All Sport of People

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 67, 12 October 1901, Page 3

All Sport of People

THE members of the labourite deputation which waited upon the Premier lately A\ere varied in their avocations, and thoioughly representative ot city unionism. Mr. Naughton, who headed the party, as President of the Trades. Council, is a bookbinder, and lias had a, lengthy expenence as> a unionist. Mr. A H. Cooper, who is secretary of the Council, is a great force among the bootmakers, not only of Wellington, but of the colon}, and it is no small thing to be a leading light in St. Crispin's tiade, when it is remembered that Legislative Councillor Pinkerton and Ms.H.R. Tanner and Arnold are bootmakeis Mr RE. Vaney is also connected with the bootmakers — though he earns his living at 'case" a.s a printer—foi he is secretary of the Bootmakeis' Union. Mr. W. H. Hampton, who conducted the case for the tinsmiths before the Conciliation Board the other day, is a carpenter by trade, Mr. T. Lynch is a whaif labourer, with Australian expenence, and Mr W. Noot, who was also prominently befoie the Conciliation Boaid for his fellow-tiadev-mcii ,i few weeks ago, is a painter. » • ■* News came horn the South last week that Mi A. h Austin, of Ma.sterton, had been chosen out of thntv-six candidates tor the post ot engineer to the Timaiu Haibour Board Mr Austin is an M.I C X , and as well equipped for his profession as need be The son of one of Canterbury's District Kugmeers, he is just on the verge of his fortieth > eat has seen seivice as a suivevoro\er the Midland Railway route, and was assistant engineci to Mi Napier Bell on the West pent Haibom Board's works f lom 18Sl> to 1888 and for six months was engineer in chaige of the works Foi something like a decade he had experience in inland Biazil, and has only lecentlv returned to the colony Timaiu has tin own a mint of money into the ocean during the past twenty >ears, and will ha\o to drop lnuchmoie "so that Mr Auslin will ha\e ainp'e scope for the application ot his skill and experience ♦ • * Geoige Cluts.nn the New Zealand composer, who won the Chappell competition for a full orchestration ot a haileqiuuade suite, is a cle\ ci Punedinlte, of whom much was expected l<or some yeaisprioi totrung his toi tunes 111 the World's Metiopohs, Mi Clutsam us settled in Auckland, and was in great vogue there, both as performei and teacher of music In London, he was at once taken into the Amy Sheiwin circle, and his compositions not only caught on with the musichall profession as witness the success of ''Ma Curly-headed Babbie but he .ittiarted the attention ot some of the best music publishers * * * The success of Compose! Geoige Clutsam in London vet again attia<ts attention to the piowe&s of Bunedinitcs Our southern cit\ lias sent quite a unique paitv of men to win hcmouis on the stage, nu hiding Ham Jewett Hauy Roberts, Bland Holt, Albert and Harry Norman, and Montgomery fa tno of Holtians), and Walter Bent ley To the list of popular novelists of the day it lias given B L Farjeon, Fergus Hume, Arthur Adams, and Bornaid Kspina.sse And to the music scioll it has added Clutsam's name.

