PARS ABOUT PEOPLE

Observer, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9, 9 November 1912, Page 4

PARS ABOUT PEOPLE

MAYOE PARR threw himself into the breach at the opening ot the Arts and Crafts exhibition on Friday, explaining that he had left seven artistic City Fathers wrestling with the problem of a Municipal Market that will vie with the Pantheon and the Temple of Lycidas for architectural magnificence. What strikes an admirer of the versatile Chief Magistrate is that he can always be turned, on to do a little oratorical stunt about anything and that although he may tMlk art or frozen mutton or Imperial politics, James Bryce, literature, or the coal supply, he uses the occasion to impress civic facts on tlie mind of the citizens. He bemoaned the fact that Auckland is architecturally horrid, that it isn't in. the same "street as Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin (especially JJunedin), that the City Council has no power to say that a hideous red brick building of four bare walls shall not rear itself within a biscuit throw of a ,£120,000 Town Hall. Mr Parr is obviously going to reach out for extra powers to control the Goth who inflicts architectural abominations on us and on the children yet unborn, and it is hoped that he will tote a nice careful remit along to the next Municipal Conference and get the matter seen to in a hurry before the Huns inflict more brick and mortar sorrow on an afflicted Queen City.

Tom Pollard, who licked the local " Mikado" combination into shape, isn't really Tom Pollard — lies Thomas O'Sullivan, and he adopted his present name as a theatrical cognomen when married into the Pollard family and joined the original lillipntian opera company away back m the eighties. In early days there were so many real Pollards in Launceston (Tasmania) that there were sixteen of them in a company that put on the play "Pinafore" only as a stop gap in a dull time. It caught on so splendidly they thought they would do a little tour for a month or two, and as a matter of fact toured for about twenty-seven years. Tom's first job in the combination was as member oi the brass band.

Sir Willie Hall-Jones arrives in New Zealand early in the New Year in order to breath once more the restful atmosphre of this country, after a whirl of society functions in , which duchesses are two for a penny and marquises are kept waiting on the doormat while the frozen mutton gentleman is attended to. Stated that in his occasional leisure from diplomatic duties Sir William has reverted to the old arts and has been making inlaid table tops to give to his friends of the peerage at whose seats he has been so welcome a guest.

Major Sir William Jukes Steward, X.8., who died last week to the real regret of everybody who knew him, had been persistently in politics since 1875, was " Father of the House, and had the distinction of getting on the Statute Book more measures than any other private member in the short history of the Parliament. He was remarkable for his height, his long white beard, his erect carriage, and the flower he always wore in his buttonhole. There never was a more mildly persistent man. He trotted forth his little Bills session after session, and the House laughed to hear the names of the old innocents they believed were massacred long since. Sir William was in the earlier part of his career in New Zealand a draper, but a natural bent for newspaper work made him throw down the yard stick for the pen, and he obtained gradual possession of a little bunch of small Southern papers. He was quite an enthusiastic volunteer — used to wave the sword a good bit at public functions and so forth. He wrote verse, some of which was very poor indeed and some of which was not at all bad. Although not a man of overwhelming qualities, the late knight was eminently a loveable gentleman, quite courageous in his opinions, and a great stickler for exactitude in everything relating to Parliamentary procedure or convention.

Napier's J. Vigor Brown will be getting himself into serious trouble here in Auckland if he again takes advantage of Parliamentary privilege to make rude remarks about Auckland's property, as he did recently when condemning the idea of importing a railway manager. He chose Auckland's tramways as an instance of the terrible things that might happen through appointing a boss not indigenous to the soil—in fact, he said that there had been " nothing but trouble and dissatisfaction" in the Auckland tram service as a consequence. Mr Walklate has no means of obtaining satisfaction now that the age of duelling is past. Arthur Myers did his best for him—he said our tramways were bossed by " one of the best men in Australia," and that the men were perfectly satisfied, so that Mr Walklate should feel a little soothed with this unsolicited testimonial from a shareholder. But J.V.B. retorted that Wellington trams were better than Auckland's, that the Dunedin service was better still, and that Christchurch was supreme. These are all municipal services, too, and after that it can't be expected that

Mayor Parr should do the honours to .1. Vigor Brown when he visits thi<i hamlet, not even though he is Mayor of Napier.

