PARS ABOUT PEOPLE

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 8, 25 October 1919, Page 10

PARS ABOUT PEOPLE

TRAFALGAR DAY, October 21, was the 20th anniversary of the despatch of the. first troops to leave New Zealand on foreign service. The First New Zealand Mounted Rifles composed of. only 214 selected and thoroughly trained mounted riflemen, left Wellington for Africa in the s.s. Waiwera, in the presence of the greatest crowd ever seen in New Zealand before or since.

The "First" was commanded by Major Robin Major-General Sir A. Robin, Commanding in New Zealand), her second in command being the brilliant soldier, Captain R. Hutton Davies, and who—as Major General commanding a British Division in France—died subsequently in England.

The other officers were Captain H. D. O. Ward (lent from the Royal Artillery), and now Brigadier-Geneiial, C.8., C.M.G. ; Captain W. R. N. Madocks (attached from Royal Artillery too) and now Brigadier-Gener-al, C.M.G,, D.5.0., Lieut. J. Gethin Hughes—since Colonel, C.M.G., D.5.0.,; Lieutenant D'Arcy Chaytor, now Colonel, C.M.G.; Lieutenant E. Bartlett, now Major. D.5.0.; Lieutenant "Mike" Lindsay (now Major, D.5.0., 7th Dragoon Guards); Lieutenant R. S. Matthews, (now. Major, M.8.E., N.Z.S.C.); and Lieutenant W. h. Canavan (now Major), retired. * * * The regimental sergeant-major was S.M. C. P. Rogers, formerly an officer of the Royal Marines, and later a noncom, of the 12th Lancers. The company sergeants-Major were: S.M. Digbv Cardale, now Major. N.Z.b.C. and S.M. W. Burr, D.C.M., a warrant officer in the Staff Corps. Lord Jellicoe, Admiral of the Fleet, and Lord French (the General under whom the "First" served) are the patrons of the Association which has run sweetly for nineteen years. * * * Of the original establishment, 44 are dead and fifty have served with great distinction in the great warfour of this number having been killed in action. Lieutenant P. T. Emerson ("Tiny") R.S.M., Chas. Bould, Sergeant J. Hedges, and Corporal J. Aitken. The "First" has a remarkable record, of promotion from the ranks and many of New Zealand s distinguished officers were troopers in the little corps. These include: Colonel Harry Whyte, D.5.0., D.CM., commanding the "Wellington District; Col. A. Batchelar (Palmerston North): Col. George Mitchell, D.5.0., organiser for.,the N.Z.R.b.A. in Wellington; . Lieut.-00l (». 11. Miller, D.5.0., (R.A.; Major Fred. Wood, M.C. (severely wounded) commanding No. ljGroup, Auckland; Major H. W. Smith, (Yorkis") for nearly five years commanding the Anzac Divisional Transport in Gallipoli, Egypt, and Palestine; Major E. Harrowell second in command of the Auckland Infantry Battalian, Gallipoli *°™.J----ed); Major La Coste Bartrop commandant of police at Johannesburg, and very many others. * The Association was initiated by Mr. S. Howard Tuck of Napier (ajd a sergeant in the "First") has foi nineteen years published the editor of which is Claude h. Jewell, of Auckland.

Sergeant Alfred E. Hablot, of a service battalion of the Lancashire Regiment, at present visiting relatives in New Zealand, is a curiosity —he is ontitled to wear five wound stripes. The novelty about Sergeant Hablot is that he. has lost the index ring and little finger of the right hand, and. the index and ring fingers of his left, each in a separate engagement, and all by rifle fire. He is unable to explain what extraordinary mischance led German snipers to find, one of his fingers each time, and laughingly observes that he never holds a- "full hand" nowadays. Although he returned to his

