All Sorts of People

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 181, 19 December 1903, Page 3

All Sorts of People

MR. Thomas Whitehouse hasn't been outside New Zealand since he landed in Wellington, at the age of four, in 1841. He feels very young and fit, so he is going to have a trip to Australia. The past sixty odd years have left very few serious marks on the bright, straight-backed, jolly old man. Some eauly-day memories? Well, when he was a boy the stocks were set up by the side of the Court at the foot of Hobson-street. He remembers Mrs. Fisher, a rather noted character of the forties, "resting" in those stocks. It was fine fun for the boys, but Mrs. Fisher didn't care about it. * * * Mr. Whitehouse, although now a man with the best education — that of experience — has never been to school. He cannot talk of the terrible thrashings he got from the master, because masters were very scarce in this part of New Zealand in the "forties and fifties." What did the boys do for amusement? Well, the" saved their pennies, and went to the racecourse, which was along the flat where now is Cuba-street, and the big water-jump for the steeplechases was just round Hermann's corner. Grandstand? Somewhere m the vicinity of where Ghuznee-street is now built. Boys from seven upwards worked in those days. The passengers by the ''Lord William Bentinck," under Captain Jim Crow, didn't find Wellington as it is to-day. Te Aro and Newtown, bog , Wellington Terrace bush ; Miramar, lake. The father of Wellington came to New Zealand one year after Mr. Whitehouse, but the latter doesn't dispute the title ■with Mr. Phmmer. There were earthquakes in those days. In 1848, as you know, things were fairly lively, but although Britannia (the Hutt) quaked, and Poneke trembled, no one but a sergeant, who lived in the Army commissariat stores, which was m a paddock on the site of Lower Cuba-street, was killed by falling bricks. Earthquake Day was a lovely balmy one. The band was playing on the Te Aro flat, in its pavilion. The seismic visitation came along, up-ended tbe bandstand, and made the music mute. * • * They used to go to Burnham Water racecourse in bullock drays in the "fifties," and generally got bogged in the worst spot. Newtown Hotel is on that spot now. Burnham Water was at Miramar. In the memorable 1855 earthquake, Wellington began to heave at 9 o'clock one day, and kept on at a lively jig all that night. Previous to this schooners had gone up the Kaiwarra stream. The Burnham Water racecourse was covered with fish by a tidal wave. The boy. oh, where was he? Next day, young Whitehouse, who served in Wallace's grocery, and others, were selling large quantities of candles to the tent-dwellers on the hills, who had fled their homes when Wellington began to play up. Only one man was killed — Baron Oldorf, who kept a hotel where is now Messrs. Warnock and Adkins' drapery store. » » * Mr. Whitehouse hit out for himself in 1865, and started as a grocer in Cubastreet. He didn't give it up until wealth began to roll in, and then the genial old identity became one of the promoters of the Te Aro Loan and In-

