ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 42, 20 April 1901, Page 3

ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE

THE gentleman named Charles Lister, who was so very neatly bowled out at the false pretence 6 game, by Detective Nixon, on Saturday, was a rather smart artist in his way. But for the intervention of the Easter holidays, and his premature meeting with the smarter detective, it is all Lamb ton Quay to a china orange that he would have got safely away with a tidy bit of boodle. He was arrested on Saturday, and the correspondence found in his possession shows that if he had got a free hand till Thursday, the chances are he would have netted at least £1800 all right. • ♦ • As it was, he did the thing in some style. There were certainly no flies on his hat. Taking an office, he rigged it out after a fashion, and then advertised through the "Post," in the following style — "Wanted, smart Man, good bookkeeper, etc., for American produce house , good references and security required. Also good Warehouseman. Apply American, Evening Post." This attractive bait had the desired result, and applications poured in from all parts of the compass. It is said he received no less than 150 letters. • • • The advertiser then made appointments with a number of the applicants — at different hours, of course — and, after satisfying himself as to the suitability of those who called, he mentioned a little matter which was nearest his heart. It was desirable, he said, that a fidelity bond should be provided, for (say) £50. One seeker after employment handed over a cheque for £25, and promised the remainder later. This piece of paper was the prime cause of Lister's downfall, he was too eager to cash it, and, as the banks were closed for the Easter holidays, he sought to convert' it into coin at a bike shop, by buying a machine. • • • The suspicious tradesman refused, and ultimately whispered his thoughts to Detective Nixon, who interviewed Lister, and, after some parrying, told him who he was, and asked him to go along to the police station. There Lister was searched, and, as a result, the inquisitive detective wanted to know all sorts of things. He had nothing definite to work upon, and it was a pure game of bluff between the parties. Lister smoked four cigars during a long interview, in which he replied with assumed nonchalance and an easy debonair manner to the officer's questions. In his early days Nixon was a printer, and it was here that he first got the "drop upon his quarry. Lister had a stock of cards and letterforms, which he declared were furnished by his alleged American principals. With the eye of an expert. Nixon recognised that they were locally printed, and from this point he worked by easy stages until Lister at last threw up his hand, made full confession, and asked to be dealt with as soon as possible. Twelve months' lodging is his reward. His antecedents are a mystery. It is believed he came from Melbourne. • • • Mr. George Reid, of "Yes-No" fame, who defended the Sydney "Bulletin" ngainst the action brought by Miss Billee Barlow, for making reflections on her abbreviated stage costume, displayed a good deal of touch-and-go jocularity in his cross-examination of the lady. For instance — "Last night I think I

discovered, with the aid of glasses, that the 'sketch' you wore had coat-tails. I could not be sure, but I thought I saw some indications?" (Laughter.) — "Yes." "There was something under the coat, I suppose?" — "Not much." (Great Laughter.) "You simply put the coat on and you are there?" (Laughter)— " That is 'it." • •, • Pressed more closely about her costume, the fair "Billee" tartly replied, "it was not half so low as the dress some women appear in at the theatre, and sit in the front seats." Mr. Reid wanted a little more information on certain points. "Is it not the lady," he asked, "who can show the best figure who is most in demand in theatrical circles?" — "No, I do not think so." "Is it not a fact that the more you show of your charms, and the more you show the glory of the human form, the more the Johnnies like it?" (Roars of laughter.)— "lt is not my experience." "It is the old men, then, who admire you?" — "You do not seem to." Renewed roars of laughter greeted this sally, and the crushed politician made haste to shift his point of attack. In fact, to judge from the lavish way in which the newspaper report is punctuated with "laughter," "renewed laughter," and "roars of laughter," there was a particularly strong blend of the musichall in the Court proceedings. • • • <■ Among the other witnesses examined were "Hop/ the artist, who has caricatured Mr. Reid in all sorts of ways, and Edward Menzies-Stuart, husband of the plaintiff. The hyphenated gentleman said he came out to Australia in the first flying squadron, as an officer. He now acted as manager for his wife. Trunks were always worn with tights on the stage. Then followed a passage-at-arms between learned counsel, in which the irrepressible Reid turned the roars of laughter against his opponent. He remarked that Mr. Pilcher (counsel for the plaintiff) seemed to know all about it, and must follow these theatrical troupes round. Mr. Pilcher (caustically) • "I don't follow you round," the implication being, of course, that there was a great deal of the theatrical troupe about George himself. "No, of course you don't," assented Mr. Reid, in dulcet tones, "I don't wear tights." Once again the Court went nearly black in the face with explosive laughter. • * * It was during a railway run to Palmerston, and one voluble lady in blue specs put up quite a record for chattering after leaving Wellington. Two of the passengers — men, of course — alighted at a wayside station, ostensibly for fresh air, but, in reality, to test the local lemonade. "You seemed to appreciate that lady's chatter," said one to the other. "Oh, yes." "She appears to be a highly polished conversationalist." "Yes, not too bad." "Perhaps, you know her very well ?" "You have struck it, old chap, I do, she is my wife'" -^ ■* itFew, if any, who crammed into the New Century Hall on Sunday night, to hear Mrs. Ada Foy deScant on "Christian Spiritualism," would think that she was verging on 70 years of age. Such, however, is the case. Mrs. Foy is well preserved, has an attractive manner, and is a most impressive and convincing speaker. She hails from Denver City, United States of America and has been on the platform since she was 12} years old. The lady gave a test seance at the conclusion of her address, when a large number of written ouestiona were handed in (folded up), and a number of them correctly answered by the so-called spirits who were said to be present, and who communicated w ith their friends in the hall through the medium. The information so conveyed — often alleged to be written in the air, and visible to the medium only — seemed to considerably surprise the recipients, who averred that they were perfect strangers to the lady, and could not fathom how sho did it.

