The Photographer and His Excellency.

Manawatu Herald, 23 February 1899, Page 3

The Photographer and His Excellency.

Rather a good story, which has the merit of being true, h told of the banquet given, to Lird Rwfu/ly, at Daanevirke. An enterprising purnalist was n^rions to get a photograph of the lea< log personages present for the purpose f illustrating the pages of the paper on which he was employed. How to obtain it was tho puzzle. Being ready of resource to overcome the difficulty, he called on a local photogripher and told him that he had th« permission of His Excellency to tak a snap shot, but being a poor hand with his camera he would be obliged if the resident would give him the benefit of his professional assistance and photograph the group. The photographer was only too happy to oblige, and all went as merry as a marriage bell. When the company was seated, in walked the artist, clad in clerical attire. ' Stand op, gentlemen,' he said in polished accents. The guests rose as one man, thinking grace was about to be said. " I only want His Excellency and the distinguished guests near to him to' stand; let the others sit," came from the photographer. The command was obeyed, many wondering who had arranged this part of the programme, but not a word of inquiry was made. The picture was j quickly taken, the artist bowed him-' self out, and as the narrator told us, those photographed felt like a lot of ' gawks ' when they discovered the trick that had been played upon them.