It is great news for colonials to learn by cable that General Sir Hector Macdonald is really coming to New Zealand and Australia, and ha& aheady landed on Commonwealth soil. 'Fighting Mac," of the Highland Brigade, is one ot the most popular of British officers, and is also one of the most remarkable men in the army, for lie has risen from the lowest rank (from a private) to a generalship. This has been achieved within a generation, by sheer grit, pluck, and individual braveiy and brilliancy, and literally at the cannon's mouth and the sword's point. When the Boer war began he was a colonel, a C.8., A.D.C., and had won the D.S.O. in the Soudan. ♦ • * On the death of Major-General Wauchope, "Mac" succeeded to the command of the Highlanders, and of his w ork in the command "Bobs" said in his famous despatch of April last — "He has shown resolution and oneigy in caming out the somewhat thankless ta&k which has, fallen to the lot of his command, of pacifying the Orange Rnei C'olonv, and protecting its communications " Subsequently, "Mac" was knighted and promoted for his services, and received an impoitant command in India. He should get a right royal welcome in New Zealand, where there arc enough Macdonalds alone to make the reception "one of the best." * * » During a discussion m Parliament the other day upon the ten thousand copies of the "Review of Reviews," purchased by the Government because the journal contained an article descriptive of our colony, mention was made of the author ot the article, the Rev. Joseph Berry, of Adelaide. It is not generalh known that Mr. Beny was, in the last decade, one of the most eloquent and popular of the Wesleyan preachers of New Zealand. He 1 was not known as a journalist in those days. That is a side ot Ins nature winch has been de\ eloped since the reverend gentleman settled in the Australian City of Churches. But there were indications during his pastorate of Wesley Church (Taranakistreet) that he had the essentials of a smart newspaper man. His special serinon<s, always well advertised, used to {ittract attention on account of their topicality, and the newspaperv s>t\lo ot their titles. Mr. Berry more frequently preached to overflowing congregations than to sparselv-hlled pews. * * • Not a few New Zealanders will remember Mi. J. T. P. Caulheld, who at one time took up the curing of dipsomaniacs, and acted as manager of the Hagey Izistitute, subsequently leaving for Sydney. Over there he used to be known as' the boy politician," but, although yeais keep rolling over his head, the title seems to stick like gum. As far back as 1883, Caulheld was obliged to file his schedule in Melbourne, and the other da\ he applied for his discharge, stating that he had paid halt his liabilities. He let loose some curious statements when under examination. ♦ » * From hotel broking he diifted into the insurance business, and from that to curing alcohohsts. In New Zealand the Hagev Institute gave him £2o a month and expenses . in Sydney he got £(> a week and expenses "What weie tho 'expenses' p " asked the bench I spent money shouting for people," was tho unabashed reply 'What' while tra\ oiling for a drink cure.'" "Yes, I frequently shout for people, and now, if I see .1 man sniveling for want of a drink I give him one " Caulfield's next institute, started in Queensland, was not satisfactory, and he left there with tenpence to his credit at the bank His brother had since won a prize in Tattersall's swoop, and, instead of squandei ing it in liquor as the majority of lucky investors do, he put it into a di ink-cure institute, «md J T P C is on his feet once again.

