Much Travelled Men and Women Who Have Made Their Homes in the Dominion.

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 92, 9 July 1927, Page 17

Much Travelled Men and Women Who Have Made Their Homes in the Dominion.

(Written for THE SUN by

O. A. Gillespie. )

—in interesting corners [wI—SJJA of the world seems to 'WkCfi?} have been the lot of most of the foreign consuls in 322 > New Zealand. Their lives,

of necessity, must be those of globe-trotters —but they are globe-trotters with a delicate mission.

Most of the present foreign consuls have resided in the Dominion for years. They are of the country and yet not of it, for a consul does not lose his individuality as a native of the country whence he came.

New Zealand must have a special attraction for these folk from overseas. They have all become so attached to their temporary country that most, if not all of them, would raise no objections to staying here permanently.

"I don’t think I should care to live anywhere else after living in Auckland,” Mrs. Boyle, wife of the American Consul, said recently. ‘T feel that 1 aifi among my own people here. We have all been very happy ’in New Zealand.”

That seems to be the wish of most of the folk from overseas.

Naturally when a Government selects its Consul it chooses a man of the highest honour and integrity, and one who is patriotic. But that patriotism does not prevent them from developing a great love for their adopted land. Perhaps this is due t > the constant changing from country to country, which has been the custom until the last few years. Perhaps, on the other hand, it is due to the friendly hand New Zealand extends to these charming people who come to M from distant corners of the globe.

Webster, of dictionary fame, defines a consul as follows: 'is official appointed by, or with the authority of, a Government to reside in some foreign country, to rare for the commercial interests °f the citizens of the appointing Government and to protect its teamen. The modern consul corresponds to the ancient Greek “Proxenus," and originally had large judicial Powers, civil and criminal, over the citizens of the country represented, as the consuls of the civitised countries still have in some more barbarous countries. it) ° nßu ' s are very busy men. Their orrespondence is large; their callers Here in New Zealand they are

mainly concerned with commercial interests, but they are also the best publicity agents their adopted country could possibly have. Consuls have few privileges in New Zealand. Until recent years they were allowed free railway

passes, but even these have been taken from them by a Government with fixed ideas of economy.

Auckland has a large Consular Corps, many of whom are New Zealanders appointed by various foreign countries, but many nations prefer to

Monsieur Paul Serre is a very charming gentleman of France, Consul for that country and its dependencies. After living in many of the world’s most interesting and odd corners, he

came to New Zealand over four years ago. He is one who has grown fond of this Dominion. M. Serre is the doyen of the Consular Corps in Auckland. He was instrumental in inaugurating the annual Consular Corps dinner, which is a most successful function. It was also his idea to have published every year a small booklet entitled “The Consular Corps of Auckland,” the only one of its kind published in the world.

He has an intimate knowledge of many countries, for he is a muchtravelled man, and he speaks five languages fluently. M. Serre devotes his leisure hours to writing articles for French magazines. And who is more fitted to do so? His duties in the Consular Corps have taken aim to San Francisco (California), Shanghai (China), Batavia (Java), Havana (Cuba), P-rto Rico (West Indies), Montevideo (Uruguay), Bahia, (Brazil), Port of Spain (Trinidad) “an

Jose (Costa Rica), San Francisco again, and then to New Zealand. M. Serre joined the French Consular Service in 1896. He has been abroad many years, but has returned several times to his native France on holiday. He will retire in 1930, and may go

back to France to live. But he has not yet decided what he will do. During his travels he has visited so many delightful places and met so many charming people that he may decide to visit them again.

Should M. Serre decide to go to Annam he would be given salt and rice free, for he was made a mandarin of that country by the Emperor. This was for valuable services he had rendered the country. The insignia with which he was presented by the Emperor of Anpam is a magnificent piece of work, consisting of a large piece of pure gold suspended from a cord, which also carries a beautifullyworked star. This order can be seen in his photograph. M. Serre has been honoured by many countries. He possesses a remarkable collection of medals and honours, including the Legion d’Honneur from the Government of France.

The Republic of France could not have a more efficient Consul, or a more interesting one, than M. Serre.

Next of the world travellers who have come to rest in Auckland is Mr. Walter Boyle, Consul for the United States of America. With his wife and daughter he lives high on the slopes of Mount Eden, in a lovely home rurrounded by gardens and trees, with the distant harbour flung like a broad blue ribbon beyond the roofs of the city.

Mr. Boyle and his family came to Auckland over two years ago from Mexico. Proof of their affection for New Zealand is found in their remark: “We would like to stay here always.”

Sitting before a blazing lire in their artistic drawing-room, where the first spring flowers flooded the room with fragrance, Mrs. and Miss Boyle chatted one afternoon of their exciting adventures in Central America. They told of long, long journeys, occupying seven days, on the backs of mules, to visit Mexico City, and of thrilling moments when revolutions were expected among the tempestuous Mexicans.

