GOVERNOR’S HELPING HAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 3, 3 December 1931, Page 3

GOVERNOR’S HELPING HAND.

SIR PHILIP GAME’S GUESTS. “Just dropping in. to Sydney Government Houso for a spot of lunch!” These guests do not roll through the gates in glistening automobiles, bearing elaborately-embossed cards of invitation, says a Sydney newspaper. “Their trousers are not creased immaculately, nor are their shoes polished. Indeed, their trousers have about them the look of trousers that might disintegrate at any moment, and, in their shoes, down at heel and out at toe, one can read a story of tramp, tramp, tramp. And yet, they are just dropping in to Government Houso for a hit of lunch—or maybe it is breakfast or dinner.”

These people live across the way on tho other side of Farm Cove. They are all on speaking terms with the Governor, Sir Philip Game. They meet him almost every day, when, with his dog, he takes his afternoon walk to tho Domain and stops at their pathetic little makeshift, humpies to pass the time of day. Tho writer says:—“For these jobless men of tire Domain Sir Philip Game has a wealth of sympathy, which manifests itself in gifts, quietly and tactfully, sent along of books, tobacco and such like things. And then there are the meals! Witli a sort of free and independent air they stroll unchallenged and in the manner born, through the aloof. imposing outer gates, down the long, flower-edged drive, and so to the castellated backstairs region. Some carry blackened, battered billies —empty—and emerge with them steaming and full. Some arrive empty-handed and saunter out hearing gigantic sandwiches. None leaves empty-handed. “On an average, about 20 of these new 'dossers’ of the Domain drop in to Government House for a meal every day, and all day. In the beginning there ivere only a few. Then the number grew to about a dozen. Household officials began to feel a little concern about the additional expense in the kitchen budget. Now, more often than not there are 30 regulars. But none leaves empty-handed.”