All Sorts of People

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 115, 13 September 1902, Page 3

All Sorts of People

SURGEON-MAJOR Wallace Mackenzie, of Wellington, and the Seventh Contingent, has returned to the city after a stirring time in camp at Newcastle, Natal. We have had a chat with him too. It will be remembered that Dr. Mackenzie left for Africa at short notice, and with his present rank. He found medical woik among troops pretty hard, and he is not pleased with the arrangements usually made by the Imperial authorities to send sick men home. For instance, being a New Zealander, he cannot see why sick men should be despatched to ports of departure in cattle trucks, or why men suffering with epidemic diseases should be removed from hospital and sent home. * * * Touching that Newcastle fight. Dr. Mackenzie slightly differs from the newspapei version as to what started the row He says the weather m Newcastle was very hot that the New Zealanders did not carry a copy of the Aimy Act round with them, and that the "red caps" (military nohce) were duty struck. A New Zealand trooper committed the heinous crime of going dow m the street with his iacket unbuttoned. The Irish "red cap" remonstrated, and the trooper still kept his coat open until Pat banged him on the head. Then, the fun commenced and the news spread to the camp, and the straps and stirrup irons came dow n the street looking for police. Theie were no Australians or Canadians in the "indienation meeting," and when the Dragoons charged, the New Zealand fellows manned a blockhouse set up as 3 Coronation decoration. According to all accounts it was a fair enough fMit and stirrup-irons are no worse than swords anyhow . Dr. Mackenzie says the Tenth were distinctly not a fighting crowd, and did not feel at all comfortable when firing commenced one night on the kopies outside the town Also, Captain Jack Hughes, D.S 0., had told them he always felt in a "beastly funk" when he went into action, and that didn't raise their spirits any, as they looked upon "Jack" as the gamest thing in the way of a fighter they had. Dr. Mackenzie says the men have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and might have put un a good ficht if they had been in time. Before he was called on to do battle for his country and all that kind of thing Mr Mackenzie had practised in Wellington for fifteen years. He graduated in Edinburgh after having been born in Dunedin He is at present en^i-pd in trying to get a re<=t as he had only about two straieht-out hours of sleep on the home-bound Montrose Mr Joseph C. Mackv who has been in Wellington lately picking up unconsidered trifles like the Byko Corner for his firm, Macky, Logan, Caldwell and Co., is a product of the Queen City where he saw the light m 1855. He has admitted this to us in confidence. Most of his life, since he left Mcßae's High School up North, he has had his nose pressed tight to the commercial grindstone, and whatever amount there may be standing to his credit in the banks has been earned by sterling work The three young men, Mackv Logan and Caldwell learnt their business with Archibald Clark and Sons and twenty years ago laid the foundation of the large business that now flourishes in each of the four centres.

Mr. Macky was one of the captains of the West End Cricket Club, in Auckland, the first clubs to wield the willow in the Northern capital Of course, being so much of a sportsman, he is still a president of several cricket clubs, and is asked for his guinea "sub" with commendable frequency. H was also one of the pioneers of Rugby football un North. His father was a merchant before him, and traded as far back as 1840, and during the Maori War with great success. Mr. Caldwell (who, by the way, was wedded m Wellington some years ago to a daughter of Mr. James McKerrow) started the Wellington o ranch of the great business fourteen years ago, and the combined concern has outgrown all its original buildings, and is bulging out on to all sorts of vacant allotments. Mr. Mackay thinks a great deal of Mr. Thomson the Wellington manager, to whom they owe so much of the prosperity of the business here. He is an indefatigable worker, and it was through his 'cute observation of the trend of things that the fiim was enabled to drop on one of the finest plums in the wav of a bargain — a Glasgow lease of the B^ko Corner * * # The special personal features in the annual match between representatives of the Manawatu and the Wellington City hocke^ clubs, which took place at Miramar last week, were the presence of a juvenile and a veteran player in the visiting team. The vounester was a thirteen-year-old boy, "Bob" Fraser small of staturei but nugeety, and full of go. He was a leader in nearly all the dribbling rushes — which was the specialty of the visitors as aerainst the clean haid driving of the Wellington men who won their six-eoals-to-nil victory by hard and accurate driving plus combination. To return to young Fiasei 'Bob" is still a schoolboy, m attendance at the Campbell - street School Palmeiston North. He is the centre forward in the Campbell-street School Old Boys' Club and is very tricky at the "bully " He is probably the youngest representative player in Hockevland The veteran of the match was Allan Strantr one of Manawatu's full-backs. This is the same Allan Strang who has won one of the best reputations as a polo player. At hockey he plays with as much dash and courage as at polo, and if the other members of his team hit as hard and as often and ran as hard in followine-up as A. S , the result of the match would have been somewhat different News has been received in town that "Joe" Calnan has decided to stay in England, and follow the calling of a professional oarsman. This decision is probably due to the seductive persuasiveness of Tom Sullivan, who, like Joe, was a star performer of the Wellington Rowing Club, but who is now a jolh r host on the banks of the rivei Thames, and an occasional oarsman Tom did very well as an aquatic ''pio " and, if Tom, why not Joe? The latter went to South Africa with our Seventh Contingent, as a sergeant, and was one of thei lucky ones chosen to represent the colony at the King's Coronation. As he hais had quite a lengthy stay at Horne — witnessing the Henley Fete among other aquatic festivals — he has, no doubt, seen the possibilities the Old Country offers to a smart young man. And that is Joe Calnan * # * The genial Joe was also a successful football player. But, it was on the water that he made his reputation. He was a member of the committee of management of the Wellington Rowing Club, and took a very active interest in its affairs during the years he was connected with it. He and "Bob" Crawford established a record in the colony as a champion pair, winning the pairs four years in succession, and would have put vet another on the list but for the

