ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 32, 9 February 1901, Page 3

ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE

TO the disappointment of lus friends Walter Phillips, was not able to make any defence to the charge of fraud preferred against him by the Imperial Fire Insurance Company. The eivdence against him was very convincing. It seems that in the first instance he put in a bogus proposal foi an insurance of £-400 on the bogus property, representing the owner as a settler in Wellington, named Walton James Wilkms, and then the proof of loss for £400 a& the result of a nre that never happened followed in due course. Both documents were made out m Phiilips's handwriting, a cross appearing as Wilkins's mark, it being represented that he could not write his name. » * * It was as the result of information received" that Mr. Locke, general manager tor the company, made the lourney to Chnstchurch, and discovered that no such building had existed, and no such fire had occurred. n § taxed with the fraud, Phillips shufhed with the statement that the money had been used to imeet debits in the balances when he took over the business, but an audit showed that there had been no such debits. Then he admitted the fraud. • * * It ha& been a puzzle to business men to account for Philhps's fall. He had a comfortable and well-paid position, and one in , which a thrifty man could have saved money easily. When he first came to Wellington as local manager of the Imperial his salary was £300 and commission, and gradually it had been increased until it stood at £ol)U per annum, and five per cent, commission on the profits. Phillips was not an extravagant man in his habits or mode of life, and did not figure in society or entertain to any extent, so that there is no reason to think that he was driven to this act by living beyond his means. He lived very quietly. It is said that on the morning of the arrest he told his wife, to her great astonishment, that he had a foreboding he would be arrested that day This was her first warning of the trouble. » * * A local W.C.T.U. lady, noted for her generosity and her anxiety to assist unfortunate girls who have fallen by the wayside, got a rude shock the othei day. Being apprised of the case of a poor girl who had got very low in the social scale, she had the girl sent to her house, and, being in want of a "general," installed her in that position. When things had got themselves sorted out a bit, and the kind-hearted mistress gradually got to know the girl's true life story, she discovered that the latter had been living under an assumed name, and that she was her own neice ! Fact ! « ♦ • A frowsy, shock-haired, down-at-heel individual, attired in clothes that looked as though they were rescued from the destructor, was arrested here a while back, and drafted to gaol on the rather common crime of being moneyless On release he found £75 for him at the bank; rigged himself out in stylish attire, shaved clean, and now stalks down the street in lordly style, and not one of the police fraternity suspect that his last postal address wa& Garveys hotel. A typical colonial transformation scene this.

Mrs. Simms, the lady in the exJudge Martin episode, is described as a tall, dark, graceful woman, the mother of two children, the eldest being about eleven years. She is fond of amateur theatricals (and her husband is musical), and also has taken part in various amateur operas. She was a good dancer, and a very popular figure at all leading balls, and was a prominent member of the Fendalton Dramatic Club, a society which has given many very pleasant entertainments, both at the district church school and elsewhere. * • « "Banjo" Paterson tells a very good yarn of how he "fell m" at Rotorua. He was invited to see a free show — a Maori haka — and went in as per usual, with the press, "on the nod." It was another thing getting out again, and he had to "part." "Banjo" will know the unsophisticated, savage in time, but at the present Maori is one ahead of him, and is not "taking any war correspondents on the nod." * * « The stories that have reached the colonies anent the honours paid to Colonel Francis by royalty in England more than suggest the idea that his entertainers thought they were welcoming a distinguished warrior of the campaign. Evidently, Francis was not a man to hide his light under a bushel. He seems to have thrust himself forward with great assurance, and the episode of Fred Haybittle and the Hand that shook the King's is not a circumstance compared with the story of how Lieutenant - Colonel Francis wormed himself into the notice of royalty. * * # There is an amusing and highly-sati-rical article in a recent "Dunedm Star," concerning Francis — "His feelings," says the writer, "surely, must have been somewhat similar to those experienced by the immortal Christopher Sly when he found himself transmogrified from a tinker to a lord. To be frank and serious, Colonel Francis is not one of the heroes ot the campaign, and it would have been more creditable to his modesty if he had informed his titled entertainers of the mistake they were making. He should have observed, gracefully Your Majesty, Your Royal Highnesses, My Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, — I thank you for the compliment ' which you wish to pay to the colony of New Zealand, but truth compels me to say that I can hardly be regarded as a representative New Zealand officer. I am not a bad sort of fellow, and (to the surprise of most people) I was appointed to the command of the Fourth New Zealand Contingent, but I had no opportunity of distinguishing myself. lam not a Robin, or a Cradock, or a Madocks By the way, could not this distinguished company manage to do something for my friend Madocks, who is one of the real heroes of the war, but as yet without official recognition p I might add that the First and Second Contingents were chiefly instrumental in making the New Zealanders famous in the field. Again I thank you." Catch Francis make a modest speech like that. * • * Hilda Spong, our talented vi&itor of t-evpral years ago*, is back in New York, this time as a star, and is being made much of on all sides As a rule the haughty class don't have much to do with player folk in the States, but they are rather partial to Miss Spong, who is declared to be so "aristocratically English,'' don't ye know. Hilda's acting is much admired, and so are her accent, her clothes, and her good looks. According to latest pictures, she has developed considerably and looks more solid than when we saw her in Wellington Her figure is splendid, and she is very fond of clothes creations in dead black, a taste which enhances her fine curves very much. Miss Spong is getting a huge salary now .

