ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 28, 12 January 1901, Page 3

ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE

SWIMMER M, E. Championmost appropriate of names, as he proved during his aquatic contests at Lyttelton and Christchurch last week— has brought much credit to Wellington by his Southern performances. This is prettyrough on Auckland, from which city he arrived only a few months ago. Still, he had never done anything in the way of record-breaking in the Northern city, and has really been brought out by the Wellington Amateur Swimming Club, and it was that club, together with the Thorndon and Swifts Clubs, that sent him South as Wellington's representative. Our Champion is but 19 years of age, and he has done some work as a quill-driver, but is to take up a position on the Hinemoa. ♦ • • He was born at St. Heliers Bay, Auckland, but was taken by his parents to Norfolk Island when only three months old, ajjd remained there till he reached his 16th year, when he returned to Auckland. It was at Norfolk Island,' therefore, and among a people notW i'or their proficiency in aquatic exercises that young Champion became an adept in swimming. His record down South in winning the five New Zealand championships is all the more remarkable because he was out of practice, and only took part in the contests at the enthusiastic instigation and strong desire of Wellingtonians who had seen him in an exhibition in the Thorndon Baths, when he swam 100 yds in 65sec, and 50yds in 29sec. He has a strong stroke, swims with his head low in the water, and fairly astonished local enthusiasts with his turn of speed. He has justified anticipations, proving himself Champion in deed as well as in name. *■ ♦ * Mrs. W. A. Evans, who gave an able paper before the Educational Conference last week, is one of the cleverest of New Zealand women, and one of the most unassuming. In private life she is the wife of the leader of the Forward movement (the Rev. W. A. Evans), also well known as Councillor Evans. Mrs. Evans is likewise in private life the affectionate mother of a small family of boys and girls, whom she finds time to train besides running an advanced academy (with a Welsh name) for young ladies. Before marriage, Mrs. Evans (then Miss Ederer, M.A.) was principal of the Girls' High School at Nelson. Her brother is a Judge of the Native Land Court and one of the best amateur 'cellists in this colony. * * * Mrs. Evans belongs to a highly intellectual and musical family. Her father was the Rev. Samuel Edger, M.A.,who for many years conducted unsectarian services in Auckland, and was noted for his liberal views. Miss Edgar, a younger sister of Mrs. Evans, who also graduated M.A., has visited Wellington occasionally in the interests of theosophy, of which cult she is admittedly one of the very ablest exponents. Mrs. Evans is, of ten seen in town doing her shopping per medium of her bicycle, upon which she trundles home a wellfilled Maori kit. In her busy, useful life she finds sufficient leisure to s,o into and about the slums of the city doing much good for the deserving poor.

