All Sorts of People

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 125, 22 November 1902, Page 3

All Sorts of People

MR. Hugh Poland, who is out for the Ohinemuri seat against the sitting member (Mr. Jackson Palmer), and also against the clever, versatile, and energetic barrister, Mr. E. G. B. Moss is a young man who has been heard much of of late in the northern El Dorado. Hugh, who is large and athletic, is in the Auckland "Star's" employ, and is supposed to know what every mine in the Ohinemuri district is going to turn out for the next three months. Also, he is chairman of the Ohmemuri County Council, vice Mr. H. P. Barry, the longlimbed general manager of the premier mine of New Zealand. * ♦ Hugh fought bitterly against the granting of home rule for Waitu and did not like that borough to handle the gold revenue. Before Mr. Poland s power waxed large, he was a quiet, unassuming school teacher, with a penchant for football, and, indeed, was one of the representative players of the stony North. Many a time and oft he has played for Auckland in her interprovincial engagements. In fact all the Poland bo"S excelled at football from tihe nursery onward. One brother "Jim" of that ilk — was a policeman,, who. saved not a few lives from drowning, and was well-known m Wellington as one of the best forwards in his As- in football circles. He went to Africa and became sergeant-major of an irregular corps. Another brother was killed on the raiwlav while shifting t>oints. "What the "Star" will do if Hugh roes to the House is not known. The Rev. James Paterson, who, as the new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, has presided over the deliberations of the Assembly just held m Wellington, succeeds that popular Scot, the Rev. J. Gibb. It is interesting to know that the first pastor of St. John's (the Rev. John Moir) was sent out to Wellington bv the Free Church of Scotland in 1852. Mr. Moir held the position until 1867, when he resigned. Mr. Paterson was appointed as his successor, coming: out in 1868, and he, therefore, has the remarkable record of thirty-four consecutive years' service at St. John's. Mr. Paterson who fills the office' of Moderator witih dignity, is a native of Ayrshire — of which fact he is exceedingly proud. w • ♦ • During the present session of the Assembly, he declared that all good things came from Ayrshore, whereat, amid many "Ohsi'" from men from other parts of Scotland, a gruff voice from the back of the church exclaimed, "Aye, the best ca/ttle!" Then, tihere was a chorus of approval of Ayrshire butter' Mr Paterson studied at both the Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities. On being accepted for the ministry, he received a "call" to fill the pulpit of St. Peter's, Liverpool, under the direction of the Presbyterian Church of England, in April," 1857. He was at St. Peter's when he received his call to far-away St. John's, Wellington. He has ever since been a foremost fi"iire in Presbyterianism in New Zealand, and has taken a lively interest in educational matters. " # He has lone been a member of the New Zealand "Senate— he is a Fellow of the New Zealand TTmversitv — and a

