Phases of Public Life

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 April 1930, Page 23 (Supplement)

Phases of Public Life

Sport, Politics and Business yr ’ ■ The Memories of Mr. C. E. Ma^or Pen Sketches of Hawera Personalities The following sketch of the life and. adventures of Mr Charles a prominent public man of Hawera of other days and now a resident of Auckland, will be of interest to a host of readers both for its interesting portrayal of the activities of a colourful personality still well-remembered here and, in equal measure, for the interesting pen pictures painted of men in every walk of life who played their parts in the formation period of Hawera and its environs. _ The primary intention of the writer was to give a survey of the career of C. E. Major as an athlete, but he was fortunate in securing a wealth of material from his subject that enabled him to work upon a larger scale, crowding his canvas with a host of characters, grave and gay, but all representative of the hardy, venturesome and public-spirited type which played such a worthy part in the founding of communities throughout the Dominion. The writer runs the whole gamut of activities in the early days of settlement, turning from athletics to politics, from horse racing to municipal affairs, and so on, extracting pay-ore from the mine of reminiscences.

A quiet survey of the career of the above-named impels the belief that he was one of the greatest of all-round athletes New Zealand has known. In 1860 his first win was at Kachabite i Sports at St. Aubin’s in the Island of . Jersey, a race for boys of all ages, and although only 10 at the time, amid somewhere near forty starters he won the race, an indeterminate distance, from the starting place to a man SO or .00 Vards away and back, the stipulation lfcing that the competitors had to run around the man there stationed and back to the starting place. 'Che subject of this sketch grabbed the man so fiercely that he swung him off his feet and won the coveted prize of 2s. At. Parade Academy, St. Heliers, he outran all his schoolfellows. It must be understood that at this time handicaps were practically unknown, all started from scratch. His next essay was at the annual sports held by the students of Victoria College, St. Heliers, Jersey, and there, in May, 1871, he won under 12, under 13, and the high jump under 13 all from scratch, and the following year he won under 13 and the high jump under 13, and was .second under 1-1. ’ It was here he first kicked a football, with the pig’s bladder, then used as an inflater. The rules then permitted tripping (a great art), rabbiting, hacking, for off-side play, and hacking over, and mauls in goal. Usually there were sides. Classical v. Modern, over a hundred on each side. J l On Boxing Day of the same year, having arrived in Wellington, N.Z., on | Christmas Day, though only 131, he won the boys’ race under l(i at the Foresters’ Sports held on the Basin Deserve, Wellington, and continued his success by winning the two boys’ races under 16 at the Caledonian Sports on the Ist and 2nd of January. Incidentally, it may herd be said there being fewer diversions for New Zealanders in those days than now, the athletic gatherings were attended by citizens en masse, all the events being much discussed and the handicaps were the most absorbing topic of the day.

came into 1 being. AValdograve, Heaton, Ivoro to One were flic hotelkeepers in early Palmerston. A few Europeans now began to make their presence felt, the first butcher being Davie Rowlands at Tiakitahuna; other settlers being the Monros, Slys, .Terry McCarthy, Collier. McEwan, the Osbornes on the banks of the Oroua, near Awahuri, a family of many pretty girls; Jack le Cc-c|. a'-Guernsey mini, a -earr-enrer and sawmiller; Tom Pearce and Nod Sorrowby, pit sawyers—the days of heart of totara at 3/0 per hundred. Feilding and Halcombc then became spoken of, one McArthur, known as Black Jack, being the booster of Feilding to the submergence of Halcombc. Alf Grammar the teamster; Grandison, another teamster; Bill Flowers, an old 65th soldier; the dashing Harry Power. .Tcssop, the mailman, who carried the mail on horseback, was a most important personage in those days between Foxton

, Hotel, the late Hon. William Soft on Moorhouse, then Mayor, being in the ; chair. The others present, so far as , my informant can remember, were: i Frank Harrison (now librarian at the Supreme Court, Wellington), the late Peter Webb, the late John Churton, the late Geo. Bishop (top-notch runner and afterwards a solicitor, and killed in a railway accident at Marton), the übiquitous C. E. Major and G. F. C. Campbell, of the Civil Service, Wellington. There may have been one or two more present. At the conclusion'of the meeting the chairman ‘ ‘ shouted ’ ’ draught English beer that had lately arrived in port by the “Edwin Fox,” after a passage of four months or so. At the club's first athletic meeting Charlie Major won from scratch the 3 00, 150 and 220 yards, running the latter distance cm a very rough 220 yards course in the then remarkable time of 25 seconds, to the astonishment of many, particularly to that of the late Andrew Young, of Wellington, who was always a generous patron of all branches of sport. At about this time Billy Hearne, one of the rowers in the justly celebrated “Dolly Vardon” crew, was essaying to attain pedestrian fame. The half-caste Jim Woods, who pulled stroke, and Jim Waldren and another whose name for the moment is not remembered, were in those, days held in high esteem as the crew of this invincible boat. In December, .1870, swimming matches, all scratch, were held in the then just completed, now demolished, Thorndon Swimming Baths, under tlie patronage of the then Governor, the Marquis Normanby, the Marchioness presenting the prizes. Our hero won the 75 yards race and was placed in other events. E. Pickett and G. F. C. Campbell were the winners of events. Just about this time it was felt there was room for another football club, the Wellington Football Club being the only club in the city; hence, at the instance of our subject, then acting-sec-retary of the Wellington Athletic Club, and one C. Welch, a new arrival, an English player, a meeting at the Star Hotel was held, G. F. C. Campbell being one of those present, and the Wellington Athletic Football Club was ushered into existence. Welch was the first captain, and later captain of the Wellington rep. team_ He was the first real exponent of collaring low. With the rapid growth of the city the justly celebrated Poneke Football Club was next formed. This club did perhaps more than any other in New Zealand to promote club football. The late Syd Nicliolls, Archie Merlet, the Gages, Warbficks, and many others of allround merit, so far as the writer can form an opinion, introduced the strategy and tactics of this club that did more in its day to place New Zealand on the scroll of Kugby fame than any other, the ebulliency engendered by the genial and enthusiastic Syd being one of the chief factors in bringing about that desired consummation. WELLINGTON MEMORIES.

