PARS ABOUT PEOPLE

Observer, Volume XXXVII, Issue 34, 28 April 1917, Page 4

PARS ABOUT PEOPLE

DECORATED with the Military Cross, Captain A. C. Hubbard, an Auckland infantry officer. Arthur Hubbard is the present head of the house of Paeroa Hubbards, who farm at Komata. He is an acute business man, head of sonic local enterprises, and a calm, collected individual of much deliberation. He had been a territorial officer for many years before he accepted fighting service. Dick, the other brother Hubbard, Avas called up in the ballot, but it transpired that the two had argued the point out, and that it was Ai-thur's turn. Dick was a trooper' in the First Contingent (Africa), and a gallant soldier Avho performed some acts of special A'alour in the vicinity of Colesburg. He commanded a squadron of proA'isional mounted police during the Auckland strike, and it was his influence and discipline which prevented a riot at the Domain when some gentlemen upbraided the "specials" and sought a scrap. Dick prevented the scrap and therefore, bloodshed. $? ■$? *? Mr J. J. Boyd, the oAvner of the Onehunga Zoo, and a candidate for the Mayoralty of that interesting port, has told the electors that he arrived in Nbav Zealand 44 years ago with £25, and now has an income of £7000 (presumably a year). Mr Boyd is a living manifestation of the immortal principle "get in early to aA r oid the rush." He "got in" in Wellington during the boom, Avhen people were building aeroplane houses suspended between earth and sky, speculated in. any land one could stick a bit of Aveatherboard in, and "standardised" the immense number of cottages he ultimately built at Kilbirnie, in New town, and elsewhere. People used to see a house and say, "Ah, it's a Boyd!" just as one would say of a Adolin, "Ah, a Stradivarius, I see!" Mr Boyd, aching Avith success, built a noble pile he called "The Anchorage," <at Kilbirnie, and lived behind the flagpole in massive splendour, receiving rents. He also became the proud possessor of one of the first motor oars in Wellington, a large red car, the envy and admiration of the tenants avlio Avere paying in to that £7000 a year. He and another builder, Mr R. Keene, avlio has also become a financial marvel, AAdio looks as happy as a Trent-ham Avinter morning, Avere considered marvels of how to make money, and Avere equally beloved. Despite all. assertions to the contrary, Mr Boyd did not take his degree at either Oxford, Cambridge or Auckland. He admits he is a self-made man—and, being a speculative builder, has made a good job of himself. ® <& @ Gratifying neAVS continues to arrive, showing that Mr Massey is moAnng in the very highest circles, but it must not be thought because Mr Massey consents to dine with Royialty at Buckingham Palace he is losing that sturdy democracy which is the pride of his admirers. During the last English hai'A r est, : Mr Massey accepted an. invitation to put in an odd week-end at the Earl of C.'s place in Northampton. Always eager to investigate, Mr Massey strolled one morning tlirough the ancestral park, and there came across a party of men engaged in He felt sorry for one of the labourers, Avhose knowledge of the axe was 1 not profound, and whose palms were blistered. "Here, my man," Mr Massey is reported to have said, "let

me show you how to take the 'scarf out," and, divesting himself of his historic frock coat and silk nail keg, belted in good and hard for half an hour, unitil the noble oak bit the earth. "Thank you, sir," said the labourer, and gratefully resumed ihiis labours, stimulated by the example of the great. After dinner that evening, the Earl arid Mr Massey were chatting in the library, when a youth strolled in. "May I present my son John to you, Mr Massey." "I seem to have seen you before?" said Mr Massey to the heir of the House of C. "Yes, sir, you kindly chopped down a tree for me this morning," said the heir, who was on leave from France. <© <© <® After perusal of the following Imperial par from a South Australian paper, it is unfair to call South Australians "Croweaters" any more. "Sauerkrauters" will do for a new name:—"The 'King's' rifle shooting competition has been won by F. Schulz, after an exciting contest with H. Dier, W. Dahl, S. H. C. Paech, T. Wetland, A. Ohlmeyer, A. Leibalt, R. Borchers, H. Suessbier, F. Nitschke, 0. E. Juttner, C. A. GaehrrtHann, 0. Nettlebach, Sandy McTavisn, and others. Mrs Cockie Grave carried off the Ladies' Bracelet. Then Mr W. E. Heuzenroeder (in the absence of the president, Dr. Juttner) made the presentations of trophies to the winners,

