All Sorts Of People

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 131, 3 January 1903, Page 3

All Sorts Of People

THE Gear Meat Company, which held its twentieth, annual meeting lost week, is one of the most consistently-paying of Wellington's institutions. It was because the business had outgrown the of one mind, and one set p,f brains, that Mr. James Gear tw enty years ago, converted his old-established butchery business into a limited liability company. And, the said company went on its way piling up dividends for its shareholders more persistently than the groat majority of the gold mines of the colony. Mr. Gear is still chairman of directors., and his fellow-directors are Messrs. D. Anderson Harold Beau champ. H. D. Bell, J R. Blair, N. Reid and Dr. Newman, with Mr. W. H. Mill ward as managing director, and Mr. W. H. Tripe as secretary Mr. Millward, it is interesting to note, joined the Gear Company just one year after ie had been organised — that is to say, he has been nineteen years in the company's employ. For many years he was secretary of the company, and, some two yeiars ago, he was. promoted to the honourable position he now occupies. Mr. Millward is a native of Liverpool, in which great seaport his father was a merchant before settling in Wellington. W. H. M. graduated out of his father's office into that of the Gear Company. Mr. Tripe, who succeeded Mr. Millward as secretary of the company, has been in its service for about eleven years. He> is a member of that Wellington family of which tihe well-known Dr. Tripe is the head. • • * Southland is being revisited just now by the Rev. Andrew McQueen, who is the pastor of the Great Western-road Presbyterian Church, at Aberdeen. Mr. McQueen was one of the first of Southland's settleirs, and he followed the Otago gold rushes with pick, shovel, and cradle with much success©. Then, he retired to religious work in the Old Country. He is a brother of Mr JoVn McQueen, the commercial magnate of Inveircargill, who will be remembered as one of tihe most conservative of the delegates to the Farmers' Union Conference, which sat m Wellington in June last. The visiting clergyman is uncle to Mata.ura's favourite, Mr. Robert McNab, M.H.R. * * # The employees of the Government Printing Office gave a very jolly break-ing-up party in the big bindery — where the girls most do congregate in working houis — last Saturday we&k. It is the custom now-a-davs for the G.P.O. to close dow n for the Christmas and New Year festivities, thus giving all the hands a foitnight's holiday. Last year, the Government Printer "stood a treat" for all hands in the bindery, on the Saturday preceding the break-up. This year the staff got ahead of the Printer, and tendered what it called a* "Christmas Symposium" to Mr. Mackay. The girls had the big top floor very gaily decorated, show-in- cleverness in cute and fanciful festoons of paper. There was an unusual gathering of old-timers there this year, and everything w r ent as smoothly as a well-cared-for printing machine. Thei chair was occupied bv Mi . B Allen, who as chief clerk, stands next in command to the Printer. Mr. Allen has seen many changes in the office in his time. He was for a lone: time under thei chief clerkship of Mr. Samuel Co«-

