ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 155, 20 June 1903, Page 3

ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE

MR Thomas Mason who died at his lesidemce at the Taita lasti week, was known tliroughout the Valley of the Hutt as "Quaker" Mason. The old man — for he was in his eighty-fifth year when hei passed away — was the bestknown member of the Society of Friends in New Zealand, and no Quaker came to Wellington from England without an introduction to Mr. Mason. There is an interesting reminiscence of how "Quaker" Mason was able to maintain himself as a non-com-batant — for the Friends axe essentially of the Peace^at-any-Pneei Party — during the currency of the Maori invasion of the Hutt, away back in the early days of settlement • • • Mr. Mason had a gun and, feeling that the temptation to use it in defence of his hearth and home might prove too strong for him. he took the implement of war to pieces, sending the stock into Wellington, and keeping the barrel m the rack in his house at Taita. But Mrs. Mason adopted the most effective means of preventing her Quaker husband from taking part in the hostilities, for she prevailed urvon him to take her to Tasmania — and they did not return until the native troubles had left th© A 7 alley. This visit to Tasmania was the only break in Mr. Mason's residence in the Hutt from the day of his arrival there m 1841 until he died. • • • Three years ago, Mrs. Mason died, in her eighty-third year. In 1890 the aged couple had had the pleasure of celebrating their golden wedding. They had a family of seven sons and three daughters all of whom are married, and all but one' — a son who has been residing: in America for the past thirty years — still reside m New Zealand. Mr. Moore clerk of bills in the Upper House is a son-in-law, and Mr. Tom Wilford is a errandson of "Quaker" Mason. A remarkable coincidence is that iust about twenty years aioro Grandfather Mason represented the seat ftihe Hutt) which to-day is represented bv Grandson Wilford in the House of Representatives. • * • Amongst the passengers who went bv the Essex to South Africa last Saturday was Mr. Sam Dyer, who evidently intends to settle over there, for his family accompanied him. During recent years Mr. Dyer was on the staff of the Wellington District Land and Survey Department. For a lengthy period, up tail a decade ago, he was well-known m the city as the publisher of the " Neiw Zealand Times." He loined the "Times" in the days when Mr. Chantrey Harris was the autocrat of the morning paper and Mr. Dyer continued to publish the paper through the succeeding period when it was the property of Captain Baldwin. • • • The Hon "Himi" Carroll is one of the most melodious speakers in New Zealand. Sometimes ho tells a truth m exactly the same way, and in the same words, asi a less-gifted speaker. Thus "Himi" at Gisborne "Once you get lawyers in the Validation Court, a.nd they are pitted against each other, the Lord help the unfortunate clients in the end." As the Lord helps those who help themselves, the lawyers certainly have the premier pull.

The late Captain Slaughton, D.5.0., M LA. of Victoria, was a promising young colonial cut down m the flower ot his manhood by a microbe brought home from Africa The late politician «as the son of the late S T. Slaughton, M.L.A.. When the father died, the son won the b-<'e-election for his seat. While still M.L.A., he joined a contingent as a sergeant, and won his commission and the D.5.0.. Even at his death he was extremely youthfullookinff, and might well have passed for an upt>er form college boy, although he had been returned to the Assembly twice. * *■ » The Biitish are not superstitious. No, sir' Anglican Rev. Cubitt, who, by the \va v measure® a good many cubits, speaking of the consecration of Bishop Nelligan, remarked recently that 'at the laying o<n of hands a shaft of sunlight broke through the clouds, and entering by the eastern window fell upon the bishop for a minute or two, and then faded an ay." Upon our word, we don't knoiw why the sun should not shine on a bishop, or a barber for the matter of that Bishop Nelligan nasn't done anything to deserve gloom, d^how and he is evidently capable of supplying '•sunshine*' himself. * "■ * Mr. Herbert Collins was in town, or in port, last week. "Bert," asi he is best known among his familiars occupies a humble position on the staff of the direct lme<r Ruapehu but he is somebody in Thespian circles, for he is the nephew of the lady of the hour, Miss Nellie' Gwynne Stewart. In his very early days, "Bert." travelled with the gifted Stewart family in Australia and New Zealand, but when he had a choice of going, he took to the sea, and has roamed its highways in all parts of the world. He is naturally very proud of his famous aunt, whom he calls "Nell " -just the same as other folks do, and he wears a Nell Stewart Gwynne picture broach on the bosom of his vest just as Yankee 'teos wear their badge of office. Bert. Collins's mother, who is a Stewart, is now Mrs 1 . Harwood and was round here with the "Trilby" Company. * • • Mr. Gully, the grandfather of the present Speaker of the House of Commons, described as a strange mixture of butcher, publican, pugilist, and politician. is 1 said to have won £105,000 on the Derby and Leger of 1825. * # * It is to be regretted that the member for Masterton has not been re>-ap-pointed to the seat so lone held by him on the Wellington Land Board. Mr. Hogg was one of the most painstaking, best-informed members of such, Boards in the colony and he will be distinctly missed from Wellington's monthly si-b-tings. Mr. Hogg took a very keein interest in the work of the Board, and kept, himself well-informed on the needs of the settlers over a large area of country. The appointment of Mr. John Dawson, to fill Mr. Hoggs seat has this objection^— he is the brother-in-law of another member of the Board, Mr. Alex. Reese. The Board has only four members and the Commissioner as chairman. When Messrs. Hogg, Stevens 1 , and Harry Field were on the Board, w'th Mr. Marchant (now Sur-veyor-General) as Commissioner, the Wellington Land Board was one of the ablest in the colony. * * • Colonel Porter, CB. clears up a knotty point. He' says that the Maori words "Kia Ora" do ' not mean "good luck " but "to be satisfied in every way." The average Maori is evidently telling fibs when, m draining one little pint he ejaculates "Kia Ora." He should curb his feelings until he has surrounded a couple of gallons before saying he is entirely satisfied.