Sub-Inspector Mitchell, who has just been transferred from Wellington to Auckland, left for his new sphere of duties at the end of last week. He has a record of over twenty-one years' service in the police force of this colony. He joined in Otago, and during the early eighties his skill in penmanship and his savoir faire won him the position of watch-house keeper, which he held for some years. Subsequently he was in charge of the Paeroa station, and from there he was removed to Napier and made sergeant. _ In March last he was promoted, ,to sub-inspector, and transferred tof "Wellington. And now he returns as stib-inspector to Auckland, which ; hfe left as plain constable. Time has silvered his locks a trifle since then, bat hasn't impaired his powers. * * * A. B. Worthington, the well-known religious quack, who founded the Temple of Truth in Christchttrch and cut a gaudy figure there until the place got too hot to hold hini) is now holding meetings in Melbourne, and is still rhapsodising about the Ter-r-ruth . More than that, he is said to have shown one of his disciples a letter purporting to come from America, and statins that one of his relatives lias died and left him a. legacy of three* million, dollars. This will be funny news for the Cbj^stchurch people. They wi 11, ,, recollect that Worthington frequently gOvs . if; out while he was there that he had just been left a million or two of dou-arg (exact amount a matter of no consequence), and that the money would l>e sure to arrive by "the next San Francisco mail." But it never did. * • * Mr. P. H. Clemance writes us from Worser Bay with reference to certain coincidences which we noted in relation to the scholarships gained by his daughters Winifred and Grace. He says:. — "The facts quoted in the opening part of the paragraph as to the circumstances under which the scholarships given by the Wellington Board were awarded are in the main correct, but the facts as to the Governors' scholarships, awarded at the Girls' High School, are not correctly stated. Four of these scholarships are given yearly, of which my eldest daughter obtained the third in her own right, neither by luck nor by any offchance, but bv steady and honest work. I shall be obliged if you will kindly insert this correction." ♦ » • Not a few Wellingtonians made the acquaintance of Henry Lawson, the Australian poet, during the time he resided in this district and city. A few months ago Lawson left Sydney for London, in which city, it was reported, he was to start life as an attache to the New South Wales Agent-General's office, and he had commissions from several magazines for stories and sketches. His friends will regret to learn that, according to news received in Sydney, London has not agreed with the poet's family. His two children — the eldest of whom was born in Wellington — have been seriously ill, and Mrs. Lawson is reported to have "temporarily lost her reason through worry and trouble." # * # f It is a feather in the cap of Mr. Tom L. Mills, of the "Evening Post" staff, to be placed on the "Pall Mall Magazine's" list of contributors. He has written for the "Pall Mall's" series of articles on "The Capitals of Great Britain" a bright and vivid sketch of the Empire City of New Zealand, introducing nine photographic views to impart additional grahic force and realism to the highly interesting letterpress. The article is given a prominent position in the Christmas number of the wellknown magazine. Tom Mills is becoming well known as a magazine writer, and specimens of his work have appeared in leading serials on both sides of the Atlantic.

Little Claude Sullivan, the "Pocket Comedian," who recently appeared as one of the Gaiety Company at the Exchange Hall, in Wellington, is not quite seven years old. And yet he has had a stage career. He was born in Sydney, and first faced the footlights with the McGowan Dramatic Company, playing the child's part in the sensational drama "Current Cash." He has also appeared with Geo. Rignold, in "The Romany Rye." and afterwards with Bland Holt, in "The Cotton Bang." Last year he got an engagement with J. C. Williamson, in the pantomime of "Red Riding Hood," in which he played "Flip Flap, with songs. His engagement with Mr. P. R. Dix began at Dunedin, where for eight weeks he was a big draw. Quite a career for an infant comedian under seven. i * * » Mr. W. W. Collins, M.H.R. for Christchurch, has achieved a kindly act with his £40 extra honorarium. He has handed the whole lot over to the lad Burns, who lost his arm at the Christchurch Exhibition. The most virulent anti-bonusite will hardly refuse to acknowledge that Collins's £40, at any rate, has been consecrated to good uses. And the action speaks loudly of the member's warm-heartedness. * * « Donald McDonald, the war special and lecturer, began his journalistic career seventeen years ago. He start- ' ed on the staff of the half-penny evening paper that was issued from the office of the Melbourne "Argus." And, when it was bought up by the "Herald," Donald got on to the "Argus" staff as a junior reporter. • • • Mr. W. Carncross, M.H.R. for the Taieri, is not one of those people who raise the cry of "stinking fish." At a Mosgiel banquet, the other day, it be- . came his duty to respond for "The Parliament of New Zealand." In doing so he referred to certain newspaper comments upon drunkenness in Parliament, and said unfortunately there were one of two men who forgot the high position in which they were placed ; forget the respect due to their constituencies, and over-stepped the mark. Still, could they point him out any particular body of 70 or 100 men in which they would not find one or two scarcely up to mark ? At the same time he did not believe they would find a Parliament in the world, of the same number of men who were more straightforAvard, honest, clean living, and upright than were the members of the Parliament of New Zealand. Cynical people may say this has a "mutual admiration society" ring about it, but all the same, Mr. Carncross sets a good example to the people who are given to the paltry habit of depreciating their own country, its institutions, and its public men. * • « Trooper Heenan, of Riversdale, in the Masterton district, must be an alarmingly modest young man if he has not risen considerably in his own importance since he returned from the seat of war. The Mataura girls have been doing their level best to make him succumb to swelled head. He attended a dance a week or so since, and a solid phalanx of sixty maidens, young and old, stout and thin, long and short, contested the honor of having first dance with him. It was such a ticklish matter for the Master of Ceremonies to settle that he got out of it promptly by proposing a ballot. And by ballot accordingly it was decided. Trooper Heenan is the Bunthorne of Southland apparently, only a little more so. Twenty love-sick maidens followed the poet Bunthome about, and eventually raffled him. Trooper Heenan had sixty sighing for him, and he submitted himself to ballot. This puts the kissing maidens of Melbourne in the shade.