tall, whose, succession to the Printership, on the death of Mr. Geo. Didsbury. gave Mr. Allen his promotion. It was on Mr. Costall's retirement, something like six yeaa-s ago that Mr. John Mackay oame up from Dunedin to take charge of the big office. Mr. Mackay was m business in the printing line for himself for many years before he secured his ipresent position. His one-time paoi> ncr was old Wm. Hutchison, he who was (Dick Whittington-hke) thnce Maiyor of Wellington, one-time M.H.R. for Dunedin, and, greatest feat of all, father cf Mr. Geo. Hutchison, ex-M.H li. for Patea and now of Johannesburg. * * • Among the guests who tucked their legs under the table at the ' Symposium," were The Minister in charge of the G.P.O. (the Hon. W. Hall-Jones), the Hon. John Rigg, M.L.C.. James Burns (ex-overseer, who retired a year ago,), R. A. Loughnan, Old Man Phillips (who was for many years in the lithograph department), and Tom Mills (of the "Evening Post"). The latternamed scribe and Legislator Rigg were both "at case" in the G.P.O. in the early years of their typographical days. Mr. Phillios, who retired from active service quite a number of years ago, joined the G.P.O. staif away back in 1866, and. like "Dan" Archibald, "Ben" Wilson "Billy" Smith, Overseer Gamble, and exOverseer Burns, has seen the G.P.O. grow up from a one-roomed pnnterv, on "the other side of the Quay," to the present extensive and complete premises. Mr. Phillips, one of whose sons ("Jim") is in charge of the printing machine room has the unique record of having lived under five British monarchs He was two years of age when Geoige 111. died, so that the old man" is now 84, and he was hale and hearty enough on Saturday to reply to the toast "Retired Employees " ♦ ♦ * The Minister, who was paying his first social visit among the printers, w as surprised to see the large number of girls and young women employed m the G.P.O. Mr. Hall-Jones made an entertaining speech, scoring off the bachelorhood of the hon. gentleman on his right (Mr. Rigg). Amid much laughter, the Minister said that if the Legislative Councillor did not marr" the girls within three years, he would introduce a progressive tax on bachelors. * ♦ • In a happily-made reply, Mr Rieg said that to follow the logic of the Minister, he would have to marry all the girls in the G.P.O. This was too large an order to fill in three years' It wa& appropriate that Mr. "Bill" Parsons should sing "The Yeoman's Wedding Song " and more 1 appropriate still that Marcus Marks (another ex-comp. of th& G.P.0., now "Hansard" supervisor) should recite in a delightfully comic strain, an account of the marriage of McGinty, to the envy of his mate, who subsequently married also Then. McGinity died and the story ends by this referein>ce to the story-teller's married life, and the long peaceful sleep of tlie other fellow — "Be me sowl, how I envy MeGintv'" • * * Mr Allen toasted the Printer, in felicitous terms, and the Printer, in a high-ly-nervous strain "pied his lines." so overcome were his feelings. Still more nervous was Mr. Beniamin. in toasting the ladies, but the ladies' man (Mr Thomoson) made an easy and an assured rer>lv. "The Management" was volubly given bv Mr. D. Joslin, and if brevity be wit then Messrs Gamble and Franklin (the pooular officer in charge of the bindery) made witty replies. Mr Woodmass (irreverently called "erood old Woody") roasted the system which retired actively-inclined old men as he toasted "Retired Employees." and, in his reolv, Mr. Burns «r>oke of the wonderful printeries which he had recently visited during his tour of America.

