PARS ABOUT PEOPLE

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 36, 25 May 1907, Page 4

PARS ABOUT PEOPLE

THE celebration of Mrs Ann Robertson's 82nd birthday last week recalls the fact that in the early days of Rotorua Mrs Robertson was one of the actors in a remarkable property duel which kent the community in a lively state for some months. Her antagonist was the late Robert Graham, celebrated also for his connection with public resorts at Ellerslie, Thames and Wairakei, and the battle waged over the possession of Lake House, Ohincmutu. Both parties claimed to have acquired tho title from Maori ownors, and iii the dubious condition of native rights in ■ those days there was enough coni- , plication over the business to send the proverbial Philadelphia lawyer to jigure the matter out at Avondale.

At any rate there were evictions, laud counter-evictions, and stratagems to secure possession, without number, and in the end the matter was carried to court, where Mrs Robertson lost the day and the property. However, she had eouitable rights on her side, and, being a woman of remarkable force of character, was not prepared to submit to losses for which she was not to Tjlame. Consequently she curried lier grievance to Parliament by petition, and session after session proceeded to Wellington to prosecute her claim against the Government of the day. That *her case was a good one was proved by the, fact that •eventually she was allowed compensation in the form of substantial property grants in Hot or \i a township. Mrs Robertson still lives at Rotorua, halo and vigorous for her age, and respected by all residents in the district. How many other women are there in New Zealand who would contest a school committee election in their Hind year ? And this was what Mrs Robertson did only a month ago.

■ A business firm at Invercargill is known to the world as Broad, Small, and Co. The title works out rather curiously. Broad is not a bit broad in ■figure, but is both tall and thin. Small, on the contrary, is rather a big fellow, and certainly belies his name. It happens, however, that the " C 0.," whose name is Thomson, is both broad and small.

An Aucklander who wandered South a week or two ago, hit upon what he considers an odd coincidence. To while away the time in the train he had chanced upon a book entitled **Sonso' Men," by G. B. Lancaster, which proved to be a vividly written series of sketches of New Zealand Station and bush life, on the Kipling model. While the glamour of the clever stories was strong upon him, he dropped into the Canterbury township of Kakaia. There he found that the public interest in the book was equal to his own. In fact, the little community was talking of little else.

The point of the story is that Kakaia claims credit for the authorship of "Sons o' Men," and also of another Lancastrian book of the same character, called " A Spur to Smite," which is said to be quite as smartly written. There is no name of G. B. Lancaster in the New Zealand directories, but the author is evidently as familiar with all southern New Zealand as with the alphabet. Obviously, then, he or she is a colonial writing under an assumed name. All Rakaia is agreed, upon .evidence that seems pretty convineiig, that 6. B. L. is the norn de guerre of a young lady living in the district, the daughter of an old settler. Fox some reason, she chooses to con«aal her identity behind a pen-name. Exactly why, it is not easy to Bee, for the'stories contain some of the bright* «st New Zealand local colour that has git been put forth in print.

John Payne'/of Parn r ll, who, we presume, is the " professional commercial man " that condescends to teach typewriting and book-keeping iv the Technical School, advertises iv the Star to say that he wants to put £5,000 to £10,000 into a good goiug concern. Why advertne ? Has he not got George George and the Technical School? What better going concern could he get than they ? George George himself, at John Payne's valuation, would be worth the money.

Ada Ward, the converted actress, now touring the colonies as an evangelistic lecturer, cannot get away from her old professional atmosphere. Her addresses are full of melodramatic matter, but that is probably one of their principal charms. One of her lectures is autobiographic, and her story is tragic enough. She says that early in her stage career she was married to a man who led her to believe that he was an earl, and lavished jewellery upon her during his courtship. No sooner was their honeymoon over than she received a bill for hundreds of pounds for that jewellery, and then found that she had married an adventurer, who meant to sponge upon herself and her earnings. Within a year she had obtained a divorce. Afterwards, she made a happy mar-

riagej but lost her husband within a few months. The story of her marital 'experiences!, however, is but a small part of Mi-s Ward's stock in trade. Like most ot the professedly "converted," she gloats over her dreadful "past" with an unction that is balm to the souls of the ninety and nine she addresses.

