MEMORIAL SERVICE AT CATHEDRAL. An impressive service was liekl in the Anglican Cathodnil shortly after o o'clock yesterday afternoon, in memory of the great soJciier. A large congregation. including many well-known citizens and members of the Defence Force, attended to do the last honour to the noble dead, and the form of service was entirely in keeping with the occasion. Following the hymn "Brief Life is hero our Portion" and the responses, the collect, was said liv the Rev. E. 11. Shaw. Then followed Psalms cxvi., exxx., and cxivi.. a thrill of emotion passim; through the large assemblage as th« strains of the "Do Profundis" echoed through the sacred edifice. The lesson was taken from the Wisdom of Solomon. Chap. 111., verses 1-12, the message of the Apochryphal book being singularly fitted to the present nation's crisis. Mendelssohn's beautiful anthem, "Happy and Blest are They," and the introit, "I Heard a Voice from Heaven, saying unto me," followed. Special' prayers were then offered by Bishop Julius, and tho hymn, '"O God, our Help in Ages Past," followed, tho congregation joining in. Immediately preceding tho Benediction the "Contakion" (give rest, 0 Christ, to Thy Servant) of the faithful departed, from the Russian Liturgy, was sung, the congregation standing. SPREYDON BOROUGH COCNCTL. At tho meeting of the Spreydon Borough Council last evening, the Mayor (Mr W. H. Winsor) made reference to tho good work being done l>v the British Navy. lie said he. thought it only right that the meeting should express its gratitude for tho part they had played. They all grieved greatly at the sad news that had just come to hand of the death of Lord Kitchener and his staff. H'e asked the councillors to stand as a mark of respect to tho memory of tho great soldier i?nd his staff. WAIMAK.'JIIRI RIVER BOARD. Tho following motion was passed at the meeting of the Wnimakariri River Board yesterday afternoon :—''Tho Board desires to express its deep sorrow at the loss that has come to the Empire by tho death of Lord Kitchener and those brave men who have died with him in tho service of their country. The Board desires to express its appreciation of the magnificent services rendered to the Empire by Lord Kitchener, whose life-work in building up and maintaining the Empiro has placed our people under a lasting debt of gratitiido to his memory." ST. ANDREW'S MEMORIAL SERVICE. At St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, last evening the latter half of the public service held by tho Commission of tho Presbytery on its triennial visitation. wn.- of an inter cessionary character. The service was conducted by tho Rev. S. Hill, of Lincoln, and tho Rw, A. Laishlev. of Kaiapoi, assisted by the Rev. A. T. Thompson, of fit. Andrew's. Reference was made to tho severe loss suffered by the Empiro in tho death of ]x>rd Kitchener, a period of silent prayer was observed, and special prayer* of humiliation and intercession were offered by the Revs. J. Laishley and A. T. Thompson. AT ADDINGTON SALEYARDS. At the Addington saleyards yesterday Mr Adam Smith, salesman for the National Mortgage and Agency Company, during the course of the sale, referred to the severe loss tho nation had suffered in the death of Lord Kit-chouer, tho Secretary of State for War. Although some of t.hem might be pessimistic regarding the ending of tho war, there was no doubt in their minds that the result would be to their advantage. Tn the meantime they were suffering heavily, and probably would have to suffer more before the war was over. It was hoped therefore that every ablebodied mail iu the country would enlist and help the Empire througli the struck'. NEW BRIGHTON RED CROSS. At the annual meeting of the New Brighton Red Cross Society, held last night, the following resolution was carried in silence:—"That this meeting mourns the great 10-s the nation has sustained through the death of Lord Kitchener, and the members of his staff, whilst discharging their duty to King and country. It deeply .sympathises with the relatives of tiiose who have sacrificed their lives in the cause of freedom and righteousness." I LYTTELTON HARBOUR BOARD.

