All Sorts Of People

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 119, 11 October 1902, Page 3

All Sorts Of People

MR. John Belk, the inventor of a contrivance which is going to improve the old-time windowsash cord and weight out of existence, is one of the smallest of Feilding's people. But, stature is not everything. Good things are frequently put up m small parcels. This is not the first time Mr. Belk has felt the throes of invention. In the days of his young manhood— and they are further away than one would think in gazing upon his well-preserved countenance — he invented a cork-cut-ting machine, which is still in use in the Old Country. Nor is he the only inventor in his family, for his brother has also registered a patent. * • * Mr. Belk sold his first invention for £100, and it was partly upon that capital that he ventured to New Zealand. He came out with the first emigrants sent by the Manchester Corporation to settle upon the Manchester Block, of which Feilding is the centre. There Mr. Belk has lived ever since those early days, and, though he cannot be said" to have "crown up" with the Dlace, he has seen Feilding and its surroundings advance with prodigious prosper, itv. There is a vast difference to-day compared with the time when Mr. Belk and the other settlers were "housed ' in tents on the site of the now busy town. * * * Associated with Mr. Belk in pushing the interests of the patent for sustaining and fastening windows, is Mr. F. Gillett, of Palmerston. It is peculiarly apprrmriate that these two gentlemen should be partners, for Mr. Gillett was the surveyor vho first laid out the town of Feilding what time the first settlers were sent out to it by the Manchester Corporation. Messrs. Belk and Gilletfc are sanguine that if the world is their oyster. their natent is the medium bv which its succulent contents will be opened for their future enjoyment. * • * Theie is great grief among members of the Loyal Antipodean Lodge of Oddfellows, for Dr. Fell has resigned his position as one of the lodge's doctors, after seventeen years' service. He has long been the most popular of the four medicoes upon the lodge's list. When the resignation was received, at last week's meeting, the letter called forth reminiscences of the days when Dr. Fell came to Wellington. The old members told the moderns that he was in naTtnership with Dr. Collins in those days, and when one Doubting Thomas exclaimed, "Really!" an old 'un retorted, "Why young man, even Dr. Collins has been one of the Antipodes' doctors!" "Go on "' cried another young member, in a tone which seemed to imply that he did not think it possible that such a fashionable medico could ever have been a 'lodge doctor." * • » The Antipodean Lodge was the first friendly society to which Dr. Fell attached himself," and he has worked well and faithfully all down the years for the members of the lodges which he has served. It has been written of a famous surgeon — I do not like thee, Dr. Fell The reason why I cannot tell ' But. the couplet does not apply to the Wellington representative of the family Wellington mothers do like Dr. Fell ami the reason they most plainly tell — because he is careful in attending their little ones.