'Hello, there's Mr. Wright, the prohibitionist diving into a pub. Why, bless my soul so is Mr. Hoby, the dentast. Great Scot, not Dr. Chappie, too 2 " Alas yes, aoid others, also. They are not coin? in to imbibe the pellucid purl or garble the crystal sin, or to rhapsodise over rum, wallow in whisky, or bury themselves in beer. Not so ! They are about to find out if there are more than two bars in the Umpire, if the barmaid in the B 2 is civil, if the bedrooms are Al at the Accidental or the towels clean behind the bar in the Turk's Head. That we followed them, and our reason for it, is nobody's business. We suppose a pressman may lemonade if he desires. * • * There is no doubt that the members of the reform. Licensing Bench aie perfectly childlike in finding their way round an hotel. Some of them went into one hotel and asked the cook what time sihe went to bed. They thought they were in the bar, talking to Hebe Theai. in another hostelry. two of them attacked from the front, and two from the rear. The two in the rear found themselves behind the bar, ready to serve the two in front, and, as a matter of fact, they raised a prohibition joke by asking them what they would have toi drink. The lady of the bar came to the rescue and suggested tea, but the Bench was there to set a good example and refused to listen to the voice of the tempter. * * » According to one prominent hotelkeeper, the closing of th© hotels at 10 o'clock "will start a revolution.'' There will be a howling mob of unirrigated travelers roaming the city with no haven in sight, and no beer. That they may have come off a boat which has a bar always "getatable" does not matter. That as bona fide travellers, they may have a "night-oap" also is of no acoount. It is necessary, in the interests of the great colonial public that the "nieht-cap" shall be taken standing uu before a brilliant bar. with a brilliant Hdbe to add zest thereto. * • • It must not be thought tha.t the hotelkeepers of Wellington regard the reform bar-prowlers as enemies. During a rather heated discussion on the "revolution" that was to take place, one member of the Committee suggested that there might be personal feeling exhibited by the licensee. Thus the licensee in retort "I have no set on prohibitionists. Why. only the other day I recommended al lady boarder to go to Mr. Hoby to have two teeth pulled." * * * The Rev. Herbert Izard, who is in Wellington after many years' absence, is the brother of "Charlie" of that ilk. Councillor C. H. Izard, however, doesn't know much about his distinguished bi other from Malacca, for he left New Zealand as far back as 1876, to sro to England. He is not only a distinguished scholar, but he has been a noted footballer, getting hisi "blue" for "Soccer" at his college at Oxford. The reverend gentleman has need of rest and bracing, and he purposes indulging in New Zealand ozone for some time. * * * The new s Ltem statin? that Mrs. Outturn, the mother of four rather notable boys, was still* hale and hearty in Victoria at the age of ninety-three, reminds us that Mr. A. R. Outtrim, one-> of those sons, was chairman of the Victorian Labour Commission that sat m Wellington in April of last year. Mr. Outtrim. who was defeated for the Maryborough seat at last general election, proba.blv does not care, for he has a heap of cash. He used to be Minister of Mines m the pre-Commonwealth days, and he owns some of the sweetest things in Victoria.

