All Sorts of People

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 196, 2 April 1904, Page 3

All Sorts of People

MR. Herbert Edward Rogers, brothe Criterion Cafe, Mannersther of Mr. A. H. Rogers, of street, has seen a pretty large skce of the world and had a rather brisk and picturesque time sinoe he left Wellington in H.M.S. Mohawk just about four years ago. The Mohawk was then under orders to proceed to the China station, where the Boxer rising was promising lively developments. Herbert Edward hadn't any pressing engagement on hand and having a taste for adventure, the news that there was room for a captain's steward on board the warshm in Port Nick found him perfectly willing. So he put his sketch-book into his pooket, slipped his paint and colour-box into his valise, and entered His Majesty's service while King Dick was busy shipping off his Third or Fourth Contingent to South Africa. • * * Mr. Rogers saw a rare mixture of life m the Gulf of Pechili. He was there when Sir Michael Seymour started to lead his handful of British tars to Pekm and would infallibly have fallen beneath the swarms of Boxers had not the little Jap been on hand to give him a hand through. The captain's steward was much impressed by Johnny Jap. Says he is- clean, active, and brave, and if you show him a thing once he'll never need a second lesson. As for the Russians, they don't live in the same street so far as civilised usages &0. The Cossack is too awful for anything — filthy in habits, a savage in instinct, and a bloodthirsty brute where women and children are concerned. Mr. Rogers fcund that the lowest class of Chinese — the Boxer element — were all agreed that the Cossacks were out of sight beneath them, as human beings. • • • Prom the Mohawk, young Herbert transferred himself after nine months to the Hongkong police, for better pay and a swifter life, and he was soon detailed for service at Pakhoi, a busy treaty port just abreast of the island of Hainan, and "convaneyent" to the Tonquin border. Here the police were under inter-national control, but French influence seemed to be in the ascendant. Any adventures there? Oh, yes. Rogers joined a picnic party, consisting, of two Frenchmen, two Germans, and an American in hiring a house-boat to go up the Canton river for some shooting. They were waylaid by_ a Chinese pirate junk, and, after a brisk fight in which one of the Frenchmen got wounded and the house-boat was damaged, they captured the junk. On their return the French and German Consuls made such a fuss about the affair that the Chinese authorities were glad to pay the couple of Frenchmen and the two Germans sufficient compensation to enable them to make a holiday trin Home. But, the British Consul didn't bother his head about Rogers' right to similar treatment. He merely lit another cigar, and said he was jolly lucky to get back anyhow. » » * The New Zealander went down before a shan> attack of fever, and when able to crawl about again he reckoned he had had quite enough of the Far East and, by way of antidote, struck out for the Far West. He regained his fightincweight amid the roaring Rockies and then threw himself heart and soul into the exhilarating out-of-doors employment of sheep-droving. It took Rogers all over the States, from Southern California right away to Montana, on the

