People Talked About

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue XVII, 22 October 1904, Page 2

People Talked About

A Successful New Zealander. Mr. Harold E. Light, F.G.0., is a young gentleman of high musical attainments, who has just been appointed organist and choirmaster of Pitt-street Methodist Church, Auckland. Mr. Light is a native of New Zealand, being born in Napier. At an early age he displayed a talent for music, playing in the Kent Terrace Presbyterian Church,Wellington, on an American organ at a concert the “Gloria” from Mozart’s 12th Mass when only 10 years of age. He furthered his musical studies under different teachers, including Mr. T. C. Webb, L.T.C.L.. the then organist of St. Mark’s Church. Wellington. Later Mr. Light, senr., and family shifted their residence to Nelson, and after only being there a short time Master Light was appointed organist of St. Mary’s Church. After having pl yed there for nearly two years the congregation presented Mr. Light with a purse of sovereigns. Just then a vacancy occurred at All Saints’ Anglican Church, and Mr. Light, then 16, was appointed to the position. Mr. Light fulfilled his position there for nearly three years, and his father decided to take him Home to England to further pursue his musical studies. The vestry of the church gave him leave of absence for two years, and the choir presented him with a handsome travelling bag. The college ehosen was the London Organ School and International College of Music. Mr. Light attended the College for nearly the two years, and while there passed all the examinations possible at the College in theory, also one senior organ examination (Dr. Charles Frost, examiner), gaining first-class honours, 04 per cent. He also entered for and pissed the examination of Fellow of the Guild of Organists, which enables him to append the initials F.G.O. to his name. This diploma is considered a very high

one in England, and it carries with it a hood and cloak to be worn at all functions. The “Kensington News” of July, 1901, speaks thus of the examination: “There were nine candidates for the F.G.0., the examiners being F. Noble, Esq., A.R.C.M.. Organist at York Cathedral, and H. C. Perrin, Esq., Mus. Bac., of Canterbury Cathedral. The candidates’ ages ranged from 45 to 19 years, ani were from all parts of the Empire. The subjects taken w’ere organ work, harmony. counterpoint, musical history, acoustics, choir training, and harmonising melodies, marks of 60 per cent, to pass in each section for the Fellowship After the examination it was found that only two had passed, the highest number of marks being obtained by Mr. Harold Light, of Nelson. New Zealand, the youngest candidate. The 13th annual dinner was given in the Holborn Restaur ant, on July 9 to welcome the candidates. the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Kensington presiding. In opening the proceedings he welcomed the guests of the evening, which were about 120. all leading musicians. His Lordship said the Guild was inaugurated for the purpose of taking a lot of trouble from the vestry. clergy, and congregation of any church. The organist applying for a situation as organist must have a diploma to show his qualifications. No organist is eligible to wear the hood and cloak unless he holds the diploma. Mr. Patterman. organist of St. James’ Church, Piccadilly, said that he was very pleased to see our young friend Mr. Light possess such musical abilities. He had never heard in his life the examiners speak so well of any candidate they had ever passed for the F.G.O. We learn Mr. Harold Light has been graduated in the London Organ College under Dr. York Trotter. 22 Prinees-street. and great credit, is due to the Professor.” Mr. Light returned to Nelson earlv in 1902.

and resumed his position as organist and choirmaster of All Saints’. He remained there until a short while back, when, owing to the. strain of the work, he was compelled to resign. The choir presented him with a gold medal and a dressing ease. Not long afterwards a vacancy occurred at Pitt-street Church, and Mr. Light was appointed out of 13 applicants. Some Australian Politicians. "Ithuriel” in the “Australasian,” when describing a recent debate in the Federal Parliament, gives some impressions of several well-known politicians on the other side. He says:—“Much depends in politics on the impression made by the opener of a debate. A valiant and resourceful leader not only raises the spirits of his followers, but furnishes them with suggestions. He sets the tone of the discussion, just as a tuning-fork gives the pitch to a ehoir. Mr Watson commenced in B flat, and the speakers on his side have been flat —with one exception—all the week. Cobden, speaking on the commercial treaty with France, used Bright, who was a cotton spinner, as an illustration. ‘My friend who sits near me.’ he said, ‘spins long yarns of poor quality.’ The members of the House of Commons laughed so long and loudly that the sentence was never finished. But it furnishes an admirable description of much of our debate, ‘long varns of poor quality.’ Mr Watson is largely responsible for this falling away in what was expected to be a great debate. It is said that he has won his nosition as chief of the Labour party because he is a man of compromises and middle courses. That characteristic makes him a failure in attack. Sir George Turner was always feeble in the same wav—indeed, there is much resemblance between the two in other respects. At any rate, when Mr Watson sat down he had said nothing effective, and left the depressing feeling behind that there was nothing to be said. “Of the Prime Minister’s speech it may be fairlv said that if it was not the best a. Melbourne audience has heard from bim. it was certainly the best he has delivered in the Federal Parliament. At times we have heard Mr Reid spread small matter over a great snare. Hr showed what powerful use a great debater can make of good material. There was a strategic marshalling of facts

