All Sorts of People

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 84, 8 February 1902, Page 3

All Sorts of People

FRED. A. MIDLANE, the young cricketer, who leaves for Sydney on Saturday, to try his fortunes on the other side of the Tasman Sea, was born in Wellington in the month of March, 1883, and, therefore, is just on the eve of nineteen years of age. Educated at the Mount Cook School, he early found his way to tihe Basin Reserve, and, when only six or seven years of age, he could be seen there knocking a ball about with his hand, with a. pile of hats for a base, if the regulation bat and wickets were not available. * * * While still at school he joined the Phoenix Club, and, on the Saturday morning, would be playing in the school matches, and in the afternoons with the third eleven of the Phoenix Club. This was in the year 1896. and that season he was selected a= a member of the Wellington school representative team to play Wairarapa. It was in this match that "Tiddley," as the boys dearly love to call Midlane, first shone forth as something above the ordinary, and gave promise of developing into a great batsman for his contribution to the Wellington team's total was 109 (not out). A Carterton paper, in describing Fred's innings on that occasion, said it was one of the finest displays of batting ever seen in the Wairarapa. and, at that time was the record score for all matches in the Valley * * * The next year — 1897 — while still at school, and in his fourteenth year, Midlane was given a place m the Phoenix senior team, the management of the club deemin? it advisable to promote him right away, without asking him to put in a season at junior cricket. He was at that time a iunior clerk in an insurance office, and his contribution to the annual Law-Insurance match that year was 101 (not out) » • ♦ Besides these centuries, he has scored the following — Cup matches 18991900, Phoenix v. Old Boys. 107 (not out) Phoenix v. Wellington, 102 (not out), 1900-1901, Phoenix v. Old Boys, 111 1901-1902. Phoenix v Wellington, 122, Phoenix v. Old Boys, 146. Midlane's best scores in interprovincial matches are —1899-1900, Wellington v. Otago, 149 (run out) 1900-1901, v Auckland, 102 (not out). These are hi 9 only centuries in interprovincial matches, but his great efforts in the second innings of both the Canterbury and Hawke's Bay matches will long live in our memories. For two years in succession— lB9B-1899 and 1899-1900. the Phoenix Club awarded Midlane the "Cock" trophy, which is annually voted by the members of the club to its best all-round player * # * Midlane is not new to Sydney, having lived there for eighteen months about ten years ago. He carries letters of introduction to Messrs. M. A. Noble and F. A. Iredale, Mr Richardson having favoured him in that direction, and an old friend in "Charley" Marter, of the "Daily Telepraph" staff, is bound to let all and sundry in the cricket world know who he is That Midlane's career on the "other side" will be keenly watched by his many friends and admirers goes without saving and we join in wishing him the best of orood luck. * ♦ ♦ So genial Tom Hamer has gone' All his friends are glad that King Dick's right - hand man did not depart

for the Old Country without something to ungle very pleasantly. Mi. Hamer has, in Mr H McCardell, an excellent fuend. who boie the main buiden or the inquiries as to what should be done for tins hard-worked civil servant Mi. McCardell, like a sensible man said ' sovereigns " and sovereigns it was to the tune of £125 from his friends in the service and including £20 fiom his f i lends m the Ministry. » ♦ * Outside the Big Building, Mr. Hamer had so many other friends that he had to undergo a second piesentation ceremony and take charge of another neat little bag of King's images to help him get back the health that he has lost m assisting the hardest-working man in New Zealand, the Premier. Something like tears were in Tom's voice when he said how unw orthy he was to be the recipient of such solid evidence of his friends' friendship. Of course, Mr. Hamer cannot really think he is unworthy Although the Hon. J. McGowan was «orry he "couldn't say nice things nicely " he really did not do so badly after all * * * The Premier's 100 m in the Cabinet suite very rarely has so large a crowd in it. Of course, sometimes the billet-hunters surge over the threshold. Tom Hamers send-off crowd was about the record attendance. We sunuose it makes a modest man feel shy w hen he sees his virtues illuminated on parchment two feet <«ix inches by two feet, and w hen he is assured by civil servants and outsiders that what is therein said is felt Tom's opinion of himself should go up some per cent ♦ * * Tom's second valedictory took place at the Shamrock Hotel, where the second bag of sovereigns from prominent people, was handed to him Mr. John Holmes (in the chair) and Mr. Harold Beauchamp were there as spokesmen for the prominent people, and let Tom know what they thought of him The pressmen had several nice things to sa.y about Mr. Hamer who, a,s the Premier's private secretary, was distinctly approachable at any time. This naturally endeared him to the men whose profession is to take notes, and they hone that his temporary successor will make their path as smooth as he has always done. ♦ » « It was a neat idea of the Rev. W. Thomson, of the new Scots' Church, Wellington, to erect in his tabernacle a memorial tablet, on which to inscribe the names of New Zealand soldiers who have fallen in the war. By so doing, he struck the patriotic chord with both hands and is thus enabled to appeal to all loyal subjects, no matter of what creed or sect, for financial aid to help to pay the cost of erection of the new church Mr Thomson is acknow ledged to be a man of first-class organising talent and knows how to handle a subscription list to the best advantage. Like a true Scot, he is not easily bluffed or defeated When in charge of St Andrew's, Palmerston North, he personally collected several hundred pounds for ecclesiastical purposes He is meeting now w ith similar success in collecting funds on behalf of his own Scots' Memorial Church * * * Last week he visted Dannevirke with the subscnption-list. Now, the people of that town are not known for extravagant generosity. They are a very mixed community, and not at all eaerer to Dart with their bawbees In two days, however, Mr. Thomson collected nearly £30 from them. Even the Celestial storekeepers donated a few florins each. The reverend gentlnian had the pleasant experience of meeting an old college chum Dr. McAllam, whom he had not seen for twenty years. The worthy medico renew r ed the acquaintance in a practical manner by donating a substantial mm.

