All Sorts Of People

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 149, 9 May 1903, Page 3

All Sorts Of People

KING DICK'S record reign was the universal theme on Saturday night last, and when the record dust at the Opera House had died down, one oould see bv the tense look on the faces of the assembled myriads, and the glittering eyes fixed on the distinguished company on the stage, that an "improving time" was in stare. Mr. Quick, the chairman, was brief and lawyer-like in introducing the Premier, and the few complimentary news items he told the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister had probably heard before. Mr. Quick knew that Mr. Kennedy Macdonald had a few columns io speak. • ♦ * Mr. Maodonald is fluent, self-possess-ed, convincing, but he is not brief — he is not Quick. Curiously, the committee had the gift of prophesy. Note that the coaigratulaitory resolution, the chief business of the meeting, was to the effect that "This great gathering of Liberals," etc. Copies of the address printed before the meeting stated that this gathering "unanimously and enthusiastically" adopted the congratulatoiry resolution You see, they knew beforehand. And was it unanimously and enthusiastically adopted ? The unanimity of the congratulatoiy yell instantly drowned the Salvation Army Band playing outside the Opera House. Ergoi, the prophets prophesied truly. ♦ * ♦ By the way, when Mr. Macdonald was warming up to his work, a patriot, or something of the kind, asked some questaons in an angry falsetto. Mr. Macdonald requested 2500 people to speak to the gentleman with the ladylike voice, and the said gentleman retared to listen to the band. Dr. Findlay, the learned gentleman who narrowly missed a seat m the House, seconded the congratulatory motion. At turning a compliment the clever lawyer is as adept as most. He pleasantly remarked that he had watched Mr. Seddon's face during Mr. Macdomald's speech, and the expression on it made it look as if a benediction was being played by a grand organ. This was a doublebarrelled camr>lirnen.t. One barrel for "Kennedy Mac's" voice, which is an exceedingly fine one, and the other barrel for the Premier. Pretty neat, too' * * * We also watched the face of the Piemier, and noted that it was perfectly impassive save when "Kennedy Mac" quoted from the first speech Mr. Beddon ever made as Premier. Then, lie was keenly alert, following each word, and assenting with a short series of involuntary affirmative nods. * • * When Mr. Seddon rose to speak, the audience rose too, and the enthusiastic yell that rent the air drove the "Army" band home, for it banged its parchment no more tihat night. When he said, "La — dies — and — gem — tie' — men," long drawn out sonorous, dignified, you could have heard a cough drop or a waterfall. We don't propose to give the Premier's speech. He said much. His every word went home. He held his hearers, and nobody would say until next day that the speech was too long. He was humbled That was his keynote — he felt less confidence in his personal powers to-day than he did as a novice.

Among the many bushels of facts m teiesitingly disclosed for the first time, Mi . Seddon paralysed tlie multitude by saying that during his Premiership the population of Wellington had increased by ten millions' 'Twas only when the crowd exploded that he took back all he had saad, and made it thousands. He had been dealing \\ ith millions so long that the habit stuck. He further said that he liked to see a. man w ork eight days a week, and no one laughed. 'T« as a slip that wasn't noticed. Mr. Seddon had a sheaf of telegrams. Did you ever doubt the Premier's remarkable dramatic ability 9 "I have here a com — mun — ication. T Mill read it" (reads it lingermgly) He stops, throws back his massive head, throws forward his great chest, and magnetises the multitude, compelling their earnest attention. Then. fie raps out the one word, "Chamberlain'" And whole he' lays the valued cablegram on the table the audience, not knowing w hy, is kiokmg holes in, the boards and yellliinjg, themselves hoiartse m complimentary eostaey. Chamberlain himself could do no better. Talking about that, magnetism, we passed out through tfhe well-satisfied crowd about 10.30. Three women weire making towards Newtown. "Isn't he a 'handsome man?" said one (verbatim note). "Hasn't he got a kind, fathely, paternal face ? When he says that he works for the benefit of humamity you can believe him." And, falute we never so high, we can tell the truth no better. * * * Wellington yachtsmen, will be delighted if Dr. Reid Mackay decides to settle here. He has a, brother here who is also a keen yachtsman. Dr. Reid who came out by the Gothic the other day, is a son of Dr. W P Mackay, of Hull, who has been dead these seventeen years. The late Dr. Mackay was known throughout the religious world as the author of a work called "Grace and Truth," which was the favourite of the late Evangelist Moody. Young Dr. Mac-kay is an M.D. (with honours), a/nd F.R.C.S., having graduated at Edinburgh University in 1892. Since then he has had much experience in British hospitals, and has spent the last two years touring the world before comine: on to New Zealand to settle down. In London he was a member of the Junior Constitutional Club. * * » The most noted phase of Dr. Mackay 's life was his connection with Sir Thomas Liptou. Both being keen yachtsmen, they met several times at Cowes and otlier big regattas. Sir Thomas took a fancy to the young doctor, and when he organised his cruise across the Atlantic to try and capture the America Cup with Shamrock 1., he offered the medical officership of the Shamrock party (about one hundred people) to Dr. Mackay. The latter jumped at the opportunity, and also when offered the same position for the cruise of Shamrock 11. Dr. Mackay -nas on board this latter vessel when the King had his narrow escape from the falling miast last year. He is ready an, thei slightest provocation , to describe the races of the two Shamrocks for the Cup, and is of opinion that Shamrock 111. will just about win the coveted trophy in August next. * • # "Old Timer" writes to the "Observer" —"We shall all miss the familiar form of genuine old 'Willie' Swanson, who was one of the builders of the city or Auckland. Those of us who can look back over a few years will remember the: sturdy old man m his characteristic attitude on the political platform, with his head thrust forward, one hand under lus coat tails, and the other extended for the purpose of emphasising his 'points.'

