People and Their Doings.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20540, 15 February 1935, Page 6

People and Their Doings.

Well-known Croquet Player Writes Books on Cooking : The “ Mystery Politican ” of South Africa : General Booth took her Horse to England with her.

M R JAN HOFFMEYR, the South African Minister of the Interior, who made a striking speech at the banquet to the Empire Press Conference delegates, has been called “ the brilliant young mystery politician.” Ten years ago his great ability was recognised when he was appointed Administrator of the Transvaal —an office sought by public men twice his age. The shrewdness and commonsense which he, displayed then fully justified the selection. He refused to be drawn off by dreamers from the practical affairs of the moment. At the same time he kept clear of party entanglements. This attitude roused much speculation as his term of office drew to a close. He was accused by General Kemp of lacking the courage to belong to a political party. Hoffmeyr admitted that he was guilty of the “ atrocious crime of sitting on the fence.” “ During my Administiat.orship,” he added, “ my impartiality has won the recognition of all parties, and I shall not abandon it so long as I owe responsibility to the Government.” Soon afterwards General Hertzog offered him the High Commissionership in London, the highest paid post in the service of the Union, but he refused it, as also the renewal of his Transvaal appointment. 42? 42? 'JMIE OFFICES of J. P. Morgan and Company, at the corner of Broad and Wall Streets, New York, are associated with the careers of O. P. and M. J. Van Sweringen, the two former Cleveland newsboys, who, in a few years, built up the greatest financial pyramid in American railroad history. A few months ago that railroad empire was lost to the Morgans. During the boom years, the Van Sweringens were constantly in news and one heard their names whispered around Wall Street in connection with mighty deals. From a railroad spur, opening up a real estate development thev had promoted, they built their great trans continental system. The apex of the pvra mid was the Alleghany Corporation, control of which was vested in the Van Sweringens. The news leaked out a few months ago that the brothers were in default on $40,000,000 bank loans, against which they

had pledged the working control of their $2,000,000,000 railroad system. The bankers, headed by J. P. Morgan and Company, could have taken over control some time ago, but didn't do it.

Francis Colchester-Wemyss, who is well-known in Christchurch croquet circles, has been competing against the New Zealand and Australian croquet players again in Melbourne. He was in Christchurch about two years ago, but it is seven years since his previous visit to Melbourne, when he was captain and manager of the British croquet team. When serving with the Scottish Rifles in India and South Africa, polo and pigsticking were the sports of Sir Francis. To-day fly-fishing and croquet have taken their places. He is an angler who makes his own flies Thirty years ago, indeed, he won the silver medal for fly-dressing at the London fisheries exhibition, and in more recent years has annexed similar awards. He crossed the black and cinnamon turkeys to get the sort of spotted feathers he wanted for A Gurney sketch of his flies. When not solv Sir Francis Wemyss. mg a croquet problem he is collecting water colours of the early English school, adding to his extensive wardrobe of shirts or gathering materiol for a new book on wining and dining. He has already published “Pleasures of the Table” and “ Cooking and Wine.” Sir Francis says that croquet, called paille maille, was first played in Southern France in 1460. Introduced into London in the time of the Stuarts, it gave its name to Pall Mall. When the northern French took up the game they called it croquet, as it was then played with a crooked stick.

QENERAL EVANGELINE BOOTH, whose forthcoming visit to New Zea- i land is creating wdde interest, keeps remarkably fit in spite of her 69 years and her strenuous work. Riding and swimming are the General’s favourite sports. In America rbe indulged largely in both, but the circumstances of her new life in England would almost certainly cause her to reb particularly on riding as a physical preparation for her always heavy day’s work. When in the United States she was presented with a horse, to which she became greatly attached. Rider and horse crossed the Atlantic together. Living as she does in Wimbledon, the General is in an ideal district for engaging in her equestrian recreation. Most mornings she could be seen galloping over the expanse of the common. As to swimming, dangerous experiences in the past have not diminished the General’s passion for the water. On one occasion, in America, she became entangled in reeds, and was rescued with difficulty. g? 9 SIXTY 'YEARS AGO (from the “Star” of February 15. 1875) : New Plymouth, February 13.—Three men have arrived here, having walked overland from Auckland, via Waikato, Raglan and Mokau. They saw Te Kooti at Mokau, who sent a guide to show them the road. The Natives are very friendly, and supplied them with food. There appeared to be no difficulty in travelling that way, and the Natives made no objection. The Hanmer Plains Springs.—Mr Russell, owner of the Jollie’s Pass Hotel, has made arrangements with the Nelson Government to open up the springs on the Hanmer Plains. Considerable improvements have been made to the hotel near them, and ere long it is hoped that a coach will be running direct to them. Sharks.—An Otago contemporary of a recent date s&ys:—The skipper of the fishing cutter Nautilus reports that sharks are swarming off Otago Heads, and when the cutter was becalmed outside last week absolutely surrounder her. The blue species, the most voracious of the shark tribe, seemed to predominate,