BLENHEIM IN FLOOD TIME.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 1, 7 January 1893, Page 15

BLENHEIM IN FLOOD TIME.

IT is to be hoped that some good Blenheimite, whose feelings are wounded by pictures being given of that pretty little township at the untoward but picturesque time, will immediately send us some sketches of the prettiest parts of the town and surroundings for reproduction in these pages, that pictures may appear of Blenheim as she is. We are indebted for our views to Mr Marcy, whose photographs would do credit to some of the most famous firms in the English metropolis. On the occasion of the visit of the M. H.R.’s to Blenheim ‘ Bird’s-eye,’whose admirable Parliamentary Silhouettes are well known to Graphic readers, sent us an amusing pen and ink sketch of a well-known citizen of Blenheim. It arrived, however, somewhat late, and was held over till a future occasion. It is herewith given with the views. * Birds’s eye ’ has assured us that the sketch will be most laughed at and appreciated by those most nearly concerned. The accompanying portrait is that of a well-known Blenheim celebrity, Mr Sutherland John McAlister, auctioneer and contractor, and one of that pretty inland town’s most substantial citizens —he weighs about twenty three stone. The story goes that when Mr McAlister was a youth he

could hide behind a clothes prop, but nowadays, so abnormal has been his development, a cartload of clothes props could safely bide behind him, as will be evident to the reader who glances at his photograph. Mr McAlister is a man of genial temperament and large hospitality, which latter is freely placed at the disposal of the visitor to Blenheim, and anyone who calls there without making his acquaintance has missed one of the main attractions of the plr.ce.

ONE OF ITS CELEBRITIES

Mr McAlister is one of a family of twelve children who. with their parents, crme to the colony in 1862 He is now forty-four years of age, having been born in the year 1848, at Clyth, Caithness, Scotland. His early youth was spent on a sheep and cattle station, but at the age oi eighteen he joined the Telegraph Department, and displayed such un-

usual adaptability and expertness that his rise in the service was phenomenal, and at the age of twenty one he was appointed Inspector of Telegraphs for the provinces of Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland, a position he retained for fourteen years. Having decided to settle in Marlborough about the time the amalgamation of the Post and Telegraph Departments took place, he was then appointed Chief Postmaster at Blenheim, a post he tilled for five years, resigning it voluntarily on account of ill-health brought on by the sedentary nature of the employment ; since which he has followed the business of auctioneer, land agent, con-

tractor, etc. Mr McAlister resigned from the civil service with twelve months’ leave of absenes on full pay in lien of a pension, his length of service being several years short of the pension term, besides receiving the most flattering testimonials from the Department. In addition to these credentials Mr McAlister holds, and is justly proud of, a complimentary letter from Sir Julius Vogel acknowledging in cordial terms the great assistance rendered by him in the introduction of the Duplex System of telegraphy now in vogue in the colony.

Mr McAlister has filled many important positions in Marlborough, including the Presidency of the Marlborough Agricultural Association, and is largely interested in pas toral pursuits, for, being a man of immense energy, he runs a big station in addition to his other varied occupations. He is a fluent speaker, also, and sighs to exercise

his gifts in this direction on the floor of the Wellington Korerorium, to which he naturally believes he would bring considerable weight. He contested the last general election unsuccessfully, but that notwithstanding, it is whispered that he means to try his luck next time, prompted, as all disinterested candidates are, by a feeling that it is a thousand pities that the colony should be deprived of so wide a knowledge and extensive a perception of her requirements. Should he succeed, I would respectfully suggest to him that, in order to intensify the impression he will undoubtedly make upon the Hou«e, he should share his bench with the member for the Taiera.