There is in Wellington a clever little lady — Miss Olive May Stokes — who has already made a name for herself on the colonial stage, and who has every prospect of a bright histrionic future before her. Scarcely "sweet sixteen" yet, she has made an early start in her profession, and her mark also. At the present time, she is waiting for an Australian dramatic company of high standing, which is shortly to tour this colony, and with which she is to travel as a pupil. * * * Whispered, that several well-known rebidents of a certain town in the provincial district which as an unenviable notoriety in this connection, have recently been committed to the Porirua Asylum. One is a gentleman whose name is v well-known in educational circles. * * * The Rev, E, C. Isaac, who has just come to Wellington to fill a Government position as an Organising Inspector of Manual and Technical Training, has been for a number of years pastor of the Congregational Church at Nelson. Mr. Isaac took the Sleepy Hollow pulpit in succession to the Rev. W. A. Evans what time that gentleman (now Councillor Evans) came over to establish the Forward Movement. The Congregational Church has supplied some brainy men in this colony. Besides the two named above, the late Inspector-General of Schools and Secretary for Education (Rev. Mr. Habens) was a pastor in the sect in Christchurch before becoming an educationist, and his successor in office (Mr. Geo. Hogben) at times fills the pulpit at the three city churches. Before coming to New Zealand, the Rev. J. Reed Glasson (of the Terrace Church) was a recognised Fabian lecturer in South Australia, and, as the song has it, "there are others," but these present instances will suffice to prove the contention. * • * Strange what simple causes bring about the death of some men. Many people in Wellington were acquainted with Mr. H. F. Windsor, a well-known resident of Auckland, and an enthusiastic yachtsman. Recently, a carbuncle appeared upon his neck, and though he had the best of medical care, it caused his death. Wellington supplied almost a parallel case to this several weeks ago, by the unexpected death of one of its best known tradesmen. * * * There is certainly one plucky woman in. Christchurch. At that town, the tigers den at Wirth's circus was entered by Miss Carman, who is described as a blonde of rather plump mould, and the barmaid at one of the hotels. The ' Spectator" relates that while the preliminary arrangements were being made the adventurous one stood beside the cage, shyly watching the monsters and probably trying to guage their digestive capacity. Mons Souke, the tamer, was the first to enter, and he collected the animals into a corner (the farthest from the door), and there reduced them to quiescence. Mr. Wirth then stepped into the cage, and offered his. hand to Miss Carmen, who promptly followed him. Then the door was. closed. Mr. Wirth at once produced a bracelet and was proceeding to make something ot a speech whilst placing the trifle upon the lady's wrist, when something happened. It may have been that a sly glance from one of the tigers met the eye of Miss Carmen or Mr Wirth, or perhaps an eyelash of one of the tigers moved, but certain it was that the bracelet got on to the wrist of the lady in double-quick time, and Miss Carmen took a firm grip of the cage bars. The door was then nromptly opened, and the lady and Mr. Wirth stepped out." Evidently Miss Carmen is wasting her possibilities in a Christchurch bar. What an effective political female she would make, to be sure.