Councillor Jimmy Gleeson is a redhot radical, so much so that he even wants the City Council to censor the journals forwarded to the Public Library and even to put an embargo on the ultra-conservative prints. He told the Council so and the Council decided to 109k into the matter. James says this is not a conservative community, but that isn't certain — it's as capable of cultivating habits as most. All the same, it would never do to have its intelligence impregnated with the terribly reactionary ideas of the English conservative reviews—they might do a lot of statesmen out of a job. It is quite evident that Jimmy doesn't believe the radical principles of the Auckland library dozers are sufficiently firm to resist the insidious influences of Britain's conservative journals, and they mi; 1 learn to disapprove of David Lloy I George, Mr Redmond, Church Disestablishment and Home Rule. We suggest that the choice of journals be left in the hands of James Gleeson and P. J. Nerheny.

Mr Herries, Minister of Kail ways, is really very funny. He is desirous of obtaining a manager of railways between 30 and 35 years of age, " who has not an abrupt manner." The real need of the "New Zealand public service is for experts with abrupt manners, who on the interference of Mr Blankey Blank, M.P. for Lower Waimuck, will tell that gentleman, to go to the place he deserves to go to and will keep on insisting- that he is the servant of the public and not the tool of the politician. The institution of the Tame Expert is a pitiable circumstance. The expert, who has been tame enough and who has had the courage to do his job in his own way, has fallen out violently every time with the New Zealand Government— and has, of course, either been pushed out of the service or has left it. A brilliant bull-dog sort of man won't do for a Manager of our Railways. A nincompoop obviously will as long as he doesn't offend the susceptible member for Mud Flat by his "abrupt manner. One would almost think Mr Ronayne had had an abrupt manner. Ye gods ! He's been under the eye of New Zealand since 1875 ! If that wouldn't slay any man's individuality and make him meek, what on earth would ?

It is noted with a humble smile that Mr Holgate, managing director of the Northern Coal mines, despite any protestations he may (for all we know) make, is always addressed by the dailies as "Colonel/ , Nobody minds—becaxise he is a Colonel of Territorials,and if he likes to carry his martial title into civil life there is no reason why the very large number of Territorials shouldn't do the same. One imagines the military idea invading many business sanctuaries in Auckland. The boss rings. The manager appears. " Lance-Corporal, please tell Captain A. to sweep out the front shop and put Sergeant B. on the ribbon counter. If Lieutenant Col. C. is in, instruct him to clean the corset window. Send Bombardier D. to me. I want him to check these figures ; and if Major F. can be spared, there's some waste paper in the cellar I want removed. Where's Private G. ?" And so on, and so on. Mind you, all the colonels, majors, captains, lieutenants, sergeant-majors, sergeants, corporals and privates in the Terrier force are entitled to their ranks if they insist on carrying them into civilian life, and if the men of the Auckland Mounted Rifle regiment follow the example of their O.C. therp is no reason why they shouldn't sign their business letters with their regimental number, rank and name.

Old Charlie Robinson, who is " bearded like the pard " and has for forty years been in charge of the whisky bottle in Parliament, is leaving Bellamy's to tour Europe. Charles, of the big white beard and the rotund waistcoat, gives one the impression that all Parliamentary institutionsare centred in him and that at one word from him the Premier would go and hide and Parliament dissolve. He has, however, for uncountable years been the soul of discretion in preventing members from leaving Bellamy's for the House in their pyjamas and his special blends are well worthy the esteemed attention of the connoisseur. The other day the two Houses fell on the neck of Charles and hung a gold watch on him. They said he was the best Bellamist ever, or words to that effect. It is not true that Mr Isitt will fill the vacancy while Mr Eobinson is away.

Sub Inspector Hendrey lately observed with truth that the average man who has quarrelled about the colour of a dog or the last boatrace or the horse that won the Waipupuke Handicap in a hotel does not (as he should) take his fighting partner to some quiet spot to black hi s eyes. He selects the nearest piece of pavement nearest the nearest Hop. It will be observed that there is much of human nature about Mr Hendrey. No man objects to two men slugging one another if they don't disturb the wayfarer or the police, for fighting is as natural as breathing—and far more natural than putting 12 pints into a stomach that has to expand unnaturally to encompass two. Why distension of the stomach should make men punch each other has never yet been explained by the medical faculty. It is hoped that the gentlemen who are bursting with beer and _ valour will take Mr Hendrey's advice and wander down among the Freeman s Bay jam tin orchards to settle their little quarrels. In fact, the Mayor might provide an obscure section whereon honour could be satisfied and the distension referred to disappear.

