PARS ABOUT PEOPLE

Observer, Volume XXIII, Issue 2, 27 September 1902, Page 4

PARS ABOUT PEOPLE

THE late Mr Si Coombe, whose death happened this week, was one of

the beat known figures on the Thames at one time. Hewasanative of .Tavistock, Devonshire, not far from the Cornish boundary, and it was in the company of Cornishmen that he emigrated to the United States. They went to Nevada and it was at that place that Mr Coombe met Mr John Endean, now of the Waitemata Hotel. In 1870 the two decided to abandon America for this colony, and accordingly, about August in that year they left San Francisco in the steamer Moses Taylor for Honolulu, where they transhipped into the City of Melbourne, which brought them here. It is worth noting that they journeyed in the distinguished company of the late Sir George Grey and the famous Chinese giant, Chang, a gentleman whose height was just one inch short of 8 feet.

Almost immediately after landing here, Mr Coombe went to the Thames, where he was successively miner and hotel-keeper, always with a keen eye and ready hand for sport. Some good stories are told of "Si's" essays and triumphs in the " noble science," and all old Thamesites will remember the amusing episode of Hughie Connor. Subsequently, he came to Auckland, where he has owned several hotels, and invariably with distinct success. His latest was the British, from which he retired in the earlier part of this year. It says much for his personal qualities that both here and at the Thames he had hosts of friends. Mr 'Coombe was also an enthusiast on the turf, and was the owner of Favonaand Brilliant.

The coming elections are already bringing into prominence a great many people who would otherwise not be much heard of outside their own immediate neighbourhood. For example, people are asking who is Mr A. J. Hatfield, junr., who has announced himself as a candidate in the Liberal interest for the Waitemata seat. As might be inferred from the " junior," Mr Hatfield is a comparatively young man, and, on the Waitemata County Council, has shown good average ability in the administration of local road and bridge affairs.]

He is best known about the Wade and Waiwera districts, between which places the senior Hatfield kept a hotel, called the Settlers' Rest, or something like that. Hatfield pere was once seized with political aspirations, his ambition being a seat in the Provincial Council in the good old Maurice Kelly days. Johnny Sheehan was also a candidate, and made one of his characteristic speeches, in which he carried his audience absolutely with him. Whatever Hatfield had intended to say, the ground was covered, and every idea thrashed out, so he contented himself with the modest and .simple deliverance : " Gentlemen, I agree with all Mr Sheehan says." He was not elected.

The late Lieutenant Neave, brother of the unfortunate Captain H. E. Neave, who was murdered in India recently while on parade or peacefully ■employed, stammered badly. He belonged for a few months to the New Zealand First Contingent, but left it to take a commission in the Yorkshire Regiment. In action, Lieutenant Neave was one of the coolest officers •ever sent from New Zealand, and was never known to fail to get his orders •out in very determined style while under fire. Although apparently of a fragile build, the unfortunate officer was absolutely tireless.

When he ledrjhis company to the relief -of the New Zealandero at New Zealand Hill, he easily outclassed all

his men at kopje climbing, and, as everyone knows, got to the top in i time to do good work. Lieutenant Neave was not, as is stated, killed at Kimberley. He and his men were in the operations against Cronje, at Paardeburg, and it was while standing i bole upright, in a trench, to get a better shot at the enemy, that he was killed It is hard lnck, indeed, that the career of both brothers should have been cut short in so sad a manner.

Imagine an lsitt in the House. Why, Tommy Taylor or Billy Richardson would be a circumstance compared to him. The latest from the South is that Rev. Frank lsitt is to be put up against Mr Tom Mackenzie for Waikouaiti. They don't take the prospect very seriously in Otago, however, and it is reasonable to conclude that he is simply being nominated in order to ensure a local option poll.

The action of the Government dairy inspector, Mr Ross, in refusing to issue licenses to a couple of dairies in the Thames Valley will, no doubt, be a bit of a shock to many who have lived for years under the impression that any sort of a yard is good enough for cows, who are only brute beasts and cannot be supposed to appreciate luxuries. Milk suppliers whose range of vision is a little more extensive will, however, rejoice.

Mr H. C. Gillespie, who died on Monday at the Thames, was, about twenty years ago, in partnership with the late Captain William Souter, as mining agents, etc. Quiet times were coining upon the gold field then, and Captain Souter made a lucky move to Cambridge, where he took up the running of the defunct Farmers' Cooperative Association, and founded the prosperous business now carried on by his sons. Mr Gillespie stuck to his old love, and died in work at an age beyond the Psalmist span.

Coroner Ashcroft, of Wellington, is renowned for the stories which he works off on juries and pressmen after the verdict has been arrived at. Here is his latest. Squatter Menlove is a farmer and breeder, with a reputation known far outside the realm of his station, at the back of Oaraaru. He is as keen in business as he is in all other things, and most severe upon loafers. Going the rounds of his paddocks recently, he missed his labourers from their sphere of action. A closer scrutiny disclosed them having a merry euchre party behind a hedge. The squatter stole quietly along under the shadow of the hedge, until he overlooked the players, when one cried : "I go alone!" "Oh, no you don't," shouted the angry Menlove, " the whole blanked lot of you go at once."