"He was no orator, like some of the modern politicians, but he knew what be had tot say, and said it in a blunt, homely fashion that earned conviction to the minds of his hoaxers. It was with a sensation something like pain tli at one watched the same man in his later days taking his solitary way homeward with an assortment of quite unnecessary bits of wood under his arm. It was a manifestation, half-conscious, perhaps, of his dislike to see anything going to waste, and, at its worst, a very amiable weakness." Last week Mr. J. R. Blair officially withdrew from the prominent part he has played in the educational life of Wellington during the past twenty years. We recently recoided the departure of Mr. Blair for South Africa, and hisi subsequent return after a few months' absence. Mr. Blair seems to have thought the occasion of his absence afforded aa opportunity to drop out of the very active life he had led in the Education Board's affairs previously. He had made an, effort every year for some time to withdraw but he was persuaded by his fellow-members to remain. In this final effort, however, he has proved strong enough to overcome all temptations, and has withdrawal, with the explanation that it was time he made way for younger men. * * # By dropping away from the labours of the Education Board, Mr. Blair also ceases his connection with the Board of Governors of the Wellington College and Girls' High School. During the greater part of the seventeen years' existence of the latter Board, he has been its chairman. Mr. Blair has served his 1 own and the rising generation of Wellington faithfully, and well deserves the rest he is determined to take. He will, however, still retain the chairmanship of the Board of School Commissioners, which has the management of the educational reserves of the province of Wellington. * * * The newly-elected Conciliation. Board foi the Wellington Industrial distract — the Rev. B. L. Thomas, Messrs. Kellow and McCarthy (employers), and Collins and Cooper (workers) — sat last week and this week upon, the first dispute brought before them. The sitting was at Napier, and was marked by an unfortunate accident. Captain Tonkin, who is known the colony over to those who go* down to the sea in ships was conducting the case for the employers m the wharf labourers' dispute, hiad taken the members of the Board out into the roadstead to show them the class of work that had to be done. But, the captain, who is heavy and big withal, in stepping from the lighter tto the ship, came a nasty cropper, breaking a leg and two ribs. Needless to say, he took no more working interest in the case. He is a jovial old sea-dog, and has many friends in Wellington and along the coast. We wish him a speedy recovery. * * * The new Mayor of Petone (Mr. Geo.^ London), who last week defeated exMayor R. Mothes by a substantial majority, is not unknown in the city, though, unlike Mr. Mothes, Mr. London has so far taken no part in public affairs in the city. Mr. London is known' to some Wellingtonians as the envied possessor of some property in thait valuable quarter, Cuba-street ; but, he is best known as the principal proprietor of that brief-shining journalistic effort, "The Sun." Mr. London, when he started "The Sun," was no stranger to newspaper work, as for years he had been the proprietor of the "Petone Chronicle." He is a gentleman, of independent means, he lias some progressive ideas, and we have no doubt that he will make an excellent mayor of a borough that grows in importance year by year.

