PARS ABOUT PEOPLE

Observer, Volume XXVIII, Issue 26, 14 March 1908, Page 4

PARS ABOUT PEOPLE

CAPTAIN JAMES GELLING, who passed away last week,

leaves behind him a fine record of military and municipal service. Latterly he has made himself useful as an assistant secretary at the Veterans' Home, where he spent the evening of his life, but thirty years ago he was one of the best known men in the Waikato. When Hamilton was emerging from the chrysalis stage of local government, Mr Gelling was in the office of the town board, and he acted as the right-hand man of the late Mr Vialoux in the movement for the formation of the borough council. On the municipality being created, he became Hamilton's town clerk, with Mr Vialoux as mayor, and such well known early settlers as Isaac Coatee, K. Gwynne, David Gardiner, Albert Potter, Dr Beale, and Captain Dawson as members of the first Council. Mr Gelling ran thebusiness of the borough for some twelve years and then retired.

In early life Mr Gelling was a trooper in the Eleventh HussaTs, and saw active service in the Crimea and China. On the outbreak of the Maori War he came to New Zealand, and served in the Waikato and in Taranaki, where he received his captaincy in one ot the colonial forces. To him, after his settlement in the Waikato, was largely due the formation of the Hamilton troop of the Waikato cavalry, which had its drill-ground where Ellis and Burnand's factory now stands. In this corps he took the rank of sergeant, and his impressive bearing on parade always bespoke the veteran cavalryman. Some years ago, Mr Gelling invented an ingenius voteregistering machine. Unfortunately for him, the idea of mechanical voting was not in favour at the time, and a considerable part of bis means was exhausted in the effort to get the merits of the machine recognised.

Dr MeArthur, S.M., who aforetime taught the young idea how to shoot in Auckland, has read bis " David Harum," and remembered its homely and quaint philosophy. The other day a case was before him with regard to lice-infected sheep. The defending lawyer laboured to show that if his client's sheep did harbour vermin, they only did it in moderation. The doctor listened with a whimsical smile till the argument was complete. Then he summed up the case by observing that the defence appeared to be that a reasonable number of lice were good for a sheep, as they might keep it from brooding over the fact that it was a sheep. That, of course, was a smart paraphrase of what David said about the chastening effect of ileas upon a dog. All the same, the humour of the situation didn't protect the sheep-owner.

E. G. B. Moss has again astonished his friends. After years of more or less cheerful remarks about what he called "The Hen-pecked Brigade," he was quietly married at St. John's Anglican Church, Feilding, on 3rd March, to Miss Amy E. Hull, well known in Auckland, where she was Principal for some years of the Melmerly Girls' Collegiate School, St. George's Bay Road. Only a few intimate friends and _ the nearest relatives of the parties were at the wedding, but the number of telegrams of congratulations received from all parts of New Zealand must have been an eye-opener for a take-it-easy telecraph office like Feilding. According to rumour, the world has been treating E.G.B very well of late, and everyone felicitates him upon his charming and accomplished wife, whose return to Parnell will be welcomed by all her old friends. One of E.G.B. 'a excuses for getting married now is that if he waited another 25 or 30 years he would run a risk of being on the shelf.

The trouble that arose some time ago between the veteran actor Howard Vernon and the MacM'ahon Brothers, the well-known theatrical managers, has been finally settled by the payment of £50 to Vernon by the MacMahons. Vernon took proceedings in Wellington rfgainst the brothers for wrongful dismissal, claiming £250 damages. The MacMahons asserted, and still assert, that the comedian had not fulfilled the terms of his agreement, but, rather than have any more trouble over the matter, they agreed to compromise for £50. Vernon has now shaken the dust of New Zealand from off his feet, and has resumed his poultry-ranching operations in Australia.