The New Zealand Chess Association at its annual meeting last week, could not see its way to straightway fill the vacancy caused by the resignation, by Mr. J. A. Connell, of the dual office of honorary secretary and. treasurer. The Association, therefore, held ever the filling of these important offices. It will be hard to find a successor who ■n ill be able to do all that Mr. Connell has done for those peculiar people, the chessmen of this colony. For some time Mr. Connell has been the secretary of the Wellington, Brickmakers' Association — a position of no small importance, seeing that through his hand® Dass all the orders for bricks manufactured in nearK every brickyard in the city. * * # Prior to becoming secretary for the brickmaker- Mr. Connell was a journalist with experience in Marlborough Wellington, and South Canterbury. He was the first editor of the Timaru "Post." and it was from the editorial chair of the "Post" that he went to the secretarial chair which he now occupies. During the time he has been secretary of the Chess Association Mr. Connell has spent much time, and taken even more trouble, in popularising thei ancient game and those who have its interest at heart will regret his retirement. • • • It is rare that the Church, the Law, and the Medical Faculty are found represented in a New Zealand family. Yet. this trinity of influence and power is represented among the brothers Izard. and bv the time these lines alppear in urint the Rev. H. Izard amd Dr. Izard will have fraternised with Lawyer Izard in Wellington. The eldest of the trio is Councillor Charles, of this city • the youngest is the medico. The eldest brother has stayed "all the time" in his native country • the other two have been wanderers over the face of the earth. « » • Dr. Izard has been, doing better than well in the Old Country and intends returning there after a brief respite in our Greater Britain of the South. The Rev. Herbert arrived only this week from the Straits Settlement, and he also has comeback to his narbive country to recuperate and fraternize with his relatives. Of course,. there are other Izards besides the triomentioned : and also, of course, the others count for something. There are four other brothers but the record of their achievements would form another Kipling. • * * Mr. Norman Partriege, who, if photographs do not lie is quite the prettiest of all professional beauties, male or female, now touring the colonies, plays "Orlando" in the romlantic "As You Like It" in Melbourne. The beauteous Norman, started life as a "call boy," at the aige of twelve, and looked longingly on all the great ones of the stage from the wings. Then he went to college, learnt something, and started his career in reality at seventeen. Curiously, this lovely lad doesn't think the sun. shines for 'him alone for he fancies he was "impudent" to attempt to play the dual role in the "Corsican Brothers," and he says he is begrinnino; to understand now how little he knows of his art. Which is refreshing in these days when a Romeo may be found in every home. * ♦ • Mr. George Hawthorn, who was promoted last week to the relieving staff of the Railway Department, is a Wellington boy. He is the younger brother of Harry Hawthorn, the crack rifle shot, and George proved himself no mean marksman at the last meeting of the Rifle Association at Trentham.

Captcin Waller, of the HuddaitParker steamer Victoria, is quite tho most popular skipper in the Taismau Sea trade just now. Like the MajorGeneral, m "The Pirates of Penzanea,' 1 he is a perfect storehouse of curious information on subjects animal, vegetable and mineral, and he has supeiadded the gift of making a pleasant and agreeable use of his knowledge. In other words, he is a capital raconteur, and if you ever travel by the Victoria you will notice that seats near the captain's chair are m great demand at meal-time. While he sits there, the conversation never for one moment flags. * * * He knows thoroughly the fauna and flora of the countries he has visited. He has read, digested, and thorr oughly assimilated every book of voyages that has come his way, and he knows by heart the history of every bay, cape, headland, and port on the coastline of the seven colonies. No captain pays greater attention to his passengers, and more easily maintaans perfect discipline on board his ship No wonder the Victoria was selected for that South Sea island trin which Cardinal Moran and a party of his^olergy and laity are about to make. A skipper who can talk, and make his talk entertaining ais well as informative, will never carry a dull ship to port. * • • Mr. Fred. Baume, the intense young: man. with the black eyes, now one of Auckland's favoured Ms.H.R., has entered into the legal life of this pulsating city, and has hung his shingle within seven minutes' walk of the House he will adorn the week after next. Mr. Baume, like most Hebrews, lias brains, and although he may think that Jews are handicapped in the colony just because they are Jews, it is pretty evident they are able to w r ear the handicap dowrn. Anyhow, "Fred" has fought all his life. He is an LL.B. and a distinguished un-'versity scholar. He is not a pood speaker for thei first half-minute but when his ideas begin to floTv he improve®. He understands elocution too for was he not for some years the ieune premier of the Auckland Shakespeare Society ? Three or four years ago he went to America, and had a look round. He felt that he ought to bring something back as a keepsake, so he returned with a wife, a very charming American lady, who had taken her degree in, an American University. One time, Mr. Baume felt the martial fire glow within his bosom and he donned khaki, and a field service cap, and chased the enemy to his lair on the breezy downs of Devonport. * * * By the way. it is becoming fashionable for Hebrew gentlemen to marry American ladies. Mr. Baume's cousin, Mr. Leo Myers, also went to America for a bride, and brought back a very talenitedl lady who has impressed the Aucklanders both by her charm of manner, and her bright and racy pen. Mr. Baume is on the Government side in politics, and may possibly accept the brief of adviser which the lamentable removal of Mr. W. J. Napier, "the Attorney-General," leaves empty. He is a sound lawyer, but does not altogether resemble' Mr. Napier, in that he is not an exnert on naval matters. * * ♦ Mr. J. Stuart Allen who in. days gone by — say seven or eight years ago — used to turn out a good many sporting pictures, and some illustrated booklets, in Wellington has been pushing his artistic pencil for some time past in Sydney. It is said he has a standing engagement, at a regular salary, with Mark Foy. the universal provider, to provide subjects for his pictorial wallpaper, which decorates all the hoardings and dead walls of the city. Just now, J. Stuart Allen is strongly in evidence with ai huge picture depicting a smart trotter harnessed to a stylish gig being driven at a spanking pace to Mark Foy's. You see it placarded in all the most prominent places and J. Stuart Allens name appears in one corner as the painter thereof. * * * Mr. "Dave" Ingram, once of Wellington athletic circles, and now "on the road" for an Auckland firm writes us to say that he owes the most gorgeous accommodation he ever had in an hotel to the Premier. He was in Waihi, where the hotels out-class the general surroundings ten to one. This is how the nortetr treated him • — "This is the room sir." and he walked in. "I followed. Immediately I got in I noticed it was extra special in arrangements Writing table, mirrors, a gorgeous double bed. and many other things to gladden the heart, of a wanderer like myself. My face must have betrayed me for my companion remarked • — 'The hangings to that bed, sir, are perfectly new. the brass fitting's were procured for a special occasion, whilst the room contains the latest thine in furniture. You know sir the Premier was up last week, an' 'c 'ad this room.'"

