People We Hear About

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 21, 26 May 1904, Page 10

People We Hear About

Mr. Jenkins is tihe only State Premier of Australia who is not a native of the Commonweal t|h. Mr. Jenkins was born in North America, and the Federal Prime Minister (Mr. Watson) was born in South America. Both his predecessors— Messrs. Barton and Deakinj— were native born. James E. Buike, Uie blacksmith DennociaUc Mayor of Burlington, Vermont (U.S.A.), was re-elected on March 1 by the unprecedented majority over ail other candidates of 505 votes. He made his fight on municipal ownership of electric lights, economy in city finances, honest government, and a public dock. Mr. Burke is an Irishman and a Catholic. Perhaps the best-known Queenslander of the seven raised to the Legislative Council of that State is Mr. Peter Murphy. A native of County Limerick-, Ireland, he was a grocer's apprentice, and emigrated to Queensland 34 years ago, his mother, brothers, and sisters having preceded him. He did whatever work came to him. He is largely interested in many business concerns, both in Brisbane and in Northern Queensland. Mr. Murphy, who is all that a large-hearted Irishman should be, has received many congratulations. His Holiness Pius X. lately received in special audience a young Benedictine monk, the Rev. Dom Gregory Gerrer, 0.5.8., belonging to the United States. This monk is a painter of considerable merit. He has been recently at work on a portrait of Pius X., and brought it with him to show it to the Pontiff. The Pope was quite impressed by the rare ability displayed by the young Benedict/me, and when the latter asked him for a sitting in order that he might correct any faults or improve the picture, Pius X. readily consented. The picture was set up, Pius X. took the place desired by the artist, and the monk set to work with all diligence. The work is intended for America. Those who have seen it declare it to be one of the best which has yet been made of the new Pope. Of a sum of 100,000 francs placed by a donor interested in the advance of science in the hands of the Syndicate of the Parisian Press to be given as prizes to scientists of pre-eminent distinction, 60,000 francs have been allotted to Mme. Curie to enable her to pursue her researches in connection with radium. This lady, who has taken the leading pait in the discovery alluded to, though working, in union with her husband, a Professor of Chemistry,' is oi Polish origin She had early in hie devoted herself to chemical studies, and had become assistant to M. Curie in his laboratory. She is energetic and active, and is in the habit of making a long course on her bicycle to conduct a chemical class in "the Government College at Versailles. The lady also finds time herself to conduct the education of her little boy. The prize of 40,000 francs was allotted to M. Branly, a Professor in the Catholic Institute of Pans, for important discoveries, made by him in relation to -wireless telegraphy. Viscount Hay as hi, the Japanese Minister in London, who is natuiallv a prominent figure at_the present moment, is a \ery Westernised specimen of a gentleman of Japan, lie has written a book in English, while his knowledge of French is only second to that of his own tongife He lust went to England as a youth of 17, bent' upon seeing Western ways, bait the revolution in Japan called him home, and he was one of the adherents of the old Shogunati dynasty. Very often the Japanese Ambassador might have been seen taking a constitutional after lunch in Kensington Gardens, where he used to spend an hour strolling about or sitting under the trees, if the uncertain climate permitted. But since the war broke out Hayashi has not much time for leisure for he is being visited all day long by Jew, by Jap and Gentile, who pester him for news of the campaign He lives almost wholly in European- style, but on one e\emng m the week there is served a Japanese dinner To tins interesting function, however, Europeans are never inwted, the guests being only those o! his countrymen in London to whom he wishes to extend His hospitality. .