James Frederick Derrick, who recently summoned Constable Ryan for assault, is probably feeling sorry now, even if a cloud hasn't come over his brow. Jas. Fred, prides himself on nis experience in first aid methods, being a member of the S. John's Ambulance Society. Consequently hen Jas. Fred.'s eagle eye caught sight of a citizen seated in the gutter with a crowd round him, he dashed eagerly forward to put his first aid theories into practice. X T nfortnnately for Jas. Fred.'s aspirations, however, Constable Ryan, who is also a first aid man. had already attended to the disabled citizen. Thus it came about that when Jas. Fred, proceeded to unhitch the invalid's collar with a view of diagnosing the case, he was sternly bidden by the constable to desist. _ Jas. 'Fred, objected to his medical studies being interfered with, and was promptly ejected. Jas. Fred, lost his case. The expenses came to £5 ss. Jas. Fred, had to pay them. Truly, it costs money to prosecute research into medical matters.

The luck of young Willie Friar, of Onehunga, in winning at the muzzle of his rifle the privilege of a trip to England, and a month's stay there as Lord hoberts'e guest, will probably give a bigger fillip to the school cadet movement than anything in the way of camping picnics. Moreover, the little fellow will have another opportunity of distinguishing himself, in competing, as champion of young New Zealand, against cadets from other parts of the Empire for the Lady Gwendoline Guinness trophy. The plum of his trip, however, will be the month with " Bobs." What schoolboy would not give his little finger for the chance to stay as a guest with the British military hero ot the day ?

Arthur Kosser recently told the Trades and Labour Council that he worked some years ago on a house in Eden Terrace, and that the said house was erected in eleven days. A strenuous individual is Arthur. In the«e effete days ot trades unionism, builders and carpenters don't seem to care how long they take to build a house. Why aren't there more carpenters like the energetic Arthur Rosser? And Arthur Rosser confesses that he worked some years ago. Well well!

Sir Joseph Ward's tour of the North brings into prominence once more the pleasant side of public life. Wherever he went, people on both sides of politics sank their differences to make him welcome. At Whangarei, for instance, he was entertained at dinner by Mr Mander, M. P., who can, on occasion, criticise the Government and all its doings with a rasping roughness ; and in the Northern Wairoa, Alfred Harding, ex-M.P. and Opposition candidate for Kaipara, wanted to make the Premier his guest while in the district. The moral is, of course, that politicians, when not stripped for the fray, are something like the gentlemen of the ring. As an old rhymester put it, they " shake hands before they box " and reserve their mutual " plaguey knocks " for the hustings or for their battles in the House. In the lobbies or in a social way they are generally the best of friends, if not the closest of cronies. And who would have it otherwise?

The Hon. J. McGowan, Minister of Justice, decrees that the action of the Blackball miners in striking was illegal. Arthur Kosser, Justice of the Peace, told the Trades and Labour Council that they ought to support the strikers. Presumably, if Arthur were at Blackball, he would incite the miners to continue their illegal action. This is a pleasing attitude for a Justice of the Peace to take up, and only goes to prove that it is a big mistake to appoint a professional labour agitator to the Commission of the Peace.

Mrs Arline Devin ia an American journalist who passed through Auckland the other day after coaching and railing through the Dominion. Also, she is one ot those rash persons who venture to think that New Zealand needs more population. On the eve of departure she wrote to a southern paper stating her wish that she could see " at least ten million people find, ing happy homes and prosperity in* your beautiful valleys, on your fertile plains, and among your breezy uplands. Nor would I be so dreadfully particular as to the colour of their skine, if only they were of the sort to make two blades of grasa grow where only one grew before." Mrs Arline clearly needs education at the hands of our trades councils. Arthur Rosser, for instance, as a representative unionist, might have told her that there is only enough wealth and work in the dominion for less than a million people to share, and that any farther population would only reduce the whack of each person already here. Out upon these pestilent foreign globetrotters and their revolutionary notions !

