Christchurch Snobbery

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 76, 30 December 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

Christchurch Snobbery

Our Christchurch correspondent on Monday wrote t — There has been in certain circles here quite a flutter of excitement about the appointment of Mr Andrews, of the Sydenhara suburb, to a regiment of the Imperial Army. The young man was a pupil teacher in one of the State schools of the city, and an ardent and effective volunteer. By dint of perseverance he succeeded in passing the examination for a commission in the army, and was in due course appointed to the 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment. On his application, however, this appointment was cancelled. His Excellency the Governor used fiis influ- , ence at the Horse Guards to obtain for Mr Andrews a transfer to India where it was thought he would see more active service and find living easy. I should here state that Mr Andrews' father is a stonemason, and the young man has no private means. A few gentleman (volunteer officers and others) who know and respect . Mr Andrews, and are pleased at his success, initiated a movement for providing Lieutenant Andrews with au outfit by subscription. This was a signal on which a chorus of howls arose from the aristocrats and - plutocrats of the place, aud especially from certain apoplectic, dyspeptic, and bottle-nose gentry, who have "served," and are now doing "the sere and yellow leaf" on half pay. They were indignant. Mr Andrews was not the man to represent New Zealand, at a mess table or a garrison ball. 'Like his impudence, indeed. One correspondent of the Lyttelton Times actually took the lieutenant to task for aspiring to the military profession when he had no private fortune. However, ■ Mr Andrews has wisely treated these cads with silent contempt. He is is now quietly preparing for his departure. No doubt he will survive these rotten eggs; at any rate his friends and well-wishers far outnumbered his snobbish aspersers. I do nit believe such an' exhibition of snobbery could have been afforded by the narrowest Jcliques of the old world. — Auckland Herald.