Dr. Beadles, about- twelve years ago, was known in Wellington, as a very skilful dentist who was associated with Mr. Bulkley in business. He was also aji active member of the Wesleyan Literary and Debating Society, and, by everyone with whom he came in contact, he was immensely liked for his bright, genial manner and pleasant ways. He was an American, from the sunny South, and loved his country, but he was none of your spread-eagle down-casters, who reckon that all the good things are raised in the States. It is well over the decade since Dr. Beadles left these parts to settle down in Danville, Virginia. * * * But he has not forgotten New Zealand. A private letter was received from him the other day, and shows that he has got a warm corner in his heart for it still. He is married, is president of the Dental Society of his State, and is a leading citizen of Danville. He says, "I see a good deal in our napers these days about New Zealand. The reforms and new things you are trying down there are attracting our attention. There has been universal sympathy in this country with our cousins across the Atlantic over the death of the Queen, and many good words have been spoken and printed for the new King. The war in South Africa drags its weary length along. There has been a good deal of sympathy here for 'the under dog' but, on the whole, we have been with our kinsmen. The papers have given due credit to the New Zealand troops for the part they have taken." * • ♦ Dr. Beadles is a keen sportsman and he goes on to say : "We are beginning already to feel a quickening interest in the great inter-national yacht contest that is to come off next summer. Lipton is confident of 'lifting' that cup, and many people here would not object, I think, as it would lend renewed interest to the sport. And we have now held it so long. I hear there are three boats being built here, and, of course, they will have to race each other to find out which is the best to put up against Shamrock II." • • • They make sensational hash sometimes, in the Australian papers, of sober matter-of-fact news from New Zealand. Perhaps, that well-known rifle marksman, Bandmaster King, of Oamaru, will be interested to learn that he was trotted out as a Maori King, in Adelaide the other day. It was the local "Advertiser" that did it. Under ap§ropnate head-lines, it apprised the outh Australian public that the latest excitement in New Zealand was that "the Maori King of Oamaru and Mr. Wilson, of Woodville, had tied in the leading rifle championship." Evidently, the impression obtains in those benighted regions that every New Zealand town is ruled by its own particular Maori King, and that there are ho end of rifle championships to be fired off every year. • * • It is only his intimate friends who knew that "Charlie" Earle was a keen "sport," and his appointment to the editorial chair of the Christchurch "Referee" ("Weekly Press") surprised not a few Wellingtonians. Not that they thought him unfitted for the post, but they wondered why he should have given up "serious" for sporting journalism. They did not know that "Charlie" has always taken a warm interest in sport, with a special liking for trotting, and that at one time he owned a racer which had a neat turn of speed. His promotion has been rapid. Only as far back as last session he sat in the Press Gallery of the House, for the Wellington "Post," towards the close of the session he joined the Christchurch "Press" as assistant editor and special writer, and now he has succeeded Mr. Selig as snorting editor of the "Weekly Press." one of the "good things" in colonial journalism. Charles will climb higher yet, if the fates arc propitious.

