ABOUT PEOPLE.

Southland Times, Issue 16786, 15 July 1911, Page 6

ABOUT PEOPLE.

The Acting Prime Minister (Sir Jas. Carroll) has received the following cablegram from Sir Joseph Ward, despatched yesterday from Marseilles: —“Just leaving. Ruapehu, for Port Said. All well.” —Wellington telegram. Amongst the Ulimaroa’s passengers to Wellington on Wednesday was the Hon. W. Pitt, M.H.A., of Melbourne, who brings with him the plans for the new municipal theatre at Napier. The theatre, when completed, will seat between 1600 and 1700 people. The late Sir Eldon Gorst was a nephew of Mr F. G. Moore, the Masterton county clerk, whose sister married Sir John Gorst. Mr Moore resided with the Gorst family at Te Awamutu just before the Maori war broke out, and worked under Sir John (then Mr) Gorst in the Native Department, over which Sir Dillon Bell presided. Mr Mooi'e relates how trouble arose over famous newspaper articles, how the Maoris issued, an ultimatum, and how arrangements were made for the removal of Mrs Gorst and her children to Auckland. Subsequently Sir John Gorst went there also, Mr Moore and two others being the only Europeans left, surrounded by hostile Natives. The two others were the Rev. Dr Purchase and Mr James Falloon, the latter being a half-caste, who was murdered. Shortly afterwards Mr Moore conveyed despatches to Auckland and the Waikato, which became the arena of the war. It is interesting to note that although the Heddon Bush School has been open for the past twenty-nine years, only three teachers have had charge during that time. Mr Girle was the first teacher, Mr G. M. Hassing being his successor, and now Miss Hanning has charge. In the event of the Mayor (Mr W. A. Ott) being unable to go to Wellington for the tramway regulations conference, his place is to be taken by Cr. A. Bain. At last night’s meeting of the High Schools’ Board,’ Mr James Struthers, M.A., of Scotland, was appointed as second science master of the Southland Boys’ High School. Mr Struthers is 26 years of age, and has had ten years’ experience as a teacher. He will arrive at Lyttelton by the Orvieto on the 27 th Inst.

Mr E. Smith, who during the past seven years has occupied the position of first assistant of the Bluff Public School, recently accepted the headmastership of the Clifton School. During the past few days Mr Smith has been the recipient of a number of presentations testifying to his popularity amongst the residents of the Bluff. On Thursday evening he was entertained by members of the Bluff Cricket Club, and presented with a travelling bag, as a tangible recognition of his invaluable services to the club, both as secretary and player. Yesterday afternoon the children of the upper standards farewelled Mr Smith, and 'presented him with a silver mounted oak ink-stand, accompanying the gift with expressions of regret at his departure. Later on the same day Mr Smith was met by the members of the Bluff School Committee, and also the School staff. Dr. Torrance made fitting reference to the capable and enthusiastic manner in which Mr Smith had carried out his duties as first assistant of the Bluff Public School. He read a resolution from the committee, testifying to the good work Mr Smith had done, and, at the same time, congratulating him upon his promotion. Mr A. McNeil (headmaster), and other members of the committee also made eulogistic reference to Mr Smith’s excellent work in the school. Dr Torrance then made a presentation, on behalf of both the committee and the staff, the gift taking the form of a substantial book-case and escritoire combined. Mr Smith suitably responded to each presentation. An Oamaru telegram states that Barney Winter, known also as Barney “White Rats,” a nonagenarian, died there yesterday morning. He was a very old identity, and quite a celebrity in his way. In the early days he tramped extensively over different parts of the Dominion as a showman, his stock-in-trade including a number of white rats.

The latest appointment to General Godlev’s staff is of unusual interest (says the Press). It is seldom we see a holder of the Victoria Cross in this part of the world, and the number of such men employed in the forces of the Dominions must be very small. Captain Grant, V.C., of the Bth Gurkhas, whose appointment is announced, was the hero of the most brilliant bit of fighting in the expedition to Lhasa. During the attack on the jong at Gyangtse he was in charge of the party of Gurkhas who, with the Fusiliers, were ordered to storm the fort, under cover of artillery fire. The position was very strong, the ascent being precipitous in places. Climbing nimbly, with a storm of shot and shell hurtling over their heads against the fort, the Gurkhas outpaced the Fusiliers, and in ten minutes forty or fifty were crouching under the breach. The Tibetans, finding that their fire could not stop them, tore stones from the walls and rolled them against the attackers. There was a pause; then Lieutenant Grant led his men into the fort. An eye-witness says that as the first men went through the breach — Grant and a Gurkha —everybody looking on held his breadth, expecting to see the two shot down. The last part of the ascent was so steep that the attackers had to haul themselves up one by one, and two by two, and neither rifle nor gun dared support them. For a moment it was these two men against the whole garrison, but the garrison had had enough of fighting, and the British were soon masters of the place. For this brilliant piece of skilful and daring leadership. Captain Grant received the Victoria Cross in 1905. The visitors’ book at the New Zealand offices in Victoria street bears eloquent testimony to the exceptional character of the present season (writes the corT respondent of the Otago Daily Times, under date June 2). The inward rush started in April, in which month there were 220 callers, compared with 150 in April of last year. During the month just concluded there has been a steady stream of callers day by day, with the result that May must have beaten all records. The number of New Zealanders Who placed their names in the book reaches the abnormally high figure of 725 for a single month, and they occupy 73 pages. In May of last year the callers numbered 310. Of course, a certain proportion of the names include resident New Zealanders in England, who call in order to get into touch with their friends coming Home.

New Zealanders who attended the King’s levefe at St. James’s Palace on May 29, included: —The Earl of Seafleld, Sir Joseph Ward, and Mr A. E. G. Rhodes. Presentations were numerous. The Hon. J. Findlay, K.C., L.L.D., was presented by the Secretary of State. Sir Joseph Ward presented his son, Mr Gladstone Ward, and his secretary, Mr James Hislop, after he himself had been presented by the Secretary of State. Mr R. Heaton Rhodes was presented by the Secretary of State, Mr Arthur Russell by the Home Secretary, Dr W. A. Chappie, M.P., by the Hon. Geoffry Howard, M.P.; Lieutenant J. C. Chaytor (South Staffordshire Regiment), by Lieutenant-Colonel I. Kirkpatrick; Mr David Crewe (Pahlatua), by the High Commissioner for the Union of South Africa: Mr T. Chamberlain, by the Earl of Seafleld. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, and Mrs and Miss Seddon (says a London cable) visited Cadbury’s factory at Bourneville, and inspected the works and model village. Sir Joseph expressed himself gratified with the conditions of the workmen and the educational facilities provided. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward also visited Stratford and Warwick. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward entertained 600 guests at an “at home” at the Hotel Cecil. The guests included Lords Alvestone, Knutsford, Kinnalrd, McNaughton, and Bathurst, the Lord Mayor of London, Mr Lewis Harcourt. and the Agents-General, and many New Zealanders.