ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15923, 8 May 1912, Page 13

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES

[From Our Correspondent.] ' LONDON March 29. THE.KING AND “SALT BUSH BILL.” 1

* “ Salt Bush Bill,” in private life known as Mr Mills, was the guest of tho King at Buckingham Palace last Monday, where he gave an exhibition , of his wonderful skill with tho stock- j whip air* boomerang. The oudi-j enco numk-rr.-d about 150, comprising j the King and Queen, Queen Alexandra, | Princess Mary, the Prince of Wales, Princess Victoria, officials of the house- • hold, members of their Majesties’ suites and the Royal servants. j “Salt Bush Bill ” _ is a member of I tho “Wild AustrA.Tn. ’' show, which has been organised under flic auspices of the several Australian Governments and will shortly set out on tour of the country. His Majesty, as Prince oi Wales, first witnessed Mr Mills’s performances of whip-cracking and boome-rang-throwing in Melbourne, and was greatly impressed, so much so, indeed, that ho invited Mr Mills to call upon him if ho should clianeo to come to London. “ Bill ” was in tho metropolis a few years ago, but no opportunity of reminding the Prince ot his invitation offered itself just then. Hearing that he was again in London tho King “ commanded ” Mr Mills to give another exhibition of his skill at tho Palace.

Mr Mills was accompanied by Mr C. Bostock, the director of “ Wild Australia,” Mr Willie Trussell, the manager, and a young lady who assists “ Bill ” in his exhibition*. The whip-cracking demonstration took place in the spacious Ball Supper Boom, and the Royal party was greatly interested in the various feats performed. “ Bill ” appeared before their Majesties in w'hnt some of the papers declare to bo the “typical Australian dress”—jack boots and breeches, scarlet shirt and knotted muffler. His first acts were a number of fancy cuts and flashes with the ordinary “cutting-out” whip, after which lie performed tho difficult feat of cutting a quill from his own hand, putting out a lighted match held in bis left hand and trimming the ash off a cigarette held in liis lips. This act was warmly applauded by the Royal party, and as the ash flew before the slash of the whip Queen Alexandra gave a sigh of relief on seeing that the performer had received no injury. Then “ Salt Bush Bill.” blindfolded, cut a lighted match from the young lady’s hand and a cigarette from her month, a performance that made most of those present hold their breath in anxiety and drew from Queen Mary’s lips the exclamation “ Marvellous.” Then “ Bill ” showed his ambidexterity. The girl was placed several feet away from him, and he/using two whips, lassooed hoi; by the neck quite securely, but as gently as though tho lash had been carefully wound round tho neck by hand at close quarters. Birst, the thong wielded by the right hand shot out, past tho assistant, and curling back encircled her neck many times, and then the left-hand whip was used in exactly similar manner. The imprisoned girl was then drawn towards tho. performer to show how complete was tho hold of the double vinding of the lash.

“Bill” subsequently repaired to the grounds, and in the presence of several members of tho party gave exhibitions of boomerang-throwing. He was asked if ha could bring back his boomerang with certainty from a long and powerful throw. His response was a demonstration which was generally •agreed to he almost too practical, having regard to tho apparent (though probably not actual) peril of the Palace windows. Mr Mills and his little party were afterwards entertained in ’ the" stewards’ room, and before they loft the Palaco the King presented “ Bdl ” with a diamond pin, and thanked him cordially on behalf of the Royal party for the ploasure his entertainment had given. BARRY v. ARNST.

