Not Good Enough

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 October 1911, Page 4

Not Good Enough

FAMOUS FOLK WHO HAVE BEEN "TURNED DOWN."

Mr Jolui Hassall, the famous artist and producer of picture-posters, who was an Heidelberg with "tho present King when they both J schoolboys, greatly amused an nud'iloiice recently -by telling tliera some interesting stories of those days respecting Kino; George, himself,' and other now celebrated men. But one of the tales Mr Hassall tells with most gusto is that of how, titter thus "being at school in Germany for some yoars, and speaking the German language excellently, he was seized with military aspirations, land, still a joung man. went up as a candidate to Sandhurst. I However, lie did not satisfy the examiners. And the two subjects that lie was told he had failed' in were—German and drawing! Lord Roberts, having a predilection towards a military career even as a. youth, tried in vain to pass the medical men in England for that particular purpose. They declared he was so delicate that ho would probably not live many years! Accordingly, ho went out to India to gain health .and strength, and, whilst there, entered the Tndian Army. His progress since then has now become proverbial, and hiis fame ]vns become second to that of no living soldier. BUNKERED!

It is, agn.ui, curious to remember that Prince Kumar Shri ft-au-jitsinliji, perhaps the finest 'batsman and fielder this generation ras ever seen, was not included in the Cambridge eleven under tine, captaincy of the Hon. F. S. Jackson, because "he wasn't good enough." Many a. time since then has Mr .Jackson stated what a mustery it has always been to him that, after seeing Ranji play time after time, as he did nt Cambridge, .should liavo come to such .a conclusion in the face of what tho Indian prince did almost immediately nftomaiils in the realms of cricket. Another famous instance of « can- ! didate's being rejected in one of bis j strongest points i> that as Mr J II Taylor, the world-celebrated golfing champion. Mr Taylor, as a. young man had military inclinations, and'one day ho determined to enlist. So, in due course, he came before the doctor with other recruits. Tho medical man passed the would-be soldier as regarded his general health, tooth, etc., but astounded lidm by docl-arino-that lie could not bo accepted be" cause his eyesight was certainly seriously deficient!

LOHMANITS .LUCK. But pediaps the best tale of the ' not-goodlenough" kind is that of ])oor George Lo'hmann, one of tho finest all-rounders English wicket has. over produced. . George Lohnmnn, a, mere lad of seventeen, strolled on tho Oval to watch the practice wit the nets Casually he took up the ball and ■boga-ii to bowl to the Surrey players batting Time after time ilie beat and bowled them. Tlien Kv Alcock tho -secretary «t that day, had his attention called by one of the players to tho lad's bowling, so he can'io to see it. "What club do you play for. my lad 'he asked '"'Wandsworfch Second Eleven sir " answered the boy. ' j: And why not'for the first eleven" asked Mr Alcock, smiling. "Because they say I'm jiot good enough, sir," replied tho lad. | "Oh, they do. <1 othey? Well. I would, you like to play 'for Surrey I next week, Lohmann, \l think your name is—eh?" t George Loihmann co-uld hardlv be[liove his rars. He reddened" like fire when this great opportunity— his heart's one desire—was dangled ' thus before him, and somewhat fearfully answered: "T should indeed, sir!" And thus tho boy that was not I •£ood enough" for Wandsworth's ! First Eleven began a career that de- ! lighted and surprised the world of cricket.