battalion after each successive loss, and took his usual place, the loss of his digits makes him physically unfit for the army in peace time. He is an "Old Contemptible," with 21 years' service—and among other distinctions has seven children, the eldest of whom is 12, years. @ $> ® ■ Veteran soldiers at Hamilton lately asked what had become of the New Zealand official history of the South" African''war.' Frank Beamish, of the "Sixth," » P ost ~o ffi. c 4 official, was turned on to write it, and given six months' leave to do it in. He went to work with characteristic thoroughness, and finished the job and fired it in,-but 'probably some official pigeon-holed it, and torgot where the hole was. "" Nothing has been heard of it since. Frank

was secretary of the "Sixth" Association, and lived to edit an excellent little paper for it. He has not long since returned from the Big War, and is nowadays a Major. It's only twenty years since the First New Zealand troops departed, so there's still time for the Government to keep Beamish's book "steadily in view." ® .& . Gg> Guy H. Scholifield, M.8.E., who for over ten years has represented a group of New Zealand newspapers in England, is leaving St. Paul's be-

hind him, and London Bridge will know "Scho" no more. It will not be forgotten that "Scho" edited during the years of the war the dinky little paper,. "The New Zealander," in London.. It is not yet stated whether "Spho"' is going to start a new, New Zealand paper, run a magazine, or write books; but the chief item is that he is coming back, leaving London to. its fate. He is a journalist who knows precisely what New Zealand newspaper proprietors believe the public ought to know. © ® ® Just back from Blighty, after about three years' war and travel, "Bob" Witheford, -lieutenant N.Z.E.F., and in civil life a Treasury official at Wellington Headquarters. Bob, who is the son of the ex-M.P. who is so well known in Auckland,

although nearly the sere and yellow 'forties when the Big Bother was. on, took rifle and pack, and, barring influenza, returns as good as new. He says England is a country where the Colonial is made much of, and as he struck his cousin Harry Rountree, the celebrated artist (and years ago of Auckland "Herald"), he got into an artisticcircle, which makes things very pleasant for stray. Colonials of similar tendencies. Mr. Witheford was not new to soldiering. Being too late to join the "First" for the South African War, he joined a ship taking remounts to Africa, arid worked his passage, joining that corps jn the field and serving with it. He left the corps, having obtained acommission in an Imperial Regi-'; merit, but ultimately pined for New Zealand, and sent in his papers. He lias been promoted twice in the Treasury while he has been absent in France. ® ' . '® • ® '■" At a warm-hearted Devonport Orphans' Social, given to artistes, stewards, and helperis generally, last week, Mr. F. Gr Bourke, the Borough Engineer, said he hadn't seen old Ireland for 16 years, and he wanted to go Home to sing a song to his aged mother. It was a tender little prelude to one of his charming items, for he is perhaps without cavil the most appealing vocalist in Auckland. Without any ostentation, Mr. Bourke has for years used his. special gift, without stint and without narrowness, and has enriched the services of churches of varying denominations with noble music. Notably artistic, as an engi- • neer he has greatly improved the appearance of the Marine Borough, and with the'limitations imposed on him by necessary municipal economy and funds not bottomless, he has more than "made good." Called upon to make a speech by the irrepressible president (Mr. J. Armstrong), "Fred" protested his inability to do any such thing—and did it with grace. * * * There's a young pianist who is official accompanist of the Devonport Orphans, who possesses the gift of intuition. "Len" Elliott (a son of the popular clergyman) makes an artistic thing of a couple of pothooks and hangers slung on a music sheet by a singer—or invents an accompaniment without any pothooks or hangers. Few people ever rave about a pianist unless the pianist happens to be a "dud," and then they curse him politely under their breaths. The good, patient, modest accompanist works harder and more skilfully than the whole bilin' of artistes. Here's wishing success to •'Len" Elliott. ® <$ ® "Skipper" Francis, composer of "Australia Will Be There," is reported, by cable, to have been given an ovation at the Anzac Buffet in London. Nothing would please the genial '."Skipper" better, for-he is a firm believer in the uses of advejrment. In the good cause he even dared the displeasure of the Speaker in the House of Representatives by springing to his feet and singing his song from the gallery. He confided to a writer subsequently that lie had thought out the scheme in advance, and considered that the publicity was well worth the. doubtful moments he spent, screwing up his courage to burst into song. With cheerful impudence he advertises it as "sung in the House of Representatives." In the early days of the war, Francis was appearing at cricket ground concerts and similar entertainments as "the one-legged swimmer of the Bristol Channel," and among his songs he introduced his masterpiece. He had a hard job getting it going, and even hawked it from door to door, but when it caught on it sold like wildfire. If the genial one has been drawing royalties he must be a rich man. He tried to repeat the success on many occasions, but none of his other efforts caught the public ear. His wife and two children are m America. There isn't a New Zealand song yet.

