ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 161, 1 August 1903, Page 3

ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE

THE members of the Wellington district of the New Zealand Educational Institute held their annual meeting last Saturday. School ma'ams and masters are generally considered to be autocrats of the most pronounced type, but they are really the most diffident and unassuming people imaginable when they foregather as an Institute. If they have enthusiasm, they successfully hide that most desirable quality. No one would suspect members of the Institute of moving on impulse. When business was before the meeting last Saturday, as on previous occasions, there was no rush to catch the chairman's eye, but, instead, a very generally expressed desire to put off till tomorrow that which should be done dayThe chair was occupied by Mr. George MacMorran (president}, the well-known head of the Terrace Sdhool, and the leading authority on the history of pedagogy in Wellington. There was one piece of interesting: business the meeting did complete, and that was the election of officers for the ensuing term. Mr. Finlay Bethune, who is in charge of the Johnson ville School, was chosen as the successor of Mr. MacMorran in the presidency. Mr. Bethune is the eighteenth president elected bv Wellington teachers. Mr. Wm. Mowbray, the ex-head of the Thorndon School, was the first president, and he was annointed away back in 1874. * * The newly-elected president of the Educational Institute (Mr. Bethune) is probably the youngest man to have attained the honour. He is a colonial, and, like the re-elected treasurer (Mr. A. Erskine, of the Terrace School) was brought up in the Geraldine district. In fact, Messrs Bethune and Erskine were boys together at the South Canterbury school just named. In the contest for the dual vice-presidency Mr. J. H. Worboys and Miss Myers were successful, and they succeeded Mr. Bethune and Miss Lorimer (head of the Mount Cook GirLs' School), to whose staff Miss Myers is attached. Mr. Worboys who has been for several years in charge of the Kilbirnie School, was a member of the Institute's Committee of Management last year. Mr. W. Foster, of the Mitchelltown School, who, for several terms, has proved himself an indefatigable coadjutor of Mr. Erskine, was re-elected to the secretaryship. Miss Craig, who is in charge of the infants' department at Berhampore, and who has been an active member of the Institute was re-elected to the Management Committee. ♦ * * Mr. P. E. Cheal, who was very much in evidence in Wellington last week, is a particularly well-known Aucklander. He has grown grey in the service of that province, and pro!>ablv knows the country better and further back into its interior than any other single individual. For Mr. Cheal is a surveyor, and was for many years in the Government service. He came down to Wellington as an Auckland delegate to the recently-held Conference of the Liberal Federation, and he remained a while longer to do some lobbying. In between whiles Mr. Cheal went about the city, putting in appearances at various different places. He occupied at least one pulpit he

gave a religious address to the patients of Mount View Asylum, he also took part in the Chamber of Commerce bebate on nreferential trade, and spoke ait the house-waiming function held in tlhe new quarters of the V.M.C.A., in Cowan's Buildings He ha® been a Cheal amang us, not only takin' notes, but making speeches. Andrew Rutherford, the elect of Hurunui (says the "Observer"), is one of the most, interesting personages in the new House of Representatives. He owns one of the biggest estates m the colony, situated on the borders of Nelson and Canterbury, and is known in. the South as the "Amuri Wool King.'' But, contrary to the general rule with large squatters, Mr. Rutherf >rd is a supporter of the' present Government, and even advocates! an increase of the graduated land tax. * * * It was he who defeated in the last election the long-winded "Aichie Medes" Meredith. Probably, he owed his large maiority to the excellent relations on which he has always stood with his work-neople. For it is said of "Andreh" Rutherford that no man ever applied to him in vain for work however little his labour was worth. Also that it has been his custom, whenever one of his employees left his wages undrawn, to add on interest when the amount oame to be paid Truly, a liberal in more than a political sense * # * Miss Rosemary Rees, daughter of the well-known Mr. W. L. Rees, of Gisborne, was in the company playing ''Our Boys," m Glasgow, last month. You remember that Miss Rees staited out in the great theatrical world with Miss Fanny Brough, and had the literary ffift of her father. Quite recently, Miss Rees had a very readable tale ni "The King " She called it, "The Girl from New Zealand." * * ♦ v Mr. C. A. Briggs, who leaves Wellington early next month on an extended visit to the Old World, is a very well-known city man. With Mr. E. C. Mills, he has shared the managerial direction of the E. W. Mills Company since the death of the founder of this important company. Mr. Briggs, who was at one time almost as well-known in the Wairarapa as he is in the city, has grown up with the Mills business, and was the late Mr. Mills ; s right-hand man for some years before the head of the house passed hence. We wish Mr. and Mrs. Briggs bon voyage and a safe and happy return. , * * * M Antonio Paino is a native of sunn^ Italy, and was born under the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. He came all the way from Naples to Wellington some three or four years ago, when only about ten years of age, to join an uncle. Tony spoke nothing but Italian when he came to Wellington ; last week he left our city en route for the famous bay over which the sky is always blue, and the venturesome little fellow returns, as he came, alone. But, he returns richer by some thirty odd golden keys to success, and a liberal knowledge of the English language. * # * For Tony is as keen as mustard, and, as a runner as well as messenger for the "Evening Post," he had facilities for picking up a new vocabulary. He was one of the smartest newspaper sellers on the street, and he knew as much about how many coppers made a shilling as any Chinaman. Tony was so popular with the 'Tost" boys and men that they gave him a watch and chain to take with him to his native land. One of these days, Antonio Paino will return to Wellington, and inscribe his name with a flourish in the big book in the Resort for Tourists.