Mi. Ingram, auxiously queued of the porter if theie was ajiy little article m the room which had been hallowed by the Premier's touch. The porter reverently took the hair-brush in ha& hand, and smoothed its shining back. "Yes sir, he brushed his 'air with, ~this, sir." "And the - comb?" queried the traveller. "Yes, sir, that 19 the comb. It 'asn't bin out of the room since. He always stops at the Miners' Arms sir." Then the porter edged towards the door. "V' 'avn't forgotten nothing have you, sir p " "No, but you have. Please take this brush and comb with you." And the trpless man went sorrowfully hence. Next morning, Mr. Ingram asked one- of the barmaids if Mr. Seddon always stopped ait the Miners' Arms. "No, he stops at the Quartz Hotel," said the Hebe. And thus miorht an unhallowed brush and comb lead to the undoing of an innocent man's pocket. # • • Admiral Kamimura, etc., commanding the Japanese squadron, recently made much of in Australian ports, is a little, bald-headed man, five feet m height, and weighing about eight stone. He wears five or six medals and orders, and" speaks English. In Melbourne, as you know, the military turned out in great force in compliment to the Japs. , and the Governor explained the military fixings generally. The highborn Ja,p's English idiom is his chief pride. "The right of the line"— that is the Royal Australian Horse Artillery — was marching past the saluting point. The Admiral, wishing to say something expressing his intense admiration, turned to the Governor "What price your guns'" he said. • • • The Admiral, in sneaking to one 1 of Australia's best - know n squatter

queans, who wore the unenveloping corsage peculiar to the British beauty, lemarked that he was struck with the peculiar love for brevity of dress exhibited by the various sections of Australian women. "Your ladies" of the gtage>," said he, "out-it off here," making a graceful sweeping gesture in the vicinity of his knees. "The ladies who go to see them,, they cut it off here," making a, similar motion in the region of his sword-belt. By the way, a Japanese sailor in Melbourne attacked a Chinaman and beat him badly. Tn Court, he explained that he thought the man was thei Federal Premier, who had excluded Japs from his country! * • • Politicians are never satisfied. Sir "James Graham, ex-onayor of Sydney, saysi so. He avers thai "nowadays a member of Parliament has been brought to the level of a carpet-bagger, a general labour aigent. „ Once a member showed me a letter, and said 'What do you think of that ?' I read it ; it was hke this — 'Dear sir, — My daughter is leaving for Sydney bv the 1 — train. Please meet her at the station, and ta,ke her to a registry office, and try to get her a billet.' " * * • Sir James tells an. experience of his own — "One© there came to me a woman, w ho, speaking with a healthy Irish brogue, said 'Sir, me and all my family voted for you, and you've done nothing for us.' 'No ? ' I replied. 'What do you want?' She replied • 'I want you to make my son a policeman.' That is the sort of thing a member is exuected to do. I had to temporise, so I said to the woman 1 couldn't do that. You knoAv. the chief qualification for a policemaxi is the size of his feet. Now your son's head is all right . but his feet are too small.' "