AN EABLY COACH JOURNEY. Journeying in Cobb’s coach, and suffering a dislocated shoulder in a coach ' accident, from Wellington to Oroua Bridge, one of his earliest and unforgotten experiences was on this journey at Waikanae in January, 1573. He has still a faithful memory of.-it,, and, to a new chum, it was not without some dread and thrill. The coach stopped there and many hundreds of Maoris went through a real old time terrorinspiring, ground-shaking haka, a greeting to the late T. C. 'Williams, an educated Maori scholar, who, after their fierce demonstration, gathered around A and paid deferential attention to an •: harangue by that gentleman, which at that time Charles understood not a word. His comfort during the per- . formance of the haka was that it was his arm that was in a sling, not his leg, so much was lie impressed with the fury of those taking part in it, particularly by the woman Kai-orataki, who ran with bulging eyes, lolling tongue, and foaming mouth between the rows, inciting the practically naked warriors. After an intimate knowledge of the Maoris in Manawatu, Poverty Bay and Taranaki, lie declares them, in his belief, to be the most kindly, humorous, generous, logical and hospitable race in the world. A fellow passenger in the coach was the late Hon. John Johnston, the founder of the widely known Wellington firm of Johnston and Co. Charles’ memory, being of somewhat epicurean tastes, is still green as to the merit of the breakfast served at the Pahautanui Hotel—fish just caught, ham and eggs, hot scones and coffee for Is 6d, then accounted a stiff price. His bent for runnTr.g and emimg was now confined to competition with the Maoris, and having beaten men and boys running, and the latter wrestling, the Maori reputation became at stake, with the result that Baiura. a young Ngatiraukawa from Hawke’s Bay, was brought across the island to beat “Tare, Tamaiti Piriti” (Charlie, the boy of the bridge), but, to the chagrin •of the Maori sports, the Tamaiti pakeha won. The race was run on an unmetalled road from the store to the bridge, Maori spectators only, there being no Europeans within miles. He also swam races in the river with the Maori boys and girls and introduced to their knowledge the pukeha ’s overarm stroke as opposed to kaukau Maori. MEMORIES OP MAORI KINDNESS. Many are the pleasant memories of the kindnesses and consideration he possesses of Hoani Meiliana, chief of the Kangitane tribe and his wife and three daughters, Erna, Heni and A rap era, his stepson Peeti to Aweawe, and of the Te Whiti-ito Anuria Karaka, who married Arapcra, also of Hari Bakina, husband of Erna, who was the father of a chief • well-known throughout Maimwatu, am! particularly of the centenarian Beihann, a reputed Kai Tangata with his two Maori kuris, now extinct; also of the forest-and river lore to be learnt from this living denizen of a past age. k Later with the commencement of the construction of the Foxton-Palmerston tramway and a settlement of Scanj dipavians near Palmerston, that town

on tlio one side* and Palmerston on the other. Then there was Simpson from Bulls, known for his great physical strength. It was near Oroua, early in >73 that a European child having died, the parents travelled miles to the store to ask the new chum boy to read a : burial service over it, it being buried in a piece of consecrated Maori ground 1 at Puketotara, a one-time strongly for- : tilled pa of the Rangitanes, Ngatirau- ] kawas, and subsequently the Ngatika- ] kungas. ■ Palmerston then boasted no metalled roads, three budding stores, pub and ] Jack Gibaut’s (a Jersey man known as Gilbert) blacksmith shop. Though so J young, Charlie had charge for a year 1 of the store, with its wholesale grog ’ license, and acted as postmaster—a £ somewhat onerous position for a boy. * In those days Eoxton was the only ( banking centre between the West and z East coasts, and a busy place it was. Pokitana (Eoxton) was known to all the native population of both islands as the locale of the Native Land Court sittings, which for many years sat there for months and months at a time. Cook’s and Whyte’s were money-mak-ing lioStels in those halcyon days. In 1874, returning to Wellington, he was soon in the athletic arena again, playing cricket with the Alma Cricket Club, which had a pitch in Abel Smith Street, a paddock owned by the late Edward Pearce, a Wellington merchant of note, and whose son. Niel Pearce, was one of the club’s eleven—a likeable lad, a youthful Adonis, shortly afterwards drowned in the sinking of the ship ’ “Avalanche’ ’in a collision that h anno nod. ..in the English Channel. The late Harry ' Hickson, son of Wellington’s earliest jnCrohaiA -'-"‘V.the club’s captain, and Jimmy Blacklock, lately from Melbourne, was the particular batting star. “THE WOULD WENT WELL.” Matches with Pahautanui were then invested with the real spirit of holidaymaking, dinners, toasts, songs and anecdotes at the local pub being the orthodox finale to each match. The world seemed to go very well then. At, this time there was only one football club in Wellington. Hides were chosen on the Basin Reserve, and players for outside matches selected from their showing. The late W. L. Rees was a very tine vigorous and enthusiastic cricketer and footballer, a promoter of games, including the now popular and world-wide tennis. Many names are conjured of those initial stages of .sport in the Empire City: Peter Webb, Jsherwood, Park, Hugh Pollen, C. Kroeft, C. Franco, C. Major (Wellington rep., .1877), Billy James, A lick and George Campbell, Harry Hickson, Johnson Thompson, Jimmy Blacklock (drop k:c ki si exp'. ncnt), X. W. Worry, Dumbbell, Douglas McLean (lately deceased), the Bishop family of Ingest re Street, Charlie Budge, Castelli, Ned Davy, Lynch and others, the forerunners of the many football, ramifications that today extend throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion. Subsequent to this the Wellington Athletic Club was formed, the meeting to bring it into existence being held in the Pier