Dr. Fell has had a very trying winter and spring. He has told some of his clients that it has been the most trying sprinf that he remembers. A daily tired feeling has caused him to drop a portion of his burden. But, the Antipodeans intend talking "real nice" to him, with the object of getting him to \wthdraw bis resignation. Dr. Fell is one of Wellington's most enthusiastic yachtsmen, and his love of the ocean's ozone has probably enabled him to bear heavy burdens which would break up stronger men. Something reminiscent of the high-old-time proceedings of the days when Magistrate Kenny presided over our S.M. Court, was indicated on "Justices' Day" last week. Two neighbours of Newtown sought to get "the other fellow" bound over to keep the peace, and the over-the-fence disputants were represented by the jovial Jellicoe and the wily Wilford. Atlogether, the two neighbours and the two "learned friends" made a lively party, and kept things merry in the Hall of Justice. When Lawyer Wilford was examining his client, the latter apologised for asking counsel to speak louder, because "he was a little deaf on this side!" "You would not do for a juryman," exclaimed Lawyer Wilford. His client grinned a "Why?" "A juryman," answered "Tommy," "must hear both sides'" A quip which deservedly won a yell of "Silence" from Constable Johnson. • » * Later on, in the hearing of the case. Mr. Wilford advised bis client to "turn his deaf side to Mr. Jellicoe." When the latter began his cross-examination his face beamed as he solicitously inquired, "Are you deaf on one side?" The witness retorted that he was "stone deaf" on the side nearest Mr. Jellicoe. "Well " fired out the lawyer, with a suddenly-assumed ferocious aspect, "keep your deaf side out of the way, then'" Again "Silence!" had to be brought into force. Whilst argument was proceeding, towards the close of the case, Mr. Jellicoe proceeded to use an argument of which advantage had been taken by Mr. Wilford. The latter protested. Mr. Jellicoe retorted — "You must remember, Mr Wilford, that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander '" This won the instant re-tort-courteous from Mr. Wilford — "And a. very suitable simile it is, Mr. Jelliooe!" Mr. Jellicoe "swallowed hard" as his "learned friend" smiled seraphicall-. • • ♦ Prize-fighter Bob Fitzsimmons has a very much vouneer brother who is seeking to follow the ex-chamm'on's example. Brother Jack was Timaru's representative at the heavyweight boxing contest which took place in Christchurch the other night for the amateur championship. And Jack upheld the credit of the family by winning the coveted honour. The probability is that when "Bob" gets this news in New York he will cable to Jack to come over and try his biceps against the "amatoors" of the States. The Fitzsimmons family has been keeping a fire goin? in a smithy in Timaru almost ever since a forge fire was first lighted down there. Bob was himself a blacksmith in Timaru before the gloves took him away from the forge The Rev. Mr. Cocker, who is stationed in a circuit up Taranaki way, is wellknown in Methody circles in Wellington. In a recently-given lecture he somewhat startled his Methodist audience by declaring that he preferred the Sunday bull-dog fightings which were part of a young man's education a hundred ago to the cigarette-smok-ing and tobacco-chewintr attainments of young men of to-day' This may, or may not, be "according to Cocker." Perhans. the tale originated in the teeming brain of a newspaper man and there is nothing in it but smoke !

A woman with a past to be proud of passed away at Stratford last week, in the person of Mrs. James Hill. Her husband was a sergeant in th© 57th Regiment, and she came out to ioin Mm at the time the 57th was being kent lively by the Maoris in Taranaki in 1861. She had followed the fla- with the sergeant through camps in Great Britain and Ireland, Gibraltar, Malta, the lonian Islands, and India. When the wives and families of the men of the 57th were leaving Bombay for New Plymouth, in 1861, the womenfolk protested stronelv asaimst the prospect of bein^ cooped up for the long voyage in a small vessel, the Victory. They decided to deoutationise th© officer in charge, and Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Collins — mother of our own Dcmular Lieut. - Colonel of that ilk, whose husband was quartermaster-sergeant of the 57th — headed the deputation. The resu't was that the outward-bounders were placed upon the roomy steam sloop Prince Arthur. * • * Mi*. "Charlie" Marter, who will be remembered *>■"■ Wellingtonians as an ardent sportsman, is still oust as ardent. Before Charlie left the "New Zealand Times" to drive a reportorial quill for the "Sydney Daily Telegraph " he was regarded reverently by his fellow scribblers as incapable of distending facts. He had a popular career as secretary of the Wellington Rugby Union, and he wrote a heap of racy matter for the great sport. About four years ago, Mr. Hoben, formerly of the "Post." but them of Sydney, and the first secretary of the New Zealand Rueby Union, told Charlie there was a "good thing sticking out" on the "Sydney Daily Telegraph " and Charlie travelled thither, and has been engaged in wielding a versatile pen for that well-known journal ever since. He has recently burst forth as a spinner of shark yarns, and bis latest weird and wondrous experience is told in this issue. "Charlie" would be hurt if we doubted the accuracy of the story, and so we merely leave the discriminating (and gentle) reader to form his own conclusions. * * « Auburn-crowned Kelling had to meet a unanimously-made and serious charge at the Parliamentary-cum-Civil Service-oum-Wellington Club chess tournament. He was charged with being an enthusiastic ehessite. The Lance is prepared to avow that Mr. Kelling is a manyaided man, but he is absolutely steeped in a ruddy complexion and enthusiasm. Whatever he takes in hand he grips hard with both hands, and he pushes its interests for all it is worth, whether it be chess or cricket. He is the son of a father who transmitted the power to enthuse, for, not only was Kelling pere a chess-player of ability, but he is one of the few survivors of the first Parliament of New Zealand, having represented Waimea away back in 1860. * • ■* Mr. Thomas Hodgson, manager of the Northern Boot and Shoe Company, Limited, is easily approached on the subject of boots and bowls. He is at present in Wellington, whither he has come to shake brother bowlers by the hand and to plant his boots on this territory. The dapper little man, with the grey eyes, the round spectacles, and the slight Northern "burr" in his speech came to New Zealand twentytwo years ago, after having learnt something about the iron-foundry business at Home. * ■* * Soon the firm of Gittos and Sons asked him to be theirs, and, as he knew nothing about hides, sent him to Wanganui with a drawing of a bullock's hide and told him to buy some. He made such a success of it that they wanted badly to keep him, but he had an unaccountable liking for boots, and soon drifted into the employ of the firm he still manages for. Bowls, however is