Mr. John Burns — not of Batterseai, but the crack shot of the Karori Rifle Club, and second in command ot the machine room — proposed the health of the ' Press," winch was replied to, in a reminiscent mood, by the aforesaid Tom Mills who recalled the days when he set type in the G.P.O. After "Auld Lang Syne" had been sung, everybody washed everybody "a good time ; ' in the holidays, and folks went out in cheers and laughter. * • • The most conspicuous feature of the very sociable complimentary gathering given by members of his late political committee to Mr. C M. Luke, last week, v> as the large number of Lukes and their connections. More than half the peoplei in the laree party called each other by their Christian names, and it was • "How d'you do. Charles, John, Dick, Dave, Nellie, May, Jennie, Lily, Eadie, Edgar, Bob, Richard, Eva, Mary p " etc. And, the Cornish burr was very strong in the buzz of conversation, "Cousin Jack" being very much ait home. The Primitive Methodist element was also in force., and the old spirit of resignation, for which this sect is peculiar, permeated the whole. Their candidate had been: beaten — well, that's all right ! He'll do better another time, and, so long as there's another time ahead, there's hope of success. It. was a very happy party, nevertheless, with nothing of the- tangi about it, either. • • * The just-retumed-from-London secretary of the National Dairy Association of New Zealand (Mr. C. R. Beattie) is a typical Englishman. He is a little over medium height, and as fair as a Saxon, and he is proud of the fact that he is a native of the Hub of the Universe, the capital city of all caipitalsi — London. Prior to taking up the secre^taryslup of the now-important association, in the interest of which he recently paid a visit to London, Mr. Beattie tried farming in New Zealand. He took up land in Midhurst (Taranaki), and for five years fought the fight and the struggle which the pioneer dairymen know was a pretty tough fight. So, that, when he took up the direction of tine Association's aifa'rs, Mr. Beattie knew the oraotioal side of the butter business pretty well. To-day he knows the business thoroughly, from the cow to the consumer, from the bush to the banquet, from the cieam to the coin . ♦ ♦ * The. one-time Vicar of St. Thomas's (Wellington South) is to be seen about town agaan, but he is not the activemovma;, bustling, energetic Otho FitzGerald of pre- African days. He is a subdued young man to-day, because his blood is tinged with Central African fever. It will be remembered that, when in charge of the Newtown parish, the son of our late Auditor-General became fired with the zeal which makes missionaries and martyrs. He offered himself for mission work in unknown Darkest Africa Mr. FitzGerald's services were^ accepted — and he dropped out of Wellington life for just upon a year and a-hailf . To-day, he is delighted to be breathing once more the invigorating if somewhat uncertain and unseasonable, atmosphere of Wellington. Mr. FitaGerald spent some four months in Central Africa, and had not a little of unique experiences on. the Zambesi, the Victoria Nyanza, the Nyassa,, and the Tanganyika. Next to the mosquitoes, the Portuguese were the most aggressive thines in C.A.. and the men of Portugal would not leave the natives alone. The young Wellingtonian sa~w several skirmishes' between the natives and the Portuguese, in which one side fought with primeval, and the other with most up-to-date, weapons. On one occasion, the natives made a descent upon Mr. FitzGerald's camp, and cleared all the tucker! But the

missionaries have much sympathy for the black men, and none whatever for the intruding, cruel, yellow-toned traders. The most astonishing feature of the white man's life in Central Africa, according to the young New Zealander's experience, was that, though the rivers and the lakes were most tantalisingly tempting for a swimmer, the voyageur must not bathe- therein. Why? Firstly, crocodiles swarm therein ; , secondly, there is too much risk of fever from, tihe surroundings. Then, again, though tihe region is tropical, the bath is taken hot, not cold : and, all drinking water is boiled before use. The scenery is not at all grand, and there is no fruit. After doing well in health for three months, Mr. FitzGeraM was suddenly stricken with the dreaded fever. His pulse went up to 105, and they hurried him down to the Coast. He was so bad going down the river that it was feared he would not -null through. Even today he has recurrences of tihe fever, which is like unto influenza in its form of attack and after effects. Mr. FitzGerald has taken up the curacy of Wadestown for three months, under the Rev. Mr. Sprott. * * * Nurse Rowley who was entertained in Southland on her reiturn from South Africa the other day, is not unknown, in Wellington. This tender-hearted, skil-ful-fingered lady was trained as a nurse in the Wellington Hospital. On tihe completion of the primary courses, she went to London to "walk the hospital" to the very best advantage. When the Transvaal war broke out, Miss Rowley was working at her profession in Londdon, and when Princess Christian organised her band of trained nurses for war services the young Southlander was among the chosen. She arrived at the front shortly after the outbreak of hostilities* and remained there until peace was proclaimed. * * • This fair New Zealander is a daughter of the late Mr. Rowley who, with Mr. Hamilton, at one time owned the wellknown Avondale Estate (Southland). The people of Nightcaps gave Miss Rowley a rousing reception on her return from the war, and also a gold watch and dressing-case. If anyone desires to know of the nursing qualifications of Nurse Row^y. the lengthy Hadfield, a well-known Wellijngtonian, trooper in one of our contingents, can speak enthusiastically upon the merits of the case, for it was Nurse Rowley, who found the son, of our ex-Bishop apparently upon his death-bed, and nursed him back into life. * • • The Yorkshire lads of Wellington, in society assembled, have chosen that right jovial lad, Mr. Architect Charleswtorth, to be the head and front ornament of them a' for the current year, and a good president he will be, for he has ever been an enthusiastic Yorkshireman. The architect of his own rising fortune, as well as of many a handsome building in this city — and some even handsomer still which are just now in embryo, or in the first stage of erection, such as our Town Hall — Mr. Charlesworth will also be the designer of merry times for the society during bis presidency. The Lance congratulates him upon his deserved honour, and compliments his fellow Yorkies who put him in office. • • * There died at Oamai-u. the other day, Mr. Hugh Wallace, who, in the days of hug youth, was one of Lord Roseberv's game-keepers atßambogle Castle. But, the days of Hughie's youth were lang, lang syne. He landed in Dunedin in 1862. and for thirty-sdx years on end resided near Oamaru. He remained a dog-and-gun "sport" to the end of bis long and healthy life.