Shortly before this time the linking mania had spread throughout the land, Professor and his wife Nellie Taylor, from America, being its first introducers, and at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Wellington, and later at St. George’s Hall, built by W. P. Oakes for the purpose, the rinking championship was contested. The elimination of contestants left C. Prance and the versatile Charlie in the final, and after two dead heats, France won. Major, turning a. corner at top speed, shot from the track and disappeared among the spectators, having shot right under the seats. This did not prevent him, later, from winning the hurdle race upon skates. ft was also about this time that Billy Edwards, the champion walker at this end.-.-of the world, being then the of the Rainbow Inn at Kaiwarra, promoted a 150 yards champion race on the turnpike road there, for a silver o.up.\ This young Major won, his principal opponents being .Tack Pollock, afterwards ha V l !.cap per for the Wellington Raring (Hull, 'o. one-time sprinter and long-distance champion, Corbett of the Hutt, W and Toe Donovan of Auckland, alb I believe, since deceased. It Wfis, however, decided that all the men >were not. on the mark when the gun weitl, hence it was determined to run the rjjee over again the following .Saturday, when Major won again, more easily than upon the first occasion. i

Also, it is worth chronicling that after Donovan’s defeat by Selby, of the English cricketing team, over 100 yards on the Basin Reserve, a try-out on a Thorndon footpath over 100 yards : was taken to discover which was the fastest among Pollock, Donovan and i Major. The latter won easily, being j among his contemporaries unbeatable 1 upon an unyielding surface. Alack! ] the best laid schemes sometimes gang . aglee. The news was conveyed to the ] English team of the lad’s easy victory, j and no match resulted. > 1 With the advent of .1. Berry to Wei- 2 lington, the era of strict amateurism ] was instituted, and Major’s entry, who i was then in Gisborne, for the Athletic t Club’s championship, was refused, even though he had competed in and run 2 second in the club’s previous champion- ; ship, then and now handicap contests, s which was really not a championship, ; as he was giving starts to practically ] all his opponents. The aforesaid Berry, a walker and a long distance man, was allowed for a time to dictate the club’s a affairs uij,til public opinion expressed s itself and brought his autocratic reign t to a close. Berry's contention was that <- Major, having competed for money, had j forfeited his right, to compete among \ amateurs. This was unfair as practically Ji

f the best all-round overseas soldier) ac--1 companied the team to Auckland as a i barracker and took the half-back place j of Lou Bogers, who had returned tc - Taranaki, and, to the astonishment of i all, particularly of the captain, Alt'. ; Bayly, Coutts succeeded beyond all anl ticipation in that onerous position. Charlie Bayly did much good work ■ in this campaign; he was a hard, inde- ; fatigable player, the same type as Fred • Livingston, only a little heftier. With i this team was Snowy Heffernan, one of Auckland’s best forwards, who was at the time.leaving New Zealand for Australia and, pro tern, threw in his lot with Taranaki. Upon the team’s return Hawera most heartily responded to its efforts by giving it a rousing reception and a banquet. From this time on to that of Lou Allen, Arthur Humphries, Jimmy Hunter and Simon Mynott, the livecighths of the great All Black team, Allic Good, Watson, Barney O'Dowda, Bill Sangster, and others, the 'cow-spanking province well held its own. To Taranaki is due the world’s football homage for the thinking out and the adoption of fiveeighth play, this coming into vogue whilst Alf Bayly still donned Taranaki colours. Hughie Coutts, a top-notch back in his day and one of the selectors of the New Zealand team, spent the night at the Cecil Hotel, Wellington, inducing his fellow selectors to agree to the New Zealand team playing a fiveeighth on its Australian tour. It was this great player’s (Alf Bayly’s) belief that New Zealand never produced a better half-back than Arthur Humphries (“Skinny”), of New Plymouth, and this is the opinion of the members of the teams lie played with and of opposing. teams, for they, to their chagrin, discovered his uncanny cleverness over and over again. His football epitaph should bo: “He never failed at all times with lightning speed to do the right thing.” It was during u match played at Hawera, Taranaki versus Wairarapa, that Hugh Good kicked a goal from near half-way on a wet day a yard from the side-line. This was the memorable occasion that, Wairarapa kicking off, Major on the wing ran back to take the ball and Alf Bayly came forward from three-quarters, and so intent were they

astern. Sometimes it meant getting across without aid other than the good horse, and many times meant a wet skin. The horses sought for crossing rivers were the shortdegged big-bar-relled sort,' for they kept their riders dry almost from tire waist up. The first stage was to Wairoa, situated on the banks of that beauteous and placid TH*er (the birthplace of the late Sir .Tames Carroll), a quietly delightful little centre, renowned in those days for its plenteous supply of many varieties of fruits; the next stage to Waikare, thence to Napier, thence to Waipukurau, Talioraiti to Palmerston, thence to Pahautanui, and then a short stage to Wellington. In passing from Palmerston through to Oroua Bridge our traveller was much struck and concerned at, and mourned the great changes that had taken place during his eight years’ absence from Oroua, most particularly that the populous, busy arid happy kainga of so few years ago at Ngawhakarau on the banks of the Manawatu river was deserted and the natives at Oroua were only a very few old men and women who welcomed him witli a tangi and liongi. In response to his question “Iveihea to toa?” (“Where is the store), the essentially Maori reply was given: “To alii ki to kai” (“the lire has eaten it”).