The burgesses of the South Ward in the Onslow Borough did not seem to appreciate at least one great mam who dwells among them. They actually rejected the late Middle Member for Wellington City in the House of Representatives, and! not only was he placed second to last on the list of candidates, but, as a strange coincidence, the last name on the list was that of Mr. J. Hutchison. City folks who have not observed that the late Senior Member for Wellington, City spells his name with an "©" instead of an, "1," remarked with surprise, on the day after the municipal elections of last week, that Onsloiw had rejected Messrs. A. R. Atkinson and John Hutcheson. But, it was not "Jack the Rigger" who sought Onsilow honours, but some other member of a somewhat similarly-named family. • • * One of the three successful candidates for the South Ward was Mr. David Barr, well-known in the Labour circles of the city as the many-times 1 deservedIv re-elected president of the Plumbers' Union. Mr. Barr represents the tirue typei of conciliator 1 , for, by his tactful negotiation, the masters and men in the P'lumbine trade have at least twice renewed their industrial award without recourse to the Arbitration Court. The East Ward 1 of the Onslow Borough rejected Mr. John Holmes, who, a few years aero, was the several-times mayor of the Borough. • * * Mr. David Nathan was among the fortunate citizens of Wellington last week, as a double honour came to him within, two days. He was re-elected a member of the City Council, and therefore has the honour and pleasure of getting a seat in the first Council of Greater Wellingtoni. He was also reelected to the presidency of the Chambeir of Commerce. Mr. Nathan well deserves both compliments. As a City Father, he has shown a breadth of idea and am enterprise which are much needed for a city that is 1 to have the great future which lies before Wellington. As president of the Chamber of Commerce he has taken a. very active part in its affairs, and has drawn largely upon his Oiwn experience as a prosperous merchant to aid him in carrying out the functions of the Chamber. His annual address, given as chairman of the Council of the Chamber, was a valuable contribution to the archives of our Parliament of Commerce. • * A remarkable coincidenoei was noted in town last week. Some foolish individual, evidently thinkirig he had struck the "silly" season, started a yarn to the effect that the member for tibe Hutt had died in London. The rumour went around town with lightning-like rapidity, and many friends 1 of Mr. Wilford took the matter seriously. But, the intimate friends of Mr. and Mrs. Wilford had received no advice on the subject. In the following day's newspapers appeared a cablegram, which stated that Mr. Wilford had been interviewed by the London "Daily News" upon the Privy Council's restrictions on our Court of Aopeal. This proved that "Tom" was very much alive, and set all doubts at rest. By the way, a Southern paper put the headline, "The Dreyfus Case" over the cable message ref erred to ! • • » Rev. Henry Howard, of Sydney, tried for a good while to hit upon some novel method of drawing crowded houses. One night he remarked, in his best sermon tones 1 , that the "Blue Ribbonites were the meanest men on earth." People are not always on the look out for the solemn truth, and they like this kind of thing. Now, it has been found necessary to put extra forms in the church, and to make other preparations for the convenience of the crowds who surge to hear the cleric say so some more.