Canadian frontier, and while the sheep were moving forward there was plenty of leisure to whip out pencil and sketchbook and take down chips of American scenery. The Venezuela trouble was then on the board, and Cousin Jonathan was itching badly to have a "go" at "the consarned Dutchy." Mr. Rogers got back to Wellington three weeks ago, and is gradually dropping the American language. » * Rev. William Thomson, of the exScots Church, Abel Smith Street, and who is being discussed somewhat at present owing to the fact that his church has been sold to a publican, has a striking personality. He is built on solid - lines. Deep-ohested broadheaded, big-limbed, and big-voiced, he belongs to the militant section of the Church, and might have made a name for himself in the Army if the Church hadn't interposed. Mr. Thomson's! got to fight wherever he is, and truth to tell, he has battled most of the time he has been in New Zealand. • » * The braw lad was born in Ross-shire, and his father was a farmer. Most Scotch farmers want their clever laddies to become "meenisters," and so it happened that wee Wullie went to the Royal Academy at Inverness to be schooled. Then, to the Grammar School at Aberdeen, and so on to St. Andrew's University. He was licensed for the Free Church at Inverness. Mr. Thomson's soul wanted a wide field, and m>, at the age of twenty-eight, and unmarried, he came to New Zealand. For four Sundays he pounded the lectern at Greymouth Presbyterian Church, and later, not able to foresee the results, he accepted a charge at Palmerstom North, where, for eight years, storm and calm alternated — the storm eventually ning'Twas on the question of prohibition that Mr. Thomson and the Presbytery differed. He was not, nor is he now, a prohibitionist, and his elders were, and still are we presume. He objected to the institution of a prohibition propaganda into the Church, and he has a habit of putting objections very plainly. You know the consequences. He says prohibition is not a success. It does not, nor never will, prohibit. The system creates the moral sneak, and evils worse than drunkenness. It leads to outward sanctimony, and a bottle m the cupboard , to a blue ribbon in the coat, and old rye in the cellar. If the State would control the traffic, Mr. Thomson asserts he would help the reform heart and soul. • • • Well, Mr. Thomson, not to be beaten, established Scots Church in Wellingtom, and had, and still 1 has, many enthusiastic followlowers. It the Scotch stalwart has failings, he certainly doesn't hide them, and he says little about any virtues he may also have. Now Mr. Thomson's church is sold, people want to know what its minister is going to do. Perhaps, he won't keep them long in suspense. He has a hankering after public life. He is a fine scholar, has ability asi an orator, and a grasp of ques Itions other than clerical or prohibition ones. Maybe, he'll be heard of directly. It would be a fairly good test of his popularity for him to contest the Palmerston North seat at next general election. • • * Sir Joseph Ward has scored one at tli* expense of the Hon. James Carroll. At the termination of Lord Ranfurly's trip through the TJrewera County, the Native Minister wired to the Minister of Railways : — "Governor and I have been through the most exquisite scenery ip New Zealand — the best in the' world. Knocks Stewart Island, your favourite beauty spot, into a cocked hat." To this Sir Joseph replied, promptly : "Experts should not give an opinion on a subject before viewing." The joke is that Mr. Carroll, much-travelled man as he is, has never seen Stewart Island.

Mr. White, the retired secretary of the Wellington branch of the V.M.C.A., left for his Ballarat home last week, and quite a lot of young men in Wellington are soiry. The cheerful White was invited by General Secretary Virgo who came to Wellington about eighteen months ago, to come here and get a branch going. It is going all right. He used to be provincial secretary at Ballarat, where he had a business of his own. The Ballarat V.M.C.A. had a membership of three hundred. As there are more young men in Wellington than in Ballarat, the branch Mr. White started ought to have a membe 1 ship of six hundred. We shall see. • • * Mr. White is leaving for private reasons, and not because he doesn't like the work, and he, of course, will remain identified with the movement when he gets to Ballarat. We looked at the keen face, surmounted by a brand new gir felt hat, and asked him if he had any work to do while in Wellington. "All day and every day, and six nights a week," said he. Mr. White is satisfied that the Yankee system of Y.M.C.A. is the best there is. They run boarding-houses. He says the great need in Wellington is for decent house accommodation for young men. We expect he's been taking a trip up Plimmer's Steps lately. Every day men come to him, and ask him to recommend a place to stay. He finds it difficult. • • • "Bummers" try to victimise the V.M.C.A. Two obfuscated individuals one day steered carefully into his room, bumping the door on the way. "Mr. White ?" enquired the man wath the least beer. "Yes." "Brother," said he, grasping the hand of the secretary, "let us engage in prayer!" breathing heavily on him, and causing him to stagger. "How much do you want?" was Mr. White's way of dealing with the beery ones, but the inevitable sixpence for beer wasn't forthcoming. « • * Mr. White's dark-skinned, severe, clerical-looking successor is Mr. H. W. Holmes, straaght from the Holy City (Adelaide). We find him sending away Wellington daily papers to his father, the Rev. H. Holmes, Methodist clergyman at Yankahlla (South Australia). The youth (he ib but twenty-four) was the hon. general secretary of the South Australian Christian Endeavour Union, treasurer of the South Australian Literary Society's Union, and was in the Ministry of the Model Parliament. Also, he was editor of the local Christian Endeavour ''News," prize essayist, and what not. • * * Mr. Holmes was a draper's assistant in the Holy City, and a local preacher, which didn't prevent him being captain of the firm's (Charles Burke and Co.) cricket team. He is also a prize debater. You might remember that the Premier of South Australia used to be a V.M.C.A. man. Mr. Jenkins presided at the send-off given to Mr. Holmes. On behalf of the Endeavourers and Y.M.CAs. the Premier presented him with a purse of sovereigns and a gladstone bap- remarking that the next song was peculiarly appropriate, "I Know a Bank"— Mr. Holmes here removed a £l-note out of the reach of the pressman. By the way. Premier Jenkins was the first Premier of the Model Parliament of which Mr. Holmes was a member. So also was the present Premier of Tasmania (Mr. Propsting). Mr. Jenkins is a great reciter. At all public functions in Adelaide the committee get Mr. Jenkins to give the last item on the programme. It clears the hall quicker than "God Save the King." During his lay-preachership, Mr Holmes used to go often to gaol — to preach to the gentlemen behind the bars. One day, while at his place of business, a man called on Mr. Holmes. "You know me, Mr. Holmes?" "I seem to know your face. Where have I seen