every competing member of the clul was in exactly the same case. In the middle of the seventies, during the time Dr. Pollen edited the “Inde pendent,” subsequently the "X.Z Times,” and Lionel Brown was sub editor, Charlie did its sporting and dra matic work, whilst still being employee during the day as clerk to the lat< James Gordon Allan, one of Welling ton’s leading barristers. During thai period he was somewhat elated that having tipped an outsider, Lara, to wii the Wellington Cup. that horse, trainee by the late Billy Bolton, won. Those wore the days when Roddy Mclvor was at the zenith of his fame as athlete anc horseman. Many were his victories or good old Grey Mmnus. SOJOURN ON BAST COAST. In the winter of IS7S our man went to Gisborne to act as managing clerk for the late Edward liras Ward, and there he at once convened a meeting and formed the Gisborne Football Clul) (the parent of the Poverty Bay Football Club). A match played shortly afterwards in Gisborne with Napier was won by the latter by a small margin—a try. A return match was played the same year, the beginning of the series that continue to date. Shortly after his arrival there, obtaining a start of 20 yards, lie raced a stock horse over 100 yards for a wager of £2O, which he won. That sum was of more account then than now. The race was run one Sunday morning in Gladstone Road, the main street, the Masonic Hotel being the winning post. His next step as secretary of the football club was to arrange annual athletic sports, and from scratch won practically all events from 100 to 440 yards; the secretary was practically always compelled to win from the scratch mark. At sports held at Makaraka, under the auspices of the joint Friendly Societies, he won the 100, bO O and COO yards, was second putting the shot and third in

ARRIVAL IN' HAWERA. From '"Wellington lie gravitated to Havera, arriving in May, 1880, there becoming associated with the late H. E. Farrington, and at once, then a hard 1:1st. 81b., upon the dictum of Hope Gibbons of Patea, was included in the Hawera Rugby team, matches then ber ing played with Hawera, Waverley and other centres where clubs were coming into being and already formed in Taranaki. At this period Elthain consisted of one dwelling, that of Geordie Mail - , plus his blacksmith’s shop, Southey and Willy’s sawmill, and the Sawmillers’ Arms at Mangawhero, Gustav Tisch proprietor. One or two pioneers may remember a journey across the Ngaere Swamp made in 188.1 by the late Ted Lockett, A. A. Fantham, H. B. Farrington, Bob Cooper of Gisborne, and C. E. Major, the going and coming occupying the whole day. The train terminus was then at Normanby, and a serious rivalry existed with Hawera for supremacy. Normanby possessed the advantage of site, but Hawera carried more guns and greater prestige, with the result that JSTormanby tumbled into desuetude. With Normanby in the ascendant, Eltham would not have blossomed into borouglidom. In those days it was a strenuous undertaking to rise by candle light and find one’s horse with a lantern, on a wet or frosty morning and ride thirty miles to Waverley, a journey of sixty miles in all. Other times other customs! The A.C. Fifteen then had a strong team at Opunake. Principally under Major’s impetus, athletic sports were inaugurated upon up-to-date lines, and there was not wanting material in the remarkable Bayly family from Waitara, many of them, including George, who in the opinion of all his contemporaries was the greatest three-quarter New Zealand has known (this was in anti-five-eighth days); this, also, in the face

the half-mile. Then came the formation of the Gisborne Athletic Club, affiliated -with th e Football Club, with our hero as secretary of both. He also contested the bowing Club's events on the Tamil cru Fiver and won tankards and other prizes as a member of winning crews. The custom then obtained of canvassing the shopkeepers in the town to donate prizes, which they always did. It was hern that lie formed a lifetime friendship with the late Sir .Tames Carroll, the justly famed Timi Kara, loved and esteemed by all with whom he came into contact, and.in his time a line all-round athlete, unbeatable at lazy-slick, a top-hole billiards player, with the power of sound and well-con-sidered judgment upon any topic, that ever presented itself for discussion, never in a hurry and never late, overgenerous for the latter :::irf of tne age in which he lived, a wide knowledge of past and contemporary history, with a rich musical voice and an extensive vocabulary. He was the most full of charm arid gifted speaker Xew Zealand has given lurth to, literally, a born ora--1 or. After two years as managing clerk in the late F. ffras Ward’s and the late Joshua Cuff ’s offices, he journeyed to Wellington, riding the whole way, with his running shoes as part of his scant equipment. At that period many rivers were unbridged, and if one was lucky enough one got taken across in a flatbottomed boat, the horse swimming

of Jii.s redoubtable brother Alt', whose name ami record is more familiar to the generation of the nineties. All the Bayly boys were good, strong, fast, resolute, and absolutely dependable in any emergency. C. E. Major insists that George, however was the most brilliant and resourceful football genius New Zealand has known, and ho is supported by liughie Coutts (N.Z. selector) and other of his contemporaries. As 'a place-kick from anywhere withiit kickable distance, he has never had an equal. It was in Alt' Bayly’s day that a Taranaki team gained its first real knowledge of the clever or finer points of the game and the advantages of combination. Auckland and beaten Taranaki at the Queen Cny, but instead of returning home, Charlie M., who was secretary, manager and a member of the team, with Alf Bayly, arranged a series of matches, really a tour, playing Gisborne, the Maori reps, at Napier (then lately returned from England), the Hawke's Bay combined reps., and the Manawatu team at Palmerston North, making a draw with Gisborne, and winning the remainder of the matches. It was on this tour that Alf Bayly, by his many outstanding qualities as a footballer and a man, endeared himself to every member of the team. SOME GIANTS OF RUGBY. Harry Coutts (African War, Queen’s Scarf man, awarded to him for being

