People and Their Doings.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20314, 25 May 1934, Page 6

People and Their Doings .

A Message From a Young Canterbury Soldier of the Queen Who Did Not Come Back : Famous Baccarat Case Recalled : King Edward as a Witness.

Y MEMORIES of the South African War are recalled about this time by men who returned from that baptism of fire for New Zealand troops. It is not often that a message comes back from one who did not return, and this thought occurred to Miss Wiggins, of Bury Street, Sumner, when she came across an old. yellowing letter, treasured for many years by her mother, that was written on board the Knight Templar by her brother, Trooper Clement Wiggins, of the Rough Riders, just before disembarking at East London. The voyage across the Indian Ocean provided many tasks and many rumours, one that the troops would not be wanted; another, that they were all going to London. “ Naturally, I should enjoy it of all things—to visit London, see the Queen before she dies, visit the museum, see a London play, eat a London dinner, and give Lord Salisbury a few hints on how to govern an Empire—these are trifles I would willingly cross another ocean for.” si? sS? £}HU RCH SERVICE on board was read from a little book compiled by Bishop Julius, who presented each Rough Rider with a copy. “ I notice,” says the writer, “ Captain Chaytor always reads the Asbolution, which he has no license to.” In another place, “ All troops at the front are having a very hard life, but they bear it well and without complaint.” Again: “ East London taps Bloemfontein, where Lord Roberts is, so it looks as if there is a likelihood of our joining him. Won’t it be an honour if we do. Fancy being with Roberts.” The letter ends at East London, where a neighbouring troopship proved to have Volunteers on board from Durham,

York and Liverpool. “ They cheered us and we replied, adding our war cry. We could hear the laugh that greeted it. We had been well drilled in the war cry on parade, and now it has a real ring of native vim in it.” Age has dimmed the Maori version. but the English translation remains: “ Be strong, be brave, uphold the power and supremacy of the Queen.” “ Lights out, so good-bye,” was the last message of this young Canterbury Soldier of the Queen. e^p T„ADY GREEN', one of the central figures in the sensational Tranby Croft baccarat case in 1891 has just died in England. Lady Green and her husband, Sir Edward Lycett Green, were involved in an action for slander brought by Sir William GordonCumming, who had been accused of cheating at baccarat at a house party at Tranby Croft, Doncaster, the home of Lady Green’s parents. King Edward (then Prince of Wales), who had been among t-he guests, was called as a witness by Sir William. The accusation was brought against Sir William Gordon-Cumming while a game was in progress. Sir William repudiated the charge, but, with the object of averting a scandal, he signed a document promising not to play cards for money again. Those present promised that the matter would go no further and that no one outside themselves would ever know what had occurred. The story leaked out, however, and Sir William brought an action for slander against those who had accused him. The trial was heard before Lord Chief Justice Coleridge. Explaining why he signed the paper promising never to play cards again. Sir William said that, though innocent, he wished

! to keep the Prince’s name out of the | affair. A juryman asked the Prince whether he believed Sir William guilty, and ! the Prince replied that he had no option, ! in the face of the evidence, to do other- ! wise. The jury returned a verdict for the I defendants, and Sir William resigned his { commission in the Army. egp I CIXTY YEARS AGO (from the “Star” 10 of May 25, 1874) Advertisement.—Colombo Street coach. A coach will run between Waltham (by Colombo Street) and Post Office six times daily, or to suit the public. Henry Dodd, proprietor. Queen’s Birthday in Lyttelton.—The principal stores were closed, but owing to the heavy rain no bunting was flown. At noon, a gun detachment of the Lyttelton Volunteer Artillery fired a salute. Furious riding.—A boy aged 12 years was charged with an offence of this nature. Constable Loose proved that he saw accused, who was carrying wheat on horseback, gallop at a dangerous pace down Colombo Street. A fine of 10s was imposed. Land in Otago. -The Dunedin Evening Star of May 8 states that the land sales of Otago during the year ended March 31 last amounted to 166.333 acres, realising £163,158. The town sales amounted to 777 acres, which realised £S2I9, and the auction sales to £30,887. The area held under pastoral lease i s 6,405,018 acres, and under license 20,000 acres. The amount of land sold up to the present time is 1,451,477 acres of rural and pastoral, and 4771 town, the revenue of which has amounted, since 1554, to £1,712,104.