• In spite’ of tho early and reiterated appeals of the “Sportsman,” and the efforts of private individuals, tho public has made a most disappointing response to the invitation to subscribe the £7OO required to pay the expenses of the World’s Championship race between Ernest Barry and Richard Arnst. Many weeks have passed since tho first issue of the invitation to the public to pour its pounds or shillings into the Expenses Fund chest, but up to the present the amount gathered in is short of £l2O. Of courso the coal strike may be responsible to a .very groat extent for the apathy of tlx© public towards the sculling championship, and no doubt many people not too well endowed with this world’s goods who would willingly contribute their mites, find themselves through tho effects of tho strike unable to gratify their desire to do something for the sake of the sport. But making every allowance tho public response has been surprisingly poor, especially in the matter of small contributions. Possibly tho inflow of shillings and sixpences will increase in pace and value, as we got farther into the sporting season—when racing, cricket, regattas and the like are in full swing, but at the time of writing it _ certainly appears only too probable ’ that the parties chiefly interested will have all their work out out to find Arnst’s £SOO and Barry’s £2OO expenses before tho timo the two cracks should commence serious training. It is understood that Barry insists on his expenses being “in sight” before he goes into strong work, and it is a moral certainty that Arnst will insist on handling a considerable part, if not the whole, of his £SOO before he commences his preparation. In view of these facts a committee of sporting enthusiasts, who have already done their share towards making the Expenses Fund a success, has been formed, and is now issuing collecting cards and books to responsible people who will bo likely to bo able to make good uso of them at race meetings, athletic gatherings, cricket matches, and the like. If carried out energetically and systematically, this collecting campaign may produce gratifying results in a very short spaco of time. There aro , thousands upon thousands of peoplo who will willingly give shillings or coins of higher value if tho opportunity to do so with a minimum of personal- trouble is thrust under their _ noses,_ but who aro either not sufficiently interested—or find it too much trouble—to obtain a postal order and remit it to headquarters. Tho committee has already made a beginning by sending collectors down to Putney to tap tho spectators of the Oxford and Cambridge eights final training work, and to-morrow a regular army of volunteer collectors will bo “running tho rule” over the crowds that gather on the Thames banks between Putney and Mortlako, to see the ’Varsity boat raeo. They ought to gather in a substantial sum unless, as is to be feared, the reduction of the facilities for travel brought about bv tho coal war materially affects the attendance. EMPIRE UNIVERSITIES.

Early in July a congress will be held in London which should prove a landmark in tho history of English education. Representatives of fifty-two universities of the British Empire aro to meet to discuss many of tho problems now engaging their attention, and for an interchange of views which may lead to their satisfactory solution. It is tho first real attempt at federating all the great seats of learning throughout the Empire, and tho first gathering of properly accredited representatives for whom a definite and comprehensive programmo has been arranged. It is not, of course, the first time that tho idea has endeavoured to find ex-