upon it, tnat a collision resulted, both being stunned. A cut right through the lower lip for Alfred and sear for life, with two lovely black eyes for Charles. Some will probably remember Norman A ’Court, of Hawcra, playing at half, under the name of Surman, when he gave much promise of developing into rep. form, but did not persevere with the game. A MT. EGMONT TRIP. To again revert to the subject of these old time records. In the early days in Hawera in .1882 or 1888, a visit during Easter to Mt. Egmont was planned, which was taken up with much enthusiasm by young and old alike, by butcher, baker and candlestick maker, not to mention bankers, drapers, the village apothecary, surveyors, publicans, journalist, postmaster, lawyer, bailiff, cooper, numbering somewhere between 80 and 40. All sorts and conditions of vehicles (all horse-drawn) were requisitioned to carry the party to the place of ascent near Egmont Village. From there a weird journey throughout the night to the camping ground where the forest merged into l!ie wind-flattened scrub, and a start by moonlight with a large party of very noisy young people from Inglewood and elsewhere, who put in an appearance after midnight. Many resolves had been made at host Caldwell’s the previous evening, boasts of the “do or die in the attempt nature,’’ but of all the brave- alpinists only live reached the summit, the redoubtable Charlie first, and an hour or so later the late Max D. King, W. G. White, and Mark Trott, of Hawera, and J. R. Stewart, of Manaia. Egmont in those days had proven too tough a proposition for the manv others. C.E.M. a FLYER. It would occupy many columns of newspaper space to chronicle the very many races Charlie ran and won, being scarcely ever unplaced for lie was ever a trier; history chronicles he never ran a sehlintor. Bill Minhinnick was in the eighties the acknowledged fastest run-' nor in Taranaki, yet with the luck even, he was beaten over- his best distance by the Jersey boy more often than not. The handicappers gave Major the palm bv keeping him at scratch and even giving Minhinnick a start at his best distance, the 100, from 220 yards to a quarter of a mile. It is no stretch of imagination to say that, at his best, over these distances Charlie would have bee ten the best in New Zealand. When flying Jack Hempton entered the lists, the ever-contending. Charlie was no longer a youth—time was beginning to take its toll. Hempton started on scratch with Major, but to his astonishment the former caught him in the last twenty yards of the .100 and beat him decisively by two yards. Major had the questionable solace of beating his conqueror in the quarter of a mile late|;«.

in the dav. which he won from scratch, if I remember aright, in the good time of on seconds —taking the courses in those days into account, a high-class performance. From that defeat, however, he knew the time had arrived when youth would be served and that his boast of never having been beaten for pace was no longer true. His courage, speed and stamina served him for many -years, more than doubly as long as tlie usual period extended to athletes. To-(lay he is nearly a score of years younger in appearance than his record of years should evidence, One of the . greatest tributes to his running prowess was at the sports held at Pungareliu in 3882, during the Pariliaka troubles, when there were stationed at or near Pungareliu some thousand or more of the flower of New Zealand's young men, athletes all. When the handicaps for the Pungareliu Cup appeared, run over 100, 220 and 440 yards, Major was the only scratch man, having to give starts to all. There can be no greater evidence of his merit; there were three . liandicappers apparently ■of the same mind. After riding 50 miles from Hawera, accompanied by Hawera's only architect, genial Bill Pinches, upon arrival he decided not to compete, owing to the disadvantages through lack of track space for any man on scratch, but started in the 150 yards Consolation Pace, all from scratch. Kupi, a Maori, was the acknowledged champion thereabouts and was made a prime favourite, much money changing hands, but, in the sporting parlanee of the day, Major never left it in doubt, jumping into the lead from the ten select contestants, and winning easily. Horse racing on an up and down course formed part of the day’s ;programme, Kupi 's grey horse ridden by himself and Hawke’s chestnut Wideawake won the principal events. Probably there has never been so picturesque a scone in New Zealand history as upon that glorious day iu February. The amphi-theatre lined with spectators, the Maori women in their many liued garments, with a background of varying shades of green, with silent, soothing majestic Egmont looming in the near background. A most memorable day, one that will live until ripe old age among those

there possessing a sense of beauty. 'lt was one of the most vitally appealing sights and, the knowledge that hostilities might at any time break into war, added to its lure and charm. The moving picture was harmonious to the senses of all who could pause and. feast upon it, literally a tableau vivant upon a nature’ssized table. The late Colonel Roberts was -patron, Sergeant Richard Langtry was the sports secretary (brother-indaw of the famous “Jersey Lily’-’), Major Goring the judge, and the late Hick .Foley starter. We find from newspaper reports and programmes that Major was the chopping‘block for practically allhaudicaps, on the mark with the best and giving starts to all and sundry. It has been given to few to lead so active and prominent a part in life’s affairs, for from boyhood his self-confidence impelled him to accept responsibilities for himself and for others, and very seldom was that confidence misplaced. He was one of the founders and secretary of the Hawera Tennis Club, and played as a member of the Hawera six-and was responsible for the memorable tussle with Dr. Leatliam, of Hew Plymouth, , in a series of games, New Plymouth versus Hawera, at Hawera, one Saturday afternoon many years ago, lie having ridden from Opunake that day to take part. The winner of the first ten games was adjudged the victor at that time, of which Dr. Leatliam won nine before Major had won any. He was advised to chuck it and let the New Plymouth team catch their train home. The late R. D. Welsh, then Hawera’s best player, was laughed at for his temerity in stating that the apparently impossible might happen, that Major might yet win, and, impossible as it appeared, the apparently impossible happened, as Major won the next ten games, stamina again proving a great asset. Major was one of the founders of the Hawera Bowling Club, and with the late W. A. Parkinson, the late Alf. Jury and another, whose name escapes me, won each a gold medal for the champion fours. To these many activities he had a penchant and skill in diving from a height into shallow water, having been the first in the seventies to dive from the portico of Meecli’s baths at Te Aro, Wellington. Only two others at that time did so, Charlie De Castro, of AYellington, and a visiting ship’s apprentice. RACING REMINISCENCES. Few alive to-day have taken part so successfully in so many divergent undertakings. For a long time he was one of the most successful racehorse breeders and owners in Taranaki, breeding and racing many good ones—Bowman, Crimson Streak (the holder of the record for second place in the pre-second dividend days), Docility, Tommy Atkins, Kirsty and others. A long remove from the day lie rode a derelict steed which he had yclept Muggins into Palmerston and there saw Ivos Heaton riding a beautiful grey mare, with preponderating Arab blood, and drew the distinction between it and his forlorn crock. Imagine his youthful joy upon discovering it was owned by his countryman, the blacksmith, who lent him the silver-tailed beauty to ride whenever ho chose.