When we struck this paragraph with our scissors, i- an American paper, we thought we hod lighted on our old and iamodiar friend Watty % Rev Walter &. Bentley was instituted rector of tihe church of the Holy Sepulchre, in. New York City, on Sunday (November 2nd). Bishop Potter officiated. The minister wa& known as an actor, ten years ago, and a good one, having played many Shakespearean roles, but, when playing in Boston, he went to Holy Trinity to hear Phillips Brooks, and was moved to study for the ministry, sance entering which he has dame missionary work, and this church is his first, charge. One of his brothers also is a clergyman, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and was present at the institution." * • • But when w e reached our Bntash exchanges, we found that oub Walter Bentley was appearing as Sherlock Holmes, in a tour through Scotland, in the latest of melodramas, "A Mystery ol tht BaS of England." Oor Watty .is a, Scot, the son of a Free Kirk meenister who was well-known in Dunedm, and he. has a brother who is eminent in financial circles m London, and has been a member of Parliament. Only the family name is not Bentley— it is Begg. * ♦ • Mr W E Pearson is best known in town 'as an enthusiastic cricketer and hockey player. But, last week the. stalwart and handsome W. E. P. -^ v^ e f, a new accomplishing and brought* to such a successful issue as .sh<>uM make Commissioner Tunbridge , Jf^us. The story goes that, whilst in the leiegrTph Officl, sending a wire tiba* new 88 Zmxrui that day with the Wellington team to Christchurch, Mr. Pearson unwittingly pulled a hailf-^overeign out ot his pocket When he examined the contents of his pocket before leaving the counter, he missed the little gold coon. A search around the floor failed to discover it and he thought that 10s worth of pleasure had rolled out of his reach. ♦ * On reaching the footpath, a stranger stopped him, spoke of the missing coin, and asked him whether he would like to recover it. "Rather!" said Person. "What do you know about it?" ' Weil, was the reply, "I saw it fall out of your pocket — and so did three spieler-looking fellows standing near you. One of them. snapped it v". By Jove, there they aare. Let's stick them up !" Now, the lengthy Pearson dearly loves an adventure, and he hates being "had. He accosted the trio, but the one who had picked up the half-sovereign declared that the coon had been dropped by another of the trio. "But, this gentleman," said Pearson, bringing forward his witness, "&aw the coin come out of my pocket and go into yours!" "And I say " chipped in one of the trio, "that the half Hsorerei^n was dropped by me l " And the three strangers, who had taken in the coin moved off towards the Queen's Wharf. * * * 'What are you going to do about it?" Mr. Pearson was asked. "Why, lam going to see it through if you will stick to me!" "Right 1" cried the witness, and the two fallowed the three, and saw the latter board thei Moeraki. "See here," said Pearson,, to his friend, "you watch the gangway, whilst I go and round up the police." Away went the amateur sleuth." As he was ringing up the police, a person standingi by, overhearing the story, pointed out two pas-sers-by, and said ' "There go a couple of detectives!" Mr. Pearson hailed them, told them his tale, and, as the three moved on. up the wharf , they beheld the spielers coming towards them , whilst, at a safe distance in the rear, acting as