The forthcoming retirement of that old sea-dog Captain Albert Duder as Auckland harbourmaster, will be something of a wrench, for he seems to have become almost as pronounced a permanency as the harbour itself. He isn't an imported expert for he was born at Devonport in 1856, was educated at the Auckland Grammar School, knows Auckland upside down and inside out, and is himself known as well as the town clock. It's nineteen years since he got a Shore 30b — the ambition of every sailor who ever roamed the sea and it was in the Red Funnel service he obtained his master's papers, although he was 5 years with the Huddart Parker people. The Harbour Board knows all about the mariner's qualifications, and have awarded him a year's leave on full pay not an unkindly recognition ot good and faithful services.

Albert Edward Glover is very angry with the Military Pensions Bill and he threatened in the House to stick it up clause by clause. Albert said highspirited veterans (by the way, he, like every other politician called them " old " veterans) didn't want to eat the bread of charity, It seems the country would like to give the old chaps a fat pension, but it hasn't got the money. That astute financier, J. "Vigor Brown, suggested at once that if money was wanted it should be raised by a beer tax. This is cruel for it would hit the high-spirited veteran in a very soft spot. John Payne said he "would not be a party to insulting these old chaps by offering them a charity dole." The most delightful comment, however, in the long-winded discussion on the bill came from the man with the white hat. Vigor said that the Government ought not to worry about a mere <£25,000 for soldiers' pensions, when a surplus of one million pounds was in prospect. The surplus joke has been the chief chestnut of the prevailing Colonial Treasurer any time these 40 years.

That charming and excellent songstress, Madame Wielaert, it is noticed, has been chosen for the first time as soloist in the Auckland Choral Society's forthcoming production of " Cavalleria Eusticana," and the wonder is that her capable soprano hasn't been included among the instruments of the Choral Society long before. Wellington at least has a good estimate

of her quality since the Choral Society down there has for some years past regularly engaged her to do the soprano lead in its annual outburst of song. Possibly Auckland's Choral Sodety conceived that Madame had sufficient work in performing at the quarterly concerts of her husband's big orchestra, but it is quite likely that the many who give her their profuse approval at the Wielaert concerts will be equally glad to hear her as a soloist for the assemblage of voices over which Dr Thomas waves the baton.

Apropos of the Choral Society's discovery of Madame's voice, it may be of some interest to the committee to learn that Cisneros also approves. Writing to a friend here she says that the wonder is that Madame Wielaert doesn't get to Europe where there are opportunities awaiting her in plenty, likewise she declares that New Zealand is fortunate in possessing an artist with such style and culture. But New Zealand is inclined to take such good fortune rather easily.

Marvellous perspicacity young "Dahn" Fisher has, to be sure ! Has emitted the astounding information that "the whaling industry in New Zealand is being threatened by Norwegians." He might as well have remarked that the Austrians, who have had their spear into the Kauri gum industry for 15 years, were menacing the rights of the British gum-digger, or that the Australians who have collared the kauri supply and the greenstone supply were liable to seize their industries. The Norwegians are not menacing the whaling industry. They possess it, and no doubt, now that by modern up-to-date means and hard work the whale is proved by foreigners to be a good proposition, there will be many who will rise and ask how dare these foreigners gather the wealth we haven't enterprise enough to gather ? Some of these days people whose idea of progress is to turn over a whale or a piece of land, or a mining share at a profit,will even take example by the Chinaman who butts into our commercial life and wrests a living out of the poorest soil by sheer untiring industry. Mr Fisher will " regulate" the whaling industry—presumably in order that Norwegians shan't kill whales New Zealand hasn't enterprise enough to chase.