In his racing reminiscences he mentions that travelling to Wellington in one of the railway birdcages he entered into a discussion with the late Waiter Johnston, a member of the old-time Wellington firm of Johnston ancr Co., and who, after listening to and assessing our enthusiast's arguments, ■ concluded racing did not impoverish a who went racing, that it was in a great measure, merely, the transition ot the shilling from one pocket to. anothei, with the concrete result that in a very short space of time the city magnate was racing two horses, one named axtei his country seat, near iiangitikei. With his horses as with himself, Major was always a trier and likes telling that it paid to be so. Instancing one ease among many, he tells that after his horse Bowshot had won three races and run a dead-heat for first in his next start, he paid a dividend of £lB 19s. The late Edgar Russell "was riding and when near the winning post turned round and waved to the others in token of his victory over the big field. An interesting story of an incident at a race meeting a few years later when Bowman, a son of Bowshot, was the best equine in Taranaki evidences the psychology of a section of racing crowds. At New Plymouth, R. Cock's horse, Taplow, started in a race in the morning and was decisively beaten by Bowshot, and was started in the Cup during the afternoon, only, however, upon the urgent request of Bert Bussell, who was to ride, and who was emphatic that he could win. To help the club and gratify the boy's desire, the owner consented, not giving Ins horse a chance, but to his consternation mol time of tin' punters, l'apiow won easily, and then came the storm, a fierce demonstration and a clamour for disqualification. To the disgust and mortification of New' Plymouth s leading merchant, and much respected citizen, such was the vehemence of the disgruntled ones that an enquiry was forced upon tne stewards, evidence taken and the protest for inconsistency disallowed. It was gratifying to hear his generous praise of Charlie Jenkins, our one-time best jockey. He spoke of his innate honesty and absolute dependableness, his courage, skill and judgment aiul of liis most remarkable control of bad tempered and eccentric horses, and literally uncanny understanding of each horse's temperament, plus the faculty of estimating accurately each horse’s winning ability. Good, simple, trusting little Charlie Jenkins! May we, 'ere Pather Time swings his scythe our way, meet his like, a somewhat vain hope, yet .in optimistic vein we will not let the hope die.

HUNTING, BOXING, SHOOTING. Our subject and liis late wife were two of the memorable four that in a held of thirty or forty negotiated the last jump in a drag hunt over the late George McLean’s and Lucena’s and other farms thereabouts, held under the auspices of the Hawera Hunt Club, fhc others were Moult on The Traveller, and the huntsman; Mrs Major rode Greyling, and Mr Major was on Matariki. Without a doubt Hawera’s climate urged to mental and physical activity. George JBayly, the Squire of Mokoia, was Master of the Hounds and the club’s chief supporter for many years. No better horseman ever bestrode a horse; that was admitted by all who then followed the hounds. At Mokoia hospitality was spelt and spoken with a capital “H. ” It is on record that the renowned Frank Slavin and his trainer, the ex-champion runner, Frank Woods, stopped in Hawera at tin; Kailway Hotel for several days in the hope of iiiuueiiig the Hawera man to join., them in their quest for lights in the United States and England, for in listiculis with the ‘‘raw mis” Major had proved himself a hurricane lighter. In this direction lie had the advantage of some early tuition from Jimmy Broome, a one-time runner-up for the championship of the Old Country, in bare knuckles days. He was a member of the Kaiwarra Volunteers in the seventies and obtained a rnarkinan’s badge,

.... j-.fi hints being some d's.a.H.t..e iiii s at the back of the little s::iside village. He was also a member. of the. Lkatory .1. Artillery Corps in Gisborne, and later captain of the Hawera Rifles. CIVIC ACTIVITIES. With a business that was purely personal, still time was found to fulfil the duties attached to almost every local body in the province, including councillorship and mayoralty for fifteen years. As host and hostess, his wife with him strove and succeeded in fulfilling all the duties associated with their civic position. It is claimed he was the youngest Mayor and councillor in the Empire. Councillor at 21 and Mayor at 23. He v'as presented to the present King and Queen during their visit to New Zealand (then the Duke and Duchess of York) by the late Premier R. J. Seddon as being, as far as it was known, the youngest. Mayor in their Empire. Upon relinquishing the Mayoralty to enter Parliament, lie was. able to claim that his .administration of the borough's affairs had resulted in it being the possessor of more civic services and advantages with a lighter rate than any borough in the Dominion, probably in the Empire, for the borough had all a city’s services with a rate of .1/- in the £ on the annual value. This lie set out iu a valedictory address. A member of the School Committee, Taranaki Hospital anil Charitable Aid Board, and chairman of Hawera < omiiiitl.ee, Taranaki School Commissioner, Paten Harbour Board, agent for tin 1 I'.ihlic Trust Oftii .• (relinquished to contest a seat in Parliament), Ha wera delegate to many meetings and conferences. Justice of the Peace, at one time the .■youngest in the colony, and now almost the oldest of that title in the Dominion; District Coroner for about a quarter of a century; one of the two surviving founders of the Polynesian Society, all nf whom were made Follows of the Smithsonian Institute, the Koval and other Anthropological Societies. Also one of the two surviving founders and onlv life member of the N.Z. Philatelic