Paged, the staong man and lion wrestler, vho is toumig Australia, threiw a man into saiety the other day. The man wanted to tackle the lion's ribs, or something. There was a case for assault. No« , tales of Pageil's pievious feats are raging. Once, when the cncus was showing in a Western New South Wales town, Pagel discovered a "bushie" prowling in dangerous proximity to his lion's 1 cage and, epiinging forward, the strong man threw the curious bushman a distance of about twenty yards out. of harm's wa\. "What did you do that for?" cried the man. "Vel, I shust did to save der lion der trouble," replied He it Pagel. "I'm very much obliged, of course," replied he of the bush, "but next time I hope you'll toss the lion and the ca<?e out of the way, if it makes no difference to yo<u." And the "buslue" rebared rubbing himself very ruefully. * * * Herr Paeel after the more recent row with the man who wanted to go too near his lion, said "Somevon is alfays wamtin' to be ate bv dot. lion. It nl serf dem ride some day if I let der lion take dem in. but I don't vont to get hiem too used to eating men cau<=e presendly he mighd be vantin' to eat Mr. Saunders, a wine expert, from Australia, is going round telling people that the North of New Zealand is- eminently suitable for the growing of grapes The fact is being chronicled as if the real truth had been struck at last' Signor Bracato has been around for the past eighteen months crying the suitability of the soil, planting vineyards, experimenting largely, and has been the means of giving the wine industry a decided fillip. He i« one ol the finest experts south, of the Line, and if someone doesn't find out that the vine is a noxious weed, may shaie. <=othp of the g-lory of the discovery that grapes will grow in New Zealand * • * The burgesses of Petone, at last week's election, declared for a large measure of new blood. Just one-half of the Council elected are new to municipal duties, the five being Messrs. Piper, Vogal, Jounnax, Cook, and McFarlane. The first-named is a very energetic gentleman, who has made himself known throughout Petone. and the Valley as the übiquitous local correspondent of the "Evening Post." Councillor Piper will be a valuable addition to the new Council in our manufacturing suburb. Though he bears a name which had much political significance over a decade ago, Councillor Vogel is in no way related to Sir Julius of that ilk * • • Mr. R. C Bruce, who took a prominent part in the annual meetme of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society last week, is still remembered by the older generation of Wellingtonians as a one-time> orator of the House of Repre sentatives. Mr. Brace, who hails from Rangitikei, was, during his term in the House, something; like a decade ago, one of the foremost speakers among our legislators, and sat with the Conservative Party. He is still much in request in the middle Northern district a,? a lecturer and frequently acts as an orator on special occasions. He was elected last week as a member of the Acclimatisation Council. * » • How would the journalistic -joker eet on without Dick Seddon? Here is a late sample of his work — "A lady was giving a lesson to three young pupils on prophets and the miracles performed bv them, and one of the children asked if there were any prophets in these days. "No," was the reply. But, teacher surely there are some." The reply still being in the negative, the child continued, "Are you quite sure teacher 3 Isn't Mr. Seddon (in an aw e-struck voice) a prophet ° Can't he perform miracles °" * * • Two moire New Zealand girls, Miss Maggie Gordon, M.A., of Marton, and Miss M Sinclair, of Kaitangaita, have volunteered for the Chinese mission field A very noble aspiration, no doubt, to desure to serve and elevate the poor heathen, and run the risks of martyrdom, in distant China. But, those who> know the country tell us that the work of thei missionaries is largely thrown away, and that the converts of the missions consist largely of those who find it pays to be Christians, and ab]ure the new faith as soon as thov have got. all they can from the missions Anyhow, asks the 'Obseiver " is there, not plenty of room for the exercise of zeal in our own cities 9 * ♦ * Mr. Giegan McMahon, now playing loads with the Hawtrev Comedy Company, is a graduate and honours-man in classics of the Sydney University, and atone< time contemplated following the law as a profession, but he ga\e up his legal prospects in favour of his present vocation with a insult which as-sinedly Tins justified his choice

Mi&s Winifred Austin and hei sister Elsie, of the Hawtaey Comedy Company, are general favoimtes, and liave a very lairge circle of acquaintances. Before these young ladies found it advisable, if not necessary, to earn thenown living, they had bean accustomed to all that wealth could provide, and were well-known and muoh-liked m Sydney Society circles. As actresses they are steadily making their way. The Misses Austin are nieces of Mr. Alfred Austin, the poet laureate- of Great Britain. * * * The late Mr. J. C. Crawford, fathpr of the "Miramar Craw fords," wrote the Maori history of Miramar, mistakenFy attributed by us to the late Mr. Traveirs. Mr. Travers, however, published "The Life of Te Rauparaha " Te Rauparaha was chief of the famous Ngatitoa tnbe, and was captured by S'r George Grey. Another interesting publication from tJie ready pen of the late Mr. Travers was ''From New Zealand to Lake Michigan," which contained personal remAnis'cenoes of a lona; tour made by him in 1888. # * * Mr. John King, Registrar of Electors, at Auckland, has happily come out of his late ordeal scathless. The exhaustive enquiry into the allegations

made against him have resulted in clearing him. Interesting to recall the fact that in the eaily seventies Mr. King was attached toi the Auckland police force. One Sunday, while the &tieet's of the Queen City were thronged with church-goang people, an extensive jewellery robbery was committed at Beck's, 1:1 Queen-street. It happened in. broad daylight, and the thief got. away with several hundred pounds worth of valuables. There was no clue. Also, there was no detectiv 0 force in those' days. Commissioner Naughton packed John King and another policeman off to Melbourne, whither the police believed the criminals had gone. Thei Melbourne police helped the New Zealand officers, and together they traced much of the spoil to local pawn shops. Mr. King did mot allow the grass to grow under his feet, and, following a clue, boarded a steamier to Brisbane, arrested a suspected woman on the ship. Two male accomplices were brought by Mr. King, together with the woman, to Auckland, and stood their trial before Chief Justice Arney, who sentenced the men to .several yearsi imprisonment, acquitting the woman. The Chief Justice highly complimented Mr. King, who received a reward of £50 for his astuteness.