member of the Wellington Education Board. This is the third occasion upon which Mr. Paterson has held the Moderatorship for he was an ex-Moderator ot the Northern Church prior to the Union. One of the leading figures as he is the most venerable in appearance, is the Clerk of the Assembly, the Bey. Dt. Sidey, of Napier. For over twenty years, Dr. Sidey was in charge of St. Paul's, Napier, 'and he has been a great force in Presbyterianism m the colony. As treasurer of the Assembly he is an Euutocrat, upon whom sidelong glances were cast whenever financial projects were mentioned. Though orustv at times, the Doctor is one of the most kindly-hearted men in the Ministry, and, like his old friend, the late Dr. Stuart, of Dunedin, has done man' good deeds. Ds. Sidey now devotes himself to the affairs of the Church, generally, having retired from active pastorsh p. * * * There were men of strong personality from Dunedin at the Assembly. The Rev. J. Gibb, who is in charge of First Church., has been an active participant in all movements in the Edinburgh, of the South for the good of the people. He has been one of the most aggressive of the men in the movement for the adoption of Bible-reading in Schools. The Rev. Mr. Hewitson — the big man who succeeded Dr. Stuart in the charge of Knox Church — is something of a humourist of the pawky kind, with a kindly eye and lots of enthusiasm. # * * He it was who paid a big compliment to the. Mayor of Wellington, who, bv the way, took a very active part in the de>liberations of the Asseml&lv. as one of tihe elders of St. John's Church. T!he Assembly wanted a guarantee for the first year's salary of the organising secretary of the Young Men's Bible Classes. Mr. Hewitson, as convener of the committee which had the matter in hand asked Mr. Aitken how much he would guarantee towards the fund. "Oh, just as much as you want," replied the Mayor. "And, "at that time we wanted a £275 guarantee'" exclaimed Mr. Hewitson amid laughter. But, Mr. Aitken was as good as his word. * * * ' "Tom" Lynch, who has been filling Mr. P. J. O'Regan's oratorical shoes now and again while "Pat" has been sitting for his legal examination, is a little man, with a hard hat, and a head of the same quality. People call him "Tom Lynch, the wharf lumper," but he is not a typical labourer, either in speech or bearing. Mr. Lynch is an Enghshfan, with the power of lapsing into an American "twanig" when he talks, for he lived many years in the land of artificial eggs and sold farm implements for a living. Also he was one of the right-hand men o* and hardest workers for, Henry George, of single-tax memory. One time, Tom Lynch ran a little democratic paper in the States, and generally did anything that turned up when democracy was slack. Now, of course, he is editor of "The Beacon,' the Wellington single-tax sheet, that is in its third issue. ♦ • • A bland, smiling exterior, a ready wit, and an aristocratic mien, are better than much fine gold. Percy Errald Douglas Whittall, sometimes Lord North Esk, and a few times Zana Isidore, has been shedding the light of his long line of ancestors on adoring Auckland. My Lord has been dealing with little bits of naper of no value ut> to £25, and the Aucklanders have discovered alas, too late that no bank knew anything about his lordship's little account. Perov etc., got his money, of course but the "othaw boundahs" didn't, donoherknow. The "blawsted kawlinies" are the softest spot on which a make-believe aristocracy can dump their load of sin.

General satisfaction is felt, not only in his own district, but in this city, at the news of the recovery of health by Mr. Fred. Piram. There was much regret at the need for his retirement from political life. And, when he came throusrh his oneration successfully, Mr. Pirani was as regretful as anybody that he had dropped out of public life. "If I had only felt a week a~o as well as I feel now," said he on coming out of the private hospital at the end of last week, "I would have given Mr. Stevens a fight for the Manawatu seat— and beaten him!" Well, we would like to hear Mr. Stevens's opinion as to that. By the wav, Drs. Anson and Logan were the men that set Mr. Pirani so nimbly on his feet again and if you want to find cut what sort of medicos 3>rs. Anson and Lagan are, just ask Fred. , The Labourite Oommittee, which is to run the new Labour paper, "The Democrat," has been fortunate in securing a literary man for the editorship. Mr. Robert Hogg the chosen, is not only a grand-nephew of James Hogg — dear to Soots the world over as "the Ettrick Shepherd" — but he has the literary grift himself, his forte being criticism rather than composition, and his sphere Scottish poetry. Before coming out to the colony — and that, was not much more than a year ago— he frequently contributed to the Tvress of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Mr. Ho^' knew something of municipal life at Home, for he was a member of the Mueselburgh Town Council, and that body is within touch o' Edinburgh, toon. He was also prominently identified with the Independent Labour Party of Great Britain, doiner much propaganda work on the platform for the I.L.P. He was trying to settle down as a farmer in Shannon when the temptation to edit "The Democrat" came to him. Like Brother Tamarind, and the fair Carmenita. he could not resist the temptation. He fell — into the chair. • • • The Right Hon. G. H. Reid, K.C., leader of the Federal Opposition, is blossoming forth into articles in the press. He is teaching the young Australian how to talk in publio, is George, and no> one knows better how to do so for two days at a stretch or so. Talking abut G. H., and publio speaking, he had. ai very large audience in, ai Western district of New South Wales the other day. "What's this 'ere Geo. Reid ?" asked one free and independent. "I don't know exoatly what he is but I've heard his* name before." "Oh. he speaks 1 ." said another from the seat behind. At this 1 a third party got vi. "Where are you <"oin' ?" asked the first speaker. "I'm goon' home,' said the free and independent elector ; "I'm sick o' these ventriloquists." • • « Mr. Fred. Earle, who was married recently to Miss Roxdston (a Greymouth girl, who has been some little time resident in the city), is one of the best known of the younger school of New Zealand journalists. He has had much experience for his years, and knows a printing office from the devil's "waste" to the sub-editorial chair. Fred has been at "case" long enough to wish for something easier, such as sand shifting and! it i® some time now since he handled a "stick." He began his journalistic career on the Wellington "Press " when his uncle, Mr. Roydhouse, and Editor Wakefield ran that evening journal. • * • Then, the young man from Tinakoriroad became shipping reporter on the "New Zealand Times," and Editor Hornsby — now seeking again to be the elect of the Wairarapa — was wont to boast in those days tihat "young Earle was the smartest shipping reporter in the colony." And, Mr. Hornsby's opinion was not mere assertion. Later on, Fred, went to the Taranaki "News"

