A GRAND OLD MAN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7265, 22 October 1910, Page 9

A GRAND OLD MAN.

"Matthew Fowlds, Centenarian Weaver, and others Eenwick Worthies." Edited by tho Rev. J. Kirkwootl, Fairlie.

With the career of the late Mr Matthew- Fowlds. the famous centenarian weaver of Fenwick, and father to the | Hon. George- Fowlds, M.P., Minister for | Education in the present New Zealand j administration, my .-eaders are, doubt-1 lees, fairly well acquainted, for many j interesting details concerning the fino : old gentleman were given in the columns' of tue "New Zealand Times" on tho j occasion of his centenary. The volume, now before, ■me.'contains, however, a,; largo amount of hitherto unpublished material, and. deals indirectly witkmany curious and interesting events in Scottish history. For instance, there are chapters on "The Martyrs and Covenanters of the Fenwick Parish," by tho Her.. James Barr, 8.D.; on "The Secession Church in Fenwick," by the Rev. J. Kirkwocd Fairlie; and on tho "Weavers' Society," by Mr Thomas W. Orr. With Chapter IV. we come into closer touch with the venerable figure, whose name gives the chief title to tho book. There are reminiscences by members of the family, including one by Mr George i>c-\vlds, which will be specially interesting to New Zealand-ers, and by various dignitaries of the- Church. Some curious old documents are next reproduced, in facsimile, and commented on, and succeeding chapters describe such memorable : occasions in Matthew Fowlds's long life as his Golden Jubilee, his Elder's Jubilee, and the Centenary celebrations, and tho, closing scenes of his long and honourable career. Other interesting information; including "In Memoriani" tributes, letters and genealogical notes, are contained in an appendix. A special word of praise is due to the editor for the long series of'exceedingly interesting illustrations, same reproduced from pen and ink drawings, others from old-time photographs' and pictures. Quaintly picturesque, in. particular, are the illustrations which shew the old weaver's simple home at Greystone Knowe, his loom, and the cn.viionment generally amidst which he spont his. working life. The book is one which every Scotsman in New Zealand must surely make a point of reading. Tho typographical execution of tho volume, and the excellence of the illustrations, reflect the highest credit upon the printing establishment at Kilmarnock, whero it was produced. I had almost omitted to note the fine photogravuro frontispiece, a reproduction o'f a picture by tho clever young Scots artist, Monro" S. Orr, whose work is so v.'o'l known to readers of "The Studio" and other art magazines. Mr Orr shows the late Mr Fcwids seated at his loom. The faco is almost Carlylean in its quiet .u;;l rugged dignity.

THE BIED SLAUGHTER QUESTION

"Aigrettes ar.ci Bircjskins." By Harold llamel Smith. London: Bale, Sons, and Daniellson, Ltd.

According to Sir J. D. Eees, K.C.1.E., M.P., who contributes a "foreword" to Mr Smith's book, there is another side to tho question of destroying, beautiful tropical and semi-tropical birds for the sake of their skins and feathers other than that put forward by those who desire to see a stop put to such a practice. It is this other side, the case for the defence, which is put before the public bv Mi Smith, and, as I must admit, with considerable force, although, on the whole, with moderation. Mr Smith replies in detail to the charges brought against the dealers by Mr Buckland and other naturalists, and quotes at. great length from letters from his pen which have appeared m tho columns of tho London "Times" and other journals. Mr Smith certainly hits out rather hard "at some of the members of Parliament and others who have joined in the anti-Aigrette agitation. He scores a good point when ho sarcastically asks why bird slaughter should, be considered praiseworthy when it occurs in England, and vet is denounced when it takes place in the tropics. "The wife of a member of the Select Commission who sat in. judgment on the bird traders, and who 16 reported to have , popularised the phrase, 'murderous millinery,'" was, he says "praised in the press for having killed M 37 head of game in a season." Her photo was published as being that of "the finest lady shot in the kingdom at covert shooting." . Mr Smith claims that he has told "the truth about the collection and export of aigrettes and birdskins," andaseditor of a publication called "Tropical Life," has had special advantages- for collecting statistics and other information bearing on a much debated question. Whether he has succeeded in proving his case for the defence, I am not prepared to say. Sir John Kees' principal argument against prohibitory legislation is that it "will have the effect of transferring the millinery business to the Continent and aggravating unemployment, without in the least protecting the birds from slaughter." Probably the last word m the discussion will be said by the ladies of fashion who arc so curiously devoted to what a mere man may be pardoned for considering tho stupid custom of sticking the skins of biTds in their hats and birds' feathers in their hair.

Ecratledges also announce as "in preparaticm"a new "Dictionary of Statistics," by A. D. Webb, forming a supplement to Mulhall's great work, which was revised by its author down to 1891, but is practically useless nowadays.,