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Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2038, 25 March 1907, Page 3

A REMARKABLE CAREER. Dr. AlacNamara’s appointment as Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board makes another story in a career which has already been very remarkable (says the Tribune). It is a fact of TyJjjc}} he is very proud that he was born in tho British Army, actually in tho barracks at Alontreal, his father being a color-sergeant in the okl 47th regiment, which was stationed there in 1861 (te year in which lie was born) and for some years aftrwards. When the regiment- returned to England the MacNamaras settled down in Exeter, and was in St. Thomas’s School in that city where young AlacNamara first attracted the attention oi' the sister of the late Archbishop of Canterbury, Aliss Temple, who persuaded him to become a pupilteacher.

After completing liis apprenticeship lie silent two years at the Borough road UndenominationalTraining College, ml from there he went to Hudderfiold as assistantmaster in a Board School. Ho spent eight iears in Bristol as the mastor of a Board School in the slums of that city ,and came to London in 1892 as editor of the Schoolmaster.

As a platform speaker Dr. AlacNamara has few equals, and his debating power in tho House of Commons was strikingly evidenced during last year’s debates oil tho Education Bill. But the member for Camberwell is at his vqry best at election times among liis own constituents. His speeches are just to tlieir liking, but at question time the fun is rollicking. “Are you in favour of the repeal of the blasphemy laiys?” asked a lady at one of his meetings last January, “Madam, I’m a golfer,” was the is said that it was an answer to a woman a vote? asked another lady on another occasion. “I think every

woman should have oitlior a vote or a votor,” retorted tho candidate, “Which would you like?” Thcso are but samples of tho answers -which liavo made Camborwoll liko him. It is suidthut it was. an nnswor to a question which won him tho sont ill 1900. “Are you a .pro-Ronr ” was ono of tho questions sont up to him. That was nnsworod by tho relation of a true story. Ho told tho audionco that in 1866 thore was a rebellion in Canada, ami that British troops wore engaged in quelling it, that thirtythree years after tho event the War Office notified ovory surviving soldier who took part in it that it had boon decided to award him a medal. A certain old man received tho lottor and was very proud of it, but six months aftorwards lie died not having received the medal. Three months after his death tho modal was sent to his son. Then, putting his hand in his pocket, and bringing out the medal the candidate exclaimed: “Ladios nnd gentlemen, there is tho medal, and I’m the son. Do you think I am the man to want to seo Tommy Atkins badly treated?” Tho cheering was tumultuous, and from that moment tho election was as good as won.