Here and There.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XXI, 24 May 1902, Page 1006

Here and There.

In an editorial (which proved to be prophetic) on October sth, 1867, the Taranaki “Herald" said: "To dairy farming we fully believe that thia province will sooner or later have to come.”

A meeting of the Women's Christian Temperance Union at Napier passed a resolution regretting that the King, by his action at an English brewery, encouraged the use of alcoholic liquors.

Mr Major, Hawera’s retiring Mayor, was presented last week with a solid silver epergne and salver, subscrio for by the public, in recognition of his 20 years' service to the borough in the capacity of councillor (eight years) aud Mayor (12 years).

The Boer prisoners at Tucker’s Island, Bermuda, are provided by their American sympathisers with the latest popular games down to ping-pong, writes an officer in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which is guarding the prisoners.

The jewellers (says a Southern paper) report quite a phenomenal demand for greenstone ornaments and trinkets during the past few weeks. They are being bought by visitors to the Coronation celebrations in London, and are intended as presents to their friends at Home.

“His father is a Filipino and his mother a Maori, and between the two he talks a language which no one seems to lie able to understand,” said counsel in the Supreme Court at Napier lately in the case of a Filipino charged with horse stealing. As accused understood a smattering of Spanish, and an interpreter being available, the case was able to proceed.

The National Council of the Women of New Zealand at their meeting last week passed a resolution affirmingthe necessity of giving every domestic servant one half-day’s holiday in the wees. The Women’s Council at Napier last week passed a resolution deploring the militarism which is extending its ravages over the world, increasing the burdens of every people, fomenting national and international jealousies, and inciting virulent racial hatreds. The Council considers the difficulties between nations always capable of peaceful settlement if mediatory methods be employed in time, and it therefore leaks forward hopefully to the result of the establishment of an international Court of Arbitration.

Speaking on the South African war at Motueka, Sir Joseph Ward said that, as far as < ne could judge, there was every probability of peace being procla'med. He remarked that it would be a singular coincidence if the declaration of peace took place simultaneously with the arrival of the New Zealand Premier (Mr Seddon) in South Africa. All were anxious to see the termination of the war, and if such a happy augury should occur upon the date of the arrival o' the Premier of the colony of New Zealand, a colony which had done its full share in assisting to fight the battles of the Empire in South Africa, it would, while being a unique occurrence, give pleasure to a great many of the Premier’s admirers.

A very old soldier died at Timaiu the other day in the person of Sergt.Major Richard Pelvin. When a mere lad of 16 he enlisted, and at one time or another in his long career had served in Norfolk Island, India (where he was stationed in the stirring times of the forties), Malta, and Ireland. After five years’ service in the West Kent Militia at Maidstone, Sergeant Pelvin decided to migrate to New Zealand, and landed at Tiniaru in 1863, and as a colonist he proved himself to be as valuable as he was a soldier in the armies of King George IV. and of Queen Victoria,

If a man receives a heavy blow from another he is said sometimes to have been “knocked into a cocked hat”; but while giving evidence at the Police Court one day last week a prisoner stated that a policeman struck him and “knocked him into a cart wheel.”

Those who take a pride in the way in which young colonials distinguish themselves in other lands will be gratified by the fact that DetectiveSergeant Dungey, who has just returned to Melbourne, encountered several well-known colonial speilers in London, all of them well dressed and prosperous. One of the men, who was a well-known habitue of Melbourne before he left a year ago, told the detective that London was a “splendid place,” and he had no reason to regret his enterprise in trying his skill in the larger centre of civilisation.

A boy in Suburbia swallowed a halfpenny one day recently, and his mother in a state of great alarm at once sent for a doctor. The terrified boy looked up imploringly. “No, mother,” gasped he. “don’t send for the doctor; send for our clergyman.” “Send for Mr , why, my boy, what can he do?” “Yes, mother, send for him; I heard father say that Mr — understands how to get money out of anybody.”