shadow, caane the man who had been left in charge at the gangw ay of the Moeraki. * * » The thiee strangers were stopped by the detectives, and, after some more stout denials, Mr. Pearson gave them in charge. A third dieteetave conveniently happened along, and away the party of edght went to the police station the man who held the coin — who, with his mates, it appeared, had just arrived from Sydneyside — stoutly maintaining that it was "a put-up game," and that "the ohiaip who held the other chad's half-sovereign! was that fellow (pointing to Pearson's new-found friend. This was turning the tables witii a vengeance But, in. the cool chamber of the station, where Waitohhouse-keeiper McKinnon lifts a watchful eye, the Sydney trio "broke up," produced tlie half-sovereign and siaid they were sorry they had ever touched tihe tempting little thing. As Mr. Pearson had booked his passage for Lytitelton by that night's steajnei, and was looking forward to threedays' cricket in Christchurch he withdrew the charge. * * * Tine Wellington Trades Council's suggestion that the Labourites should contest future municipal elections has been quickly seized upon bv the unions. A number of unaons have already signified their approval and have given it practical support by nominating candidates for the next elections for seats on the City Council! . The Labourites already nominated are- Mess™. David McLaren, A. W. Graff, W. H. Hampton, A H. Cooper, W. Jones JR. Cole, and W. C Noot. The nominees of the various unions are to submit their names to a ballot of unionists, and the stipulated number securing the highest votes will go to the city as 1 a Labour ticket at the municipal elections. * * * All the above-named nominees are well known in Labour circles in the city. Mr. McLaren already eniovs municipal honours, having been a city councillor for one term. He has been a candidate for Parliamentary honours more than once. Mr. McLaren is sec-

leta/ry of the Wharf Labourers' Union, and Mr Graff, above-mentioned, is also a prominent meimbeir of tihat union. Mr. Graff has an intelligence much above that which is expected from the unskilled w ater-sade workers, and hi© made an admirable librarian at the Trades Hall prior to has union withdrawing its delegates from the Trades Council. Mr. Graff — who is a grafter mentally as jrell as physically — was also for a long time tlhe minute secretary of the Trades Council. He is slow to sip^ak, but "thinksi a, lot." ** * , Mr. W. Jones hag long been identified with the interests of the men who go down to the sea in ships, and is well known about town as secretary of "Jones's Vni<m" — the New Zealand Federated Seamen's Union. There is another Seamen's Union in town, which is distinguished as "Young's Union," it being the local branch of the Australian Union. Like Mr. McLaren, Mr. Cooper is a bootmaker 1 by trade. Of late, however, he has been actively pushing the interests of the new Labour paper (the "Democrat'") being secretary of the Co-operative Printing Company which, runs the naper. There is scarce a Labour interest m the city with which ' Bert" is not connected, not the least of which is the secretaryship of the Trades Council. He is a native of Christ-church. • * * Messrs. Cole and Noot have run as chums in work, in politics, and in unionasm.. They have been the most a."-oressive pair of Radical delegates any union ever sent to the Trades 1 Council. Mr Hampstom, the seventh o£ the abovenamed group' of Labourites, is best known aimoner city workers as "Bill." He us a cai"penter by trade, and has, in his still young life, seen many ups and downs including two falls from tihreestorey soaif oldinigs ! It takes more than a twice-broken jaw to stop "Bill" Hampton talking- socialism and unionism. He is a. keen Labourite, is secretary of the Wellington Socialist Party, and of several unions, and is no little something of a. politician when tihe other fellow draws him out.