Maitha Tainui is a smart and rather prepossessing young Maori, of w hom ib is absolutely no stretch of hyperbole to say she is well-known to the police. As a matter of fact, she has been before the public and the police m Wellington some five or six years, and during that time she has run up quite a long list of convictions for vagrancy and obtaining goods under false pretences, has been an inmate of nearly all the rescue homes hereabouts, and has defrauded more people in this city, probably, than any other woman of twice her age. * * * Last Friday, she made her most recent appearance in our Police Court dock, and, as a result of her interview with Dr. McArthur, she was nrovided with free quarters at the Hotel de Garvey for a space of six months. She had only a little time previously completed a three-months' term of seclusion in that large and commodious establishment on the Terrace. Martha's latest 'victim was a ladies' outfitter, in Manners-street. This lady had recently lost her husband. To her went Mai'tha, with her face wreathed in sympathy, and a voice tuned to condolence with the widow — a combination peculiarly dear to bereaved women. Martha told her a tale of well-to-do connections, and of running-up accounts at the big "rag" shops*, and then obtained good to the value of £3 12s. * * * She did not pay for these goods, and the result was her appearance in the dock, and the martialling of half-a>-doz-en witnesses to disprove every statement she had made to the trusting widow. When one of the witnesses, a young and smart-looking man, was under examination Martha, who pleaded "not guilty," and defended herself, said, "I don't know this man ; I have never seen him before." "Exactly " replied the Stipendiary Magistrate, "this is the accountant at the 1.0. T., where you said you ran an account. He says Martha Tainui never had an account there!" Collapse of Martha. * * * Cable news from London last week informed us of the death of Mr. B. L. Farjeon, a well-known and popular English noveli&t. This news was of more than usual interest to New Zealanders, because literary circles in our colony have always claimed a large share of credit in the making of Farjeon the Novelist. It is not generally known, however, outside of Otagan literary and journalistic circles, that Mr. Farjeon, who was a Cockney by birth, was originally a compositor by trade, and that he worked at "case" in both Victoria and New Zealand. That was away back in the beginning of the sixties. He was a young man in his twenties when he was taken with the colonial gold fever, and, after some little experience — ■ not altogether satisfactory — on the Victorian goldfields, he joined in the rush to the Otagan fields. * ■* * He got no further than Dune dm, however, for, in that Edinburgh of the South, he came into contact with Mr. Julius Vogel, and was associated with that enterprising journalist — who had not then "arrived" as a politician —in the early struggles of the "Otago Daily Times." The novelist-that-was-to-be "stuck type" with other compositors, some of whom are still alive, whilst the statesman-that-was-to-be occupied the editorial chair. Mr. Farjeon is still remembered by old-time printers as one of the "whips" — that is, a very fast type-setter — of the "Daily Times." Mr. William Riley, now well-known in Wellington as one of the district agents: of the Government Life Insurance Department, was a fellowcompositor with Mr. Farjeon in those early days.

