PERSONS, PLEBS AND PLUTES

NZ Truth, Issue 793, 15 January 1921, Page 1

PERSONS, PLEBS AND PLUTES

Father T. J. O'Donnell, the Australian' ex-army chaplain who was most heard of during his sensational London trial for sedition, has returned to Australia and intends giving there a series of lectures m which he will tell , the story of the Australian forces at the war, of Ireland's agony, and "the danger that now threatens the liberties of Australia." Chatting to a "Trath" rep., "the padre said he was arrested m Ireland because the British Secret Service there believed; that he was a spy from America. The sedition charge against him was trumped up to safeguard themselves In case they were wrong. "But," said the padre, "I beat them . badly." Touching on Irish affairs, the priest said that the atrocities and villainies perpetrated m. Ireland, by people said to be Government agents, beggar description. , Those who did these things were indeed the greatest enemies of the British Empire. Ireland had Bhown she cannot be crushed by such methods. Her people were determined to demand the application to herself of those (principles for which the war was fought, and, he believed, she would win out ln the end." The King was not too generous with the number of handles he cabled over to Noo Zee for .the New Year. Only four altogether" — two knighthoods and two paltry C.M.G.'s Justice Cooper's record is one of hard, conscientious work, so it's hard to see why' he should be inflicted with a knighthood just when he was about to retire, How Is it that Justice Chapman, with a similar reoord, was allowed to eßoape? Why should he bo immune whilst his fellow Judges are to spend the rest of their days with their names manacled with the gyves of several extra letters? George Hunter will take his, seat next session as Sir George Hunter, and, no doubt, as he is a confirmed Tory and a wealthy one at that, he will feel quite pleased with himself, What has George done to deserve this 'fate? He has loosened his purse strings for returned soldiers, but that alone could not have brought down upon his head such an infliction. Possibly King George heard of his great' effort to Increase fche-hum-ber of ,tote permits, and being a racing man and a bit o' a "sport" himself, he determined to punish him for his audacity. There may be other reasons, one of which may haVe. to do with being a "liberal" subscriber to Tory funds, but this must remain a secret until "the books are opened." As to the two new C.M.G.'s,, Gavin Hamilton; who strangles the aristocratic yawn m "higher circles," had sooner or -later to give the footman more\ work to do m announcing his name, but Dr. Boxer, who has done much pick and shovel work for the R.S.A,, should have little or no use for the alphabetical bauble.

All m one day's cables, how is; this for Britain's "Old NOblllty" t The Duke of Westminster Is to marry Mrs. Rowley, who divorced her" husband m November. The Duchess of Westmin-

ster whose decree against the Duke was made absolute m December, was married secretly to ex-Captain James Lewis. For some time he was her private secretary. Mr. Alexander Hume has-been granted a divorce on account of his wife's/mlsoonduot with the Earl of Wilton.

John McCormack, who m previous visits to other lands, has travelled a path of roses, or should we say bank notes, has been badly shaken up by his rough passage through Australia and then on to Britain. Add Xo the financial trouble of a curtailed tour, the Jarring notes of interruptions at several of his concerts, his accident on a Britain bound steamer and his mournful reference m London when he had to cancel his .tour there to an organised consplraoy and one can see that fortune is not smiling on him so „ sweetly, as has been her wont. Of oourse the main cause of all the trouble was John's naturalisation as an American citizen. By this act he antagonised many of his British, Colonial and Irish friends the world over. Tou see, John was born ln Athlone and surely the memory alone of the heroic stand of a small Irish Brigade .during the famous siege of Athlone would have linked him irrevocably with Erin. But John wanted to be a Yankee, and a spurious one at that. He did his little hit during the war. He joined the 'Murkan Army and at one time was quartered at Salisbury Plain, where he (was actually employed as oook. Previously he had helped on the sale of Liberty Bonds m his adopted oountry by autographing a gramaphone record to each purchaser of 100 dollars worth and chortling a song for every buyer of a 5000 dollar bond or over. The. tenor has had a meteorio career. • He was born 88 years ago. His father worked In a flllgo factory and was too pdor to buy his muslcallyI Inclined children a piano. The proceeds of a benefit concert enabled young John to take up a course of study ln Italy. When he made his debut at Covent Garden 1n^1907, at the age of 28, he was said to be the youngest tenor who had ever played a principal part fn Italian opera there. John returns to 'Murka ln April, a sadder and a wiser man. Perhaps If he goes over to Ireland and Joins the Sinn Feiners they may make him president or something and he may thereby regain the lost esteem of his Irish friends at any rate.

Among several of the polioe promotions recently . announced is that of Inspectors. J. Dew, of Chrlstohurch, who was recently promoted from the rank of sub-inspector, and has now v been transferred to Invercargill. " Inspector Dew is a man of few words and has a quiet way about him when handling court witnesses. While he is not slowjn dealing with a (prevaricating witness he shows neither temper nor., bias, and always states anything that can be said m favor of an accused person.