Sergeant Haslett has been saying great things in Dunedin in favour ot Tommy Atkins. Listen to this, ye colonials, who think your troopers are the own warriors at the front. — "The Imperial troops were the gamest men that ever entered a field of battle. The colonials were undoubtedly good men for scouting, but for real hard slogging the Imperial man was the best of all. Take the Tommy, for instance. He would keep on the march all day, hungry and tired, and perhaps on half or quarter rations. In the afternoon he might have a gib fight, and the regiment be practically annihilated. But the Tommy never grumbled. He was there at his post in the morning as happy as could be, and ready to do another long and tiresome march. He could keep going morning and night, and would march up a hill in cold blood." * ,<• * * All sorts and conditions of candidates are bound to stand for seats in the Commonwealth Parliament, and some of them will have as much chance as the gentleman named Buckley — whoever he is. We notice that Mr. Eden George, a one-time Christchurch mayor, and previously in business in Auckland, is out for a shot at the Federal fatduck, but his ambition is a seat in the Senate. Mr. George is, a photographer, who snaps cameras v at Redfern, Sydney, and who cati\now afford to spend a little money in^ lendeavouring to attain the object of his fond desire. And a seat in the Senate will take some acquiring from a financial view-point. The Lance remembers when Mr. George contested a Sydney constituency a few years ago. He made a great fuss one way or another, principally with a brass band drawn on a dray, which made some stir at night. On the eventful day the gentleman who provided this gratuitous entertainment for his constituents received eight votes ! * * • * A great many New Zealanders, and especially those moving in banking circles, claim acquaintance with Mr. R. M. M6Anderson, who, until four years ago, acted as Inspector of Branches of the Bank of New Zealand. He then, it will be remembered, resigned his position to accept the treasurership of the Sydney City Council, and was subsequently appointed Town Clerk. But even that high position didn't satisfy Mr. McAnderson, who has now thrown up the appointment to start business on his own account, having entered into partnership with Mr. Allen Taylor, ship owner and timber merchant. * * * Tiooper Tom Barnott, of the Fifth Contingent, is communicative when he falls under the influence of the tender passion. Thus to a friend in Wanganui — "It astonishes us what a number of fine, handsome girls there are here. They would do credit to any ball-room in New Zealand. The evening before last F. Schofield, A. Bell, and myself visited the town (Zeerust), which is a nice little place, dropped into a house on the off chance of obtaining a feed, and struck it properly — ham and eggs, brown bread, fried potatoes, and good tea. We were sitting down, enjoying the treat and yarning to the landlord, when in came a couple of his granddaughters. I was astonished. I did not think South Africa could produce such sisters of the soil. I scanned them over a couple of minutes. The only fault I found with them was that they were fair, not white, but fair. I think they had come on a visit to Zeerust before the war started from Winburg, and were unable to £et back. Needless to say, I paid another visit on my own last evening, and enjoyed myself, and if I was not on duty tonight I should be there again." It is to be hoped Tom Barnott's best girl — "The girl I left behind me" — in NewZealand doesn't get her eyes on that letter.

Some people in Wellington aie wondering why Sir James Pi outlet gast has not been elevated to the Upper House And, if not, why not ? * * * Noted that when some lunatic suicides at a particular poiiod of the \ cv , the craze becomes epidemic The lat<M thing in this way is the 1 unaw ay-couple craze, the example having been set bv ex-Judge Martin Two more homes have suffered in Christchurch, accoiding to report, and another Haw kes Bay couple are living in Wellington as man and wife. * * * Actor Charles Arnold, who has drawn crowded houses here, studied law m America before he took to the stage The law and the prophets again Charles is getting the profits now .

Theic aie few people in the colony wo should say, who weie resident m London when William IV died, but Mr William Everett, a vei,\ old resident of Masterton, wlio is still halo and hearty, says he was there at that tune, and remembers how the gieat bell of St. Paul's tolled out, followed by all rlie othei clumes in the city, on the news being made known Mi K\orett was also in London at the time of the accession of the late Queen *■ * * Another gentleman to whom allusion might be made in this latter connection, is Councillor Tievor, of Blenheim who was spoken of at the festivities in connection with the proclamation of the King as being the only councilloi whose lifetime included the day of the late Queen's accession, and who had shaken

hands \\ ith the piesent King So that the monopoly of grasping the Royal hand is not confined to the Welhngtoniau who has been so much chaffed about his little half-minute's chat with the then Piinec of Wales on his late tnp Home. * * * Meinbei Hogg avers that he once acted as a juryman, and that si\ of his fellow jurors weie unable to sign their names Perhaps it \\ as on Mafeking Day * * * James Duke of York, on one occasion remonstrated with his brother, "the Meiry Monarch," for his dangerous habit of visiting the park unattended C'hailes replied — Bciie\e me James no one u ill murder nic, to make you king 1"

Mr. W. E. Andrews, the popular host of Andrews' Hotel, tip Danneyirke way, used to keep a similar establishment in the Old Country ; and on one occasion was called upon to entertain the then Prince of Wales and suite. "Putting up" royalty is always a very costly and delicate matter, but Mr. Andrews was quite up to the task. Wonder whether, like Walter Haybittle, he shook the royal hand. * v- * Trooper Puflett, of the Spit, Napier, lias written to has former chums telling thr-m not to think of "coming to South Africa, as it is not a white man's country, unless you have a small fortune at your back." Then he adds: — "And oven then you require experience and brains to get along." Since then, the cable tells u& that Puflett is returning. Surely "he" had brains enough.