At this meeting ol' the Lyttclton Harbour Board yesterday the following motion wsis passed and directed to be forwarded to the Prime Minister:— "That this Board plows on record its admiration and confidence at the achievements of the British Navy in the North Sea. and further records its deep sorrow at the .sad news of the fate of Lord Kitchener and staff, who have made the supreme sacrifice for their King, country, and Allies}, and extends its sincere sympathy to relatives of those who have so nobly sacrificed their Jives for u,s and our Empire in the cause of righteousness and humanity." The motion was carried in silence, members standing. The chairman, Mr F. Horrell, Dr. ThacKer, Hon. Jt. Moore, Mr 11. F. Nicoll, and Mr C. Allison all paid a tribute of admiration to the great work done by the late Lord Kitchener, who had made armies out of nothing, and practically saved the British nation from pravo disaster. "With regard to the naval action, admiration was expressed at the fact that the Navy had maintained its glorious traditions and had driven the enemy back to tbe shelter of its harbours, and sympathy for the brave dead and those they bad left behind them.

BED CROSS SOCIETY. Before protending with the business of the meeting of the Red Cross Society vesterday, Mr A. («. Rhodes, tho chairman, referre<l to the news of tho rei>orted drowning of Lord Kitchener. and moved that those present pass a very sincere vote of sympathv with the relatives and tho nation. He said it was impossible to estimate tho loss of Lord kitchener's services to the nation. The motion was carried, all standing.

KITCHENER AS A YOUNG MAN. SOME ItEMINISCEXCT.S. In conversation with a representative of 'The Press" yevterday, Dr. E. Jennings. a well-known resident of this city, gave an interesting description of Lord Kitchener, as iio knew hiin in tho seventies. Th\ Jennings met him first in 1577, during the Russo-Turkish war. At this iiniv Baker Pasha, a ono time English Colonel, was occupying a high position with the Turkish ioroes. With him was Colonel Maitland who had as one of Ills aides-de-camp Lieut. Kitchener a<s he was then. Lieut. Kitchener had iust completed a surveying expedition :n Palestine. Dr. Jennings was then attached to the Turkish forces, hi> ambulance station being at 'fash Ke.ssan. whicli was r'iforwards the sceno of a line defence by Baker Pasha against the Russian 'inard. Lieut . Kitclieiiei, together with' Captain Thackeray. whose service was well known at the time, "camo over to the medical camp two da> s before Christmas and consequently Dr. Jennings a good deal of him. Kitchener "was then very tall and slender, and many a joko was bandied round contrasting him with Captain Burauoy, who wax also with them, and who was a verv big. heavy man. requiring two horjes to carrv him in the daytime. Kitchener was' very quiet and rare I v spoko unless to ask a question, and that on military snbiocts. He was, however, not in the slightest degree unapproachable, notwithstanding his reticence. Thackeray was an all-round "good fellow" and sang a good song, bufc Kitchener was of a very quiet disposition. and was always thinking out i-omo military nroblem. He seemed to live for nothing but his profession. Lieut. Kitchcner left two day;; after Christmas for Sofia, but came back again after three days after the road was cut by the Russians. LORD KITCHENER IX CIIKISTCnURCH.

It was early in 1910 that Lorcl Kitchener visited New Zealand i'or the purpose of inspecting tho New Zealand Defcnco Forces, and submitting a new defence scheme for tho Dominion to tho Government. On the evening Monday, FebruarV 21st, lie arrived in Christchurch. from Dunedin, and was accorded a civic reception. Next morning lio inspected the harbour defences at Lyttelton, and at 3 o'clock in the afternoon he insocctcd the Defence Cadote, tho Junior Cadete, the Boy Scouts, the Veterans, and the St. John Ambulance Brigado at the Show Grounds, Addington. That night the volunteers, to tho number of 1153, went into camp at Hagley Park, under command of the lato Lieut.-Coloncl Hawkins (Officercommanding District), and next day, under the gaze of tho famous soldier, field operations were held at Halswell on tho" hills, an attacking force being under tho command of Colonel Tuson, and the defenders under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Hawkins. That night Lord Kitchener loft for Wellington.