vestment Company, with an office on the flat — we mean Cuba-street. He is now secretary of that flourishing concern, trundles a canny bowl, is hale and heart"- and deserves a little spell. We wish him a pleasant holiday, and another jubilee. * * * With the closing of this year a prominent figure, in the person of Mr. J. H. Pope, passes out of State education circles. For a period of just on a quarter of a century Mr. Pope has filled the position of Inspector of Native Schools, and had become familiar to and popular with Maoris of the past and of the present generation in nearly every native settlement in the colony. Like the beauteous Lily Langtry, he is a native of Jersey, and on his family emigrating to Victoria, just fifty years ago, young Pope became a school teacher, his first claiss being m the Ballaiat School. It was in that Victorian town, also, that he took another important responsibility — a wife. * * * The year 1863 found Mr. Pope on the staff of the Boys' High School, in Dunedin, in 1868 he mas its acting-rector, and in 1873 he left the Boys' to _ take charge of the Girls' High School in the Edinburgh of the South. The year 1876 found him back in the Victorian town again, as head of the Ballarat College, but failing health caused him to send in his resignation three years later, and back he came to "God's own country." The colony's Secretary of Education of those days (Dr. Hislop, father of the Hon. Thomas of that ilk) knew Mr. Pope to be an organiser of n ore> than usual ability, and, on his advice, the Jerseymaji was sent to Taranaki to institute reform in the education system of that dairy-fed province. This commission was followed by Mr. Pope's appointment to the position which he is now retiring from. He never spared himself in carrying out duties which called for many privations, difficulties, and inconveniences, and all his labour has been marked with ability and industry. Many of the class-books used in the native schools had Mr. Pope for author, and "The Rudiments of New Zealand Sociology" is a helpful book, which was written by him for the benefit of young Maori scholars and teachers. * * * Rev. Edward Walker, who fluttered briefly in the ante-room of politics, without, however, getting before the footlights, is a Prohibitionist, who is being interviewed here and there as he beams alike upon the just and the unjust in his peregrinations. We are constrained to take but one little needle from the haystack "I am certainly not a friend of the Upper House. From our point of view, it is simply stuffed with the enemy, and we should like to see it ended or mended." If the party wished to "end" all the legislators who are "enemies," the total number of politicians in New Zealand would be at the most sixteen. It would cheapen government with a vengeance. # * * Commissioner-General Green, of America, is in Auckland. He is from the St. Louis Exhibition, and has been here a week or two. What do you think of this country, Mr. Green? "Why, I reckon it's the finest country for tourists on the earth." Funny thing how unanimous the Americans are about our attractions. Americans are spry, you bet. There were sports down South a few months back. There was the usual sawing event. An American firm of whom no one had ever heard had sent two beautiful saws free. The sports committee wouldn't have them. The American firm wasn't mad. It merely replied it was getting a massive silver cup for competition at the next sports. Bless you, the Americans are wholehearted sports.

Colonel Collins well deserved the handsome presentation made to him last week by the officers of the Wellington Garrison, as a token of appreciation of the work done by him in connection with the recently-held military bazaar. The Colonel is one of the best organisers in the city, he has tact enough to run even a boardmg-house successfully, and, as a "general" — well, mature and his parents have equipped him for theranik. Some men have their callings , the citizen soldiers of Wellington have their Collins. * * * The Rev. A. C. Hoggins, of Christchurch, is very quaint. He recently said that people went to church not from any conscientious religious motives, but "because they liked it." The idea of people going to church because they didn't like it is a most interesting one. Although it isn't quite clear what the reverend gentleman means, his congregation was much ruffled. They don't like to be told that they like church. Perhaps, it isn't true. * * * Mr. Ralph Levoi, Australasian superintendent for the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company, has been to Australia So have you. What about it? you ask. Nothing unusual about seeing "our 'arbour," of course. But impressions vary. In the eye of a particularly cute Hebrew gentleman Australia is a marvellous country, where the people are so volatile that the 1 most prolonged drought cannot dry up "the genial currents of the soul." Its recuperative powers are so great that a rumed squatter will weep salt tears of bitter grief on Monday, and go to see "The Breaking of the Drought" on Tuesday. * * * New Zealandeis go to Australia because their own country isi the finest one in the world, of course. The Australian says : "My word, but New Zealand is a great country. Why the diokens did you leave it p " The New Zealander who has grabbed the best billet lying around says he is going back to New Zealand when that colony ceases giving all its best billets to foreigners. Australians believe that gold grows on the kerbstones in New Zealand, and that King Dick's main business is to cut off chunks, and throw them to an adoring people. Australian® tell the wide-awake Ralph that there are not two good politicians in Australia. "Give us a dozen Dick Seddons and we'll wallop creation !" What a wide field for Dick and eleven others. * * * Mr. Levoi called on Sir Matthew Davies while in Melbourne 1 . Sir Matthew is a busy man. Mr. Levoi said he was an accident insurance man. Sir Matthew faintly murmured that he didn't want to be rude to a person, of Mr. Levoi's eminence, but, as he was the sixth insurance agent he had received within the last half-hour, would he kindly let him. off? Mr. Levoi, who was in the "show" line himself as advance agent up to 1879, naturally takes a keen interest in theatricals, and saw the genial Bland Holt buying furniture for the production of "The Great Millionaire," in Melbourne. He tells us that the tireless Bland was in the great warehouse of Mr. Sam Nathan from halfpast nine in the morning till 5.30 at night, buying "props." * * * Mr. Levoi was keenly interested in the Slapoffski-Musgrove case, which Madame won, greatly to the delight of Australians, who, says Ralph, were unanimous in supporting the "Slap" side of the case. The rather extraordinary statement made by George that he could get a real "ringer" in the grand opera line to come from London for £25 a week was not accepted by the great Australian public without a saline accompaniment, seeing that Harry Rickards pays £60 a week to a person who couldn't hope to sing in grand opera.