the 'king' being adorned with the laurel wreath by Miss E. Kassibaum. Three cheers for the King followed!" <$ © <$ Only the old Maori war hands with the best memories will remember Sam Carson, a Crimean veteran who stepped into the nineties the other day at Portland, Victoria, for it's a long time since Sam's regiment was in Auckland. Interesting to recall that Britain hustled its men off to war at an earlier age thenadays, for Carson was Avounded in the attack on rifle pits at Sebastopol on his eighteenth birthday. As a convalescent in hospital he was orderly to Florence Nightingale, "the Lady of the Lamp." He served through the whole of the Maori war. ® © ® Mr A. Callinan writes:—"lt is rather a pity that Australian and New Zealand soldiers, should be jealous of one another, and I note by the papers that Mr C. J. Parr insists v thiat New Zealand soldiers should be more easily distinguished, and oftener included! in the term 'Anzac' The Australian does not in reality get a bigger 'hearing' in England than the New Zealander, but his uniform is much more, distinctive, with its isensible buttoned cuffs and well cut back. To convince New Zealanders that Australians are doing their bit as well as

their own brave boys, I quote Corporal Vincent Callinan, of Shoreham, Victoria. This boy enlisted in August, 1914, and took part in that portion of the landing at Gallipoli effected by colonial troops (as distinct from the undying feat of the British division) on April 25. He has been wounded six times —that is to say he has on six separate occasions been hit and returned to duty. He had fe\ r er in Egypt, diphtheria at Lemnos, and enteric feA r er in France. 'Yin.' is. not the only one of the family who is a soldier. Four of his brothers are also at the front, but 'Yin.' is a human curiosity and medical and mineral museum, $ Z A curious circumstance in connection with a war medal. James McCauley, Avho used to be a gunner in the New Zealand Royal Artillery, and afterwards a police constable and a successful breeder of Jersey cattle, died in the Nelson hospital on November 17th, 1914. Mr James Lockett, of the Public Works Department, Tauranga, himself a onearmed veteran of the South African War, relates that one of the permanent way men (Jack Clark) lately found McCauley's South Africa medal on the side of the railway line, six miles from the Mount, and about half-way to Te Puke. The medal is the "Queen's" South African medal, "69, Pte. J. McCauley, N. Z'land M.R.," with the clasps, "Diamond Hill/ Johannesburg,"" "Driefontein," "Paard'eburg," "Relief of Kimberley." Thrust in betAVeen the ribbon and the clasps is a small silver shield, engraved with a monogram that is probably "H.S.C.P." It is assumed that Avhoever possessed the late soldier's medal Avas leaning out of the railway carriage Avindow when he or she dropped it. <® $? <3? Ncavs came that Major Harold Ward Smith, Auckland Mounted Rifles and Brigade Transport officer to the Brigade of N.Z.M.R. in Egypt, has been transferred to the Army Service Corps in France. "Yorkie" has about seA-en years Avar service to his credit. He began soldiering as a trooper in the Royal Yorkshire Hussars (Yeomanry) and when he came to New Zealand to settle as a farmer he Avas one of the first to enlist for service in Africa. He served the Avhole three years Avith the colours and won his commission. "Yorkie" settled in Africa -afterwards and Avas a stockinspector under the Transvaal Government, a position he has also held under the NeAv Zealand Government. When the Natal rebellion broke out "Yorkie" joined up again Avith the Transvaal Forces and saw the bother through. He escaped death by the adept use of an assegai he had casually picked up. • • • Major Smith w r ent to Gallipoli Avith the Main Body (Auckland M.R.) as hon. captain (quartermaster) of the regiment and his felloav officers remark on his immunity from harm. He shifted his quarters one day. The next day his old caboose, was smashed 1 by shell-fire. His great friend, Major Fred Wood, M.C., adjutant of the regiment, Avho Avas severely wounded, relates that on the grisly day when the Auckland M.R. all but wiped out, Major Smith in order to be near his friend followed the troops hurriedly and actually took part in the assault armed Avith a pick handle. He was at the dressing station when his friend Avas brought in to render Avhat assistance he could. Major Smith has had one brother (Imperial army) killed in the war and another severely Avounded. cjj& 1$ c£ Included in the list of honours conferred on New Zealand officers on service is a C.M.G. for Col. W. R. N. Madocks, of the Royal Artillery, considered one of the greatest artillerists in France at the present time. Col. Madocks was at the time of the South African war a British officer on the New Zealand