Kritzinger, the Boer commandant, who is now a prisoner of war in our hands, is famous for being an out-and-out “dandy.” He was never found in the field shaggy and unkempt, but was always spick and span, even to the extent of a clean high collar, which, by the way, was of the patent make, which, brushed with a damp cloth, will appear fresh and clean. When captured he wore, slung across his shoulder by a strap, a pocket edition of a dressing case containing all the necessary impedimenta for an elaborate get-up. He also posed as a wag. On one occasion when with his commando he was being hotly pursued by Colonel , he left the following note fastened to the branch of a tree at the farmhouse he had just vacated:—“Commandant Kritzinger was here an hour ago with his commando. He presents his compliments to Colonel with regrets that these cannot be of a personal nature. He has with him 300 men, and will by this time be twenty miles ahead. He regrets Colonel has had this trouble for nix.” This identical colonel was in at the death, or rather capture, which shortly followed.

A Southern member of the Sixth Contingent recently wrote that the country around Wakkerstroom “is splendid —something quite equal to if not better than anything I have seen in New Zealand. As far as the eye can see grass, up to the knees, on gently undulating plains, and abounding in water. In fact, you can’t help wondering at the splendid opening there will be for capital when this war is settled. There is no doubt about it,” he adds, “the Boers are pretty cool. Fancy them shearing their sheep and planting oat and wheat patches. We got a mob of 20C0 ewes with lambs the other day, the formei- all shorn and freshly branded.’’

With regard to the recent applications that the colours of the 58th Regiment be removed from the Supreme Court to the Free Library, it appears that the authorities of St. Paul’s Church have written to Colonel Denny, of the 58th Regiment, now serving in South Africa, with a view to having the colours permanently deposited in St. Paul’s Church. The colours, it is stated, were sent to be deposited in old St. Paul’s Church, where they remained for some months. They were subsequently removed at the request of Bishop Selwyn, and placed in the Government House, but this did not meet with the approval of the colonel of the regiment, and they were "temporarily” deposited in the Supreme

Court. The authorities of St. Paul’s urge, in support of their application that the colours were donated to St. Paul’s, that the original abjection to their deposit in the church has lapsed, that it is exceptional for consecrated colours to be preserved in a non-conse-crated building, and that in a stone ehurch they will be safer from risk of fire. Colonel Denny only consented to the former request that the colours be removed to the Free Library utauer the impression that it was the wish of the majority of the citizens of Auckland, and because they would be in a building open to all. He suggests that a representative committee would be perhaps the best means of coming to a final settlement of the matter.

The secretary of the Federal Labour party of the Commonwealth (Mr J. C. Stewart), in a letter read at a meeting of the Wellington Trades Council, applied for information with reference to the conditions of Austrian gumdiggers in New Zealand. What were the conditions under which the Austrians were admitted into the colony, and the effect their presence had upon the industrial life of the country? One of the delegates, who had had some experience on the gumfields, said that in the north the presence of the Austrians had had a prejudicial effect upon the conditions of labour. Another delegate had an equally strong objection to Austrians, Chinese, and Kanakas—they were all no good to European communities. “They are too thrifty for ns altogether.” he said. “They can live very cheaply, and will work for 16 hours per day upon a small wage.” It was decided that the Australian letter be sent on to the Auckland Trades Council, with a request to supply the information desired.

’Tis said the use of the monocle or eyeglass is on the increase amongst men in- London. Certain well-known men would not look the same without their eyeglass, which seems part and parcel of them. We all know examples of the sort of thing I mean, both local and otherwise (who that met him. for example. would know Henry Whittaker, of Auckland, without his). But the rank and file have suddenly, says a London writer, become near-sighted of a single eye. Instances are given of their inability to keep the glass steady—-one youth dropped his into the salad and smashed it, to his great discomfiture. Now the ability to hold .the monocle is an art. and its steadiness is a distinguishing feature of distinguished wearers. It is only—-well, the “rank and file” who wear it and smash it in their plates.