Mr. G rattan Gr^-* ex-chief of the "Hansard" staff, has reached "the distressful country" at last, and his advent there is signalised by a leading article in the Dublin "Freeman's Journal," of November 29th. It is headed "The Policy of the Gag," and its style mar be gathered from the manner in which it describes the dramatis personse in Mr. , Grey's tale of woe. For instance: "There was in New Zealand a distinguished Irish journalist named Mr.. Grattan Ore-** who, by sheer ability, had attained the position of chief of the 'Hansard' staff of Parliamentary report* era. .... There was also in New Zealand a jingo gutter journal called the 'Dunedin Star,' and on its staff a. writer inspired by some personal malignity towards Mr. Grattan Grey. Finally, to complete the dramatis person*, there was a jingo, tuft-hunting, unscrupulous Premier, named Mr. R. J. Seddon, in eager quest of a baronetcy from Mr. Chamberlain as the reward of his distinguished services to the Empire." Comment and further quotation are alike unnecessary. * • • Wellington* bandsmen were interested in the monster bass (B-flat) solo competition, which took place at Christchurch the other day. It was all on account of a contest that took place in Wellington during the March competition. The pick of the North-east V alley Band (Frank Huergins) was pitted against much-medalled C. Davie, of the Wellington Garrison — and Davie won. Since then Davie has joined the Kaikorai (Dunedin) Band, and he and Hugginswere again rivals at Christchurch. This time the youngster won, beating David by two points. The ex-Wellingtonian. was deemed invincible, so the gold medal will be all the more highly prized by Huggins, who is a Timaruvian. • • • Local devotees of the frisky game of '"bow-w-ls" will be interested to learn that they are going to have a visit from a past master of the art, who has graduated with the highest honours. This is none other than Mr. J. H. Sheedy, of Melbourne, who carried • off from allcomers the first Australasian bowlingchampionship in the single-handed intercolonial tourney, held at Melbourne, in November last. Mr. Sheedy is an exmayor of Richmond, and one of themost popular men in the big city. Heis coming across early this year, accompanied by his Wife, with the intention of trying his skill on the Maoriland greens, about which he has heard > so* much, and measuring; his bias against the local cracks. Balhnger, Churchward, Neil McLean, Boyes, Charlie Stewart, and the other redoubtable champions whose wigwams are adorned with the trophies of countless bowling campaigns, will have to pull up their hosiery and practice hard from earlymorn till dewy eve so as to be quite ready to take a fall out of the champion brave of Australasia. Wellington can't afford to lower her colours on the bowling green, even to Melbourne. • • • Mr. Seddon seems to have extended his patronage to the game of bowls. At least, indirectly. And no less a personage than the Hon. George McLean, of the Upper House, has joined hands with the Premier (metaphorically, of course) to boom the game. Under instructions, presumably from King Richard himself, the Forestry Department of the Government have prepared a first-class bowling green in the # sanatorium grounds at Rotorua, and it was formally opened the other day by the Hon. Geo. McLean, who made a speech, and had the powerful assistance of a full brass band. More than that, the Forestry Department have presented two handsome sets of bowls to the green. Bowls may, therefore, be said to be a State institution — at any rate, up at Rotorua.