Yacht racing is, of all sports, the most uncertain, but, in the case of the great Amenca Cup contest, decided last week, there was not much doubt as to the superiority of the defender over her mal Shamrock 11. The Columbia notched the rubber," despite the efforts of the challenger to rubber out, and the vast aggregation of chin-bearded Yanks who put their dollars on the result must have shed tears of joy at the inability of Sir Thomas Lipton to lift the coveted trophy which has reposed on American soil for so many years. There can be no doubt that the great tea merchant will be keenly disappointed. He spent quite a big foitune on that yacht for the mere pleasure, as he put it, of "removing the stigma" from the British flag, and asserting superiority over the Yankee. But it was not to be. King Edward, by the way, will no doubt w armly sympathise with Sir Thomas ovei his failure. His Majesty is a personal friend of the enthusiastic yachtsman, and nearly lost his life, it will bo remembered, when he took passage on the Shamrock in her trial spin. He will be just as much disappointed as the owner. * * # This was Sir Thomas' second attempt tor the Cup, and he experienced more luck in getting off the races than when lie crossed with Shamrock I m 1899 On that occasion no less than seven attempts wore made before the first race was determined, and things got feaifully monotonous before supremacy was determined. True British sports cannot help regretting that the Shamrock has been beaten, but so long as England possesses patriots of unlimited wealth, who will not hesitate to spend it in the cause of sport, theie is still hope of regaining the Cup to which the Yanks cling with such bull-dog like tenacity. • • • Captain Staughton ha.s the unique' distinction of being the youngest man in Australian politics, and has recently been returned for West Bourke\ a constituency in Victoria, represented by his people for a generation or so. Bv the accident of his father's position, young Staughton, who is rising 22 years of age, steps into his place, the people of Bourke West belie\ing that the fathei, having committed no \erv great political mistakes, the son may be trusted to do likewise. « • • Frequently the name of that well known officer Major Kairi Davieb crops up in the cables, and quite iccently he letused a C.8.-ship, which was offcied as a reward for his gallant services in South Africa But why the 'Karri J " Major Davies, before the war, went from Western Australia a.s an agent, to sell hardwoods from that State to South Africa He was so insistent in selling the kam" wood that he came to be known as Kain Davies— to such an extent that his Christian name appeals to lkuebeen lost sight of Even the compileis ol the official "Gazette" 'tell in," for that publication made His Majesty the. King refei to the Major bv his nickname of ''Karri." # * * Banjo" Pateison, who thieatened to go to Sibena, is tra\elhng in a country Ic-s cold at piesent, fiom whence he is sending much 'copy" dealing with the Kanaka (who is so soon to get back to Ins islands) "Banjo," like most men of the mk-slinging fraternity, is nnprowdent, and is frizzling m Queensland picparatory to freezing in Sibena in older to amass the wherewithal. "Sidney Morning Heiald," which is not decided as to the nigger question, allows the. \ersatile penman to write in strong teims anent the cane-cutting Kanaka He would have Queensland a 'white man's" country. He believes that though the withdrawal of all Asiatics fiom Bananaland will kill the sugar industry, it is well for it to die if, in the process the white man gains a new lease of life and pays double foi Ins sugar.

Colonel Pitt, in his efforts to overthrow the reign of Lady Nicotine, is doing a good service to the country. The idea that the cremation of the weed is having a bad effect on the brain of the community may or may not bu correct. Germans, who are the heaviest smokers in existence, and the possessors of brains of excellent quality, hold smoking contests, w Inch are as keenly w atched by aspiring smokers as are the football matches in this island. Clubs at which these contests nightly take place are run on business principles, starters, judges, and clerks of the room being appointed. Regulation pipes, holding an ounce, are used, and the first man finished scoops the pool. The remarkable feature about these contests is that the leading politicians, lawyers, doctors, and soldiers enter, and the honour of winning one or any of the contests is highly prized. Government tobacco is used, as it is considered to be especially pure. "Government plantation" is a good hint for New Zealand, and the introduction of pure weed for cremation bv its people might easily minimise the existence of the evil that is not so recognised in Germany. * ♦ * Mr Richard Dorset, who recently died, <\ as one of the most promment men in the city's public services. He was an official of the Geneial Post Office, and of no man could it be more truly said that 'he had not an enemy.' But his friends were legion, and when the word went round that he had "crossed the bar" the universal phrase was, "poor old Dick!" And the grief was genuine. He w as only forty-two years of age, and but the other day looked as if he was just in mid-life. But who can stand against such a trinity of evils as influenza, typhoid, and rheumatism? It w as but seven years ago that Mr. Dorset married his cousin, a daughter of Mr. A. W. Renall, of Masterton. The deceased was a member of a family which has been known all over the Wairaiapa since the settlement of the Yallev, for the Dorsets have grown long on the land, and there are some parts, not far from Masterton, which might well bo called Dorsetshire. The giant secletaiv of our Education Board has had much sympathy extended to him in the loss of his brothci. * * * Jimmy Tyson, the Australian sheopf armor, who would not die until ho had amassed many millions, had a penchant for books. As the squatter could not road, the peculiarity ot his hobby was st uking He frequently could be seen, apparently reading the latest market quotations, and w a.s frequently noticed to prefer to read them up-side down. His library was collected without any regard to its contents, most of it having boon purchased m job lots at auction sales. Recent K his magnificent collection wa<- sold for L3O ! The value of the collection lies in the fact that in most of the v olumos the hieroglyphics of tho. deceased millionaire are scrawled over all the margins, Jimmy's secret system of calculation being thus brought to the light of clay No one has yet boon found to decipher the quaint penniaiks, and the collection will possibly go to adorn the bookshelves of some museum in Australia. » # # M. Perutt, up f o now an a.' most unhoaid of mom bo 1 of the Swiss House of Ropio-entatives, lias earned undying fame b\ ml roducms; a Bill into tho Houso whoieby tho froth on tho pot of boor shall bo limited bv statute. Hitheito tho Swi-s toper for his four cents got ;i ' collar," as he calls it, on his pint averaging thioo inches By this enactment an inch is now the maximum height of froth allowed. If the quality of the bevei ago wore sufficiently high in Now Zoa'and to permit of a froth at all, no doubt some advanced legislator, with a tendency to thirst, would follow M Ponitt's load, and introduce a moasuie th.it is at pir<-ont not required.