for further experience. It is remarkable that he was succeeded in. the shipping work on the "Times" by lengthy Wm, Paulson., who was editor of Christchurch "Truth" when Fred. Earle, after growing tired of New Plymouth, and getting a reiportership on the "Eveniner Post!," left the latter journal to fill "Truth's 1 " sub-editorial chair. And now he is on the "Post." • • ♦ It is given to but few women to achieve success in the arts after marriage, and to stull fewer to add laurels to previous success when widowhood has come. Mrs. Alfred Levi is one of the very few. Her pianoforte-playing is remembered by many Welltngtoniams, as, previous to the death of her husband — the popular staffe-manager of the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society — she was frequently heard on the concert platform. Word now comes from London that Mrs. Levi, who has a family of young children has won her degree of Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music, with honours. It is her intention to spend another year at Home, studying music before returninp- toNew Zealand. Mrs. Levi, who is a daughter of Mr. Joel, the well-known Dumedin brewer, has a sister who is also following the arts in foreign parts — but Miss -Joel is a painter of pictures. » ♦ # 1 Colonel Haultain, whose death recently occurred at Auckland, had a most interesting career. He entered tfaie army as far back as 1834, and served ten years iru India. In 1849, he came out to New Zealand in charge of a division of the New Zealand Femeibles, and three years later retired from the army and settled at Mangare. On the outbreak of the Wa^kato war, he again entered the service, and was in 1 command of the Second Waikatos at the taking of Orakau. He was promoted to a colonelcy, and, on again retiring:, was elected to the House as member for Franklin. * # ♦ He was Minister for Defence from October, 1865. to June, 1869, and, while in office, personally conducted the campaign against the Hauhaus. In subsev quent years, he held respectively the positions of paymaster of the Imperial pensions, Native Trust Commissioner, Sheriff of Auckland, vice-ohairmani of the Board of Governors of Auckland College, secretary of the Auckland Council of the Sailors' Home and was a member of the Ansrlioan Synod, and subsequently chairman of that body. The, Rev. J. H. Mackay, who was through New Zealand a while back, and who is now in Melbourne, as president of the Peace and Humanity Society, is a quaint person. Peace and humanity, as you will remember, meant, during the late war, that it would be humane and peaceful to: let the gentle dopper drive the "khaki sohelms" into the sea. Now, Mr. Mackay, who may be: regarded as the premier peace humanitarian in the colonies, says God would keep England safe if she would totally disarm. Which is very curious, considering that iib& Creator was alleged to have been only on the side of the Dutch. "God helps those who help themselves" is still a good maxim in international politics. The other good maxim is made by Hiram of that ilk. • • • The Rev. C H. Garland, well-known in this colony, is a prohibitionist. If ~ou read his four amd a-half columns on the subject, in the Auckland "Star," you would not doubt it. You remember that it was freely stated a while back that a Wairaxapa clergyman had offered to supply four columns of sermons free if the papers would use tlhem instead of sporting news. There is evidence that some kind of moral contract exists between the papers and the prohibitionists. Sporting, in the issue under consideration, is very "lieht." while the nroL hibition substitute, if it is not "heavy," is at least not volatile.