They had met on a holiday, and had spent a delightful fortnight, yachting, fishing, and gathering shells, and had been to a concert and to a local race meeting. Young Noodleton bad paid marked attention to the country maiden, who was both pretty and clever, and whose father was said to be well in. Noodleton’s screw at the bank was £9O per annum. At the end of her holiday her brother drove over from the farm to take her home, and as she took her seat in the buggy Noodleton ventured to whisper: “ I shall think of you to-morrow before you will be thinking of me.” I don’t think so,” responded the country maiden, “ I shall be up at daybreak feeding the calves!” This story was told as a good joke, but it seems to have another side, too. Who does not know the awful sinking at the heart when one rises after a holiday enjoyment and returns to the uncongenial daily round of common tasks.

One of the most fatal kisses ever known was that given by a young Spanish sailor to his fiancee nine years ago, for it brought about the decimation of a town. The Madonna, a Spanish vessel, put into the little seaport of Candalo, on the coast, of Florida, flying the yellow flag, and. was accordingly ordered to remain in quarantine, for more than one member of the crew exhibited symptoms of bubonic plague. But tne sailor in question disobeyed orders, and put off in a boat for the shore one evening, where, having sought out his fiancee, whom he had not seen for some years, he embraced her. A few days later the effects of the kiss became painfully evident.

though the culprit returned to the •hip -by stealth the same night. The girt succumbed to the plague, which spread through the town so rapidly that more than 200 persons died out of a total population of 1500.

A large whale was caught in the Marlborough Sounds a few days ago by the Messrs. Jackson. The whale measures 75 feet in length, and was accompanied by a calf, which was captured By Mr. Hebberley. The calf was taken on to Picton, and will be towed over to Wellington for exhibition.

It is said that colonials are show•ng an increasing disposition to become fishermen. For some time (says the Wellington “Post”) the fishing fleets of the colony have to a great extent been owned or controlled by foreigners, particularly Italians and Greeks. The development of fisheries and of native-born crews is of interest as being the possible foundation of a future naval reserve.

The following extract from a letter by a New Zealander in the South African Civil Service speaks for itself: “You have to live here to appreciate frozen mutton. Now I am satisfied that it is the greatest boon that has been conferred on suffering humanity, for really the local fresh meat at Pretoria would make excellent boot soles, ■nd, what is more, it would not require any tanning.”

In connection with the great volcanic eruptions, a Wellington paper reminds its readers that the Krakatoa eruption affected the atmosphere throughout the world, as shown by barometric readings. Before the news •f that catastrophe (1883) was published in Wellington, Sir James Hector noticed the pen of his barograph make a sudden movement. He remarked to. two gentlemen who were ■peaking to him at the time that something out of the ordinary had happened somewhere in the East. Subsequently investigations were made, •nd it was ascertained that the same phenomenon had been observed in other parts of the world.

“I had a little land in Central Queensland until the drought starved me out,” said an able-bodied man, who appeared with his wife and young child before the Benevolent institution Trustees, Wellington, on Monday afternoon, and asked for temporary relief. They had been a week in the city, and were destitute. “How came that about?” was the enquiry. “Well,” was the reply, “it was this way. We had a bit of money when we went on board the steamer, but on the way across the wife was sick. She had the money in the bosom of her dress at the time, and lost the lot of it overWbard—about £ 17.” The applicant added that this mishap left him with only a few shillings on arrival in Wellington—just enough to pay a week’s board and lodging, and he had not yet been able to find work. The trustees advanced five shillings for rent, and allowed rations for a week, the cost to be worked out. The man expressed his thankfulness for the assistance.

With . a child once fairly launched into the realm of religious investigation it is hard to say where his curiosity and daring combined will take him. One such immature philosopher remarked to his mother, apropos of aiothing in particular: “Mother, two men rule the world, don’t they?” “Which two?” she asked, wondering whether King Edward and President Kruger had figured so much in the minds of boys lately as to have a chance of selection. “God and Old Nick,” said the youngster, blundering as boys will into a great theological truth. That same night the boy was going to bed, and his thoughts clearly had still the religious trend. “Mother,” he asked, “why do you light a candle and make it light when God purpose- • ly made it dark?”

