"MEN OF KENT."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 210, 29 May 1908, Page 9

"MEN OF KENT."

A SOCIETY TO E3E FORMED.

MR. GEO. HAItNETT INTERVIEWED. When recently interriowod by a Dominion representative, Mr. Geo. llarnett, manager of the Anglo-Welsh team, after recounting the pedigrees of the phiyers, was asked what he was. "I, sir," said Mr. Harnett, "am a Man of Kent; not a Kentish man, understand, but a Man of Kent." In the few days that have elapsed since that announcement appeared, this paper has received numerous letters asking the interpretation of Mr. Harnett's remark. In his definition of "a Kentish man," Dr. E. C'obham Brewer, LVD., says:—"Those of West Kent; the natives of East Kent, call themselves 1 Men of Kent.' This is tho distinction given by my father, who was a Man of Kent,' many generations in extent." , When consulted on the subject Mr. Harnett said that a Man of Kent was one born in tlio county of Kent to the east of tho Medway, and Kentish men wore those of tho west. He further related that in past generations there was (ierco rivalry between the two sections of the county, but very little was heard of it now except in sport and en-, counters of an amicable character, "Eof instance," said Mr. Harnett, " they each have their own Yeomanry and that sort of tiling. All the same, yon-know, '•wo-Men of Kent consider ourselves tho best men!." Which sentiment one cqn easily imagine would bo just tho thing'to keep up tlio distinction between a Man of Kent and a' Kentish Man.. , ' Mr. Harnett says that there is a big society of tho Men of Kent, with headquarters in London, and lie . lias authority. from tlio Society, of which ho• is a.member, to establish a branch in New: Zealand. Since the announcement in The Dominion that he 1 was a Man of Kent, lie has been approaohed by quite a number of people who come from East Kent, and even in Masterton found a number of Men of Kent eager to shake him by tho hand, and to agree withJiim in their alleged superiority over tho Kentish men. On his return to Wellington he intends to call a meeting with a view to founding a branch of the Society mentioned, and he hopes that, the Men of Kent will rally to the call. .' ■ • What are tho Kentish Mon going to do about it?