The Empne City is about to lose one of its clever amateur comedians in the person of Mr. R. A. Keenan, who is being transferred to the Lands and Survey Department, Auckland. Mr. Keenan, since coming to Wellington, has been associated with a number of amateur dramatic and operatic productions. He organised the Fabian Dramatic Society, and 'wed several prominent parts with a degree of success w hich entitles him to be placed in the front rank of amateurs. He played lead in Dion Boucicault's famous Irish drama 'The Shaughraun," and acquitted himself so creditably that he was known amongst his friends by the sobriquet of "Conn." * » • He also distinguished himself in "Arrah Na Pogue," nlaymg the part of '■Shaun the Post" very effectively. Mr. Keenan has always been ready and willing to assist charity performances. He has taken a prominent part in the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association, being one of the prime movers in its inauguration, and he worked zealously in order to place it on a firm footing. _ Mr. Keenan takes with him to Auckland the best wishes of troops of friends who are sorry to part with him. * * * Mr. Barend Van Staveren, who repre sents the Wellington fancy goods firm of Scott and Co. "on the road," and pushes their business for all he is worth, seems to have inherited a large-sized share, of that genial bonhomie which distinguishes his father, the popular rabbi. Barend was in Napier last week, and his fellow C.T.s along with the legion of friends he has made in the town that owns the Marine Parade, insisted on holding a social reunion in his honour, and also on piesenting him with a handsome set of silver-mounted pipes, to testify their appreciation and esteem. Mr. Frank Moeller made the presentation in a speech full of nice things, and Mr. Van Staveren blushfully replied. A programme of toasts and music filled in a very pleasant evening. Every time Baiend visits Napier now he will be expected to keep one of those pipes in full blast. * * * ' We'll have to do the best we can while there's time." Thus one ruddycomplexioned citizen to another, outside the Big Building." Inquiries instituted proved that beer w r as the topic of the conveisatioa. Fact is, New Zealand is going to be cleansed a great deal shortly . Miss Florence Belgarnie, an able speaker, w ith a degree or two, a flow of language, and a conviction that New Zealand wants lecturing, is coming along about the same time as Mr. J. G. Woollev,^ to make things prohibition hum. While it is very good and kind of these people to be so anxious about New Zealanders, and to make them feel as if they were a naughty, thirsty lot, it seems to us that the dipsos among the teeming millions at Home might well receive their attention. If our country was so deplorably deficient in moral power for abstinence, Mr. Isitt should not go Home and leave it to itself Likewise, people whose work is at Home should not make the alleged bad habits of the people of New Zealand the excuse fora ratthne good holiday at che-a^ rates. * * * It seems that Mr. J. G. Woolley, prohibitionist lecturer, is not really going to leave us to our struggles towards the prohibition goal. He says he is coming back to devote six months to us. He is now taking a well-earned rest, reading up Mark Twain, Mr. Dooley. Max Adeler, and other Americans, so that he may have a ri^ht good stock of genuinely original humorous shots to fire off at a nation which spends twopence a week more in alcohol than it did six years ago. Now, if Mr. Woolley would only bring Carrie Nation, the Kansas saloon smasher, with him. he would be sure of the largest kind of a collection ever taken up in a human hat.