Society. Literally “some" Tecord. He fought very strenuous and long-drawn-out campaigns for the late Eelix McGuire, who contested the seat for the Liberals, afterwards member for Egm'ont, against the late Sir Harry Atkinson. At that time the electorate extended from Whenuakura to Oakura, a long distance in pre-good road and automobile days. Many long drives arc remembered, one from Bahotu to Hawera throughout a cold night, leaving Bahotu after a political meeting in order to attend the funeral of the late W. J. Furlong, well known in Hawera and Manaia, and one time Mayor of Hawera. Very many meetings were held at every little centre of population in the electorate, with the pub as the hub of pre and post-discussions. When liquor flowed, tongues loosened and pugilism sometimes became a factor in the argument. AN ELECTIONEERING INCIDENT. The following episode in one of his own electioneering campaigns will interest those who knew that period, as well as the present generation, who know it not. In the nineties, after addressing a meeting at Te Kiri, a some-

what late start for Pihama was made, the candidate enjoying there the hospitality of that, staunch and good-heart-ed Liberal, Arthur MeKoown. His host (both were on horseback) led the way and most of it was girth deep in mud, with an occasional excursion into the roadside ditches, which meant getting wet to the waist. The journey occupied a long time —hours. At. last,' exhausted and wet, they reached warmth, shelter and something distilled or bottled by Jameson under a three star label, and, as Pepys would say, ‘ ‘ then to bed. ’ ’ In the morning, when Mac brought the delectable warm milk, reinforced with the ambrosial fluid of the night before, he was much perturbed in,that he was almost stone-blind, but much relieved to learn from his guest and friend, from knowledge gained from experience, that his loss of vision was temporarily caused by the several hours straining hard to sec in a night dark as Erebus.

O.E.M. mentioned another episode in the electioneering amenities of thirty years ago, namely, that at Matapu, where his speech was supported by the schoolmaster, who thus raised the ire of the householders. Mr Major still thinks highly of the “talented and not to-be-frightened Irishman,” he says.

C.E.M., who, by the way, was known to many of his intimates as ‘’the Broker,” once journeyed during a literally monsoonal period to Awatuna, being advertised to address the electors there. Never having failed to keep the time-table for his meetings, the elements notwithstanding, he set out on his hazardous trip. The word hazardous is warranted because at that particular time there were several drowning accidents at the river crossings, even the mail, coach coming to grief with loss of life. Upon reaching the Hull opposite the schoolmistress's house, lie found no sign of life anywhere, and the hall locked. He determined to feed his horse on the lee side of the .buildings (it was still raining), ami await developments, and was rewarded in that shortly after eight o’clock he descried a lantern swinging in the distance, and upon drawing nearer discovered the bearer and another. I-Ie complimented them upon their commendaole thirst for political knowledge and accepted their presence as a much esteemed compliment to himself —and then came the disillusion! He learned they mid come from Brooking’« Mill, some miles away, not to hear the address, but to decide a number of bets. The anti-Majorites found there was only one, a Scot named McLeod, with sufficient tenacity to admit ho was a Liberal and bets were made that the candidate would not face the weather conditions. All of these the Scot loyally accepted. He and another chosen bv" the Conservative camp undertook the tramp to decide the bet. As the candidate made haste to the late Bill Hornby’s house at Kapuni, he was solaced that the Scot had won the siller.

Upon reaching the Kaupokonui crossing in the misty moonlight, the river looked soothingly wide, with trunks of trees sweeping past. Upon the principle that a chance is better than no chance, he divested himself of his oilskin coat and pants, and after some anxiety rejoiced in gaining the southern bank. Arriving at the Hornby’s (staunch supporters) there lie was regaled with soup that would have won a prize nt the competition mentioned in

the Chronicles of St. Dizier. Then a choice of cold sirloin and pheasant with the choice of claret, Dunedin beer, and whisky. This, with yule logs of rata, good napery, ditto cutlery, ditto crystal, and the good company of his host and comely hostess, also Manaia's village parson and doctor, he counted it full recompense for the perils by field and flood.

KEEN LIBERAL IN POLITICS.Mr Major also Helped George Hutchison to gain his seat during the period he was a supporter of the Liberal party. This is not taking into account the expensive and tempestuous campaigns he fought upon his own account. Being, however, a lucid and forceful speaker, with ready and cogent debating powers, he made his way into Parliament and there held his own with the best. The Dairy Begulations, however, promulgated by the late Hon. Bobert McNab, Minister of Lands and Agriculture in the Ward Government, brought about the debacle of the Liberal Government. Our Hawera man was fortunate in having, during the early . eighties, enjoyed the privilege of- sitting at the

feet of Sir George Grey, then Premier of New Zealand, one of the best ot the Empire’s great men, and from him gaining his first political ambitions, .ilso was lie tlie trusted friend mid consultant of John Ballance and Bichard John Seddon, the two men who, with John McKenzie and our present. Premier, blazed the trail for the LiberalLabour achievements. New Zealand at that time loomed large in the world's political-social progress. With the commencement of the Boer War that took so long for the might of the Empire to quell, it, was difficult to obtain acceptance of one’s services at the front, the opposite to _enlistment during the Great War. Dick Coutts, mentioned as playing half-back for Taranaki during its first real tour, being anxious to join one of the contingents, sought Charles’ aid and the latter gave hint a letter to Premier Dick, whose heroic person at that time was swathed with the Union Jack. The latter said: “I urge you to make room for this man. In my belief he symbolises the word intrepidity.” As before mentioned, so it proved, for gaining the Queen’s Scarf among so many tens of thousands of troops was the most signal of all distinctions, and none were more pleased in accepting it as a tribute to New Zealand than our great Liberal-Labour Premier.