Frank Brewin, who has just gone from the (Jreat Northern Brewery to Wanfjanui, was born to his vocation. Of course, he was a- Brewin' from the moment of his birth, and he will be a Brewin to the end of the chapter. The curious part of it is that Frank inherited from bia father both his name and his calling, for Brewin, senior, is also a well known concoctor ot the malt liquor.

Samuel Vaile, in an impassioned epistle to the Herald, says that three months of his stage system would work all the railway officials to death. He adds : " No wonder they shirk a trial of the stage system." No wonder, indeed ! But is this supposed to he an argument ia favour of Samuel Vaile's stage system? If so, Samuel's arguments are about on a level with those of his illustrious nephew, " the well-known authority " on everything —P. A. Vaile.

The Irish citizens of Auckland are a Warm-hearted lot Practical proof of this was forthcoming at His Majesty's Theatre last Thursday night, when His Worship the Mayor, on behalf of Irish residents, presented Mr Andrew Mack \vith . a .-greenstone casket mounted in silver. It is interesting to learn that this is a fac simile of the gift presented to the Prince of Wales. The presentation took place on the stage, betweed the second and third acts of " Arrah-no-Pogue," and the Mayor and his supporters, in their sombre modern evening dress, were in striking contrast to Mr Andrew Mack, in his picturesque, old-time costume of Shaun, the Post, surrounded by all the stage trappings of the trial scene. His Worship faced th*e footlights like an actor born, and orated with neatness and despatch. Especially happy was he in his allusion to the fact that Mr Mack has deserted all ancient traditions, and has given us a faithful portrayal of the Irishman as he really is, and not as he has been usually represented on the stage. This is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the tiuth.

Mr Mack, banishing all remembrance that a stern judge had just sentenced him, as iShaun, the Post, to be suspended by, the neck per medium of a rope, stood forth to reply. He began by remarking that he was no speaker. There was no doubt that the warm-hearted impulsiveness which had prompted the gift had caused Mr Mack what is technically known as " a lump in the throat," but once he had settled down into his stride, he spoke with all the eloquence peculiar to his nationality. " I learn," said Mr Mack, " that this casket is a facsimile to the one which you presented to our future King. And you come to me, a poor actor, and make a king of me." Perhaps tlie saying does not look much in cold print, but those who heard Mr Mack say it in his quiet, impressive manner, and in his rich brogue, will remember how the sentiment gripped them. Then, on the initiative of the Mayor, the audience gave three cheers for Mr Mack, and on the initiativeof Mr Mack they gave three more for the Mayor, and another for New Zealand.

The Mayor was not by any means alone in his glory. He waa we^ BU P* port,ed by a strong Hibernian contingent. For instance, there was Michael J. She&han, who beamed expansively at the whole affair. There were also Messes I). Flynn, J J. O'Brien, George Higgins and Hall Skelton. They all beamed expansively, and, when they beamed, the footlights faded into rushlights of questionable brilliance. Also, in the dress circle there was a strong contingent of close on fifty young gentlemen of Irish extraction from the Marist Brothers' College, who cheered euphoniously and atechocolatecreams harmoniously, egged on thereto by their preceptors. Further, there was a large element of the Irish nationality present. M. H. VValsb, seated in the fierce publicity of the orchestra stalls, did violence to his lily white hands in applauding, and John Endean, junior, smiled beautifully right through the proceedings. Altogether, it was a memorable occasion.