fact that Joe was out of the colony at the time of the last regatta. He was stroke in all has engagements with Crawford, and pulled No. 3 in the Senior Fours. As he had no wager boat he had not oome out "on his own" in championship meetings, though he had a bis reputation with the sculls in his own club events. Joe Calnan was a very popular athlete, and his olub mates wish him well on the historic Thames. * * * The Rev. D. Burford Hooke, who passed through Wellington in the early part of this week, has come to the colonies on a special mission from the Colonial Missionary Society. Mr. Hooke has been the secretary of the C.M.S. for some twelve years, and he has been sent out to inquire into the outlook for Congregationalism in the colonies. It is not generally known that many, if not all, of the Congregational Churches of New Zealand were financially assisted in their establishment bv the C.M.S and the Constable-street church has been, and still is aided by the English Society. * * * It is to the Council of the C.M.S. that the New Zealand Congregational churches finally appeal when they are in need of pastors. Prior to becoming its secretary, Mr. Hooke was an organising preacher and pastor in Wales — from which ancient principality came the Rev. (and councillor) W. A. Evans of the Forward Movement and the Rev B. L. Thomas, of the Constable-street Church. Mr. Hooke is greatly impressed with life in New Zealand and thinks it a wonderful land. It has been said that he desired to Hooke it for the C.M.S. ■ Pity the troubles of a political organiser and the leader of a popular party ' Neither Mr. Culver nor Sir Joseph Wdiid are to be envied during the present or the immediate future. What with deputations, letters, and telegrams concerning aspirans for political honours at the coming elections there is no rest for leader or organiser. The most worrysome trouble m hand just at present is the squabble for the nomination for the Patea seat. The candidates for the opposing Liberal factions are Mr. Remington, of the southern portion of the electorate, and Mi R. Hornblow, of the northern district. Mr. Remington has claims upon the party, for he has fought the fight with both Mr. George Hutchison and Mr. Haselden. * » • '• Mr. Hornblow is known to many Welhngtonians. He is Wairarapa-born (of Greytown N and was in business for some years as an auctioneer in Masterton. Then, he came down to Wellington, and carried on an auctioneering business in Willis-street He took a very prominent part in local and national politics whilst in this city, and was a candidate for the House at the last general elections. Shortly after the elections he moved up to the Mangaweka-Taihape district, and took a leading part in fighting the battles of the "co-operat-ive" men, who worried the powers that be last year. Mr. Hornblow's adherents are enthusiastic in advocating him for the Liberal nomination, and it is possible that they will shout down the Remingtons if the latter do not stand firmly to their guns. >/ Hurdler George Smith, of Auckland, who returned from England last Saturday, by the Paparoa, fulfilled the mission upon which he was sent. He won the 120 Yards Hurdle Championship against the pick of English and American hurdlers, at the Amateur Athletic Association's championship meeting, a few months ago. George has lots of good things to say about the camaraderie of the quartette of American athletes who went Home for the meeting. The American team consisted of the New Yorkers S. S. Jones and A. A. Allan, Georgetowner A. F. Duffy, and the Pennsylvanian G. W. Orton.

