PERSONAL NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16120, 8 July 1914, Page 5

PERSONAL NOTES.

— Lord Charles Bcrosford possesses an acid wit and is always ready with a retort, a fact that at least- one ivell-known politician remembers. This gentleman had changed political sides once- or twice; and, having for the moment embraced the political faith of Lord Charles, he attended one of his lordship's meetings. Afterwarde he went up to the speaker to congratulate him. "Capital speech that oi yours, Beresford," he said, with an air of patronage Lord Charles found it hard to bear; "very good indeed; but, vcu know, you don't look like a statesman." To which ho got the smashing reply: ■'Neither do you look like a weathercock!"

— Interesting are tho many and various nicknames which attach to,leading parliamentarians. The chief Unionist expert on the Insurance Act is called "Worthy Evans." Mr Charles Bathurst is known as "Charles Bathos." Mr Lane-Fox, from his habit of epeaking well without any apparent movement of lips, is "The Ventriloquist." Dr Macnamara is always "Mac," and Mr Balfour "Arthur James." "Buttons" is tho admiring nickname bestowed on able young Mr Wedgwood Benn. "Long John" is the nickname of Mr John O'Connor, of Kildare, and "The Line" has been thought appropriate for Mr Charles Roberts, because the definition of a line is "length without breadth."

— The Earl of Ducie has become the "Father" of the House of Lords, since the death of Lord Suffield, as he has had a seat in the Upper Chamber for a longer period than any other member. Lord Ducie, who is in his eighty-seventh year, and Lord Suffield both entered tho House of Lords in 1853, so that both have sat there for more than 60 years. Lord Scarsdale is next, from 1856. and then come the Earl of Courtown, Lord Abercromby (who, though he succeeded to h>6 titlo in 1852, did not attain his majority until 1859), and the Earl of Coventry, all of whom have more than 50 years' service to their credit., There are, in addition, several nonagenarian peers, like the Earl of Wemyss, tho Duke ofGrafton, and the Earl of Halsbury, who are older in years than any of thoso mentioned, but their membership of, tho House of Lords is of later date.

— Lord Justice Vaughan-Williams, whose retirement is said to be imminent, has found recreation in farming from his work as a judge. At his countrv retreat in. Surrey, near Leith Hill, the "Father" of the D;nch has farmed very successfully, if good stock he has reared is any criterion. The buyers of his sheep were the Guildford butchers, who thought they paid too much, and decided to reduce the nrice. But Sir Roland Vaughan-Williams checkmated them (says the Star). He took a ehop in the town and had his name nut over it, and undersold the butchers, who were only too glad to decl again an the old terms. The venerable judge is a man of unpretentious habits, and he has been known when at his country homo to drive to the station in the village milklcart. He detested the pomp and ceremonv of assize, and had a scarcely disguised contempt for the sheriff's ecfuinage and the. showman anachronisms of javelin men and trumpeters.

— The suddan death of Sir George Doughty, M.P. for Grimeby, closes a romantic career. The son of poor parents, George Doughty started life with no more educational tAvantago than that off.ered by a local elementary school. He was apprenticed to a working joiner, but had grit and ambition. He forsook the bench, and started business as a contractor with very little capital, but won through, despite many obstacles. Then, perceiving the revolution which the introduction of steam meant te the fisheries, he turned his attention to that industry. Ho opened a shipyard, and built hie own fleet of steam trawlers. He built an ice factory to supply them with a preservative, which enabled them to make longer voyages, and started a coal business to supply them with flucl. Ho engaged in municipal work, and became town councillor, alderman, and twice Mayor. He was knighted 10 years ago. Sir Ueorge was eiecterl as Liberal member for Great Grimsby in 1895, but three years later became a Liberal-Unionist. He went to hie constituents, and was re-elected by a majority of some 1800. He continued as member until January, 1910, when he was defeated, but ho was returned again in the following December. —Dr Nickson, who has been appointed Bishop of Bristol, was appointed to the episcopal bench three years ago as Bishop of Southwark, but, in consequence of the failure of his health, was compelled to withdraw his /acceptance. Dr Nickson, who* was born in 1864. had a distinguished university career. He took a first-class theological tripos at Cambridge, and from IEBB till 1897 was tutor and bursar of Ridley Hall, Cambridge He was also lecturer in Divinity at Selwyn College. In 1891 he became vical of St. Benedict, Cambridge, and three years later went to Pairfield, Liverpool. He was vicar of St. Andrew's, Southport, from 1905 to 1906, when he was an pointed Bishop-suffragan of Jarrow. *—Dr F. E. T. Krause, K.C., who has been appointed an acting judge at Johannesburg, has since the war been regarded as one of the leading- advocates in the criminal courts of the South African Union. , He was the Special Commandant of Witwatersrand, and in that capacity handed tho keys of Johannesburg to Lord Roberte on May 31, 1900. It was Dr Krause whom General Botha held responsible for the safety of the mines in the town of Johannesburg during tho war, in oonsequenco' of the policy of destruction advocated by a section of the Republican Government in order to retard tho British advance. The steps taken by Dr Kranso undoubtedly saved the mines from destruction. After the war he was tried for high treason at the Old Bailey, and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. So that he may be said to have gone from prison to the bench. —Mr G. A. Storey has received the distinction of R.A. The stocy of one of his earliest successes is recalled. In 1866 he was a guest at Hevor Castle, his hosts being his brother-in-law, Mr Calderon, Mr W. ,F. Yoames R.A., and Mr Wynfleld. One night, going :n to dinner, Mr Ycames and Mr Storey, walking side by side, came to a halt outside tho door, each drawing back and saying, "Afteir you." This was solved bv their going in together anrVin-arm. "That wouldn't mako a bad subject for a picturo," said Mr Storpy. He acted upon the idea, and with "After You," well hung or. the line cf the Academy of '67, he nchievril his first real hit. Another of Mr .Storey's earliest successes, entitled "Scandal," had iv mor: vicissitudmous history. When as thr art'st thought, it was finished, Mr Frith, R.A., ca-me to see it, but regarded it so adversely that he strongly advised the artist to keep it back for a year .'ind work en it further, adding: "Although I am on tho Hanging Committee nnd one of your friends, I could not possibly recommend it a good place in jfa present condition." So, much discouraged, Mr Starey accepted tho .yerdict, and after v.orkint on it further for weeks with very unsatisfactory results, finally repainted it entirely, and converted it thereby into his second big siuecess. of them oven in Western cotmiriea.