Yet another anecdote of the late great Richard John: The S.S. Hinemoa, Captain Pope in command, many years ago was lighting a gale in the Bay of Plenty, and was urged by the Prime Minister to make port, despite the dan-

ger, of which the skipper possessed a more intimate cognisance than his illustrious passenger. The urgency of reaching Tauranga was that ‘‘King Dick” was bearding one of his shrewdest and most skilful opponents, the late Sir William Hcrries, in his stronghold, and had announced he would ‘‘learn them” something concerning the merit of the Liberal Party. And the very elements were lighting for his opponents! He strode the deck with mien severe, casting angry glances at the ocean and clouds, his two secretaries afraid to venture a remark, until pious Bill said to unperturbed and genial Tom: ‘‘The old man’s very angry with (led to nigh I. ’ ’ “STILL GOING STRONG.” In Auckland there are evidences that.

the man from Hawera has lost none of his alertness or power of argument. Amid Mr Major’s activities in the north are the presidency of the New Zealand Association for the Advancement of liationalism and of the State Education Defence League, and work as co-cditor of the “Truth Seeker,” the official organ of the New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Bationalism. Also a member of the Ethnological Branch of the Auckland Institute and Museum and several sporting, educational and social institutions. Possessing a facile pen, plus a wide knowledge of political, economic and social subjects enables him to rank as a controversialist much to be reckoned with. A delightful and yet most scathing satire from his pen was published in the “Truth Seeker” lampooning the member for Eden, who publicly made the astounding claim that his election was an evidence of Divine Will.

lii discussing the early Taranaki settlers, Mr Major gives pride of place to the late James Livingston, of Hawera, and the late Thomas Bayly, of Waitara, claiming the one from bonnie Scotland and the other from Cornwall, England’s southernmost county, were both most genuine all-round settlers, full of neighbourly qualities, the staunchest, most generous and honestly genial of friends he has ever known. He also descanted upon the geniality, generosity, kindness and unobtrusive literary capacity of the late W. 11. J. Seffern, for many years editor of the Taranaki “Herald,” and the merit of his valuable work, “History of Taranaki”; upon the wide reading, honesty and philanthropy of the late John Ballance, and the culture, versatility and benignity of the late Sir George Grey, who was so prominently and intimately associated with the early history of the Dominion. The possessor of .a tenacious memory, our former athlete is charged with many stories of these giants of the past, many quiverfulls of interesting events and humorous anecdotes, striving always to be a veracious emonicler.

PEN PICTURES OF PERSONALITIES

Our subject is the possessor of a practically inexhaustible vein of reminiscences gathered during a long and remarkably active career, of Taranaki and oilier personalities, principally Taranaki, for m his own language, that was the vineyard for thirty years he laboured in aii’d loved. Speaking of the late Sir Harry Atkinson, lie assessed nim as a truly great man, able, honest, a capable, outstanding and courageous debater, an earnest respect-commanding tvpe, absolutely trustworthy, and filled with a forceful, eager patriotism; his fitting epitaph should be: “He.served his country faithfully and well.” The late Felix McGuire contested the seat against him upon several occasions. It was after one of the Doiinybrooktempered political meetings of Sir Harry, then Major Atkinson, when the electorate was aflame with excitement over the New Plymouth Harbour Board rati' tiuil tlie Major was being hectored by angry mobs, that the Hon. John Bryce, who attended the meeting with other supporters of the Premier’s to aid in gaining a fair hearing for him, stated that Mr Major was the youngest •and the best chairman in all his experience.

Among others he mentioned the late E. M. Smith as a fiery and natural orator, an optimist with ever-ready repartee, witnout a trace of indolence physically or mentally, a most responsive and generous man.

His assessment of the lato Mr Newton King will appeal to all those of that -wide circle who knew him. Newton, he said, was highly strung, filled to the

brim with the ‘‘joie de vivro” and the leiiso desire or accomplishment, cour-. ageous to recklessness, charged with well warranted confidence in himself, liis, at times, brusqueness being born of that confidence and eagerness to get tilings done. He was endowed with a remarkable power of lightning-like and accurately comprehensive observation, always with a pervading sense .of his amour propro. Always a leader because of liis quick sense of values and sound inspirational judgment, lie loved, fought for and was conceded power; a publicspirited man, personally generous, and the donor of many unmentioned private benefactions. After speaking of Mr Newton King, lie bethought him of •‘Dick,’’ referring to Mr Richard Cock, • who was associated with the late Mr King in many enterprises covering a lifetime, ‘‘as good old trustworthy and clear-headed Dick.”

He then spoke of quiet, resourceful, big-hearted old Mont (Mills) of Tataramaika, one of his and the late Newton King’s racing contemporaries and affectionately regarded pal. He spoke of tlie ability, honesty, pugnacity and good-natured Oliver Samuel, one time citizen of New Plymouth. Reference was made to the late Dr. P. J. O’Carroll. saying he was a skilful practitioner given to kindly bluster, careless of money, emotional, oozing with generosity towards deserving -and undeserving alike, sensitive to praise or blame, just a touch of a caressing brogue, and never afraid, not even of the ‘‘divil” himself. Another verbal picture made was of the late Jimmy Paul, imposing, precise, meticulous, enterprising, sport promoting and sterling all-round citizen. Dad Cottier, old-time host of the Criterion, genial, dependable, abounding with quiet humour and withal a con-

duct o f life commanding the respect of all. He mentioned mine host, the redoubtable Mick Cunningham, -who loved “Soldiers Three,” not Kipling’s, but played with broads, and over which much money was wont to change hands. Also ho referred to the late .Tervie George as having been bestowed the sobriquet “Swans” because of his belief that each one of many horses that passed through his hands were thp equal of Carbine. He spoke of the late William Webster as the undemonstrative, clean-skinned, silver-haired father of the numerous good-looking, upstanding family of boys and girls, one of whom was an athlete, second only to the late .Tack Hcmpton, who was the fastest of all New Zealanders* ... •" Mr. Major conjured a host of pleasant and interesting memories for the writer, who Topes Gmt those he has reproduced in llsese columns will give the pleasure to his readers that they have given him. i