But, the English runners did not take to either their colonial or American rivals. They thought the New Zealanders Smith and Simpson, and the trans-Atlantic quartette, were too strenuous. "They make a bally business of athletics, don'tyouknow!" complained the Englishmen. "Oh, no." Auckland George replied ; "but, you see, we were sent Home to win — and that business comes first, and pleasure afterwards." * * » There was one bit of caddishness about a section of the officials of the British A.A.A. which naturally hurt George Smith very much. After he won the 120 yards, inquiries were made as to his bona fides as an amateur. "As if the N.Z.A.A.A. would send me all the way across the seas to run against these toffs if I wasn't as blue-blooded an amateur as any of 'em " exclaimed George, indignantly, when discussing the matter. But, it was only natural, after all, that the aristocratic sons of aristocrats in a land where the classes are closely classed from the masses, should get a severe shock to find themselves run off their legs by a young man from Down Under, who follows the occupation of a custodian in order to earn a living. * * * The American athletes are more used to the coming together of extremes in life. In American athletics a man is a man for a J that. It would also severely shock the staid and exclusive Englishmen of the classes to learn that the New Zealander had from his boyhood up to manhood, earned his living as a jockey ; though they must have been surprised to find that a jockey could have come to so robust a condition in his twenty-eighth year as George Smith possesses. * * * The Birmmghamites took a great fancy to George, and wanted him to take up his residence! there, and play football with and for them. But he has too great a regard for the treatment he has received in Auckland to yield to a Birmingham temptation. The four Americans took a great fancy to Smith and Simpson, and wanted them to tour the States. Then, the New Zealanders dilated upon the glories and wonders of the colonies and urged the Americans to come out. G. W. Orton gave something of a hint that if he could get a team of athletes together he would visit New Zealand and Australia next season. * • • On the return of Messrs. Smith and Simpson, last Saturday, they were entertained at a smoke concert by members of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Club. The chair was occupied by Mr. Meliss Stuart. When the returned athletes were toasted, George Smith sneaked out of the room to escape the task of replying to the toast. But, Cimpson gave a srranhic account of "How our George won the Hurdles," and then he (Simpson) showed the company how he had to run to catch the 9 o'clock boat for Lyttelton! * • • ' Miss Pettit, who has been appointed matron to the Wellington Hospital, is petite in form and figure. Our Hospital has been noted for its small women in command, for Miss Godfrey, who was matron when Miss Pettit joined the staff, wore dresses which would just about fit the newly-appointed matron. Miss Payne, who succeeded Miss Godfrey, was also below the medium height of colonial women. Miss Pettit is a Dunedin girl, but received the whole of her nursing experience in the institution of which, she now has control. Her family removed from Dunedin some years ago, and is now settled in Wellington. Miss Pettit has undertaken no small task, but she is clever and capable, and has a gift of tenderness and taet — and, as the song has it, "You can do a lot of things with tact!"

Mr. Tom Wilford, M.H.R., in bidding good-bye to his political friends at Newtown, a week or so back told them why he was forsaking Wellington Suburbs and taking to the Hutt electorate. "I have long had a desire to represent the district which has been a home to me," he said. Then, he went on to add that in the long ago his grandfather (Mr. Mason), who is still living, represented the Hutt in Parliament, and his (Tom's) father (Dr. W.) had worked the best years of his life in. the valley. Tom added the interesting item that Grandfather Mason had -one into the Hutt Valley away back at the end of the thirties and was still hale and active enough to spend some time dailv in his garden on the eastern side of the valley Some recent interesting reminiscences by the junior member for the city (Mi . Geo. Fishei), at a Newtown social. He said that the spot npon which he was then standing — the Constable-street Congregational Church — was part of Howes farm what time he CG. F.) arrived in Wellington. When Charley Moody, in those days, built the Newtown Hotel, he was voted a madman for venturing to plant a house away outm the country ' For there were not more than thirty houses on the southern side of the Basin Reserve in those days Newtown-road then was oftentimes knee^deep in mud, and residents in South Wellington were frequently seen climbing home alone the fence instead of by the road' "Isn't that so, Mr. Godber?" asked the junior member. "Hear hear!" corroborated the councillor from Cuba-street. Mr. Fisher also told the story of hus last athletic feat, which was connected with his Newtown experiences. He had just left Chnstchurch, where he had achieved much fame as a sprinter, and was loth to admit that he was o-et-ting stale in wind and limb. For his great desire was to win the amateur 100 yds championship of Canterbury He trained for the race m South Wellington, in the paddock which is now part of Newtown Park. George's race resulted in a dead-heat with Mr. Mason, now of the Telegraph Department in Chxistchurch. In the run off "Our George" won his race easily. Mr. Fisher also informed his audience that he first sat in Parliament for the Wellington South seat, and that was away back in 1879. Dr J. Pritchard Jones, the popular young "gum-digger" from "way down in Ole Virginny," who has been extracting molars and canines, bicuspids and fangs generally in Wellington, for the past four years or so, has everything essential to the States but the accent. He has overcome the dreadful nasal use of the language and he would pass for a colonial at any time. Young Jones, when he was a little sharp-featured vounp-ster going to a A lrginian school, wanted badl- to be a soldier, and it was in preparation for "West Point," the American Sandhurst that he assimilated his early learning. His mother hated to think of him as a soldier, but the youthful Jones had to shed blood somehow, so he went into the Dental College at Atlanta, and since he came out he has shed a great deal He likes Wellington, which is probably the reason he is leaving for New Plymouth to help Mr. N. Miller, L.D.S. Curiously, Dr. R. Y. Cleland, another clever young dental sursreon, this time from Chicago, has -just arrived from New Plymouth, and Dr Jones goes thither. Dr. Cleland who is just establishing himself at the corner of Willis - street has