Mr. Percy E. Brandon, who went aw ay with the Wellington squad of the Eighth Contingent last week, will be missed in the House of Representatives when members axe in their places next session. He did not himself occupy a seat on the floor of the House, but he kn,ew all about the speeches that were delivered there. In fact, it was his special business to lend a hand in getting those speeches! past members into the Government Printing Office. Mr. Brandon, in short, was the first assistant and right-hand man of the "Hansard" Supervisor (Mr. Marcus F. Marks), and has held the position ever since the experiment was initiated five or six years ago of accelerating the publication of '"Hansard" by getting members to correct their speeches immediately after delivery. * * • He is the eldest son of the late Mr. Eustace Brandon, who, in his day, filled the office of examiner of private bills in the House of Representatives. And he is aJso nephew of Mr. Alfred de Bathe Brandon, who is major of the Wellington battalion of volunteers. But, of course, Percy Brandon did not qualify for service in the field and pass the riding and other tests meredv through his talent in getting members to toe the mark with their "Hansard" proofs, or through his relationship to the major. For the last seven years he has been sheep-farming "on his own" in the Pohangina district, and, therefore, when the Parliamentary shutters went up he was accustomed to return hot foot to his muttons. In June last, he sold out of his farm, and, when the call went forth for an Eighth Contingent, he was one of the first to enlist. Out at the camp they quickly discovered his smartness with the pen, and so they took him out of the ranks, and made him pay-master's clerk of Squadron A, which means better times and higherpay. It is to be hoped that that Parliamentary billet will be kept open for Percy. while he is out in South Africa assisting Kitchener to quell the Boers. ♦ # * Mr. Sidney Ritter, the poetical satirist has been writing verses about Zephyr Town and its preparation of a poultice for the Africander boil. Somehow, with the genius born of long study of hidden meaning, we discerm in "Zephyr Town" another name for Wellington. Mr. Ritter, per medium of his poem, tells us how the Zephyrites once had a few pounds left over after having sent more men. "Forgetful of their city's solemn trust to strengthen Britain's hands," Mr. Ritter's Zephyrites wanted to buy a statue as a means to the victory of the troops in South Africa. "One cried, 'Let's eat. and drink it!' and they carried it nem. con. 'For our lads,' they said, 'will better fight; 'neath sun and frost and rain, if we harden them with speeches, and with truffles and champagne!'" If Mr. Ritter knows, he has a fine fighting weapon in his talent for telling little truthsi pleasantly, per poem. His skit on 'The More Men Fund" will repay perusal. * ♦ * Woolley, the temperance lecturer, ia the subject of a ohodce little story. While in New Zealand, he lectured in a Wairarapa town. The family with whom he was staying asked the lecturer to reserve front seats for them. He protested, they insisted, and, in due course, the family, consisting of four grown-ups and three-quarters of a dozen juveniles, filed into the seats. They attracted a remarkable amount of attention. As the head of the family walked out, he overheard the words, "Ah, you see," he said "I always keep solute lot, after all, do they?" etc. Mr. Woolley was approached on the subject. "Well you see, he said, "I always keep those front seata for reformed drunkards but as you insisted on it I allowed you and your family to take their places."

Mr. Andrew Campbell, the well-known bow It" who se\ eral .\ears ago left the management of the National Insurance Company in Wellington in ordei to manage tor the same thriving company in Melbourne, has concluded his brief holiday MSit to the Empire City. While lie was lieie, he was kept busy shaking the hands of old friends when he was not occupied in putting them through on the bowling green. He left for S'sclney by Tuesday's express, via Auckland, where some of Mrs. Campbells relatives reside. # Mr. Campbell belongs to several bowling clubs in the marvellous metropolis. But the particular one where he hangs up his white beaver, and keeps his bowls is the Armidale It is the only bowling club in Melbourne which does not run a licensed bar of its own foi the sale of— well, creature comforts, acm know. And, thereby hangs a tale The giound was ei\ en free to the club when ex-Premier James Munro was in his palmy days, and as he was a strict teetotaller, he hedged the eift with the condition that no strong drink should ever be sold or kept on the premises, He>nee Armidale wears the blue ribbon • * • Baden-Powell is taking credit to himself for a new invention" to pie\ent horses running away while their riders are in action. The invention" us to do what every colonial has done since he was big enough to climb on a horse, namely to fasten the bridle tightly to the stirrup so that the loose horse will be forced to move in circles should he be disposed to 'clear out." Of course the "man with the hat" has seen colonials do this, has invented" it, and the War Office is 'favourably considering" the invaluable suggestion of that distinguished officer. They should vote him another sword of honour for his discovery known to the oldest inhabitant of all the colonies. Mr. Charles K. Richardson, Welhngtonian and civil engineer is at present in the Empire Cit" from Svdne-vsule, looking as unlike a Sydnevsider as possible. Rosy and of youthful aspect but very wide awake-looking withal, the son of the Hon E. Richardson is in quest of rest among his cwn people Wellington people know young Richardson best perhaps as the se.\enteen-y ear-old boy who, in 188") at the Wellington College sports, won the long and high ]umps championships His performances of ")ft -nn for the high jump and 19ft for the long lump are still the record for the schools, and at the time 4ft lOin and -iff llm were the existin~ lecords. Did he distinguish himself at school No according to himself he much pieIciied distinction in athletics He was a lepresentatne in the inter-colonial football match (New South Wales asainst New Zealand) in 1880. He played in this match during school holidays. W T e believe Mr Richardson to be the only schoolboy then playing in such a senous same as between two representative intercolonial match teams. In between his studies, you find biking and l owing wedged very frequently At Nelson in 1886 he stroked* the Star Club's iunior boat to victory and helned win the minor championship at Wancrnnui shortly after Now, however, Mr. Riehaidton finds no time for anvthinqr but a little tennis He sn"s he spent the first two years of his Australian career almost entirely in travelling and slept three, nights out of the "-even in a cro^scMinti- "sleepei * * -» He behoves that the reason win New Zealanders are successful in Australia is because they have not the srreat Australian tned feeling tha*- the mrive-riom me so prone to Anyhow the bo\