The remains of the infant daughter of the poet Adam Lindsay Gordon were brought from Ballarat, where they had been interred 51 years ago, and reinterred in Gordon's grave in the Brighton (V.) Cemetery on October 3. Mrs. Low (formerly Mrs. Gordon) was present with her husband and their son. The Rev. W. H. Adeney, who had been at the Ballarat graveside, conducted the service. Addresses were delivered, and Gordon's poem, "The Sick Stockrider" was recited. On October 5, the annual "pilgrimage" to Gordon's grave, was held. The grave was visited by thousands of people, many of whom placed flowers upon it. " Afterwards addresses were delivered from a platform in the outer reserve of the cemetery. The speakers included Senator Russell and several others, and - recitations from Gordon were given. Mention was made of the fund for the erection ot a statue to Gordon in Melbourne. * » * It is curious that Gordon, who was thought so much of in his adopted land, Australia, is bardly ever heard of in England. The house in which he was. born in Cheltenham (Gloucestershire) is in a terrace, and. unlike the birthplaces of most celebrities, is not marked in any way. It is supposed that he was never reconciled to his family in England —hence the silence. $ «•" @ That fine journalist, Mr. John W. McDougall, editor of Napier Daily Telegraph," celebrated the twentyfifth anniversary of his editorship lately, the combined staffs gathering round the "stone." Mr. Trevor Ge Idis, subeditor, did the honours, and made a .presentation on behalf ot those assembled. Few men took * more enthusiastic and expert intel ™st in the War during its progress, arid Mr- McDougall's daily notes vZve remarkable for a studious understanding of the complicated subiect As a journalist, he is speci ISv analytical, and his written argumeU are always illuminating and imfmrtivc There were many men a fathering who had served on the "Telegraph" for long periods Mr. A. Young, in particular', »™& been with the paper for forty years. * * * Talking about/ long-service newspaper men, Mr. Archie Bruce, who celebrated his, fiftieth anniversary ot service with Auckland "Herald a

vear or two ago, has left the "stone" at last—but not the "Herald." This active and esteemed gentleman will in future edit the sporting columns of the "Herald," relinquishing, the mechanical portion of his duties. <& m ■ <S . A highly interesting visitor, Mr."* Aubrey L. Williams, is back in Auckland, his home town, after many years' absence. Mr. Williams is a brother of Dr. Harold Williams (Auckland University College), who is a great authority in Russia, and who is at present in Russia with Denikin. Mr. Aubrey Williams in earlier life was with Messrs. Sargood in Auckland, and later went into business in Russia, and was in that great and terrible country for five years prior to the war. He left Russia to join the British section of the N.Z.EiF., served as a sapper in the. Engineers both in Gallipoli and Fiance, and was wounded in France, and invalided to England. During Clutha Mackenzie's visit to New Zealand in 1917 Mr. Williams was acting editor of that famous little paper "Chronicles of the N.Z.E.F." * * » As Mr. Williams is an accomplished Russian linguist, he was sent to Russia by the British Foreign Office to carry on propaganda work. The Kerenski Regime ending, he witnessed the Bolshevik coup de'etat, and saw the severe and bloody fighting for a week. At Petrograd and Moscow he subsequently saw the country plunged in the abyss of Bolshevism. Living was exceedingIv difficult and dangerous, for life was cheap. On the approach of the Germans in 1918 it became necessary for British people to leave the country. * * * A Bolshevik resolution occurring in Finland, both sides wished to have the support of Britain, and this was the reason for the sate passage of the British party, ot which Mr. Williams was one to England. In London, Mr. Williams knowledge of Russians and Russia made him invaluable on the relief committees, which • looked after the swarms of British and Russian refugees of every class who poured into England when life in Russia Hewn kept Bolshevik rute, 4*B'fat. wnWtortured to British troops in England,