You cannot beat the New Zealand iifetaker for "getting there" whenever or wherever there is a "there" to be got at. Mr. W. Lingard, a veteran of tihe Maori War, and a veteran life insurance agent — he was long connected with the Wellington office of the Australian Mutual Lif e—hase — has success, and has had. the honour of having had Juhat smccess recorded by cablegram from London, to tihe colonial r>ress> The story is this. Mr. Lingaxd invented a pneumatic rubber heel for boots and shoes before the now-popular "sneaker" was in vogue. He patented the invention, floated a oompany on it, and went Home to introduce it to manufacturers. The long i period of hope deferred would have made even, the ordinary inventor — who is something more than an ordinary man — sick, but Mr. Lingard lingered long, and lingered successfully. The cable flashed the news last week that the British War OfSce has ordered 2000 pairs of the Lmgardian heels for trial upon (or underneath) Tommy Atkins. Well done, Lingard ' Of course, they will give these heels to officers to do "grand rounds" on. * * * Mr. Brown-Parker, who will "punch the bail " and other feats, at Dixs tomorrow night is an . American. You will not doubt this if you have a talk to him. He struck this country during the Upper Thames "boom," and engineered some very willing glove fights at Waihi. Then, he drifted to Auckland, and fell m with one, Paltridge, a wharf lumper and athlete, and started a ball-punching and school of physical culture, which went for a while, and then faded. But, apart from this, B.P. has a history. He has wandered in a world-wide manner, put in a rough time with a rifle during the Samoam trouble, and fought with the American troops in the Spanish-Am enoan war. He olauns that the ball he punches is "out of sight" the most scientific article of its elassi hereaway. He; is a useful man to have around during elections or any other kind of national disturbance. Sailor, soldier, athlete, fighter, and amateur journalist, the lithe Yankee seems to have drifted into the correct line of business at last. * * Mr. Hugh Gillies, of Fitzherbert (near Palmerston, North), was a proud man last week. He isi this year's president of the Mamawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which body last week scored the premier success of its existence with, its threedays' show. Mr. Gillies was extremely active in his courtesies whether it was in showing round Minister Walker and Mr. Ameliusi Smith, or supervising the stewards in the ring. And, he had an ' indefatigable first lieutenant in last year's president (Mr. J. O. Batchelar), who has a singular name, though, married. In Secretary J. C. Lane, the Association is exceedingly well served, for, in a multitude of duties, and amid an avalanche of inquiries, he manae-es to keep his wits about him, and never loses either his place or his temper, which is a most desirable accomplishment in a secretary of an A. and P. show. * * * The city of Wellington has one ret>resentative on the list of officers of the Association, and that is Mr. David Nathan, who has the honour of being one of the four vice-presidents. Messrs. D. J. and P. J. Nathan are tihe only city representatives on the list of fifty-five life members! of the Association. Thirty of our city's firms contributed just over £80 towards this year's prize-list. Wellington was well represented in the displays of manufactures and other things at the show, and a large number of people went out from town to Palmerston on Thursday and Friday, to see the

show. One of the amusing recollections which they brought back with them on Friday was the mip\hty shout of laughter whioh went up from ten thousand throats when Lady Constance 1 Knoxs horse Bruno shook the Hon. Mr. HillTrwor into the pond when making the water jump for the Challenge Cup. * * i Since Mr. Herbert Rawson became chairman of directors of the Wellington Sfceatru Ferry Company, the proprietors 'Of Day's Bay have become quite enterprusw, .and brought the popular resort into line with, Old World methods. This is on© of the results of Mr. Rawson's recent trip abroad. He visited the English and Continental seaside resorts, amd tihere nicked up a few wrinkles which are now hemp adapted to Day's Bay. The most prominent of these notions js thei bathing-maohine. There are six of tihem, and they are locaited between the wharf and the donkey track. If you want a quiet dip, you use one of these dressing-roomsi-on-wheels — and there you are, auite nice and cosy ' With an enterprising policy behind it, there is a big and prosperous future for Day's Bay and Chairman Rawson is just the energetic, progressive, well - informed gentleman to push this eood thin" along. * * * Colonel Bell, "the silver-tongued orator of the Pacific " for many vea-rs United States Consul in 1 Sydney has been delighting Northern audiences during the week with his lectures on "The Vanguard of Civilisation]" and "The World's Colonisers." The Colonel is ai man of remarkable breadth of vision, and when resident in Sydney was considered as much a friendly interpreter of the colonies to his own nation as a representative of the American citizens themselves in Australia ♦ * * His lectures may be described as a compreheaisive view of the evolution of the civilisations of the world from the very earliest beginnings to the present stage of development. Need it be added that he looks upon England and America as constituting the "vanguard," or that he stirs up our national pride by pointing to the services that the AngloSaxon, race has rendered, and is rendering, fco the progress of the world ? The charm of the Colonel's langus."** and his effective style of oratory, should s&oure fox him a successful tour of the colony. • • • Mr. O'Meaira, who sat for Pahiatua in the just - expired Parliament, is having quite a time of it in the Bush district. His opoonent is Mr. Bolton who is often called Captain Bolton. on account of his position as commander of the Mounted Rifle corps. Farmer Bolton is fighting hard in the interests of the small settler

