LEADERS OF MEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17262, 1 September 1916, Page 4

LEADERS OF MEN.

ATHLETIC CLERGYMEN SOLDIERS. WELL-KNOWN ENGLISH FOOTBALLER AND BOXER. CHAPLAIN MULLINEUX IN CAMP. i Chaplain M. Mullineux reported for duty at Featherston Camp on Tuesday. In this brief fashion (says the “ Dominion ”) tlie advent of a new influence into a big military camp was recorded—and who was to guess that it was THE Rev M. Mullinoux who was referred to—the man who was chaplain in the Navy for eight years, captain of the British football team that visited New Zealand in. 1899, and veteran of two wars? Nevertheless, this was he—the man concerning whom “Banjo” Paterson wroto: I’d reckon his weight at. ciglit-stun-cight, And his height at five-foot-two, With a fnco as plain as an eight-day clock. And a wa k as brisk as a bantam cock; That’s the boss of tlje English team — Tho Kevorend Mullineux. '

In these now lands of tho south sport wins for a man as much fame ns can bo won; so the Australian poet’s verses could not. have been more appreciative had they been inspired by some of tho moro imperishable, yet, unrecorded, deeds that tho little fighting parson did on tho battlefields of South Africa, ahd in the ltusso-Japan-ese War. For all his short stature and slight build, tho Rev M. Mullineux is a man’s parson, one _ who knows sin by actual contact with it and with the lives of sinners, and not from abstract study of the subject on academical lines. Ho is acquainted with tho art of self-defence, too, in tho same intimate and realistic way, and the man who starts any “ rough house ” when the chaplain-captain is about will be liable to get hurt. But this trait of his character, this feature of his method of mixing with men, is only used for disciplinary and defensive purposes. One form of misbehaviour which often provokes it is the habit of swearing and using obscene language. Anyone who knows anything of the Now Zealand camps knows that there is a largo amount of objectionable language used by a small minority in every hutment except where a strong stand has bben taken by the majority in the very beginning. ■ Young lads have been led to folloiv the ways of those who talk in this foul-mouthed fashion. Older vinon have boon disgusted. Chaplain Mullineux does not, like had language at all, and ho will be sure to show his objection in a decided manner. Altogether, tlcre is an opening for him in the camps. FROM ’FRISCO AS A DECK-HAND. When war broke out the Rev Mullineux was working, iu charge of a seamen’s mission, in San Francisco. He got no salary, because ho knew that if he took any .the mission would go short of many things for lack of funds. But. as time passed, the longing to be with the British forces was more than ho could resist. He resigned from his mission work, and shipped on the Moana (Captain Stringer) as an ordinary deck-hand. He worked his way to New Zealand to enlist. During this voyage he hud to scrub decks and do all the work of a deck-hand. The leading seaman of his gang was a big Swede; and lie and the others had nicknamed Mullineux, Joe— short for Holy Joe. One morning, the captain, who knew quite well the identity of the man who was working his passage across the Pacific to enlist, called him up to tho bridge to speak to him on private matters. The gang was thunderstruck, for the captain of a ship of any sort is, in a way, a demigod; much more so the captain of a mail steamer. When the fighting parson returned to his deck-washing the Swede said; “ Wlint did the old man want you for, matey?” “ Well,” said Mullineux, “he’s been watching us swabbing down decks for some days.”- “ He has, lias he?” said the Swede, showing somo concern. * “Yes, lie has. And he told me that he thought it a strange thing that a little chap like n>e should be able to lift twice as mnehr water on his mop as a big chap like you.” The Swede stared in surprise. “He said that, did lie? The old man did? Well, I’m bothered; well, I’m bio wed!” But the Swede was not the only big man that the Rev Mullineux upset, as “ Banjo ”. Paterson has it: ' Kiokl He can kick like an angry male— Runs like a Kangaroo I Hard to tret by as a lawyer plant, Tackles hi? man like a bulldog ant, Fetches him over too! • Didn't tho peonle cheer and shout Watchrn’ him chuckin’ big blokes about— Reverend Mul'ineux. > Yes, it is the Mullineux, the Fighting Parson, who lias reported at Featherston to help to teach tho men to bo men as well as soldiers, and the men will bo just as pleased to meet him as ho will be to meet them—for he is a man in every way.