France, and Italy. Mr. Williams was scliooled at Prince Alfred's College, and it is anticipated that his opening lecture at the Town Hall on October 27th will attract large numbers of people, who want to know what this fiendish Bolshevism really is. 6 0 © Horatio Phillips. What Old Thames Boy has not heard and revered the name of one of the first masters to take over a big Thames school under, the Education Board. There were pioneers such as Schofield, Wilson, Rafferty, Jones, Aylett, Rout, O'Donoghue, and we still have Mr. Gerring in our midst, or at least at Ho wick, playing bowls, who taught under him. But Horatio Phillips, coming after George Nevill Phillips, make Kaueranga School famous. Auckland has amongst its professional and business men a large proportion who got their early schooling from Horatio Phillips. Hearing of the lamented death of Mr. Phillips many will remember the days of the Phillips family and their teaching. Miss Crowther, a. sister of Mrs. Phillips, and a teacher of Kaueranga School, instilled an ambition for the stage into the minds of many a budding actor, and good results "eventuated, as many an Old Thamesite knows. Walter Phillips, the eldest son, was the first Mayor of Waihi, and identified with that mining township for many years, and is now in the Government service in Wellington. The surviving family have the heartfelt sympathy of all old scholars and Thamesites, who sincerely respect the name of Horatio Phillips. &> ®> ' ' Sg> In selecting Veil. Archdeacon Isaac Richards, of Invercargill, to succeed Bishop Nevill, Dunediri has displayed a happy choice and sound judgment. The Bishop-elect is a who. has mixed with me, and "who in his younger days played a prominent part in athletics, particularly cricket. Old Aucklanders may remember him as a representative cricketer. Born in Devonshire 1 , just sixty years ago, the budding cleric took his M.A. degree at Oxford with second-class honours in mathematics. He was ordained in 1882, and came to New Zealand as vicar of St. Mark's, Remuera, Auckland. Afterwards he was in turn warden of Selwyn College, Dunedin, vicar of Tuapeka, Archdeacon of Queensland, and for the last three years was Archdeacon of Invercargill. • • • The family Roll of Honour of Dunedin's new Anglican Bishop is a proud one. Three of Archdeacon Richards' four sons held /commissions at the Front. Two (Robert and Lyddon) were killed in acton; the other (Reginald) is still in Eng-

land. The fourth son (the Rev. Lionel Richards) is a curate in an English parish". Two daughters of Archdeacon Richards (the Misses Anne and Alice Richards) were for some time, until quite recently, on the nursing staff of the Christchurch Hospital. © &• © News comes this week that Jerome K. Jerome is talking of visiting Australia and New Zealand. The author of "Three Men in a Boat" putin eighteen months as ambulance driver with the French Red Cross, giving recitals in the evenings in one of the huts. Colonial troops struck him at several points, and pronounced him "one of the funniest old birds behind the lines." Jerome used to be followed round by a sad-eyed hound whom the soldiers called Monty, in (remembrance of Montmorency—the book dog. He is not stated to be coming out here under 'anyone's "management." Celebrated authors and the like have not in the past proved the galloping successes to the theatrical entrepreneur that could have been wished.