The Key. M. W. Butterfield, who was in the Anglican diocese of Auckland a couple of years ago, and acted for a time as incumbent of St. Peter'R, Hamilton, is at present at Wairoa, Hawke'a Bay. While in this part of the colony, he was liked for his genial and unassuming style, but he has managed to fall foul of somebody in his new habitat. This is how the local journal sails for him : — " The most meddlesome person in Wairoa at the present time is the Rev. M. W. Butterfield, vicar of St. Paul's Church, who seems to have sadly mistaken his calling. What has this meddlesome parson not attempted to do since he came to Wairoa? First of all — despite the fact that he has spiritual charge of a large and scattered district — he became secretary to the School Committee ; then he ran a boardinghouse foi the district school teachers, thus neutralising his value as a coinmitteeman ; then he actually opened the district school on his own, and ran it fora week, while the headmaster was enjoying himself in Napier, and the mistress was probably prevented from coming overland by the fact that she had charge of one. of the said parson's olive branches. Then he runs a wax-works show, and follows up by a presentation in the church ! This, surely, is not according to any of the Canons, ancient or modern ?"

Mr Lance wood Hill, the gentleman who magnanimously offered for the reasonable consideration of £1000 cash down and a subsidy of £25 per year, with similar payment from the Ferry • Company, to show the Devonport Borough Council a marvellous reproduction of the profile of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria on the outline of a hill at the Shore, has forwarded us what is supposed to be a photograph of the wonder in question. We have studied it long and earnestly, but we must confess that we have failed to discover any resemblance in the photo to Her late Majesty/)r anybody else. All we can make out of the picture is a forest pf what might be ti-tree stakes, with sundry piles of what looks like firewood in the foreground. Perhaps Mr Hill has sent us the wrong picture.

Mr J. H. Witheford is coming out as the practical friend of the returned trooper. Like the illustrious patriot, Horace Greely, he has for some time been advising the young men to go on the land, and now he is offering his personal services to aid in settling them. The exercise of social philanthropy is now so largely a matter of habit that Mr Witheford finds himself with spare time, and he intends to make good use of it.

Mr Brodie, formerly of the Auckland Post Office, and who was shifted to the South, is returning to this city. He has evidently made warm friends in Otago, for on the eve of his departure from Morven he was entertained at a social and presented with a handsome rug and meerchaum pipe. A rug is the accepted expression of the sincerest regard in those cold regions.

What prompted Frank Pulman, the postmaster at Tuakau who has messed things so badly, to make away with £700 in less than twelve months, is one of those mysteries that even his own intimates cannot attempt to explain. He was not n man of extravagant habits, nor was he suspected of being a gambler, and yet the money has gone. Strange stories are told by the residents in the neighbourhood, which point to unhappiness in his private life, and yet this would not account for such considerable defalcations. Whatever influence this had upon him, there are those amongst his friends who consider he wan more sinned against than sinning. Frank was an old Wellesleystreet school boy, and a son of the photographer of the same name, once so well-known in Auckland. Whatever his offence, he has been severely punished — five years penal servitude and a ruined life.

Colonel R. H. Davies, C.8., who has resumed the command of the Auckland volunteer district, speaks of his last trip to South Africa, in charge of the Eighth Contingent, as a pleasure trip) so far as campaigning is concerned. By the way, it is understood that Lieut. • Colonel Reid, who has been in acting command, remains on the permanent staff here. Colonel Davies is not aware that any change is contemplated.

Karangaiiape Road had the smiling face of ita only Bradstreet restored to it on Tuesday. Mr Bradstreet was a passenger by the Sonoma, after a most enjoyable business and pleasure trip to the old country, where he has many relatives and friends. He did not see the Coronation. His friends paid £14 for seats, and, when the event was postponed, they lost their money without any advantage in return. Consequently, when the celebration did take place, Mr Bradstreet and his friends, like many other people, were not there.

The death of Arthur Warbrick, who was drowned at Opotiki this week, is the second in the family during a recent period. Last year, his brother William returned from Sydney, where he had been in business, and died from consumption. Both brothers were first-class footballers, and travelled with the Maori football team which visited England some years ago. Also, both brothers in their time played for the North Shore club.

Mr J. Endean, jun., writes to his people that he has been enjoying himself very largely in the Old Country. He got a good view of the Coronation procession — saw it from two different points, in fact — and describes the sight as one nerer to be forgotten. London was full to overflowing, so full, indeed, that apparently the people were obliged to step into the churches to avoid the crush. On the Sunday before writing, Mr Endean went to St. Paul's and found a notice outside signifying that it was full. He remarks that this was the first time in his life that he saw a notice, familiar enough in theatres, utilised at a church. The young Aucklander spent some time at Edinburgh, where, he reports, all the New Zealand students are doing well.