staff and l applied for service Avith the Ist N(>av Zealand Mounted Rifles. He served Avith great distinction and Avas universally beloved by the corps, for he AA r as the soul of honour and a perfectly good and impartial friend to every soldier in the ranks, and he more than any other officer fought for them. Col. Madocks neA r er obtruded himself. He is a modest, honourable, British gentleman Avho simply and faithfully does his job. He greatly distinguished himself on Noav Zealand Hill and "Madocks' Hill" is still there to remind people of the deed he never spoke of himself. He Avas assistant military secretary to Sir lan Hamilton Avhen that officer commanded in the Mediterranean. He married a daughter of the late Sir Walter Buller of Noav Zealand.

The passing of James .Reid is of greatest significance to enthusiastic mining investors, Avho mourn his death the most. "Little Jimmy Reid" in his palmy days ay«« nothing to the point of dandyism in his dress. He Avore a small fawn-col-oured boAvler hat, a bright tie, and a check suit, and Avas: the most striking figure in th;> "Old Exchange" during the mining boom. Jimmy's North of Ireland accent, his sprightly step, his bobbing head, his sparkling eye and. the shrug of his shoulders gave him a distinction. He Avas pungent in his Avit, first Avith his raillery and in those harmonious artifices ho Avas aided and abetted by his confidential clerk Frank Wh'itaker. There Avas no dull times on the right hand side of " 'Change." His presence Avas an incentive, to Avild speculation and heavy mining deals.

During the palmy days of Thames, when politics and public gatherings Avere the order of the day, and tuckering prospectors for shares a daily occurrence, Jimmy Reid got his taste for gold ■speculation. He Avas a (dork in a store Avith a AvindoAV facing the Brian Born Hotel, Avheri 1 ' the late host TAA r ohill held SAvay. When the "Orangemen's Toast" came on the Iward then Jimmy shone. His item started with "The Month of February When, the Leaves Begin to GroAv" arid 'gener-

ally ended with "Ham and Eggs at Six o'clock." These ditties he carried through life. Misfortune struck little Jimmy late in life, but he kept up his cheerful spirits to the hitter end.

Mayor Gunson's patriotic campaigns have peculiar results in Auckland province. All sorts and conditions of interpretations are put upon his pleadings and urgent requests for helping to Avin the Avar, but to ■cap the boiling you may put the Waihi' residents top. There you find ultra loyalists patriotic to a breath (and some Waihi breaths are strong), and you also find, alas! the sour leaven of the Red Fed. traitor. Until the welcome municipal election entertainments came to diA'ert the arguments bloody warfare might have eventuated as usual in Waihi. The ladies take a keen hand in the game, and in order to give them time and opportunity to spread the grand teachings of Gunson and Co. Avith full patriotic fervour, the husbands have relieved them of household Avork, and it is now no uncommon sight to see a pressman and a Government official avlio live side by side doing the AVeek'cs Avashing, and, after the clean up, Avhen all the duds are hung to dry, they have a heated discussion on the qualities of brands of soap. This is a tip to city men.