It must be rather harassing to be "known to the reporters” of the Yankee papers. Any one at all well known in society, cannot go about the most private of domestic affairs without attracting attention and comment. Here is a clipping from a

New York “Herald,” which reached the “Qrafihic” by the ’Frisco mail: — ARE MMW OELRICHS AND FIANCE NEBT SEEKING? Newport, this day:—During the recent visit here of Mias Lily Oelrichs •nd Peter D. Martin they were acoompanied by Mrs Charles M. Oelrichs. While here several of the large cottages which are for rent were inspected by the trio. This has given rise to the belief that Mrs Oelrichs was assisting the young people in the selection of a house for the Summer, and that Miss Oelrichs and Mr Martin will be married here during the summer season. Witnesses in the Police Court are sometimes afflicted with amazing density, but the following, which took place in a Court not two thousand miles from Auckland, is a rather fine sample:— “You have just now said you are a widow. How long has your husband been dead?” asked a prisoner in the dock of an elderly female, with whom he had been consorting for a couple of years, but who was proceeding against him .for assaulting her with an iron bar. “My husband?” was the reply. “I never had one.” (Laughter.} Accused: “When did your husband leave?” Witness: “I have been a widow 23 years, and I have been working for you, and I have got a daughter—” Magistrate: “Answer the question, and—” Witness: “I have been a widow 23 years—” Accused: “You say you are a widow—when did your husband—” Witness: “I have been a widow 23 years ago, and can prove it to you. I can bring the birth of his death here.” (Laughter.) Accused: “How long ago is it since your husband ran away?” Witness: “I never had one.” (Laughter.) Accused: “How long ago is it since your husband ran away—answer me that?” Witness: “My husband died in the Old Country twenty-three years ago You never knew my husband.” Tlie cross - examination of the witness was continued. for some time longer in the same strain, but with no more satisfactory results as regards the mystery of the missing husband.

As was pointed out some time ago in the “Graphic,” cases of cruelty to animals are becoming shockingly prevalent in this colony. The. latest case is one of the most shameful this journal has ever recorded. According to a press message from Gisborne, J. H. Skerrett, of Napier, was convicted for cruelty to a horse. Having ridden it until the animal could carry, him no further, he turned it adrift. The horse was unable to rise five days after, with its back rotten, and in intense pain. He was fined £lO and costs £5 2/, or two months’ imprisonment in Napier gaol.

A wretched little 20th Century boy rushed into the room in which his mother was sitting a day or two ago, and asked in anxious tones, “'Mother, can you guess how many letters there are in the postman's bag?” “No, my son, how can I say, there may be only a few or there may be fifty,” said the mother. “Well, 1] know, there are only three,” said the terror. “Oh, well, if you have been counting them of course you know,” was the reply. “I know there are three, B.A.G. bag, so there are only three letters in the postman’s bag.” The lady wonders if a few years’ discipline at a very strict distant school may not have a wholesome effect on that “nipper.”

There are various “pushes” in Sydney, as any New Zealanders who have visited the city of “our beautiful harbour” know right well. But the most formidable is at present known as “The Rats .Push.” “The other evening,” according to an evening journal, the ‘Rats Push' held a dance and card party. The funds being low they were unable to hire a hall. As p. result, they selected the footpath under an electric light in front of Her Majesty’s Theatre. The party was proceeding merrily when the burly

form of • constable appeared in the distance. The dancers broke away from their partners, the card players picked up their cards, and there was a general eeat ter in all directions. None were trapped. Later on the constable returned, and foand that the dance had been started again. As soon as the dancers saw the helmet shining in the distance they bolted.

who is an athlete,, put on a spurt and captured one of the ‘rodents,* another constable ‘trapped’ another, and a third was seized by a civilian. They had nothing to say when the police related the above facts to the Bench. They were each fined £2, in default one month’s imprisonment.”