Probably no other place in the colonies has had fewer mayors than Napier, in proportion to the time it has been classed as a borough. During twentyseven years only four gentlemen have occupied the civic chair — Messrs Robert Stuart, J. H. Vautier, Dr. Spencer, and Mr. G. H. Swan. The lastnamed gentleman has been at the head of municipal affairs for fifteen years, during which time he has effected excellent work, and initiated and carried out numerous undertakings which have had a beneficial and lasting effect upon the borough. ■+ * * Mr. Swan, who was at one time Napier's representative in the House of Representatives, is now retiring from the mayoral chair, in favour of Councillor McVay, a local saddler, a genial player of the game of bowls, and an experienced man, who has been associated with local politics for a great many years. He will be opposed by Mr. Samuel Carnell, a local photograoher, one-time M.H.R. Samuel is as full of fight as ever, and has been mentioned lately as a probable appointee to the Legislative Council. *■ * * It is the story of a certain wellknown West Coast M.H.R. , who was rather cheaply sold the other day. His colour is right, but his friends believe there is a shade of green in it. They felt sure of it. when, after telling him the Premier was coming up by the mail train, they watched him hurry home to prepare for the great event. The news went round, and the citizens turned out to see their member "fall in." Presently, they found him on the railway platform, arrayed in a frockcoat and wearing a proud smile and a gorgeous button-hole. When the train stopped, the eager M.H.R. rushed from carriage to carriage — but, alas, there was no Premier to be seen. A few cautious hints from sniggering inquirers gradually brought it home to him that the day was a red-letter day of another kind — it was the first of April. He will not forget it next year. • • • Acting Town Clerk Robert Tait — who takes Mr. Page's desk in the Corporation offices during the Town Clerk's trip abroad — has been a familiar figure to all who have had occasion to come in contact with the Corporation. He joined the staff some nine years ago, and, during that time, has been Mr. Page's right-hand man, and has also been left-hand supporter to the city's Chief Magistrates. Prior to taking up a desk in the Brandon-street office, Mr. Tait had some experience as a parliamentary committee clerk. The duties of Town Clerk have fallen upon his shoulders at a time when things municipal will be humming, what with the ducal visit and the initiation of a great pubic works scheme, but Mayor Aitken knows the load the young man can carry, and has no fear of a breakdown. Mr. Tait has a brother who holds a commission in our Seventh Contingent. •/■ * * Mr. Charles Blake, a well-known Welhngtonian, who coached the Fabian Dramatic Club, for their production of "The Shaughraun," about eighteen months ago, is gradually winning his way in the dramatic profession. Just now he is out in Westralia, as leading man to George Rignold, Miss Lilian Wheeler being leading lady. The season opened at Perth on the 6th instant, and the repertoire embraces "Honry V.," "Othello," "Clancarty," "Man to Man," "Called Back," and a number of other well-known plays. At latest advices, Mr. Blake was studying hard, for the purpose of makine: hi& debut as lago to Mr. Rignold's Othello. The Hobart "Clipper" says of him — "Nature has been good to him. most notably in the matter of his voice — a mellow baritone, admirably flexible. In this, one of the great endowments of the actor's voice, he ranks second to no Australian player."