ot the backblocks, and he will be well supported by this olass which has not been by any means well treated by the Lands Department. The Department sold the settlers land, but did not include roads in the bargain. Mr. Bolton. is making capital out of this. J£e is chairman of the Pahiatua County Council, and is an out-and-out Conservative. Quite recent!" he was left an estate in England, with an ancient oastle on it, the legacy being worth" some £70,000. He is in the prime of life, but lie will need to make the nace very hot to beat the genial and widely-popu-lar O'Meara. * * • ' The death of Mr. Richmond Hursthouse, who was a candidate for the Egmont seat, in the House of Representatives removes a notable figure from the public life of New Zealand. Tall, rugered, keen, and surprisingly energetic, the deceased ex-politician was one of the horny-handed to the last. He was a New Zealander born, for he saw the hechit first in New Plymouth, in 1845. He ra-n away from home as a boy, to fipht the Maoris. His unole, Major (af forwards Sir Harry) Atkinson, ordered him home, but young Richmond evaded him, amd put in some rough work as a shore "powder monkey." Anyhow, he won his commission. ■>■ * * He drifted from powder to politics, \\ as returned for Motueka several times, and became Minister of Lands during the Atkinson regime. He held one of the New Zealand records for a stonewalling speech. Sir John Hall's Representation Bill was the occasion. He was the implacable political foe of Mr. Ballance, and that great man's closest private friend. He was the last person to whom Mr. Ballance ever spoke. He contested the Nelson electorate at last general ejection, against Mr. John Graham, and was beaten after a big struggle. * * • He was Mayor of Motueka after his retirement from politics, and member of the Nelson Harbour Board. As an Oddfellow, Mr. HurstShouse was one of the keenest members of a friendl> society in New Zealand, and his business acumen, and far-seeing ability, helped his society as it helped any undertaking with which he was associated. He had apparently a creat many years of fight left in him when he recently spoke for "Seddon, with the brake on." Pneumoniai suddenly cut sihort a career tihat has been honourable and useful. * * * Eueen Sandow, in his colonially-writi-ten book, "The Gospel of Strem«tb," mentions some of his early struggles. He was earning the meagre pittance of 18s a nis;ht in a German town, and poverty naturally stared him in the face. He wanted to earn some money. The

town was thickly sprinkled with "copper m the slot." "try your -strength" machine®, and Sandow turned but one dark night, and lifted the whole lot out of their sockets. The police turned out to arrest the band of 'hooligans, but did not find them. The machines were repaired. Sandow went round, and lifted the handles out once more. He waited on the last macibinie for a policeman, and when the limb of the law happened along he pulled the last handle out and waited to be arrested. The policeman, with a soared, white face, took the little curly-haired boy along to the watchhouse. Before he got there, the populace knew about it, 'and tlhey gave "curly" an crvation. They did not charge him for the "broken machines, but a theatrical manager asked him would he kindly accent a "rise" of £10 a night in his salary. Sandow reluctantly consented, and has been breaking things erer since. ♦ * ♦ Among the men who underwent that terrible five-and-a-half days' experience on the Elingamite's raft, was Mr. Henry Wetherilt, who is ac well-known in Wellington as in Auckland and Dunedin. The big, and burly engineer is one of the most popular men in the colony, and there were many congratulatory messages sent to him when it became known that he was among the saved. Sdme of the messages took the form of "Good boy, Harry !" Mr. Weiiherilt was. for some time, an engineer in the employ of the Defence Department, and, about 1894, was transferred from Dunedin to Wellington. During bis stay in the Empire City, he became a strong personality m Masonic circles, throwing his enthusiasm — for he was an enthusiastic Mason — into the Pacific Lodge. • • * Bro. Wetherilt hasi attained high honours in the Masonic Order. He is not only a Past Grand Superintendent of Otago, but he is also a Past Deputy Grand Master. After some service in the forts in Wellington, he became an Inspector of Machinery, and was sent back to Dunedin only to be transferred later to Auckland. He had been across to Australia to give evidence in the unseaworthy Balmain case — hence his appearance on the Elingamite, and his participation, in one of tihe most terrible experiences of the sea. Mr. Wetherilt m a favourite singer, possessing a very fine bass voice. Prior to coming to JNew Zealand he had some experience m. the Turkish Navy— but none to equal Ins voyage from Australia to New Zealand m the month of November, 1902