Opposition Organiser Martin is either ill-informed as to the occupations of the members of the Ward Ministry, or careless in his statements. Analysing the Cabinet at Kawakawa the other day, he claimed that it was composed of lawyers, and traders, and a sailor, and as there wasn't a practical farmer amongst them they couldn't possibly do justice to farming interests. Mr Martin, however, either overlooked or ignored the fact that Mr McNab, one of the lawyers, has devoted himself more to his farm than to his profession, and is considered one of the most practical and successful farmers in the South Island. Seeing that Mr McNab is Minister of Lands and Agriculture, the interests of the farmers- are in very sympathetic hands. If proof were needed, it is seen in the considerate treatment which burnt-out settlers are just now receiving, to say nothing of the way in which the industry is being coddled by the Agricultural Department in general.

John Macdonald, late manager in Auckland and attorney for New Zealand, for the Singer Manufacturing Company, is far from being a " back number " in business, though he has behind him a career of 36 years' connection with the company and 22 years of Auckland management. This week Mr Macdonald left for Australia with his friend George Gribben, on a six weeks' trip to Sydney and Melbourne, where he has already been in correspondence with wholesale houses which are anxious that he should undertake to push their interests in Auckland. In all probability, he will on his return commence business in the city on his own account, and as representative of the firms that have been negotiating for his services.

T. D. Cummins, of Wanganui, who acted as judge at the recent WebbTresidder boat-race, has been studying his Observer, and now feels a greatly diminished man. He sees that, as a judge, he has been eclipsed by our own Adolph Kohn, and, like an honest man, is not ashamed to admit it. That is why Adolph lately received the following communication from Judge Cummins : " Anyone can judge a boat-race — even a championship boat - race ; but it takes a plucky man to judge a baby show. And you can do it. Best regards, — T. D. Cummins." Adolph Kohn and Dr Murphy are now exchanging audible blushes through the telephone.

The " plain country bloke" who disturbed the dignity of Official Assignee Gerard the other day by addressing him as " old man " was evidently a Socialist of an advanced type. If the principle of Socialism had been affirmed by the law of the land, possibly any individual would be quite within his rights in addressing even a Supreme Court judge as "comrade" or "old chap," or any other endearing term that might happen to strike his fancy. As things ar», however, such familiarity is likely to be severely frowned upon, and the next Socialistic gentleman who attempts to be familiar at the Official Assignee's expense will probably be brought up with a round turn. In any case, it is decidedly rude to allude to the debonnair Gerard as old. By the way, what would happen to anybody who addressed the Coroner as " old man ?"

Mr and Mrs Evers are tourists with an independent turn of mind, bent upon seeing the Dominion outside the beaten tracks. Not content with the ordinary railway routes, they are travelling wherever possible by river and sea in a boat of their own, which, whenever they quit the water-way, is sent round to their next "jumpiag-ofl place." On this plan they have " done " the Waikato and Thames rivers, and when last heard of they were resting at the Thames after their long paddle from Te Aroha. A freak, but there should be a lot of enjoyment about it, provided the travellers can steer clear of such storms as that of the last week-end.

A gentleman- bearing the imposing name of \Y. Herbert Garrison is one of the numerous lecturers who are at present telling the people of England all about Mew Zealand. Hore is a specimen of the poetical piffle that W. Herbert Garrison serves up : —

''There were in Now /.('aland glaciers larger than any in iMirope. geysers older than any in Iceland, Alps that rivalled tKose of Switzerland, waterfalls deeper than any in America, and canyons more beautiful than those of Colorado. There were the lochs of Scotland, the lakes of England, the skies of Italy, the forest- s of many countries, birds without wings or tails, and a native race hy far the finest on the earth to-day." Is \V. Herbert Glarrisoii being paid l>y the New Zealand Government for doing this sort of thing ? If so, it is little wonder that disgusted immigrants complain of the unjustifiable optimism of Government lecturers.