Much sympathy has been expressed for all the members of Mr. Williamson’s “Pen Hur” theatrical company in their misfortune, but the case of one of the performers has not received its share of commisseration. The misfortunes of the camel have been in some respects greater than those of the human actors. They have lest in salary, and have had the mortification of being obliged to appear in roles never contemplated at, the outset of the tour, but they have been able to maintain their self-re-spect and honourable positions in their profession. The unfortunate camel, however, has been ruthlessly degraded to the level of the Barnum business. He was sold to the Zoo, and the Sydney Zoo, of all places in the world—that shunned collection of reeking filth, whose pestiferous odours climb over the fence and assault the noses of the people on the Coogee trams. Instead of rocking and undulating across the stage in gorgeous trappings never seen on land or sea, he is tent to herd with the mangy kangaroos and dilapidated monkeys in the rat-haunted inferno at Randwick! What a disastrous wreck for any self-respecting ship of the desert! It is certainly a hard lot, as hard as trying to go’ through a needle’s eye, but it is not all. The last straw had yet to be laid on the camel’s back. They tried to blame him Tor bringing the plague into the Zoo.

Speaking of the Sydney Zoo, one of the wallabies has died, allegedly from plague. A veracious writer sends the following account of the tragedy: It would appear from the message that “the wallaby had been complaining for some days past of feeling unwell, and had been tenderly nursed by the ether inmates of that respectable institution. One. evening they all felt sleepy, and the tiger kindly volunteered to sit up with the patient and act the part of night nurse. The offer was thankfully accepted, though the wallaby seemed strangely ungrateful. In the morning, however, nothing- was to be seen of the marsupial, save a few bones and part of his tail. The tiger, being unable to furnish any satisfactory explanation, the human beings in charge of the “Zoo” called in the medical attendants. These gentlemen, after a cold and distant diagnosis of the tiger, affirmed that the wallaby had died of plague. Indeed, as the tiger partook of a very poor breakfast, the physicians were suspicious thaThe also had contracted the fell disease. However, as he recovered during the day, and ate a hearty lunch, their fears were allayed, though it is understood the quadruped will be kept under observation for a few days.”

The game seems exceedingly scarce in the Auckland district this year, and shootists have had no good bags to compensate for the detestable weather. In Taranaki things are better. A well-known Taranaki sport informs the New Plymouth evening journal that he has had fair sport with the gun this year. So far he has knocked over 23 pheasants and 11 hares. At Inglewood recently he bagged 13 hares and 11 pheasants in three days. Mr Tippins added that he brought down 10 of the hares with 11 shots, not a bad performance. “I got in among a regular mob of them,” remarked Mr Tippins.

An opossum was killed by a dog at Doyleston, Canterbury, the other day. The animal was exhibited at the Leeston sale and excited a lot of curiosity, not one in twenty being

able to classify it. It was variously described •« a fox. wewJ. stoat, mongoose, squirrel, and ffiago. How it came to be at Doyleston is a complete mystery, and it nearly beeted a large sheep dog before it was killed.

Deer are rapidly spreading ia Hawke’s Bay. A visitor from the country informs the local papers that a herd of 27 were seen the other day on the Matapiro run, whilst there are many at Olrig, really splendid looking animals. Behind the Ruahine deer are in great abundance. Probably shooting licenses for deer will be issued by the Acclimatisation Society ere long.

A good story comes from a certain column at the front, and is related by the S.A. “Review.” A commanding officer impressed on his subordinates the importance of adopting Boer tactics. Shortly after two of nis officers —a captain and a libu tenant—hit on a plan- Asking permission, they obtained leave to go out Boer-hunt-ing with their squad of mounted infantry. Our officers had managed to obtain a large quantity of slop clothing which they had hidden some distance from camp. Arrived at this hiding place they and their men speedily exchanged their khaki for the slop suits. At this very time the Boers were disporting themselves in khaki to deceive our troops, and they were quite outwitted by this unexpected ruse of playing their own game. Two laagers were surprised by the slop-clad troop, and over fifty prisoners were taken without our losing a single man. Directly the authorities heard of this, the ‘ruse” was condemned as being “contrary to usage,” and our smart boys received a rap over the knuckles for their services. Dear, honest old England!