pression, for in 1903 Sir Gilbert Parker organised a conference of allied colonial universities, whilst in 1907, the auspices of the League of Empire, an Imperial Conforence on Education took place at Caxton Hall. Those conferences were, owing to tho short time de.voted to them, unable to deal adoquatcly with the numerous problems which called for solution, but the coming congress, meeting, as it will, for four days, should nave ample opportunity of advancing materially the many questions which are to engage its attention. , Nor will the labours of the representatives he limited to the four days over which the Conference proper will extend. Tho members are to travel in one another’s company for the greater part of a month, visiting tho various i universities of Great Britain and IreI land, and noting to what extent they J differ from those of which they are the l representatives. Their attention will be directed also to the cardinal points of difference between British and Continental seats of learning. The Congress will be representative in the fullest sense of that word. The general London committee consists of distinguished persons representing the universities, the Empire and London. It includes tho Chancellor of the universities of the United Kingdom, tho High Commissioners of the dominions, the Prime Minister, the leader of the Opposition, and other members of the present and late Governments, the Lord Mayor, and the chairman of the Loudon County Council. His Royal Highness Prince Arthur of Connaught has consented to bo president of this committee. The agenda have _ been prepared by a Homo Universities Committee, composed of the Vice-Chancellors of all the Homo universities, with a few other persons possessing exceptional knowledge of university business and politics. In tho choice of subjects commendable discrimination nas been displayed. Topics of a nature purely local to particular universities have been rigidly excluded, as have been those which are not yet deemed „ ripe for discussion. Only problems which are common to the majority of the universities, or which lend themselves, if solved, to some practical issue, have been included. Thus, tho Congress should have a general interest for all who nre interested in the wide field of education. Tho main idea underlying the whole scliemo is to ivy to discover how the various universities may lie brought within the sphero of a co-operation from which each is to derive material benefit to the general advancement of all forms of learning. AN OLD FRIEND IN A NEW ROLE. The death of Lord Hertford last Saturday raises to tho Marquisato that interesting personality among our old nobility known variously as the Earl of Yarmouth, “Eric Hope,” “Bloaters and “ Skirts.” The now Marquis has had a remarkable if not particularly distinguished or successful career. Ho has in turn an actor, author, journalist, sheep farmer and wine agent. During a tour in Australia, as “ Eric Hope ’ ho performed a skirt dance at Hobart Town Hall. Ho. it is averred, declined an jffer of £3OO a week to appear in pantomime, butt ho has dono music-hall T-T'v nnt.Vinr of u TllO turns. Ho is the author of The Pigeon House,” a musical comedy in vhicli ho appeared two years ago at the Dourt Theatre. In this ho introduced i number of lively chorus girls and [ealt with the " goings on ” in a Pariian restaurant. Tho central figure, a 'oung captain, was represented by tho arl himself. As regards the play itelf, one captious critic declared “ that very spectator would go away a firm leliever’in the drastic treatment of the louse of Lords.” The earl did several lances. which led to tho invention of ho phrase “ Tho Earl and the "Whirl.” ,ast year, when appearing in the Lonon Bankruptcy Court, in respect to a eceiving order. hLs deficiency was set' Sown at £18.536, and he attributed his ailure to living beyond the £3OO a car allowed him by his father and to labilities incurred to moneylenders. ‘ The Pigeon House,” lie stated, had evolved a less of between £I2OO and ’ISOO. In 1903 ho married JVliss Alice lornelia Thaw, a daughter of the Into Villiam Thaw, and sister of Harry 'haw. but tho marriage was dissolved n 1908. His accession to the Marquisato will ot, it is to he feared, mean “wea'+h mt.old ”to the skirt-dancing Earl. Ho fc i s true. Vails into the ownership of bout 12,000 acres cf land, hut as far s is known the late Lord Hertford had ot been able to lay up much treasure li earth since his accession to the title i 1884. • , Lord Hertford was a cadet of the eymours, Dukes of Somerset, descendig from the first duke, who was Lord ’rotector in the reign of Edward VI. 1© was among tho numerous peers who avo just reason for complaint against heir ancestors. Rut for the pranks of bat favourite of George IV., known s tho “wicked marquis,” whom ’haclteray immortalised in “ Vanity 'air” as" the Marquis of Steyno, ho ould have been one of the richest men i the peerage. “ The wicked maruis ” not only inherited a large forune from his father—his rent-roll was 90,000 a year—but he married scon fter ho came of age Mile Fagnin.ni, ho inherited three fortunes, including 150,000 and several houses from tho bike of Queensberry. Leaving next to otliing to his son, the fourth marquis, o disposed of his fortune away from is family. It was through this, as is retty well known, that tho "Wallace Election of pictures came to bo tho roperty of tho nation. When Sir eorgo Seymour, the grandfather of 10 present Marquis, came into the title pon tho death of Maria Fagniani’s. son i 1870, ho received with it little bemd the lands attached to tho title, iul tho family had to maintain their i gnity upon a very restricted income. I = PERSONAL AND GENERAL. j