at pet subject with Mr. H. when boots are "off," and he is president of the Rocky Nook (Mount Albert) Club, in Auckland. * * * He works out problems with his customers on their counters sometimes, and uses boots for points of vantage. Get a bowler talking about the game, and to sell him boots is easier than "kissing kitty." The Rooky Nook green has eight rinks, and the "Beautifying Committee" has got them in splendid bil-liard-table order. Their pavilion is a thing of beauty, and Mr. Hodgson is not quite sure if Wellington has anything to equal them. Auckland has nine bowling clubs, and all have a large membership. Mr. Hodgson, who is a ruddy little man, of sparkling appearance, is not a good subject for a patent medicine interviewer. He attributes 'his health to the gentle pastime of bowls. * * * Mr. William Jenkins, who passed away at Otaki the other day, was one of the interesting and historic "human documents" of the colony. No one ever called him anything but plain "Bill," and it was doubtful whether he would have recognised himself if addressed as "Mr. William." In fact, he was ever suspicious of anyone who approached him with "any of the mister business." And thereby hangs a tale. "Bill" at times collected some out-of-way curios, and at the time that Lord Onslow was Governor of the colony, "Bill" had a rare bird which was coveted by not a few collectors. Among those persons who knew a good thing when they saw one was Sir Walter Buller, and he had seen "Bill's" bird. But. Bill Jenkins was himself anj "old bird," and a very "fly" old bird, and one which got on a high perch when Sir Walter was about. * * • One day, during his frequent visits to his lakeside property, near Otaki, Sir Walter made a call upon "Mister Jenkins." "Well," said the anything-but-sweet William, who was never over-gracious to the Knight of Papaitonga, "what do you want?" Sir Walter sand that Lady Onslow was collecting curios to take Home with her, and that she would no doubt greatly prize that rare bird which Mr. Jenkins possessed. "Let me give it to Her Ladyship," suggested Sir Walter. "Look here, Buller," retorted "Bill," if Mrs. Onslow wants that bird o7o 7 mine, she can come and get it— but you don't take it to her." Shortly afterwards, Lady Onslow visited Otaki. and, on the evening of her arrival, a little old man called at her abiding place, and asked if he see Mrs. Onslow?" It vraa "Bill," and under his arm he carried the prized bird, which he presented with great delight to Her Ladyship. Speaking of the incident later on, he chuckled as he exclaimed : "You bet, I put Buller's nose out of jint over that bird !" ♦ • • Jenkins was a remarkable character in many ways. He had had whaling experiences in the early days when he was a Pakeha-Maori. His cottage, in OtaM, contained not a few trophies from a disastrous wreck which occurred many years ago at the mouth of the Otaki River. At that wreck little "Bill" performed prodigies of valour in rescuing the immigrants. Up to some ten years ago he carried out engagements as a jockey, and he is succeeded by a son (Charlie) who has already won no small reputation on the turf. Despite the fact that he was an octogenarian — "Bill" was in his 88th year when he passed away — his courage was great. Some few years ago his nerve was put to the test when he successfully crossed the Otaki River on horseback during flood-time. He had resided in the Otaki district since the early thirties.