it P" "In gaol. You used to conae and preach to us, didn't you. Ah, sir, those splendid sermons. Remember how you used to emphasise the necessity of loving one's brother, and acting the good Samaritan?" And the shilling changed hands. The true art of "humming" exists only in Australia. * • • So Mr. Maurice P. Cameron has been chosen, out of a large array of applicants for the position of Hardware Expert under the Government. "Well, if it & true, and there's no reason to doubt n — although up till Monday last Maurice himself knew no more than the man in the street — the Government have landed a very fine fish for their bait of ££00. Mr. Cameron says he hadn't the remotest idea of entering for the event until the day before the entries closed. He was strolling along the Quay when Mr. Glasgow (the head of the Customs) — who many a time and oft in days gone by had sought an opinion from the dapptr hardware man on knotty trade points — came along, and stopped for a ohat. * ♦ * He expressed regret at not finding Mr. Camerons name among tne list or fifty or sixty competitors who were offering themselves as Hardware Expert. After the conversation, Maurice put his considering cap on, and then consulted that genial adviser, Kennedy Mao, with the result that before closing-time Mr. Cameron had lodged a provisional application indicating that £300 was not what might be expected for a hardware expert. The Lance expressed a very similar opinion many weeks ago. At any rate, the Customs Department have secured a remarkably cheap line in hardware. * # * Chance has had a good deal in shaping the fortunes of Maurice P. Cameron. Twenty-one years ago he took out a re<turn steamer ticket at Melbourne for a run over to New Zealand to see his brother Robert, who was very ill in Wellington. Robert had started the tinware manufacturing business which Mr. John Plimmer is now running in Featherston-street. The young fellow from Melbourne was only just in time, fOlf 01 shortly after his arrival his brother died of hemorrhage of the lungs. He got a refund from the steamship company in lieu of the return passage, and took over the tinware business about which he knew next to nothing. * ♦ • But the business prospered in his hands, and, after some time, he took Mr. John Plimmer, jun., into partner- i ship. Then, after six years, he sold out, and bought the hardware business of Mr. Robt. Gardner, on the Quay, which, affer Mr. Christie's admission, several ye^rs later, became the wellknown hdtfse of Cameron and Christie. Some two years ago, Mr. Cameron wanted a rest from strenuous commercial life,and the business was sold toMr. George Winder. * * * At the time the present Government came into power — thirteen years ago — Mr. M. P. Cameron was a stylish r curly-haired, young bachelor, boarding at the Club Hotel. Thither also most of the new Liberal Government — in their Spartan simplicity of life — were wont to put up when they were in Wellington. Mr. Cameron naturally was thrown much into their company, and perhaps in"that way first met his future wife. At any rate, ten years ago Mr. M. P. Cameron married the second daughter of the stalwart Minister of Lands (afterwards Sir John McKenzie), and four young Camerons now sit round the family board in the pleasant Cameronian villa out at Khandallah. One of them is the smart young shaver who, several years ago, interrupted an impassioned oration in the House of Repiesentativee by Sir John McKeneie, to inform the Ladies' Gallery in very distinct tones, "That's my grandpa!"