Mis Ballaneo, widow of the gicat statesman whoso monunient shovv\s a back tinned upon the Parhament which lie was wont to lead, was a yen familiar hguie m Wellington life up to the time of Piemier Ballanee's death In Wangaiuu and Wellington Mis Ballanoe was e\ ci to the toie in leading (hantable mo\ ements, and was a tine t\pe ot a womanly woman Hei sv mp.ithies \\(ic bioad and deep and weie ne\ei appealed to in \ am She was missed bv many friends when, toi the sake oi the health ot hei adopted daughter, she leit foi England some four or h\e \eais ago The intei\al has been spent m tra\elhng about Gieat Britain and the Continent of Km ope Mis Ballance and her daughtei weie heaitilv welcomed home when the Papaioa lauded them on Queen's Whaif on Satuida\ last Not a, tew of tliom' tiiends weie gne\ed w lien Mis Bailame said she was onh on a shoit Msit to the colom and intended to return to England as soon as possib'e 'Goff" Wan en, who, with his fellow membeis, ha<- chopped suddenly and mdignanth out ot harness as a Thnd-cl.T-s Championship Committee for the Wellington Ciieket Association, is. (HU . of the best known ot (he ntv'<- willow enthusiasts And lie must have been gieath pio\oked befoie taking the action he did for Goff" not only hues 'some authority" but he is of the- 100-carat, good-natuied stamp He is hugeh popular with the bens," and would not miss a gathering of 'spoits" foi the piettiest gnl in the colom Theie was a time when Goft" was the ate 1 edited athletic lepieseutatne of the New Zealand Times," and it was m those da\s that he began to put on flesh It w a,s a tieat to see him and Bill" Oofiey, with then hands and their pockets ciowdcd with cop>" papci, taking copious, notes ot a, football or a cricket match But those weie the old days. Goff" has put on yeais and taken oft side since then The Association is an ass tor having given ofience to one who served it better than it desei\ed toi six consecutive \ears in the thankless office ot member oi a thud-class championship c oinmittee * * * Wellington goliets weie natuialh delighted on healing ot Mi. Aithur Duncans success at Auckland when he won the championship of New Zealand foi the thud successive \oai as well as landing a few other handsome trophies. Mr Duncan is a good all-iound athlote, and caused some suipnse a few yeais ago when he discarded his favouiite i (-creations and solemnly set himself 1o acquire honouis at golf A firstda^ iootballei he lendered his club signal service, and also represented the pi ov nice while in the cricket domain ho was also well known- -in fact A D. is an enthusiast in all matteis athletic but just now he is paiticulaih wedded to the putting" business. * * * It was thought up Noith that the finale would be fought out bv Duncan and C X S Gillies, who is leckoned about, the be^t ot Auckland's golfeis, but Gillies went down befoie his btother, H T , and Colheck piovtd an eas\ opponent foi the Wellmgtoman when the supremaev came to be decided Smgnlailv enough Duncan shaped veiy indifferent l\ in some of the games he won, but in the championship his brilliant pla\ could staiceh have been betteied He was veiv keen on securing the pn/e plum oi the meeting and his (aieless, slipshod st\ lo gave place to atcuiate pla\ backed up b\ that coolness and nerve lequisito when a cntical mattei has do be decided