Mr Mehaftey, of New Plymouth, is presumably a gentleman of Irish extraction. Anyway, somebody trod on the tail of the Mehaffey's coat the other day, and the Mehaffey promptly proceeded to annihilate all and sundry. It happened when a meeting in connection with the late bye-election had just concluded. The Mehaffey happened to be on the stage, and, when the lights were put out and the curtain lowered, some base-minded individual in the audience stuck a pin through the curtain and transfixed the sacred calves of the Mehaffey. Then the said Mehaftey rose in his wrath and proceeded to make things merry. Draw* ing a snickersnee from his, pocket, he proceeded to slash the curtain into ribbons, and by the time the police took a hand in the game* he bad done about £20 worth of damage. Then the Mehaffey was borne off, still thirsting for the blood of the gentleman with the pin. It , was. a pleasant change from the u^ual run of- political meeting». ' '*.■■-•■'■■■■• ■'•>'*■ . v !•■■■-• \

Most habitues of Queen-street know Andrew Camming, the one - legged news-vendor who, reclining in his invalid's chair, was for so long a familiar figure. Lately, it was found necessary to amputate' Cumming's remaining leg. This was successfully carried out, and the patient appeared to have made an excellent recovery. Unfortunately, complications set in, and Gumming is now an inmate of Dr Scott's hospital at Onehunga. Financial asssistance i 3 urgently required for the patient, who has borne all bis sufferings with unwavering cheerfulness. Mr G. J. Garland is now engaged in raising a fund on Cumming's behalf, and all those who desire to subscribe should leave their donations at Mr Garland's office, No. 9, Mercantile Chambers. It need hardly be said that this is a most deserving case.

Bishop Julius, of Christchurcb, is not above telling a good story against himself. Looking at the Bishop's stalwart and athletic figure of late years, and listening to his aggressive manner of speech, one would hardly realise that he was at one time very thin and nervous, but he owns up under both heads. Some thirty years ago he was delivering a temperance speech in an English town. He began his oration by declaring that he had been a total abstainer for two years. Whereupon an old lady in the audience looked hard at his spare figure, and heaved a sympathetic sigh. "Eh! poor dear," she remarked, in a stage whisper, "and he looks like it, too."

Dr Grattan Guinness bluntly told the Pitt-street Weeleyan choir, which is a very fair one, last Sunday night, that he was tired of anthems. But he delayed tl is announcement till after the choir had rendered the usual item of this character, which would seem to indicate that the Doctor is rather sly, as well as being somewhat rude. l)r Guinness followed up his first announcement with the astonishing statement that he was also tired of sermons. Then the weary Doctor poured forth a discourse of exactly fifty-five minutes' duration ! Starting at twenty minutes to eight, he finished up at twenty-five minutes to nine. By that time quite a number of people at Pitt-street were also tired of sermons. Evidently, it is not his own sermons that Dr Guinness is tired of.

The Rev. Thomas Fulljames, who passed away at Tuakau this week at the ripe old age of 93, was a somewhat prominent man in his time. When the Thames orphanage and industrial school was established some 25 years ago on the banks of the Kauaeranga river, above Parawai, it was he and hia popular wife — one of the most motherly women that ever held a post of the kind — who were installed as manager and matron, and they remained in charge until the frailties of advanced age necessitated Mr Fulljames's resignation, and about the same time the school was closed. Prior to that, Mr Fulljames had been a Baptist minister, and he also tilled for some years the pulpit of the little Presbyterian church at Tararu.

Since the recent deaths from septicosmia, all kinds of stories have been in circulation concerning certain serious consequences to Dr de Clive Lowe that were supposed to have resulted from contact with one of the bodies. One day, it was generally reported that he was in a critical state, and next day the rumour obtained free currency that he was dead. These stories were wholly incorrect. As a matter of fact, the Doctor accidentally pricked his finger with the needle during the post mortem examination, but strong antiseptics were applied, and no consequences followed. Or de Olive Lowe is in his usual good health, and deeply immersed in the preparations for " Maritana."

James Aggers has his eagle eye upon W. B. Leyland and the myrmidons of the National League. James Aggers complainsplaintively that the National League is " dodging round " trying to arouse a Jingo spirit. Wherefore, let W. B. Leyland and his accomplices cease their idle talk, and listen unto the words of James Aggers. James, it appears, claims fraternal kinship with Celestials and other worthy people. This is rough on the Celestials, who do not seem anxious to claim fraternal kinship with James Aggers. However, the said Aggers ie a Socialist, therefore it is right that he should hold peculiar views. Presumably, the only war in which James Aggers believes is the wordy war of the City Council Chamber. So far, he has not participated therein. Which is sad for James Aggers, and sadder still for the city. With his views, he would certainly be both entertaining and instructive as a councillor.