The new.B that the Hon. William Jennings is disposed to contest the Egmont seat in the Government interest is not surprising. He has an active political mind, and plenty of political energy, which are wasted in the old men's refuge, as the Legislative Council is still derisively styled in Wellington, and the ambition to plunge more actively into political life is easily understandable. When a resident of Auckland, Mr Jennings was several times tempted to resign his seat in the Upper House and take his chance of election to the popular chamber. He is an ardent politician, an enthusiastic Liberal, with moderate Labour sympathies, and, once in the House of Representatives, would probably make his mark. In the Upper Chamber, he has no chance of that.

Mr S. Holden Howie, of the 'Great Barrier Pigeon Post Service, who uses a Coronation post card, having on it portraits of the Prince and Princess of Wales and a spirited picture of the Naval Review, writes to say that he arrived in London just in time for the great festivities. The procession and the sight of the great ships at Portsmouth were duly impressive, but what "fetched" him was the illuminations, which were on a scale of true magnificence. Mr Howie expects to be back in Auckland in December.

Donald Murray, whose typewriting telegraphic system has been successfully tested between London and Edinburgh, seems to be on the high road' to fame and fortune. Ten years ago, Rufus-headed Donald was a reporter on the staff of the Auckland Herald, brimful of energy, vitality and ambition, and restless for fresh fields to conquer. It was after he went to Sydney, and joined the staff of the £. M. herald, that he dabbled in electricity and hit upon the invention that he has since followed up with tireless persistence. Alec Fraser, manager of the Press Association in Sydney, and an old Wellington boy, was also interested in the invention in its earlier stages, but does not seem to have pursued it as hi« quondam comrade has done. Donald Murray is a son of the former general manager of the Bank of New Zealand of that name.

Mr " Johnny " Walker, who recently persuaded the Divorce Court to dissolve his marital tie, as the result of the amorous attentions of a 'bus-driver to his better half, has made another pick from the matrimonial lucky bag. He was married recently to a charming young lady of Napier, who will in future be mistress of that delightful home in the suburbs which the other lady forfeited.

There were considerably more than fifty applications for the clerkship of the Auckland Racing Club at the salary of £150, and judging from the names of those coveting the appointment, the prospect of eventually succeeding to the secretaryship and £500 a year was a strong inducement in the matter. Mr Percy Dawson, who was eventually appointed, is a younger son of t he well-known Mount Albert family of that name. He has been a clerk in Mr Kronfeld's warehouse until now. He is, by the way, a brother of Mr Dawson, the wellknown commercial traveller, and of an elder Mr Dawson who is manager for Messrs A. Clark and Sons in Wellington.

Political intelligence from this colony takes a long time to get to Australia, and when it reaches there it undergoes some strange mutations. On the strength of an idle rumour current here some months ago, a Sydney journal mentions the re-entry of Sir Robert Stout into Parliament as imminent, because " the people are sick of the mismanagement of matters by Sir Joseph Ward !"

Harry Price, once a well - known hotelkeeper of Wellington, but now the head of an oil and colour warehouse, was one of the passengers by the Sonoma on Monday, after a trip to the old country. Harry is well known in Auckland, because his hotel, the Albert, was a popular place of residence with Aucklanders on a visit to the Empire City. He did not, however, remain to renew old friendships, but caught the Takapuna, and journeyed on South. Harry Price has played many parts in his time. Once, he was a partner of Mr Kinsey, the well-known photographer, and, at another time, an unsuccessful miner in the Upper Thames, eventually leaving a reef which he declare^ was

worth nine ounces to the ton because he and his mate had exhausted their capital. But he hopes to return and work that reef some day.

There are few men in the Waikato more deservedly popular than Mr Thomas Kirk, clerk of the court at Hamilton, who has been temporarily laid aside by a paralytic stroke. Mr Kirk has passed the greater part of his life in the Waikato, whither he went in the late sixties as a member of that line force, the Armed Constabulary. He was contemporary in Cambridge with Captain Powell, late of the Torpedo Corps, and many other wellknown men who have drifted into other spheres in different parts of the Colony.

He wa.-> an admirable auiatenr actor in those days, but was chiefly remarkable for his close application to duty. He rose to the rank of ser-

geant, and closed his quasi-military career by captumw Tuhi, the murderer of Samuel Morgan. Tuhi, it will be remembered, was confined in the old gaol at Ngaruawahia, and so loose were the regulations, that the native one night walked out of his cell, went to that of the only other prisoner Morgan, whom be promptly toraa! hawked without apparent reason, went oufMde, stole Detective Doolan's horse, and made for the King Country which he would have gained but for the strategy of Sergeant Kirk. Since that date, Mr Kirk has filled the post of Magistrate's clerk with credit and distinction.