The sudden demise of Mr Malcolm McGregor, solicitor, Avas a severe shock to all who knew him. To lcnoAV Malcolm McGregor was to like and esteem him; for he had qualities of head and heart that appeal to most people. He was unobtrusive, yet took a keen interest in local matters. He had a dry humour. Whoever thought him dense or dull Avould be surprised at the straightness of his "hits." He Avars not a brilliant student, but because he plodded and Avas so painstaking and, thorough he became an authority on marine IaAV. Every phase and branch of his business claimed liis special attention, and a "Avin" elated him, as a loss depressed and disappointed him, as it did the late Thomas Cotter. The sallies of Judge EdAvards from the bench

hurt them to such an extent that they decided never again to appear before his Honor. • • a As a boAvler, .Malcolm McGregor entered into the game with great zest. It AA r as his. hobby, and many, many a time he kissed kitty to his supreme delight. He played boAvls a-s he did his business —a clean, straight game, and never missed an opportunity to trundle the Avood. The Takapuna. Club has at least one memento of his enthusiasm. A clock Avas installed in the club shed to the astonishment of members'of that lovely suburban green, Avith the motto "Windi me up every Saturday." Quietly and unobtrusively done, just like old Male. A loyal friend and a straight goer. <$ <& ® Captain Lionel Halsey, C.M.G., fourth Lord of the Admiralty, avlio commanded H.M.S. Ncav Zealand on her celebrated picnic cruise, has been created Commander of the Legion of Honour by the French republic. No doubt the tactful Navy man Avas one of the eminent officers Avho lately conferred Avith the French naval high command' in the deeply interesting matter of strafing German submarines. Before another peach season arrives Captain Halscy will be a rearadmiral, and Avill be chasing Sir David Beatty for the honour of commanding a fleet while still a youngster. t& ® & Rotoroa Island is hoav Avell knoAvn to this part of the. Avorld as an insular retreat run by the Salvation Army, Avith Government assistance, for the particular benefit of inebriates. Hence, an old man who had been picked up by the police for vagrancy raised a laugh in the Police Court the other day at the expense of the magistrate, Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M. It AA r as suggested that, in A r ieAV of his age, infirmity, and habit of wandering aAvay from the ordinary charitable institutions, Avhere gates are frequently left open,

the old man might be put on the island, where he would be unable to wander beyond the ken of his guardians. When asktd what he thought of the idea, the old man looked round the crowded court in the manner of one seeking some person Avith a first hand knowledge of this place Avhere inebriates were put. His eyes lit up Avhen they rested on the more or less rubicund countenance of the magistrate, and, leaning over, he enquired in a confidential tone of Mr Frazer, "What is it like?" SonieAvhat taken aback by the. implication that he had been on the island for the good of his health. Mi- Frazer explained that he had not been in. residence at Rotoroa, but that he judged from observations made during an official visit that the inmates get decent food and treatment. The old man apparently still held to the opinion that the magistrate's disclaimer of special inside knowledge was a mere bluff, for he replied, "Well, if you like it, it will do for me." And, amid the chuckles of the Court audience at the magistrate's expense, he Avas booked for apartments for tAvelve months at Dry Spot Villa. ® ® ® Mr John Grand-Carteret sends to this paper, "Verdun, Images de Guerre" from Librairie Chape'ot. Paris, 6 francs. It represents his collection from the cartoons and caricatures of French artists, the artists of the Allies, and the artists of neutrals. Mr Grand-Carteret has done the translations and the necessary explanations to enable French readers to appreciate the foreign idioms, play on words and so forth. In it is included a number of cartoons from the New Zealand Observer, relating more particularly to Verdun, the Avhole book of 256 pages being devoted, to this subject alone. .It commemorates with peculiar vividness the glorious and imperishable horolcsm of the French troops at Verdun. Mr Grand-Carteret inscribes the book, "Au Noav Zealand Oiiservkr en toute sympathie."