A “Daily Telegraph” gossip, harking back to the meeting of Anthony Wilding and Max Decuais in the Monte Carlo tennis championship, brings out an incident associated vritli that match which illustrates the survival of superstition, even in such a practical and strenuous affair as a lawn tennis championship. When Wilding cut his right hand open on tho hard, gritty condar,lino surface, ho declined to retire to the dressing-room, but went gaily on. Drops of bleed consequently Icund their way on to ilie court. When the players crossed over, and Decay is stood on tho court vacated bv his opponent, tho Frenchman bent ch wn and solemnly putting his linger in the ldocd shed by Mr Wilding, touched a spot behind his left car. The rite was per-

formed unostentatiously, and with every sincerity; but the effect was apparently disappointing, for very soon afterwards Wilding began to gain the upper hand and .won decisively. The Rev J. Watts-Ditchfiekl, vicar of St Jamos-the-Less, Bethnal Green, left London this week on a special mission to the colonies on behalf of the Church of England’s Men’s Society, whose chairman, the Archbishop of York, has sent him tho following letter:—“As one of the presidents.cf the Church of England Monts Society, and as chairman of. its council. I am deeply interested' in the visit which you arc about to pay in connection with our Society to Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. Your personal gifts, loyal churchmansliip and very special experience in the work of the Church among men .will, I know, ensure you a welcome from' all members of our Society, and all sections of our Church across tho seas, and also from all who feel that any earnest and sincere message spoken by a man who has won tho right to speak to his fellowmen on behalf of the kingdom of God must Help forward the common lifo of our English-speaking nations.” Mr WnttsDitclifield, who hopes to reach'Perth about April 23, will visit all the djoceses in Western and South Australia, Victoria. New South Wales. Queensland and Tasmania, and will proceed to tho two islands of New Zealand. Then’ce he is to go to "Vancouver, and after addressing several gatherings in Canada will return to Britain at tho end of the vear. Lady Stout, of New Zealand, and her son Mr Stout, wore anion g the guests at an “ At Home ” given by Mrs Lewis Hnrcourt, wife of tho Secretary of State for the Colonies, at 14, Berkelev Square, on Tuesday afternoon. Miss M. Woodhouse. of Christchurch, who has been in England and Ireland for tho last three years studying singing, and who was a well-known amateur dramatic contralto in New Zealand. is returning to the dominion by tho Avnwa. which left vesterday. While over in this country Miss Woodhouse has taken her L.R.A.M. degree for professional Bulging, a scho’nrshfji for the Tonic Sol-Fa? College, and the S.T.M.C. diploma for that institution, with a view to teaching and professional work in Christchurch as soon as she returns. Tho Rev J. S. Smalley, a retired Methodist minister who, after thirty-five years in New Zealand, has been for some lime in Scotland, is spending a few months in tho South of England before returning to the north to fulfil numerous preaching engagements. Mr and Mrs H. Corbett, of Timaru, arrived in London on March 19, after having visited Australia, China, Japan, the Malay Straits. Ceylon, Egypt, Italy, Switzerland and France. They intend to spend several months in the United Kingdom, not returning to New Zealand probably before tho end of the vear.

Mr T. Wilford, M.P., is again in London, looking the picture of health —his stay in tho Pyrenees having benefited him as greatly as his doctor predicted. Mr Wilford and his family, will sail .for New Zealand early next month.

Callers at the High Commissioner’s offices this week have been: —Mr J. E. C. Maguire (Wellington), Mr J. S. M’Grath (Invercargill). Mr J„ T. Buchanan (Christchurch), Miss Lovatt (Auckland), Mr J. Dainpier-Crossley (Christchurch). Rev J. S. Smalley (Auckland), Mr and Mrs Seppler (Christchurch), Mr Edwin Wilson (Auckland). Mr and Mrs H. Corbett (Timaru!, Dr Garland (Oamaru), Mr 11. E. Farr (Christchurch), Mr Walter T. Movie, Mrs and tlm Misses Movie (Christchurch). Mr and Mrs F. H. Barker (Timaru), Miss Annie Westall (Narier).

Mr R. A. Simpson, of Christchurch, has come to London to study its social and industrial economics, and intends to carry on his work here, probably not returning to New Zealand till August of 1913, and spending the preceding summer in Canada and the United States. Next winter is to be spent in France, Germany and Italy, and the United Kingdom and Ireland also will ho thoroughly toured.