A man has just died in Belgorod at the age of 140. He has been a beggar for the whole of his life, his father having been a professional beggar before him. He alterately posed as a cripple and as a blind and dumb man, and three times in his long life did he attempt to work, but in vain. Nine times did he take a wife unto himself. As soon as he tired of one he calmly left her, and went to another town, when he would marry again. For a long time he lived in St. Peters-

burg, and it is interesting to note that in spite of his long life he was aot burdened with the three great •orrows—want, worry and family.

According to the Wellington “Free Lance,” a Thorndon servant-lady arrived at a fashionable doctor’s door on Wednesday night, in a state of tremendous excitement. Her mistress had gone mad! Would the doctor come quickly, please? Mr Swelldom had recently “gone bung,” and, perhaps, it had sent the lady crazy. Would he come round, and have a look at her? Doctor asked the maid what peculiar form the alleged lunacy took. Well, Mrs Swelldom (who weighs fifteen stone two and a-half pounds) was turning somersaults on the floor of the drawing-room, taking noisy breaths, and trotting round amongst the furniture. The doctor collared his bell-topper and bag, and betook himself Tinakori-road-wards. As he arrived, Mrs Swelldom had just executed a brilliant somersault, and was sitting, a good deal tired, in an easy chair. She wanted to know why the doctor had come. She did not feel ill. She had heard that a Swedish lady doctor had recommended the “somersault cure” for obesity, and she was a convert to the cure. It seems that the epidemic is spreading, and it is quite a fashionable pastime for ladies of obese habit to slowly trundle head-over-heels for an hour each day. If you notice that the fat women of your acquaintance are becoming thinner, be sure that they have been trying the “somersault cure.”

Many and peculiar are the stories told of the telephone. The following, however, actually occurred the other day. A tradesman residing in the. suburbs had occasion to communicate with a certain establishment in the city; and after some little delay was successful in getting “switched on.” “Are you there? was the stereotyped enquiry. For reply came the familiar strains of “Soldiers of the Queen.” “Oh, never mind that now,” he yelled baek, “I’m in a hurry; are you there?” Again he listened, just in time to hear the chorus of the first verse- He waited quietly for a few moments and took a walk round the room and made another effort. By this time the second verse was well under weigh, and the effort to open up communication was given up in despair. Some time afterwards it was found that a graphophone had been turned on playing the patriotic song, and the shrill and metallic notes of the ’phone quite drowned the rather thin voice of the speaker at that end of the wire.

Another telephone story arises cut of some of the wires getting crossed as they occasionally do. A certain well-to-do tradesman was communicating with his financial agent to arrange a draft for £6OO, and evidently the other party was negotiating with some fum for six yards of material for some purpose or other. All the tradesman could make out of combined wires was this: “Are you there? ’ “Yes.” “Then you “Oh, but six is too much.” “What on earth has that to do with you?” "1 think with care you could manage the job with two.” “Two what, you donkey?”. ‘Oh, yes. I’ll attend and ” “If you really want another couple of yards.” At this point negotiations were broken off, and it was not until after a personal interview that the status quo was restored.

The question as to the amount of allowance to His Worship the Mayor (Mr A- Kidd) for the ensuing year was considered at the City Council last week, and after considerable discussion the amendment, fixing the salary at £3OO, was carried by 7 votes to 5. On the Council’s resolution being communicated to the Mayor, Mr Kidd said that he was glad to hear of it. He did not know what the discussion had been about, but if an increase had been agreed upon, he would not have accepted it- He did not know what had been going on, but those who might have voted for an increase did an injustice if they thought he would accept it.