horn the Petone i ail way shops, the successful draughtsman of the Wellington c free, the foreman of the locomotive department, and West Coast di edging engineer, found that there was all too little scope in New Zealand ioi Ins cneigA, so now he, with Mr. Blair, his partnei — also a New Zealaudei b\ the ua\. whose father was once Kngineer-m-Chicf — is consulting engineer to fourteen large mining concerns in all paits of Australasia,, in Borneo, and in South Africa. It is interesting to dredging people in New Zealand to learn that m the Dutch East Indies the Go\ eminent giants conccsions of 300 miles of nver to dredging companies, and interesting a ! .so to learn that Messis Richaid^on and Blair New Zealanders, arc supplying machinen for one of these gigantic claims y *■ + George Hutchison, foimeily member for Patea in the New Zealand House of Representatives, went to Africa, and, for some time, kept his constituents wondering if he would come back or allow someone else to take his seat At la<-t he kindly consented to ic<-ign, as he wouldn't be home anymore Georae is the gentleman who after a visit to Spion Kop, found that if he had been the general in command he could have saved the situation. He did not fight for the Empire, however nor is he doing so now . Last news from him states that he is in practice in Johannesburg, and that in December he was occupied for six days in defending five Dutchmen charged with high treason. George was exceedingly successful and he is the first lawverwho has upset a court martial and cleared chentfi that such a court would be only too willing: to hang. Business is very brisk in the office of the ex-New Zealander and there is now not the faintest hope of George facing Mr. Speaker in the New Zealand House of Rcpresentatnes aeain ♦ * « The Earl of Ha.lsbur\ . Lord Chancellor speaking at Putney said the war va= still proceeding." His Lordshm is siK-h a benefactor to the race by finding this out all bv himself that it has been p-ibled to this remote 1 outpost of the Fmpire TVuk is the sort of fu^ ]a n that is generally called a 'statesmanlike"

utterance . Last week we heard a farmlabouior trooper, just back from Africa, make the same- "statesmanlike" utterance, and, as far as can be ascertained, ho lias not been knighted, or his 'cute obsc>r\ ations made the subject for a blue-book or anything of the kind His Lordship believed in doing what we were dome; with all our might — a good old maxim that lias been thrust into everybod\ from an early age. The cable forgot"- to tell us what sort of a tie his Lordship us wearing, if he believes in American boots or whether he favours the consumption of German sausages. * * * We aie shoitly to have a tieat in the lecturing line. Dr. J. M. Peebles, the cclebiated American lecturer and spiiituah^t-, annes lieie from Melbourne about the Kith ot March, and will delu11 a coin^e of lectures under the auspices of the Wellington Association of Spiritualists Di. Peebles, who is now in his 80th jeai, has had a distinguished career. He started life as a Universalis,t pieacher at twent" and when he was hft\-foui he graduated asMD, and left the pulpit to take up the lancet and the stethoscope. After becoming a doctor, he (juickly won the degrees of M.A. and Ph D. 'Uncle Sam honoured him by making him a member of the Indian Ppko Commission m 1868, and by appointing him United States Consul at T'ebizonde in 1869. In 1886. he repreitod the United States Arbitration Leslie at the International Peace Commi'Mon, held at Berlin. He helped to establish the Order of Good Templars, and he holds high office in the Freemasons, Oddfellow «, Sons of Tenmeranre. and Knight Templars He is a healing medium of great repute, and <•■< strict vegetarian. He is a fellow of the Anthropological Society, London, and P\chological Association, London, and othei learned bodies He is editoi and propnetor of a couple of monthly magamipv in the States. He is a prolific luthoi and, as a public lecturer he is in constant reouest on both sides of the Atlantic in smte of his great ase. In shot T)i Peebles, is one of the grand o'd men of Amenca and there is sure to oe n o-ieat iush to hear him when he ■■- in + s the platform in Wellington.