The latter did not remain long at "case," for Mr. Julius Vogel soon, discovered that the young and active Jew had writing ability above the ordinary. He therefore promoted him first to the reportorial, and then to the sub-edi-tonai, desk, and the slim, dark, longhaired, keen-faced young mam. from. London did some good work for the "Daily Times" with his pen. In. those days the fame of Charles Dickens had accompanied his stories even out to far-away New Zealand, and Mr. Farjeon became a most enthusiastic admirer of the great Londoner. So much 60, that he set himself to follow the Dickensonian style, and with such, success that "Grif," a long story, which to-day is to be obtained in the popular sixpenny form in the Wellington bookshops, resulted. If our memory serves us rishtlv "Grif" was first issued in serial form in Dunedm. * * • When in Dunedin, before he had started on his career as a novelist, Mr. Farj eon was known as an enthusiastic chess player, and he played many a closely-contested game with Sir Robert Stout, who had not then come to political honour or to his title. Mr. Farjeon also achieved success as a lecturer, and some Dunedmites have a vivid recollection still of a brilliant effort q yen on the platform on "Humbugs." given on the platform on "Humbugs." * * • The people of South Wellington are to be congratulated on having in their midst such a musical enthusiast as Mr. W. J. Salmon. This gentleman, who is in charge of the post-office at Newtown, and was in Auckland before coming to the Empire City, was the prime mover in the movement which has resulted in the establishing of the South Wellington Choral Society. He has taken up the duties of honorary secretary of the Society. This- week is to see the begmninp- of the practices of the Society, and the baton is to be wielded by Mr. Wicks, who is known to his friends as a keen and capable musician. Given the good material which undoubtedly exist® in South Wellington, he, and the Society, should achieve success before the Society is twelve months old. * * * It was announced at the end of last week that Mr. Joseph Joseph had been, appointed by the Sydney Board of Directors of the A.M. P. Society to the seat on the Wellington Board of Directors, made vacant by the death of Dr. Grace. The newly-appointed director is well-known in WeUinfjton, and is the son of a father who has been closely identified with Wellington's 1 commercial affairs for very many years. Mr. Joseph will make an active and sagacious local representative of a progressive life assurance company. * * # „ Congratulations to Mr. T. R. Fleming, chief of the inspectorial staff of the Wellington Education Board. He left Wellington very quietly a few weeks ago, ostensibly for the purpose of spending a vacation in Australia. As announced in last week's Lance, he has really "been and pone and got married." His many friends and 1 acquaintances thought it was "real mean of him" to take such an important and interesting step without consulting them and they hope he won't do it again. But, after all, Inspector Fleming wasn't marrying his friends and acquaintances ; therefore, he Trent about his own business in his own way. The newly-made Benedict is a New Zealander, and was educated at Nelson College. He has been attached to the Wellington Education Board! for something like eight or ten years. Mr. Fleming is a member of Victoria College Council, and takes a keen interest in the higher education movement.