If the Thames and Ohinerauri people had had the nomination of the Warden andS.M. who is to succeed to their magisterial bench on Mr Bush's retirement, it is probable that they would have hit upon the official who has been selected by the Department — F. J. Burgess, at present Warden and Magistrate of the Dunstan and Wakatipu goldfields. For they know Mr Burgess well, and appreciate his sterling qualities. In the busy times at the Thames over twenty years ago, Mr Burgess was their Mining Kegistrar and clerk of the Warden's Court — contemporaneously with the reign of A. J. Allom, now living in retirement in Auckland, as clerk of the Magistrate's Court — and more courteous and obliging official they never knew.

In those days Mr Burgess was regarded as a compendium of mining law, and it was no secret that warden after warden leaned upon his knowledge and experience. Afterwards, when he became clerk of the Magistrate's Court in Auckland, both officials and lawyers were accustomed to seek his opinion upon knotty points of goldtields practice. Seven or eight yeara ago, when the Seddon Government initiated the system of promoting experienced clerks of the court to the bench, Mr Burgess was one of the first to be chosen tor elevation. He has ever since administered the law in the Lake goldfields district with a smoothness that has added to his reputation for knowledge aud judgment. That he will be warmly welcomed back by all old Thames hands is certain. Mr Burgess, by the way, hails from Auckland, being a son of the late Captain Burgess, for a long period harbourmaster here.

Charles W. Benbow, whose death occurred at Wellington this week, was the "grand old man " of chess in New Zealand. He played the game, and was reckoned its chief exponent in the colony, when some of the champions of recent years were not long out of knickerbockers. Mr Benbow had a prodigious memory, and has frequently displayed its powers in playing chess blindfold. Against eight or ten opponents playing in the ordinary way, he generally held his own with the the majority. In business, he was several years Wellington manager to the South ''British Insurance Company, but retired on pension from active work two years ago, though still retaining an advisory position to the company.

Extract from a report of the proceedings of the Metuodist Conference : — " ihe resignations ot the Keys. L. M. lsitt anu ft. h\ Williams were accepted, the toruier with regret." Wny tuis subtle indication iv the matter ot regrets? What had the Key. K. Jb'. Williams done that there were no regrets tor him '(

John C'ooin, who retired the other day irom the olhce ol (Jhiel Juigineer to tdie Aew Zealand Kailways, spent part ol Jus career ol b'Z years service in Auckland. it was in. 18(9 that he came to the .North, to hold the positions ot local resident engineer anu locomotive engineer, and he remained hero lor some years, eventually moving away to a similar post in the bouth. I^'or the last nine years Air Loom has been chiel engineer, and on his retirement he was presented by the olheials ot Mio Department with his portrait in oils, and with a letter irom the J/rime Minister testitymg to the value cl his services to the Dominion.

.Explorer Shackelton is evidently a poet. lias is regrettable, but tliere is little UouOt that it is true. ills narrative, as published witli copious head-lines in the dailies, exudes poetical metaphors lroin every pore. x 1 or instance, "-My gaze would bo directed to some great wave, green based, ami capped with white, ramping and screnuously moving towards us. inevitably it must strike us, 1 would tlnnlv, but the 4(J years' old sealer rose to the crasii, and it would go roaming beneath, with bared lips 01 hate, as it disappointed ol us prey. " ilow any wave could exhibit " bared lips oi hate" is a matter that only a rhapsodising poet could explain.

Again. — "' From the crow's ne.st on tho main mast stretched out east aim west, as lar as Lnu eye could see, tho woiiclerHil heralds ot the frozen South — groat giants woaneu irom t>io bosom oi Aiotnor .Antarctic.'' " The heralds ol the Irozeu (south/ be it noted, are common, or garden icebergs, and tho average sea captain js accustomed to allude to them, n language which, instead ot being poetical, is generally decidedly violent. However, as Lieutenant yhackelton is clearly a poet, he must be allowed to rhapsodise. But it this is the language which he uses before his task is lairly begun, what ■will it be like if he gets in sight of the J^ole ¥ The imagination shudders to contemplate it.