Mr. Levoi is a forty-year-old New Zealander, having came out as companion to Arthur Joseph nephew of the late Jacob Joseph in the ship Chapman, in 1864. He was with the firm for a year. Subsequently, he took to theatrical ventures, and piloted Bern Allah, the conjurer, the Empire coloured troupe, Lionel Bromgh, Chiarini's and Woodroffe's circuses, and many other shows through the colonies. He joined the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company at its inception, and for some time earned the noble sum of 7s 6d a week, since which time he has earned rather more. His eldest son is "Ben. Linden," of Alf. Woods'g Dramatic Company, "Bert Linden," leading man with William Andersons No. 1 Company, being also a son. * * * A whole host of friends , throughout the colony will have noticed with pleasure the announcement in last week's "Gaaette" of the promotion of Mr. George Pache to the chief clerkship in the Old Age Pensions Department. G. C. F., the cool and methodical, is just the man for responsibilities, and he has been well trained both inside and outside the service for such. At school, in the office, and on the playground, he was always thorough and keen. A New Zealander, he has borne his part in the national sport, having been one of our best in our football world. Mr. Fache is a good type of the progressive colonial. Therefore, congratulations. •» * * "Smiler" Hales, the man who pursues the truth with relentless persistency, and who may overtake it if it gets tired, is, as you know, doing the Balkan, bother on the spot for the "Daily News." "SmilerV prevailing virtue is modesty. Hear what he writes to a friend in deadly secrecy : — "General Lontcheff , one of the insurgent leaders, has given me' many marks of his good will. Recently he had to go on a journey in disguise. What that trip was for I am not at liberty to say, but when he was ready he sent for me, and he and I rode alone. I was proud of hi& trust, proud that he should show such trust in an Englishman whom "he had not known for many hours, and I said so. He replied that Colonel Zankoff guaranteed me, and though I am noboy I know that I blushed with pleasure, for the man who wins praise from that mountain lion, Zankoff, cannot be a wastrel." So "Smiler's" suspicions are dissipated. * * » Last Saturday's cablegrams informed us of a narrow escape which Queen Alexandra had from, a fire in her palace. It was the presence of mind and prompt action of Miss Margaret Knollys which; saved Her Majesty. The Knollys family has had an historic connection with the royal house of England. At the present time, Lord Knollys has been the private secretary and closest confidential' friend of King Edward for the past thirty-three years, and Miss Knollys. (his sister) has been for almost the same lengthy period the companion and friend of the Queen, and to-day occupies the position of Bed-chamber Woman, a most important post. * * * It was a Sir Francis Knollys who married Kitty Cary, Queen Elizabeth^ first cousin and that same Kitty was with Anne Boleyn (her aunt) on the morning of the execution of the luckless love of the massive Henry. Coming down to later days, the late Sir Win. Knollys, father of King Edward's secretary, was treasurer and controller for the Prince and Princess of Wales on the marriage' of Edward and Alexandra. Wherever the King may happen to be there will be found Lord Knollys, and wherever tike Queen is Miss Knollys is close by. On the occasion of the coronation, she was raised to the rank of a baron's daughter, which is a rare, if not entirely unprecedented, honour in the case of a lady belonging to a family not yet ennobled.

