Wairarapa Jottings.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 46, 18 May 1901, Page 17

Wairarapa Jottings.

• • • • MR. JOHN HESSEY, whose interests he in quite another direction at present, has completed the sale of his farm to Mr. D. J. Cameron. The price was a good one — something like thirty-odd pounds an acre. » * • Well, every one to his trade — even hearse-driving, according to Mickey Free, has its compensations, and although the dashing and übiquitous George Goodall is no longer associated with the red-nmmed cycle, he has thoughts of becoming a fair and florid boniface. May it be in the Wairarapa. • * • Last week the volunteers celebrated the opening of a new orderly room by a smoke concert at the Drill Hall. Among the visitors was Captain Remini, of the Te Ore Ore Rifles, who made a neat speech, pointing out that all — whether European or Maori — stood on a common platform of loyalty to the throne and person of the King. The speech was received with great enthusiasm. In replying to the toast of "The Ladies," one gentleman, struck a somewhat discordant note in asserting that a certain club had passed a resolution that girls who work in shops should not be asked to their dance. There is not the smallest doubt that the Hockey Club was referred to, and it may here be stated, on the very best official authority, that there is not the remotest foundation for such an absurd rumour. As a matter of fact, the members of the Hockey Club are gentlemen. Nothing further need be said to exonerate them from the suspicion of such an ungentlemanly action. * # * I had a very agreeable chat the other day with Captain Remini, of the Wairarapa Mounted Rifles, touching his experiences. This Maori gentleman is a magnificent specimen of humanity. About six feet in stature, built in proportion, and with th© stamp of the trained athlete in every movement, he is fit to pose as the model for a gladiator. He is in the prime of life, • for has he not told me that he was born at Te Ore Ore just thirty-two years ago. As a youth, he acquired local renown for his fleetness of foot, and in 1887 he became the champion sprinter of the Wai-

rarapa. Immediately afterwards he took a trip over to Sydney, and won ,i Sir Joseph Banks' Handicap, at Botany. •* * * When a Maon detacliment was wanted for the Diamond Jubilee Contingent of 1897, Remini joined as full private. The gallant captain's face lit up with satisfaction as he told me of tho good time the Maoris had in England, and how he, in particular, liked the music halls, and especially the Empire and the Alhainbra. "The Queen," he saad, in answer to my question, "ah, yes , I saw her several times. She was very short, and her features are just like her pictures The Prince of Wales — now ou.r King — ah, fine fellow. He presented me with a medal in honour of the Jubilee." Summing up his impressions, Remini remarked, "Yes, I like England. It is in some respects very like New Zealand, but of the two give me our own New Zealand to hve in." Captain Remini uttered the last patriotic sentence with great gusto, and laughed at the very idea of anyone doubting, or pretending to doubt, his decision. • * * Then, I tried to get at the Maori warrior's opinion upon the big white chiefs, past and present, of his own country. "Did you know Sir George Grey?" I asked tentatively. "Well," he promptly replied. "He was a great man. Understood us Maoris even better than Mr Seddon What do I think of Mr. Seddon, eh? Yes, yes, him a great fat man, too." Then, at my request, Remini produced, and courteously submitted for my inspection, the handsome presentation sword which he received in 1900. It is a splendid weapon, the work of a London firm recommended by the Agent-Gene-ral, and it bears the following inscription — "Presented by a few friends of Masterton, N.Z., to Captain Remini, Te Ore Ore Rifles, 1900." • • • In further conversation, Captain Remini told me he was last in Sydney at the beginning of the year, as lieutenant of our Federal Contingent, and that he had volunteered to take a Maori Contingent to the South African war. "The Maoris," he added, "would, I think, have understood the Boer tactics better than the British or colonial soldiers. All the same, though tho Queen could not accept our offer, we are still loyal to the throne on which her son now sits." With a stately bow Captain Remini withdrew, and so our pleasant interview ended.