not lost his American accent. He was with Mr. N. Miller in New Plymouth for a year. He is a graduate of the Chicago Dental College, and was chief demonstrator there for four years. He is a big, strong fellow, and we daresay he demonstrated with good effect. He is not a typical "hustling" Yankee, for he is quite mild, and evidently believes that the New ZeaJander has as good a right as the Yankee to believe he is the "anointed." * * * Friends of that popular young Wellingtonian, Mr. F. G. Foster, son of the town clerk and engineer to the JVLelrose Borough Council, will be glad to see the photograph of him in this issue The young fellow, who was but twentysix when he died in London, was bom in Blenheim, but lived all his life, ud to a little more than two years ago in Wellington. He was a Mount Cook and Technical School scholar, and showed great aptitude for mathematics and mechanics, and served his time with Mr. E. Seagar, in. the Victoria Foundr where he worked for nine years. To increase his knowledge, he went to sea as a marine engineer in the Waikare and easily secured an appointment on the s.s. Pmdari, trading to India. The rigours of the Indian climate told on him, and the "went sick" at Rangoon, and took ship to London. His parents had no idea that the illness was likely to be serious, and were naturally much shocked at the tidings of his death. They wired instructions that his body should be emblamed and sent to Wellington, but are not quite certain if their instructions were in time. As the young man had fully determined to get all the experience he possibly could, with the intention of making the best use of it in New Zealand, it is particularly sad that so promising a career should be so suddenly cut short. * * * It is no small honour to have been reelected to the position of captain of an athletic club for eleven years in succession. This was the achievement of Mr. George Bethune, at the annual meeting of the Star Boating Club. Mr. Bethune has been a very active member of the club since his entrance, twenty years ago, and the organisation of a regatta or any aquatic carnival is not complete unless he is one of the organisers. He is full of enthusiasm — an enthusiasm which he carries into his auctioneering business — has he not secured some of the best of returns at book sales? — and also into relisrious life.

The Wellington Diocesan Synod annually gives him a hearty vote of thanks for his services as auditor, and he has done yeoman service for the Missions to Seamen. For his services to the Star Boating Club, Mr. Bethune last week was made a life member (active list), which is but due recognition of valuable help rendered over many years. * » * An interesting character was lost in Southland, by the passing away of Mr. Duncan McFarlane Last week in his 87th year. When the old man was living, there were four generations of males by the name of Duncan McFarlane in Southland. The eldest son k the proprietor of Deschler's Hotel, in Invercargill ; his son, again, is the twice-returned mayor of Gore, and he also has a son bearing the family name. There is a good story treasured in the McFarlane history concerning the connection with this colony. That Duncan Mac, who passed away last week came out to the colonies ahead of his family. After trying his luck in Victoria, he came on to the Otago goldfields. & * * * Eventually, at a settlement called Pheasant Creek, the wanderer settled down to his trade as a baker. In the course of some years, his eldest son came out from Scotland to try his luck and, incidentally, to look for his father. Whilst on the wallaby, his course took him through Pleasant Creek, and there, beside the waters which were still, he saw a signboard bearing the name, "Duncan McFarlane." And thus father and son found each other after many days, and "Who'd have thought it'" Mr. A. H Tonipkins, who is announced as the Liberal-Independent candidate^ for the Oroua seat, is wellknown throughout the Manchester Block, of which Feilding is the centre. A. H. T., who is a shopkeeper at Kimbolton, is an enthusiastic supporter of the small farmer, and his interests from the very early days have centred in the settlement of that very large stretch of country known as the Manchester Block. Mr. Tompkins has always taken a keen interest in local affairs in his district, and was, for several years, chairman of the Kiwitea County Council, which body he represented at the County Council Conference held in Wellington two years ago. He is built upon small and slight lines, but has plenty of energy, and should give Mr. Lethbridge something to do to retain the Oroua seat.