Major Bartlett, who arrived from Africa, for the third time during the last three years, by the Rimutaka on Wednesday, has put in all the military service he can, and has found out enough about Africa to give him an idea of the proper place to plant a business. The gallant Major, whose last trip to Boerland was thought to be the final one took all his ooachbuildmg gear with him, evidently with the intention of re-bmlding the odd hundred thousand or so vehicles smashed ud in the .war. He comes back, having discovered that. Africa is no place for a poor man, and that no one should go there who cannot wait opportunities for at least two years. That is why he is going back in three weeks' time. • • • The Major has bought a farm outside Johannesburg and is taking his family back with him to temporarily go on the land. By the way, the big black horse Major Bartlett rode throuehout with the First Contingent and which refused to succumb to hard trekking and starvation, was still alive and kicking until recently. The old warrior was left at Barberton, when the "First" came home, and a colonel of the Shropshires secured him, and wan a great many races with him. Recently, the eouine warrior was brought to Johannesburg, but the town life did not suit him so he incontinently died. Major Bartlett is trying hard to stay in New Zealand until the 21st instant, on which date the First Contingent holds its annual dinner He was chairman at the function last year. . * * Mr. Wiltshire, the assistant city ennneer, who has just retired from the service of the Council, nearly broke down the other night when the staff were giving him a few little mementoes at a social gathering. He did not break down, however, bue he broke up" the assemblage. Mr. Wiltshire stands with one hand on, the table and his right foot kicks the floor all the time with nervousness. He remarked that the present of a walking stick was a tolerable hint, and that he was sorry he had to take the hint and the stick. • ♦ » In the early days, when Mr. Wiltshire helped to engineer this town, the offices of the Corporation were apparently scattered around indiscriminately. It is a cheerful reflection that the City Surveyor's office twenty-six years ago was a morgue when there were bodies about, and that when am unfortunate came in the engineer's staff went out. The staff took up quarters in tihe White Swan Hot-el "until the plans were completed," said Mr. Wiltshire with a sad smile. And, with their inferior implements, plans took a long time to compete in those days. The "White Swan" was a popular office. • • • His Worship the Mayor is quite in accord with that motion of Mr. T. K. Macdonalds put to a meeting of citizens who want to welcome King Dick back with glad shouts. He is quite agreeable that an opportunity sihall be given of allowing Mr. Seddon to speak for "three or four hours" when, he returns to Wellington., and if the citizens want Hinemoa (Mr. Aitken said "any more") then that the light part of the entertainment may take that form. • * * Mr. Aitken is to be given a "few minutes" t* welcome the Premier, and the Premier is to be cruelly cut down to "three hours)." There was some little friction as to a charge being made for admittance) to the welcome meeting to the Premier at the citizens' gathering on Monday. Mr. E. J. Hill thinks that if a shilling is too much to pay to see the modern marvel the people had

better stay away. We think Mr. Seddon is well worth the price, anyhow. Mr. John Orewes, chairman of the Concdiataon Board, and a candidate for Newtown, who spoke several words at the rate of one per minute, said some people had not got a shilling to spend on this kind of thing. Has conciliation impoverished them, to such a fearsome extent as this? # ■ * "Was it valedictory?" This was the query made by the press when the Hon. W. C. Walker made his finishingup speech just before the Legislative Council closed down last Friday. Now, Mr. Walker, as leader for the Government m the Upper House, has made other closing-down speeches — in fact, he has spoken in a somewhat similar strain at the end of every session during the years he has held the portfolio of Education, just as his predecessor in the Upper House leadersihip (Sir Patrick Buckley) used to do. In fact, the Canterbury Councillor has followed the suave courtesy of the deceased Wellington Councillor. So, why should Mr. Walker's latest complimentary uttei ance be deemed to be valedictory P * «• * Is he leaving the Council? No> one has hinted such a thing, for he still feels youthful. Is he leaving the Ministry? Ah, that is the question which contains the rub. If he leaves the Ministry, then he was saying farewell as Minister of Education. And, if he leaves the Ministry, yet does not leave the Council, what then ? Well, there are other honours in the Council besides leading counsel for the Government, and that is not the chairmanship of committees. Time will show in what way Mr Walker's speech was valedictory ' * « * There was no deeper sigh of thankfulness drawn when the House closed down last week than that heaved by the men of the Press Gallery. "The Press Gang" had a pretty strenuous time of it during the session just closed, and they will scarce have recovered their breath before they will all be busy plying pencils in the general elections. All parts of the colony were represented in "the gallery of the aristocrats of the press," as we heard the Parliamentary reporters recently dubbed. The Gallery is com Dosed of a hard-working, good-natured lot of men, who have no interest in life which equals the importance of the papers they represent. "The paper" is first, last, and all the time in their minds. To serve it, name, sweethearts, wives, and relatives are put to one side, and night and day have no difference, time has no meaning, and personal comfort is not to be thought of. * • • The readers of the colony have no idea of the "graft" and persistent effort which go to supply their parliamentary news during session. And only those pressmen who have "been there" know what Gallery work means. Among the old-timers in tihe Gallery during the