One of the multitudinous London Society journals which pry closely into people's private affans was, no doubt, responsible for the little story that Karl Beaucliamp, until recently Go\ernor of New South Wales, was engaged to a daughtei of Lord Rosebery. His Lordship at once contradicted the mmour, but, between the time of the circulation at the repoit and the publication of the contradiction, there must ha\ c been a fluttering in Sydney dovecots, wheie the ex-Governor is so well known He betiayed no gunpow der passion foi any of the fan oht<> that crossed his path in ' the city of the beautiful harbour," and left as he entered, a flint-hearted bacheloi The domestic arrangements of Go\ eminent House weie attended to b\ his sister, Lady Mary Lvgon, who wsited Wellington with the Duke and Duchess The Kail was ne\ er popular 111 Svdne\ lie was always unintontionalK 'putting his foot in it," right fiom the day that he poetica'h alluded to the colom's birlhstain (a little thing of KiphngM until he packed his portmanteau foi Kngland again. * * * Deteetue R Neill, who has been conii( ctcd with the Wellington foice foi time, and who has just retned owing to indifferent health, has seen a gie.it deal of life behind the scenes, and theie aie few if any, whose knowledge or the ciiminal classes sui passes that of the genual Robert. His experiences during the last twenty-four years would fill a couple of goodly-sized volumes. One of his first cases after joining the foi co was the cajjtuie of a tobaccosmuggler red-handed at L-\ ttelton the delinquent being fined £100 He leceived piomotion in being shitted to Ashburton, where he had a fine record, and was further promoted to be a first- ( lass constable * * * This came as a leuaid foi sa\ing the life of a man in a boai ding-house which took fiie Neill went upstan.s to the man's assistance, at the risk of his life, tied two sheets together and loweied him on to the footpath The flames just then reached the loom and Neill

had to jump to bdve his own life. He w a,s banquettod on leaving Ashburton, and presented with an illuminated addiess and gold watch and chain. Ho was also snmlailv honoured when leaving ChiLstcliuich for Wellington. After amval heie. Detective Neill worked up the Haw kst one-street murder case, when a young man named Nicholsen was charged with battering a woman to death. The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter, and the prisoner got ten years. Mr Jelhcoe, who was not given to buttenng up the po'ice, complimented them upon the manner in which they had worked up and presented that particular case The Museum gold lobberv happened soon afterwards-- an individual who hankeied after gold and quartz scooping the lot one night and Neill quietly anested him on a boat in the stieam. Tho man went into letirement for a while, and w onders to this day how the detective managed to fix upon him as being the thief Tho biggest sentence ever allotted a confidence man in the colony - fn c yeais was awarded a misguided mdmdual (arrested by Neill), who sought to 10b a stranger by means of a very old tale which has done great seivice to the "profession." Another case with which Neill was concerned was the well-remembered one against Detectn o Kirby, who escaped to Sydney in a packing-case, but was arrested theie, brought back to Wellington, and punished The Siherstieam muider case, which lesulted in the hanging of Philpott, was worked up by Neill, and the jury wrote to the Minister of Justice commending him foi the manner in which the evidence had been collected, and placed before the Court. One of the last big cases in which this detective was concerned (with Detective Broberg) was the eh namitmg of Umfreville and Dodds' warehouse a whi'e back. Detective Neill. who figutes prominently on the special reward list, intends visiting the Hot Lakes, Sydney, and Queensland. M,n he return with health thoroughly lestoied.