Malcolm Ross is spreading himself in the columns of the Herald and other papers over the valorous deeds of himself and his youthful son Noel, in climbing over the ice and snow to the top of Ngauruhoe. To judge from the liberal besprinkling of the capital "I " through his articles, it was Malcolm himself who performed the most prodigious feats — Jimmy Cowan and his other mountaineering mates hardly count. But though the egotistical Malcolm seems to reckon that he has done something unique, other people remember that the mountain has been scaled before now under even iimv.' trying conditions. Only last Julj 01 August, Dr Bell, the Government Geologist, and Guide Clarke climbed Ngauruhoe when its slopes must hare been at least as hard to conquer as they are at this stage of the season, and were probably a good deal more so, They made no great song about it, either ; but then, Dr Bell is not a Belf - advertising newspaper " special,"

The Hon. William Montgomery, who has just resigned his seat in the Legislative Council, has proved himself honourable in more than name. For the last year or so he has been unable to attend to his Parliamentary duties, on account of injuries sustained in an accident, hence his resignation. Still, he has been granted leave of absence, under medical certificate, so that he could have drawn his legislative salary bad he so listed. Mr Montgomery, however, has declined to touch a penny of the money. Of course, he is a tolerably wealthy man, and had no need of it, but even wealthy men are not always regardless of the dollars. There have also been iustanfces in which New Zealand legislators have forfeited their salary by absence from the colony on their own business, and yet, being of " the right colour," have had it unblushingly made up to them by direct vote on the Estimates. Mr Montgomery, though also a Government supporter, is not built that way.

Admiral Sir Wilmot Fawkes, now in the Waitemata with the squadron, earned a reputation as a humourist rather cheaply when in the South a few weeks ago. On one of hie upcountry excursions, he had to cross a river, and the king-bolt of the coach by which he was travelling broke when in mid-stream. Of course, he was soon extricated from whatever peril there was in the situation, and the brilliant bon mnt which he perpetrated over the adventure is best told in the thrilling language of the dailies that were first lucky enough to get hold of it : — " When the isolated party was extracted from its watery surroundings, the Admiral is reported to have said : ' Well, that is the first .time I have been skip wrecked on land." Of coarse, the naval aides who heard their chief's sally burst into uncontrollable laughter. " It was their duty to," just bb the police must emphasise the magisterial or judicial jokes. But Admiral Fawkes would be well advised not to try that kind of thing on the Auckland public.

Probably the Auckland delegate who got most satisfaction oat of the Masonic pilgrimage to Invercargill the other day was John S. Hope, of the Thames For Mr Hope was travelling through scenes that were very familiar to him in his youth. As a lad of seventeen he landed at Dunedin in 1862, on his way from Victoria to the West Coast diggings. Circumstances, however, induced him to remain in the Utago capital for some time, and be was able on this trip to identify buildings in the main streets the foundations of which he had the contracts for laying. Similarly, Timaru brought up reminiscences of various youthful experiences. It was from there that Mr Hope came to the Thames, in the first onset of the rush of the late "sixties." But it was not only from recollections of the past that John S. had fun out of his trip. That, however, is another story.

Frank Lawry's early Sunday-school up-bringing still clings to him. A story which he told at a Waihi banquet, the other day, ia distinctly in point. Frank and W. H. Herries, the member for Bay of Plenty* are bosom friends outside politics, and their communings in the Parliamentary lobby are often interrupted by the sounding of the division bell. Then it is the habit of W. H. to say : "Come on, Frank, and let us pray "~for- W. H. himself still has bis recollections of the church-bell— and the pair;' saunter into the House to see what is^ the > matter. Hence, Frank claimed rthat he and Herries are the most devotional members in the;: House.* .■ By the -Way, an up-country papery in repeating^the yarn, assumes that it is to- Bellamy's that the bell summons members. V ;--A» a matter of fact, they tsang^netally find .their way to Bellamy*!! without waiting for any bell; ? 'v s