Just double the number of Councillors lequired are out for the beats at the City Council's table, which makes the game of musical chairs all the more interesting. There are many interests represented among the two dozen candidates. Messrs. M. Murdoch, R. H. Davenport, R McKenzie, A. J. Rand, Henry Fielder, and G. Winder may all be classified under the building trade interest, although Councillor Winder is an ironmonger, Mr. Davenport a plumber, Mr. Fielder a furnisher, and "Bob" McKenzie an operative carpentei. Councillors J. P. Luke and John Smith are ironmasters, and, therefore, closely allied to the building trade. Messis Izard, Bolton, Hindmarsh, Tolhurst, and Devine belong to the legal profession, and in every contest now-a-days the lawyers are largely repicsented. # Tho Labountes aic Messrs. R. McKenzio and D. McLaren (Trades Council) and Allan Orr (unskilled labour). Cr. Tounsend and "the Father of Newtown," Mr. Alex. Wilson, represent the R.itepayeis' Association. Mr. Godber the well-known confectioner and pastrycook, represents the shop-keepers, and will see that the tram is continued in its running through Cuba-street Councillor Evans is the author and chief engineer of the Forward Movement, and is, therefore a typical Progressivist. Mr. Nathan represents the "merchant service," but does not belong to the "Panama-street Ring." Mr. Coffey is understood to have the Working Men s Club and the licensed victuallers behind him. Councillor Anderson gives his whole time to watching over the interests of Thorndon. Councillor Barber lives to dye, and would as soon dye for the whole city as the ward he has served so well. As for Mr. Carrigan, well, he represents Edmond Carrigan, but is willing to represent a ward as well. * * » Mr. Wm. Booth is a gentleman who can perhaps claim a wider acquaintanceship and sphere of usefulness in town and country than any other Wellingtonian. He is to be seen in every part of the province, in fact, it is hard to say whether he spends most of Iris time at home (which is supposed to be in South Wairarapa) or in the city. He is an agriculturalist and a pastorallst, but before being either he was a Congregational pastor He is now-a-days more Anglican than dissenter, but has frequently contributed, to all phases of religious work m the city and country. He has himself stated that he was led to come out to the colony during a visit to the Manchester Stock Exchange, where he read a New Zealaxid paper containing a report of a speech made by Superintendent Fitzherbert at the official opening of the first bridge built over the Hutt River. That was about thirty years ago. Now-a-days, there is scarce a country movement or a city enterprise that he is not deeply interested in. He has gone in for everything but politics. The timber business, the frozen meat trade, the manufacturing industry, the South Wairarapa County Council, the Wellington Harbour Board — they all know him for a keen business and publicspirited man It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that New Zealand may be visited this year by two of the three candidates for the Presidential chair of the United States of America. The Prohibition Party has already arranged for a lecture tour of Mr. Woolley, who contested the Presidency on behalf of the Temperance Party. Now , word comes that Mr. W. J. Bryan, the Democratic nominee, who has twice been defeated by Major McKmley, and is still full of fight, will probably come out to the colonies, to make a close study of Britain's colonial dependencies. • • • Since his defeat, Mr. Bryan has founded a paper, which he has called "The Commoner,'" bearing the motto "Fidelity to the Common People." The silver-tongued orator is editor, as well as proprietor, and it is because of the great success of his paper that he is undertaking tins grand tour. Its success, he says, warrants him in going abroad in quest of material for a series of letters for the people, and it is his intention to treat Imperialism as he finds it — or as it treats him ' — and to make a special study of colonial expansion. And Kruger is to be the first foreigner interviewed ! • • • During his canvass of the city, in pushing his candidature for the mayoral chair, Mr. Wilford had a peculiar and somewhat embarrassing experience. At one house at which he made a call a young man came to the door. "Is your father in p " asked the candidate. "No," was the laconic reply. "Will he be home soon?" was the next query "No," was aqram the reply, very seriously given. "Then can you tell me where I can see him?" asked Mr. Wilford. "Father's been dead these weeks past'" was the reply, which caught the usually ready-witted lawyer so completely on the hop that he could only murmur, ' Oh, I beg your pardon!"

Taranaki, the larger-sized Hawke's Bay native chief, was in town this week, clad once more in khaki, and filling out his clothes as generously as ever. For show purposes, Taranaki is not to be beaten, and it is for show purposes the Government have just commandeered his fine athletic figure and his genial services for the third time. He made a decided impression at Home, as a member of the Maori Contingent which accompanied King Dick to the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in London, four years ago. Taranaki also filled a place in the Federal Contingent that went to Sydney for the Commonwealth rejoicings. And now he is en route to Christchurch, to join the Federal Contingent that is bound for Melbourne. • • • Minister of Lands ''Tarn" Duncan works hard when travelling, and rises so early to interview forty-acre sections and other agricultural exhibits, that the internal arrangements of the houses he stays at are often knocked out of joint. " Native Affairs Carroll is not quite so enthusiastic about rising before the lark, and expressed hmself in no unmistakable terms on the subject at Gisborne lately It appears that "Lands" had intended visiting Motu, to ascertain the requirements of the settlers in that out of the way locality, but received a peremptory message from Wellington to come back at once, if not sooner. * * * A delegation of Motu residents was in Gisborne, and did their best to get Mr. Duncan to pop out their way. but they were not successful. He offered to rise at 4 a.m., if lie thought he would