session just closed were Albert Cohen, of the Dunedin. "Star," Tom Morrison, oi: the "Hawke's Bay Herald," and "R. A. L." (ex-editor of the "Lyttelton Times" and the "New Zealand Times"). Among the young men who have sat year in and year out, yet do not look the older for it, are Malcolm Rosa (the syndicator, whose pen writes even for the Thunderer's columns), Fred Reeves, of the "Evening Post," P. J. Nolan, of the "New Zealand Times.," and Aleo Burns, of the Press Association. Then there are sub-editor Reid, of the "Auckland Star," and Harry Gordon of the Auckland "Herald." who, by the way has just severed his connection with that paper. * * » The juveniles of the Gallery were GilniO'ur, of Invercargill , George Brown, of the "New Zealand Times," and Fred. Earle, of the "Evening Post." The lasi>named couple did double duty, representing their papers m the Le r nsla^ tive Council, and afterwards assisting their seniors in the House. It is a remarkable fact that there is a Gallery microbe, which worries the pressman who has once worked in the Press Gallery back into the Gallery every session and the Gallery man wanders willy nilly into his perch again a® the years go by. * « Captain Tuokey told a good story about an Australian Bushman at the Working Men's Club banquet last week. An English commandant was going the rounds in one of the South African camps He oame to the powder magazine, outside which the Bushman was standing in a don'i>care attitude. Sauntering up, the officer began, to talk to the colonial in a casual sort of way, and the soldier, apparently, failed to recognise him as anything but the ordina>ry officer. He was questioned as to his duties. * ■* # "Well," the colonial replied, "in that place (pointing) there is a sort of a powder magazine, and in a sort of a way I'm, supposed to be guarding it." "You seem to know your duty, all right!" said the officer. "Oh, yes, m a sort of a way " replied the Bushy "and what might you be doing?" he inquired, in turn. "Oh," replied the stranger, "in a sort of a way, d'ye see, I'm the commandant of this camp!" "Then," said the colonial, "in a sort of a way I suppose I ought to give you a kind of a salute!" And with that he listlessly stood to "attention," and brought has rifle to the salute. The commandant considers this on© of his best reminiscences of the campaign. » • • Is the Rev. Wm. Thomson a candiJdate for political honours p This is a query which is being asked in labour circles in the city, and when it was n ut to the pastor of Scots Church, by a horny-handed son of toil, the reverend gentleman as good as said "Why not?" Certainly, Mr. Thomson must be feeling his way for the nomination of the

labourites. During recent days he has given an address beiore members oi the iSocaalist Party — as though to keep Tom Mann's place warm — and he also cave a catch-them-by-the-eare address at the agitation meeting of carpenters and joiners, held in Godber's rooms last week. These two incidents would not, in themselves, indicate anything but marks of parsonioal enterprise. But, when a man on the eve of a general election exhibits curiosity as to the vot-ing-power of a party or a union, then — well, it is fair to look out for a man who wants a nomination. Mr. Thomson may be called the Ishmael of tihe Presbyterian Church, and ho is running has church as a non-union-ist, so far as 1 the Presbytery ie concerned. The Soots Church is a thing apart from St. John's, St. Andrew's, Kent Terrace, and St. James's. Mr. Thomson's trouble with the union of churches began in Paimerston North. On coming to Wellington, he laboured hard to raise a Peace Memorial Church at Thorndon, but peace did not come, and so he could not raise the wind. But, he raised Soots Church, in Abel Smithstreet and it us from that centre he is working. If he goes in for politics, he should get the support of the Farmers' Union, for Mr. Thomson is the son of a Scotch farmer, and he has had no small experience amon™ the farming classes at Home, as well as among; the farmers of the Manawatu. But, if he is to get the Farmers' Union he must not, coquette with the Socialist Party, though all may be Tamson's Bairn s'