For the severalth time, the Yorkshire Society last week re-elected Mr. J. Charlesworth to its presidency. Mr. Charlesworth, who is as well-known as the Town Hall w hich he has designed, is an enthusiastic "Yorkey," and takes pride in being at the head of the most flourishing of all the clannish societies of the Empire City. For his. vice-pre-sidents he has an enthusiastic quartette in Messrs Henry Flockton, J. Trevor, R. Harbottle (who recently paid a visit to the Home Country), and ex-Secretary Dalby. Mr. Herdman-Smith, chief instructor at the Technical School, has joined the committee of the society. Mr. J. Holroyd succeeds Mr. Dalby in the secretaryship, and Mr. W. T. Wagstaff was re-elected treasurer. « * * Mr. W. Helhwell, who has succeeded the late Mr. H. C. Satchell as district manager of the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia, at Chnst>church, was well-known in insurance circles in Wellington. In February last he came from Melbourne to fill the position of accountant in the Wellington office of the M.L.A. under the New Zealand resident secretary, Mr. Orton Stevens. His promotion to Christchurch was well deserved, and, after all, Mr. Helhwell only returns to his own, for he was a resident of the Cathedral City as far back as 1888. Not so very long ago he was transferred from Christchurch to the head office in the Victorian capital, whence he came to Wellington. • * ■» King Dick's anxiety about the decreasing birth-rate and his public utterances on the subjsct, have stirred up citizens throughout the colony to a sense of their shortcomings. Only the other day Mr. Seddon got a wire from Taihaoe "Four births in forty-eight hours. What about decreasing birthrate?" Another proud parent sent along a nhotograph of Richard John, his twenty-fourth child. This correspondent tells King Dick, his oldest child is thirty-five, and has a family of eight children, four of his 1 other children having families of six, five, four, and two respectively. One son a soldier, was buried in Pretoria. The man who has had nothing to do with the decline of births is sixty years of age. * * * The astonishing Oliver Bainbndge, who was born near Sydney, and who had some fearful adventures with wild amimals in the jungles of Otahuhu, near Auckland, shooting himself badly, and getting nursed by a sweet young thing, is at it again. He lately got the ear of the Chicago papers, and has been pouring out in columns and columns of picturesque t\\ addle about things that have, and have not, happened to him. He figures as "The British Explorer," and the latest great and glorious historical record dragged out of obliviou is headed "Kings I Have Met." Nothing is said about the "Three Kings " although Oliver may have interviewed them during his stormy career. * # * Rev. Claude H. Roe, has been "slumming it" in London for some years, and who has gone to PaJmerston North to take a church, tells us, in reply to a query, that his impressions of the colony since he found his luggage, which had gone astray, have been entirely favourable. 'Righteousness exalt - eth a nation."

The Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan, of Auckland, surprises his people — even those at a great distance' — by poking in on them at odd moments. The Auckland Catholics gave him a motor car a while back. Some of these days the curates of New Zealand will be getting mo-tor-cars, and the horses that have been ridden all the week, and "lent to the parson" on Sunday will be glad. Only recently a parson travelled forty-five miles on horseback, and preached to four people when he got there. If he had rushed ~iily through the country on a free motor-car he would have had a big muster. But, we are afraid poor curates haven't a hope.

Outspoken Bishop Julius ! He Recently said he would like to hang the man who made a ceirtain Southern road. If he would only come to Wellington he would be useful to draw and quarter the men who haven't made the Hutt road. * * * Bishop Welldon, in firing off colonial impressions to- a pressman the other day, said that the first thing a visitor should see in Melbourne is the racecouise. The advice seems to be a bit superfluous. The average visitor to Melbourne generally rushes out to the racecourse in the first train. We may expect to hear Bishop Walks recommending the Hutt racecourse as the pre-eminent attraction of this district yet. * • • Mr. W. H. Froneman, a Taranaki farmer, has been to America, gathering

in ideas, and. having a holiday. He says that Yankeeland isn't so very far behind New Zealand after all, but that that glorious country is trying hard to "be as like us as they'ie able for to be." Mr. Froneman supplies an American newspaper clipping, which alleges that the paternal Government of New Zealand washes the faces of its subjects when they rise in the morning, tucks the blankets round them when they retire at night, and even proposes to grant State aid to its representative football teams." The Americans haven't seen New Zealand backblocks settlers "jacking" their produce out of a boggy paddock on to a boggy State road, or the immense Government areas covered with the noxious weeds that a paternal Government insists shall be cleared oni all lands except those held by the paternal Government aforesaid.