get back to Gisborne in time to catch the boat on Wednesday, and the delegates felt sure he could accomplish his task in time. But Mr. Carroll said it was simply impossible, and, in the end, he prevailed. The Motu people endeavoured to get the Hon. "Tarn" to prolong his stay until Sunday, but it was no use. "If I do not leave here on Wednesday," he said, "I shall be court-martialled." And back he came, so Motu matters will have to stand over for a while longer. * * • A popular clergyman in this district is the narrator of the latest gambling yam. One Sunday night, a while back, he made a very strong appeal to his congregation for funds, and a man who contributed very irregularly to the "good cause," and whose heart was touched by the preacher, found, on making a voyage of discovery through his pockets that he had nothing but a battered threepenny bit. He possessed, however, two Tattersall's sweep tickets on the Newmarket Handicap (run recently), and, folding one of them up, he planked it on the plate, thus giving the church a chance in the big draw. The clergyman was vastly amused on examining the collection, and ascertaining that the ticket was a good one and had a face value of five shillings, he laid it gently aside. Perusal of the list of successful numbers later on disclosed the fact that the holder had drawn a £10 cash prize, and that amount has since been added to the church coffers. But how that sweep investor would have kicked himself had his little number drawn the 'ust or any of the major prizes in the consultation !

THE Colonial Treasurer invites Tenders for £500,000 New Zealand Government 4 per cent. Debentures, payable to Bearer, and of the face value of £1000, £500, £200, and £100 respectively, as may be desired. These Debentures are secured on the Public Rvenues of the Colony, and are issued repayable on the Ist April, 1904, at the Treasury, Wellington, New Zealand, or (if the tenderer so requests in his tender) at the office of the AgentGeneral for New Zealand in London. Dividends, represented by coupons attached to the debentures, will be payable on the Ist April and the Ist October in each year during the currency of the Loan, at the Cashier's Office, Treasury, Wellington, or at any branch of the Bank of New Zealand in New Zealand, or (if the debentures are issued repayable in London) at the office of the Agent-General for New Zealand in London. At the option of the holder of any debenture issued repayable in New Zealand, and on application made in that behalf at the Treasury, Wellington, New Zealand, he may at any time during its currency have it endorsed payable, both as to principal and interest, at the office of the Agent-General for New Zealand, London, or at any specified branch of the Bank of New Zealand in Australia: Provided that in the former case the endorsement shall be made not less than three months and in the latter case not less than one month, before the due date of the next ensuing payment of interest. The first interest coupon will be payable on the Ist October, 1901, and will be for a sum equal to six months' interest on the nominal amount of the Debenture. The issue price will be at the rate of £100 in money for every £100 expressed in debentures (below which no tender will be accepted), payable as follows : — Deposit of 5 per cent, on applica- ■ tion. y. „,,.., First instalment of 45 per cent, on Tuesday, 7th May, 1901. Second instalment of 50 per cent. on Tuesday, 4th June, 1901. Payments may be made in full at any time on or after the 7th May, 1901, and prior to the 4th June, 1901, at a discount at the rate of one pound ten shillings per centum per annum Sealed tenders, addressed to the Secretary to the Treasury, Government Buildings, Wellington, accompanied with the 5 per cent, deposit, will be received up to noon of TUESDAY, 23rd April, 1901, when they will be opened in the presence of the Colonial Treasurer and the Controller and AuditorGeneral, and allotment will forthwith be made. If cheques are lodged with a tender, they must be drawn upon a Bank in Wellington, and be marked by such Bank as "good" for fourteen days. Cheques issued by a Bank need not be so marked. Tenders may be for the whole or any part of the Loan, and must state what amount of money will be given for every £100 of the Debentures tendered for. Tenders must be for even hundreds of pounds sterling, a(nd at prices which are multiples of sixpence. Tenders at different prices must be on separate forms. The nominal amount of Debentures tendered for must be written on the outside of the Tender. In ease of default in the payment of any instalment at its proper date, the deposit and instalment (if any) previously paid will be liable to forfeiture. If no allotment is made the deposit will be returned. The first and second instalments may be paid at any branch of the Bank of New Zealand either in the Colony or Australia, to the credit of the Public Account, or at the Treasury, Wellington, not later than the Beveral dates previously mentioned. Scrip Certificates will be issued, to be subsequently exchanged for the De rbenture Bonds. Tenders must be on printed forms, which may be obtained at the Cashier's Office, Treasury, Wellington, or at the offices of the Bank of New Zealand at Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or Dunedin. Office of the Colonial Treasurer, Wellington, 2nd April, 1901.