Mr Jack Collis, the political authority of the Shore, has, it is understood added a study of wireless telegraphy to his many achievements. The Messrs Luxford own a luxurious yacht, as you know, and on a recent morning she appeared to be carrying a lot of light top-hamper that might have been a large sized string puzzle or some allied, tangle. Some Shoreites were, it seems, discussing an item of news and the question of how the said news had come led one of the men to point to the Luxfords' yacht and to remark that it had "wireless" installed and that the message had been so received. " Great Scott !" said Jack, " that'll show you what money can do I" As a matter of fact, some practical jokers had erected the "wireless " station aboard the yacht with a few yards of string.

J. A. Millar, the uncompromising radical, who has faded out of the political field of vision lately has been awarded the illuminated address from which so few public men are able to escape. The Christchurch Locomotive Men's Union were the entertainers and it gave J.A.M. the chance to deny that the dreadful allegation that he was a blueblood at heart and had no sympathy with the horny-handed. As a matter of fact J.A.M. has been one of the most consistent battlers for the sons of toil since he left the sea in 1887 and became general secretary of the Federated Seamen's Union. He got the right of seamen to vote recognised. The labour legislation of the Seddon era has the hand of J.A.M. heavily impressed on it, he originated Industrial Councils and altogether has been one of the most persistent barrackers for the man with his coat off the country has seen. The difference between J.A.M. and the average screamer for the son of toil is that he is clever and constructive and is not all froth and vocabulary although by the way, he has a fairly extensive selection of English to draw on if anyone probes it. ""

" Mair " : David Lansing Huston, who made dramatic exits from dur* ance vile at both Hikurangi and Whangarei, is a man of many parts and ability far above the ordinary. For some time he was a Hikurangi resident, and worked in one of the mines there. He was an accomplished musician, and as leader of the choir of Hikurangi Presbyterian Church he made many friends. Also, Huston had a remarkably good tenor voice that was in much request on the concert platform, and his fall from grace left a big gap in musical circles in the northern coalopolis. Several good stories are told of Huston as a coal miner. He had a recklessness that finally impelled the mine manager to dispense with his services. A favourite habit of his was riding up and down the shaft in a bucket or on a skip of coal, and at other times he performed similar extraordinary acts.

A fellow miner, who on one occasion remarked, "He holds his life pretty cheap/ just about gave the general opinion of Huston.

On one occasion only did he display singular ability in another direction. A tool box at the mine had become locked, and as the key was missing a blacksmith hurried away to secure a suitable instrument to open it. Huston appeared on the scene and on being apprised of what was wanted, remarkedo, " Guess, that's easy." He then produced a hairpin, inserted it into the lock and with little effort opened the box. Yet with all his undoubted ability, Huston appeared to be one of those kind of geniuses who could not go straight for long, and if even a quarter of the personal narratives that he related to an admiring aiidience in a railway carriage while being brought down to Whangarei from Hikurangi, after the occasion of his first escape from custody, are true, he must have had. a very interesting, exceedingly varied and somewhat strenuous career.

J.M. writes : " Apropos of your article (12th October, 1912) on the 'Excessive Eugenist/ 1 noticed a report in a Wellington paper of a lecture on Eugenics given by Miss MacGregor, an enthusiastically agressive Eugenist, in which she quotes John Wesley as an example of inherited characteristics, inasmuch as he inherited his piety and veneration from his father. Strikes me, who have read the Wesley diaries, as rather an unfortunate example. If the extreme Eugenist had flourished in the elder Wesley's day with his doctrine of " sterilisation for hereditary degeneracy" there would have been no such offshoot from the English church as Methodism. The whole Wesley family suffered from nervous instability, Hettie being the most normal, and the gloomy, irascible, fitfully tempestuous nature of the father was certain symtomatic of an unsound mind.

The facility which most of the members of the family, John particularly, seemed to have of seeing ghosts and hearing warning voices is symptomatic of insanity. John's fits, his sudden exaltations and depressions of spirit, his trance-like moments when he beheld terrifying visions of Hell fire and his agonies of spirit when he sometimes became convinced of his eteranl damnation, his harshness to his children— these are all recorded in his diaries, which, rather than being books for the faithful, are gruesome glimpses into the chaos of Bedlam. All these things so faithfully recorded by John Wesley are certain evidence of infirmity of brain ; and yet John Wesley accomplished good in England and had his value as a reformer. But he was as much an epilept as Mahommed and the Eugenist, had he existed in their days, would not have permitted either to go free or reproduce their kind.