Before these lines are published, the Rev. John Paterson, *ho, for thirty-five consecutive years occupied the pastorate of St. John's, will have started upon his round-the-world holiday? This will be Mr. Pjrtewon'a first Ht to Scotland since he left Home to take charge of St. John's. lne only Se hi hfs thirtv-fiva year,' Prorate that he took a nation wtside the colony was away back in 1888, when he made a voyage to Australia Endowed with a strong constitution Mr. Paterson never seemed to tire of his work and was noted for his devotion to duty He was not in the habit of takmg a month's or even a fortnight's Son per annum, but kept tohxs pulpit year in and year out. Ltoxgfore his present to-be-prolonged holiday is well-deserved-rather, it has been richly earned-and his late flock showed a very fine and appreciative St in presenting him with a cheque for £347, so that his top may be free from financial Avorry. ♦ * • Mr Paterson is making the circumnavigation trip alone, as Mrs Patersons health would not permit of her accompanying him. He is going via Vancouver, and, whilst passing through Canada, will drop in at Winnipeg, to make calls upon the Anglican Archbishop there, and upon the Rev Mr. Gordon. The Archbishop was at College with the Rev. C. S. Ogg, late of St Andrew's; and Mr. Gordon has, like several other Presbyterian pastors, won fame as a novelist under the name of "Raroh Connor " Mr Paterson is to call upon the author of '•Black Rock" and "The Man from Glengarry," to tell the Anglo-Canadian how much his books are read and appreciated in New Zealand. From Canada, Mr. Paterson goes to New York, from New York to Liverpool then through England to Scotland, and afterwards back to Wellington again. # * * The Caste Committee of the recent-ly-formed Shakespeare Society has made an admirable selection of readers for the first public appearance of the Society, in the reading of one of the immortal bard's comedies, Twelfth Night." The piece chosen for the nrst reading is very strong in male characters of which there are fourteen, as against only three women. The bociety, on the other hand, is very streuig in lady members, so that the committee was rather hard put to it to give its' talented members of the lawsex anything like an equitable representation in the reading. The dimculty was got over, however, by choosing sue readers, and duplicating the characters. That is to say there will be two Violas (.Mrs. Pollen and Miss Wilkes), two Olivias (Misses Newall and Richmond), and two Marias (Misses I. Hyams and Watson). One half of the play will be read by one party of ladies, and the second part by the other trio wherever the characters occur. * * * The New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association has done exceedingly well for the pastime in the colony by its appointment last week of Mr. George Goldie to the secretaryship. Mr. Goldie, -who is town traveller for Mr. Alex. Ferguson, is one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the gentle game with the racket. Although he has not been able to play the game himself for several years, he is as> keen as mustard in his interest for it. Mr. Goldie will give a much-needed impetus to the Association's oversight of the game in the colony , for it must be admitted that during recent years the Association has been rather lax. and has, in fact, failed to bring the game right up to date. Before winning a name as an enthusiastic tennis player, Mr. Goldie won a great reputation as an athlete, and walked the soles off many a pair of boots. He excelled in the pedestrian department of amateur athletes. As secretary of the Wellington Referees' Association ho did fine work, and it is greatly owing to his initiative that that body is in such a flourishing condition as it is to-day. * * * A venerable figure in colonial Presbytenanism took part in the Paterson good-bye meeting, in St. John's Church, on Wednesday of last week. That figure was the person of the Rev. John Ross, of Turakina. It is a strange thing that Presbyterians never speak of the Rev. John without adding that it is "Ross of Turakina" they are speaking about. Mr. Ross was present at the meeting as Mr. Patersons oldest New Zealand friend He of Turakina has been in the colony thirtyseven years, or just two years longer than Mr. Paterson. The latter said of his old friend that, in the early days of the preaching of the Gospel in our North Island, he had wandered over mountains and waded through floods with Ross of Turakina, and had found the latter "as true as steel " No man could wish for erreater praise than to have it said of him that he had been tried, and not found wanting.

However successful Mark Hambourg may be as a pianist he is not m the count as a lady-killer. At the last Auckland concert, a pretty girl in one of the tront rows turned brightJy to a companion, and remarked ' What a faoelie has got." The other girl, probably one with a musical soul, acquiesced hesitatingly, and then demurely added "But it's a face that grows on you" "Is it?" retorted the other, smartly, "then, thank Heaven it never grew on me." * * * \ Thirteen is considered an unlucky number, but Miss Roydhouse, of South

Wairarapa, would not agree w.ththis popular belief. But then, she was the lucky one of the thirteen applicants for the position of librarian at the Carterton Library, the committee of that institution in the quiet region of the south part of the valley having last week selected this lady for the position. Miss Roydhouse has a circle of friends and acquaintances in the city, made when her father was one of the proprietors of the "Evening Press." that paper which it was thought by not a few people was going to seriously interfere with the circulation of the "Post." Mr. Roydhouse is now connected with the country press of South Wairarapa.