and an overwhelming support of solid argument and bright raillery, which made his attack irresistible. He did not content himself with defence, but carried the war into the enemy’s country, putting his assailants on their defence. It was complained of an American orator. ‘He talks, an’ he talks, but he don’t p’int out; an’ he argifies an’ he argifies, but he never shows wherein.’ Now Mr Reid does ‘p’int out,’ and he does show wherein.’ Every illustration was keenly applied, every argument driven home. Infinite readiness and bright good humour vivified all. Mr Reid does his speaking with such readiness and apparent want of effort that we take it as a matter of course from him. Certainly, the assurance of those who knew him in the State Parliament that he is seen to much better advantage in office than in Opposition is likely to be fulfilled, if be bo allowed to stay.” Have Yon Seen Yourself ? "My dear doctor, you do so remind me of Lord Kitchener.” But I am Lord Kitchener,” suavely replied the great soldier. This amusing misunderstanding occurred at a fashionable garden party (says "Answers”). One of the lady guests was searching for a doctor friend of hers, who bore a striking resemblance to Lord Kitchener, and, being unaware that the eminent soldier was a guest, mistook him for her friend. “Everyone has a double,” is an axiom that is being substantiated every day, and no one knows when and where he or she will meet the counterpart of him or herself. This curious duplication on the part of Nature has been the cause of innumerable experiences—exciting, amusing, and occasionally disconcerting. That of Adolf Beck is a recent case in point. This man actually served five years’ penal servitude, and was convicted for another offence, which had been committed by another man who was a complete stranger to him.

A few years ago an absconding clerk was “wanted” for forgery. A minute description of the man was circulated, and a vigorous hunt was made for him. Early one evening a telegram was received from Southampton.

“Smithson arrested!” The police chuckled, and were complimenting them-

selves upon their fortune, when another telegram came to hand from Liverpool also announcing the arrest of the forger. The police were in a quandary. There was no alternative but to see the two men together. This was done, but even then a difficulty was experienced in identifying the criminal, as the men were as alike as two peas. A firm of solicitors were in quest of a young lady who was the heiress to a large fortune. As her whereabouts was unknown, advertisements, together with

her portrait, were published. Two ladies who saw the portraits duly pre sented themselves to the solicitors. Here was a dilemma. The two claimants were identical in height, build, and other characteristics; and. to make the matter more complex, friends and relatives could not possibly identify the rightful person. Elaborate research as to the past lives of the two women had to be carried out, and it was several months before the claim was settled. There recently died in the West End a gentleman who was the exact counterpart of His Majesty the King. And this striking likeness proved his undoing and ultimate ruin. Wherever he went he was mistaken for His Majesty. This pleased his vanity to such an extent that he carefully followed the King’s pastimes, and sedulously copied his styles of dress. This procedure proved rather expensive, and the King’s double finally retired into oblivion. and died a pauper. This indiscriminate doubling on the part of Nature once led to a very dramatic episode. Among the unfortunate victims in a railway disaster was a. man who was identified as the sole heir to considerable property. When his death had been legally and duly testified, the estate was divided among the deceased’s relatives. A few months later, the dead man suddenly reappeared among the many who were enjoying the handsome legacies of their thoughtful relative. Naturally, such a resurrection caused a flutter of excitement in the comfortable dovecots. Even those who knew the deceased man most intimately could hardly believe their eyes. The resemblance was most striking, even to the minutest detail. The mannerisms were similar —even to a slight lisp and impediment in his speech.

But the heirs were not disposed to surrender their newly-acquired wealth without demur, although dozens of acquaintances of the deceased could not pledge their word that the claimant was not the dead man. When, however, the double was threatened with a lawsuit, realising that he could never withstand the fire of cross-examination, he put an end to bis pretensions—and his own life as well.