How many New Zealanders, as they glance over the illustrations in the "Illustrated London News " and note the exoellent pictures bearing the signature "S. Bege; " in the right-hand •corner, are aware that they are looking upon the work of one of this colony's sonß ? Yet it is so, for Sam Begg is a native of Napier and among black and •white artists his art, career is one of the most interesting. The son of an East India merchant, who settled (and •died) in Napier many years ago — in which town Sam's mother still resides— Sam was put to a commercial pursuit. As a very small boy his pencil was always at work in caricature, and he had « sister who was equally gifted, as many a fly-leaf among the church books of Napier of thirty years ago would testify. Sam himself must be about 45 .years of age, and he has been out of the •colony these many years. • < *■ It is known to but few that Sam Begg ■was one of the promoters of New Zealand's first "Graphic," probably the first of the colony's illustrated productions. That first "Graphic" only ran into about six issues, and each was printed upon different-sized paper. As Begg was entirely untaught in drawing, his work of those days, when he was <mite a youth, too, was remarkable. His next ambitious step was a voyage to Sydney, where he hoped to earn enough to take him to the art circles of the Old World. It is said that he arrived in Sydney in time to help in the establishment of the "Bulletin/u pon the art staff of which he is said to have worked, Tmt this statement needs corroboration. However, Sam B. seems to have done something for himself in Sydney, for he reached London— only to starve ! He was a man of grit, however, and *tuck so firmly to his ambitions that he managed to reach Paris, and for a time Tbecame a student under the delightful Bongureau. * < *• Not the least interesting part of Beck's life in London — which is now published for the first time by the Lance— is the story of his tenacity of purpose in face of heavy odds and disappointment*.. He sent several of his drawings to the London "Graphic"— and they were all returned. At last he got a start on the "Pictorial," a weekly rival of the "Graphic," and "S. Beggs" signature appeared to such effect that the "Graphic" made him handsome offers to join its staff! These he refused with much satisfaction, and he has never drawn for that journal. Then -came the new weekly "Black-and-White," and bought up the "Pictorial," lock, stock, and staff — including Begg. • • • Whilst drawing; for "Black-and- White" Sam was sent to take a sketch of the Duke of Clarence for the special number which was to signalise that Prince's marriage to Princess May. Death came instead of marriage, and when the New Zealander's picture of Clarence was published the Queen and Prince of Wales sent to "Black-and- White" autographed letters praising the work. The neir-apparent also made the request that, should the journal at any time desire to take a picture of the Duke of York, he (the Prince of Wales) hoped that Mr. Begg would be given the commission. Be^c not only drew the Duke of York later, but Her Majesty also gave him several sittings. When he "had come to such fame, the "Illustrated London News" made so handsome an offer to Mr. Begg to join its staff that he did not refuse, and he has done some very fine work for that old-established weekly. Mr. Bege is married to one of London's prettiest women, and 'tis said that Mrs. Begg frequently poses as a model for the artist in his pictures. * * * Capt. Mclntosh, of Onehunga, in welcoming home some of the Manukau band of warriors, thanked God for their safe return. Whereupon the local paper asks the conundrum, "What about the safety of the volunteers from the dangers of liquor which was placed at their disposal by Captain Mclntosh and his committee some months ago?" A belated query, seeing that the aforesaid liquor was punished long ago, and has ceased to be dangerous. # # # A Wellington lady, who a couple of years ago gave an emphatic negative to a marriage proposal, would very much like now to reconsider her verdict. Aforesaid proposal was made by a man in affluent circumstances, whom she but slightly disliked, and for nothing in particular. She regretted her hasty action very soon afterwards, and lived in the fond hope that he w ould return to the charge, but he did not. He was a cool, matter -of - fact customer, and Eromptly married some other fair frau>in. The family fortunes of the lady who said "No" slumped to such an extent that house and land had to be sold. The man who bought was the rejected loved and he is now domiciled there with his wife, and is happy and contented.

Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, held in Dunedin in 1890. He is a canny Scot, slow to speak, but a considerable thinker and interested financially in all the big undertakings of Otago. It will be remembered that as a farmer he took an active part in the deliberations of the Agricultural Conference recently held in Wellington. The colony, in securing Mr. Roberts as a Commissioner, secures an able man. # i \ It would, perhaps, have been fairer for the "Times" to say that Major Steward represented the poetic interests of the colony on the Federal Commission, for hehas probably spoilt more paper with his versification exercises than all the other farmers in the colony massed together. Surely, he is more politician and poet than farmer, and it was only last year that he earnthe title of the Obituary Poet. ♦ ♦ # Mr. Lionel Percy Brough, who died so very suddenly up in the Rangitikei quite recently, had only been four months in the colony. At one time he was employed in clerical work for Lord Ranfurly, when the latter was actively engaged in British politics. Lord Ranfurly took much interest in him, and upon Brough's arrival in the colony, His Excelleny wrote asking him to call upon him in Wellington.

Donald McDomald has had much better luck with his war book than with the last MSS he sent Home for book publication. After spending a year's labour on the latter effort, he packed the MSS off Home, and it was never heard of again. It never reached its designation. What became of it is an unsettled mystery. But Donald took precious good care his chronicle of the siege should not miscarry in a like way.

The Metropolitan School of Shorthand has been opened by Messrs. Challis Bros, at the Bank of New South Wales Buildings, Lambton-quay. Mr. C. J. Challis has had several years' experience in teaching shorthand and typeand has been singularly successful, not onl" in turning out competent stenographers, but in placing them in lucrative positions. During 1900 no fewer than 50 positions were obtained in professional and commercial offices in Auckland. Mr. C. J. Challis also teaches penmanship on the "A.O.D. (x.Q." system, by which he has produced hundreds of good results, and he likewise undertakes the coaching of candidates for the matriculation and Civil Service examinations in German. The typewriting department is in charge of Mr. L. Challis, who has had considerable experience in this branch.

Wellington has one of its own sons appointed upon the Federal Commission in the person of Mr. Harold Beauchamp, who, as a member of the firm of Bannatyne and Co., is one of the most energetic business men in the Empire City. After many years' service on the Harbour Board, he was recently chosen as its chairman, in succession to Mr. 'John Hutcheson, M.H.R. Mr. Beauchamp has earned some little enmity in , pwiservative business circles in the city "through his advocacy and eulogy of the Seddon Government, He certainly is a strong partisan, singing the Ministry's praises in and out of season. But verily he hath his reward. He will, however, make a good Commissioner, for he is industrious, energetic, a warrior for facts and figures, and, if the Lance mistakes not, is the only native-born New Zealander on the Commission. * * * The Hon. John Roberts, C.M.G., who is to represent commerce, agriculture, and sheep farmers particularly, and Dunedin incidentally, on the Federal Commission, is one of the most popular and influential citizens of the Edinburgh of the South. He won his C.M.G.ship by his able direction of the New

There are few people who have been. so well compensated for being unlucky in love as Mrs. Catherine Brodie, a former resident of Te Ore Ore, near.Masterton. This lady was an artist of no mean calibre and many Masterfconians will doubtless remember her paintings* " Her ' domestic affairs went awry, and divorce followed the break-up or the "happy home." Proceeding to Scotland, she appears to have landed Some pretty big financial fish. Her entanglement with one wealthy gentleman resulted in a cheque for a cool £10,000. According to the lady's own account she believed herself to be his lawful wife, but the reverse was shown %o be the, case, and the outcome of the complication was the handsome monetary solatium mentioned. The fair Catherine next happened on Millionaire Daniel Macgregor, who appears to have gone back on his promise to wed, with the result that the now very much experienced woman, who knew her way about, issued two writs claiming £15,000 for seduction and £10,000 for breach of promise of marriage. The case excited a great amount of interest, and, according to the cable, the lady has obtained a verdict for a neat £5000.