Mr. Boyle has been American Consul at San Luis, Polosi, Mexico, 400 miles north of Mexico City, and at La Ceiba, Spanish Honduras, so that he and his family know what revolutions are.

On one occasion, when a revolution was expected, the Governor’s wife, a large lady with 10 children, threatened to take refuge with Mrs. Boyle until the turmoil was over. “Fortunately,” laughed Mrs. Boyle, “the revolution did not take place. I don’t know what I would have done with those children.”

Frequently, when a revolution was expected, Mr. Boyle sent for an American gunboat

in case events took a particularly nasty turn. At La Ceiba the American Consulate was on the sea coast, and, said Mrs. Boyle, “the boats anchored almost in our backyard. On one occasion, when a gunboat came down, a gale blew it over, and the masts actually rested in tho yard." “In those faraway parts the English-speaking peoples cling together," continued the Consul’s wife. “There were not many of us in Mexico, and we were always a happy family.”

“Auckland is the best place we have yet visited," was the comment of both Mrs. and Miss Boyle. “We feel that we are at home here. The people have been like our own, anfl I don’t think I should care to go away. After living so many years out of America it seems strange going back, and one finds that the old links are broken.” Mr. Boyle is of the same opinion. Talking of their beautiful home on Mount Eden, Mrs. Boyle said that she has always lived on a hill. She loves a view. “My own home in America was on a hill. In Mexico we were 6,000 feet above sea level, and now here we are In Auckland, with a view as lovely as one could wish for.” And so it was, the day I called. The last roses swung across a pergola, camellias bloomed in profusion beside the house and far in the distance the harbour dreacSod in the afternoon

sun, disappearing in the veil of a distant horizon. Miss Boyle has entered into the spirit of New Zealand life. She takes a great interest in the Girl Guide movement. Mr. J. H. Pagni, Consular Agent for Italy, has lived in the Dominion for so long that he is a dyed-in-the-wool New Zealander. He left Livorno, in his native Italy, 50 years ago and came to New Zealand, where he set up in business. Mrs. Pagni is a New Zealander, daughter of the first town clerk of Timaru, Mr. John Duff. They have four daughters: Mrs. Robson, Miss Anita Pagni, Miss Bessie Pagni and Miss Rina Pagni. Quite recently Mr. and Mrs. Pagni went to Italy on holiday, and after spending some time there they toured the Continent and England, but Mr.

Pagni confesses that lie was glad to get back to his adoptive country, where he watches the interests of the Italian Government. Though they do not live in Auckland, two of the most interesting members of the New Zealand Consular Corps are Mr. Li Kwang Heng, Consul for China, and Mme. Li, who reside in Wellington. Mr. Li is a widely - travelled man. He was born at Canton, China, in 1868 end educated at the .Tung Wen College, Peking, and at the Central High School

Washington, America. His first experience was gained as translator ot the Chinese Consul-General’s office at Manila. Philippine Islands, from 1897 to 1900. From then on Mr. Li moved quickly from place to place. He was Assistant-Consul at Honolulu from 1900 to 1903, and secretary to the Viceroy of the Sze-Chuen Province, China, from 1903 to 1904. From 1904 to 1911 he was conjointly co-director of the bureau of Foreign Affairs, Tientsin, and secretary to the Viceroy of the Chih-li Province. Mr. Li’s next move was to Honolulu, where he was Assistant-Consul from 1911 to 1917. Next year he was Assistant-Consul, at Singapore, and from 1918 to 1919 Assistant-Consul at Java. Then he was transferred to Yokohama, Japan, where he was Assistant-Consul, and in 1921 he was appointed Consul for China in New Zealand, where he has remained ever since.

Mme. Li was Miss Eat her Cliing before her marriage in 1912. She met and married Mr. Li in Honolulu. Canada is represented by a Trade Commissioner, who does much the same duty as a foreign Consul. Mr. Paul Sykes and his wife are new arrivals. They reached Auckland only a short while ago. Mr. Sykes is taking the place of Mr. C. M. Croft, who lias returned to- Canada on holiday. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sykes are delighted with life in New Zealand and hope to see much of the country while they are here. The Consul for Jugo-Slavia, Mr. J. j

M. Totich, lives at Dargaville. He was appointed on the death of Mr. G. L. Scansie, in 1025. Senor Humberto Bidone, Consul' General for Argentine, resided in Wellington, but at present he is visiting his homeland. Mr. Wilhelm Pcnseler, honorary Consul for Germany, also resides in Wellington. Most of the other countries of th*» world are represented by New Zealand business n on.