Mr. James Reid. We give this week a portrait of Mr James Reid, of Motutapu, whose island home is always visited by thousands of Aucklanders during the summer months. The “season” may be said to have opened on Labour Day, when the genial owner of Motutapu welcomed those who braved the elements and went down to witness the water carnival. For

the next few months the pretty little bays round the island will be favourite haunts on holidays, and yachtsmen will foregather there for the week-end cruise. We have grown so used to having the run of Motutapu that we sometimes forget that its green acres are private property, and one wonders what would happen if they were in the hands of a less hospitable man than the kindly Scotchman, whose features are familiar to so many Aucklanders and visitors. There are other islands in the Hauraki Gulf, but none of them could ever quite fill the place of Motutapu. Distinguished visitors to Auckland are invariably invited down to Mr Reid’s place for a day’s deer stalking, so that his reputation as a host is not confined to this part of the world, and some of his most valued souvenirs are the grateful tokens sent him by visitors in remembrance of pleasant days spent on sunny Motutapu. Doubles. The incident of Mr Adolf Beek and his double almost makes one think there is something in the doctrine held by certain sects in India that all men are created in pairs. The odd thing is that the doubles are either good and bad—as has so distressingly been exemplified in the case of Mr Beck and his impersonator —or rich and poor. The doubles of Royalty are nearly always people of the working classes. The “double” of the late Queen, for instance, is an aged pew-opener in a North London chureh. The resemblance in face, in build, in mien and manner, is downright astonishing. Oddly, the old lady was born in the same year as Queen Victoria, and was widow ed when Prince Albert died. Another woman, who is the very counterpart of the late Empress Frederick, works as a monthly nurse. In her ease the resemblance extends to the style of dressing, although the nurse in ques-

tion never saw her royal double, and is even unfamiliar with the published portraits of her. But this is not the case with a lady who bears a striking likeness to Princess Henry of Battenberg. She is as conscious as she is proud of the faet. end deliberately accentuates the resemblance in her mode of gowning herself. As Princess Henry always makes for simplicity in her costumes, her “double" has neither a difficult nor a costly task in copying her. There are as many as eight men whom one could name who might quite readily be mistaken at first sight for King Edward. One is a farmer who lives not far from Sandringham; the other is the very competent editor of a sixpenny weekly newspaper. While on the subject of royal “doubles,” the Duke of Connaught’s Dromio is. of all things in the world, a brewer’s agent, doing business with most of the messes of the crack regiments. The late Sir William Harcourt’s alter ego in the flesh drives a Kilburn omnibus. and a very imposing figure be makes on his box. His comrades on the road call him “Sir William.” just as a certain Manchester J.P. used to be dubbed “the Duke.” from a resemblance to the late Duke of Cambridge which might have made him pass muster as a twin brother. Oddly. the twopenny Jehu has several times carried the real Sir William in his ’bus. Mr Thomas Catling talks in a weekly contemporarv of his remarkable resemblance to Sir John Aird. the member for North Paddington, who. as a great contractor, has built his own monuments in several parts of the world. Mr Catling was first made familiar nt a dinner in 1892 with the fact that he is Sir John’s double: a niece of th» baronet even mistook him for her uncle on the Calais boat some years later: and one of the great contractor’s workmen was deceived bv the likeness into

consulting Mr Catling on a point relating to a task in hand. At the Reform Club Mr Catling is mistaken for Sir John; yet, after all. when the doubles are seen together the resemblance is not so apparent. When Mr Catling on one occasion replied to a toast which Sir John had proposed, hardly a soul present seemed to note the fact that both men were cast physically in much the same mould. Officers’ English. British officers in South Africa knew how to fight, yet they did not always succeed in writing good English. In the London “Spectator” a writer gives three samples of brigade orders, in proof of the assertion that certain officers of sufficient military attainments to hold Staff appointments would be decidedly the better for instruction in the gentle art of saying what they meant in their mother-tongue. In the first instance, a certain Brigade Major would appear innocently to have regarded himself as equipped with the special powers of Joshua. Brigade Orders for a certain day in 1900 ran: “Reveille will be at 3.30 a.m. The Brigade will parade at 4 a.m. The Brigade will move at 4.15 a.m. The sun will rise at 5 a.m.” Secondly, it was during the guerilla war of 1901-2. after the building of the blockhouses, that it became necessary to check the habit of the men of sleeping outside the blockhouses for the sake of coolness and comfort. A certain staff officer thereupon issued the following quaint order: “No one is permitted to sleep outside the blockhouses except the sentries.” Thirdly, though, the intention of the order is clear, its phraseology is not: “Men on outpost duty are forbidden to strike matches on the sky-line.”