Mr. Walter Nathan, managing director for Messrs. Bannatyne and Co., hasn't been m England for twenty years so along with Mrs. Nathan and their three daughters, he boarded the lonic last Thursday for a pleasure trip to England and the Continent. When Mr. Nathan was a small child in Australia, his pjrents thought he ought to be educated at Home, and so, for seven years, he went to a boarding-ehool in London, finishing off at the Gower-street University College. He got some business experience in the great, city, and' then hit out for Auckland, where he was in business for seven years. He has been in Wellington since 1875, so you may conclude he's a Wellingtoman. • • • Mr. Nathan ioined the firm of Bannatyne ten years ago, and the business wasn't as far-re aching or so large as it is to-day. When he joined Mr Harold Beauchamp in partnership, the firm employed two people. Now, there are over thirty in the fine offices on Jervois Quay. Mr. Nathan is a medium-sized man, who looks at you out of half-closed eves, and reads your thoughts if possible. A pressman who gets him for five minutes is a lucky dog. He has enlightened opinions on many subjects, but eschews politics. The fact is one cannot serve Dick and Mammon. • # ♦ Mr. Nathan asked the Lance who shall be mayor, and indicated that, in his opinion, the Wellington Council should be run on the alderman system, only aldermen of lengthy service being eligible for election by their fellows, and not by the people. In fact, he subscribes to the system of graduation advocated by the Lance. He doesn't believe txiat men in business should be mayor. He believes that men who are .business men, but who have retired, are the men who should form a council, and that honours should be kept in it. • • • Mr. Nathan was tickled by an incident which he had just stumbled against in the course of business. It related to a newly-married Wellington lady, who called on a local hardgoods man, and requested to be shown an electroplated tea-pot. "We use silver-ware ourselves, of course," she apologised. "Do you think my servants would object to using electro-plate ?" And the man who had a tea-pot to sell said he thought they wouldn't mind very much. • » • New Zealanders in Africa have a bad time as a rule. Many of them have died since the war. Latest news from the "Free State" is that Mr. George Smythe, an ex-First ContingenteT, had been drowned while crossing a flooded spruit, at Harrismith. Mr. Smythe, who gave up his occupation at enlisi> nient as a horse-breaker, was a mystery, but not a silent one. He was the personification of restless energy. No one knew whence he came, or whither he was going, but he was always on hand when rations were about. He was the chammon commandeerer of his corps, and always knew where the fattest fowls were. • * # He was known as "Buffalo Bill" for hit horsemanship, and general "wildness. He had commercial instincts. Once he offered to buy" a Boer's store of bread a<t "a shilling a time, and I'll count 'em myself." The Boer who could follow "Buff's" sleight-of-hand isn't born yet. Mr. Smythe, who was well-known in Wellington, became an officer in the Army Service corps, and later obtained a commission in the police, and was in charge of Harrismith district. Resigning, ne "went on the land," and was domg remarkable well when drowned. Mr. Smythe headed a deputation of Harrismith settlers who interviewed and welcomed Chamberlain during his African tour. • ♦ » Major (he was boosted right up to the rank in one act) Karri Davis, the gentleman who, in the "Times," deplores the interference of Mr. Deakin and Mr. Seddon in connection with the Chinese importation iniquity in the Transvaal, has rather a "neck" to deplore anything of the kind. If he isn't a Transvaal gold-bug, he isn't likely to have any heart-bleedings for the poor white man. A man who knows Karri writes about him in a Wanganui paper: — "His father is the head of the firm of M. C. Davies and Co., of Karridale, Westralia. 'Karri' and his brothers were the 'Co.' They have the timber rights of a large tract of country about twenty miles square from the south-west corner of Westralia (Cape Leuwin lighthouse being on the property). Karridale, the centre settlement, is fifty-two miles from Busselton, or Vasse, a private township. The employees (about eight hundred) have no option but to purchase everything from the firm's store. Not even a boot repairer is allowed in the district, and no communication from the outer world. What money the men earn they must pay back to their employers ; and yet "Karri 3 has the audacity to give his opinion of what men should be employed in an open country like the Transvaal."

When Wilson Barrett, the star actor to whom. Mayor Aitken gave a public reception, was staying at the Empire Hotel, about two years ago, he was busily engaged upon an Australian novel called "The Never Never Land." He also intended to carve a drama, out of it. Well, "The Never Never Land" is now finished, and also staged, but it hasn't set the Thames on fire. The story relates to a long-lost son, when dyine in Australia, commissioning his chum, who resembles him, to go to his English ancestral home and impersonate him. Complications ensue, and this is the staple of the plot. It is said the play has an "Australian atmosphere," but, judging from one of the accounts', the "atmosphere" seems to be mostly whisky, and 1 the circumstances of its consumption. ♦ • • The Duke of Roxburgh is the nobleman who was purchased T>y an American bullionairess for five million pounds. He went to Africa with the composite regiment of Household CavaJry. The noble lieutenant of the "Blues" seems to have been pretty keen at a business deal. Reminds us that the Guards regiment was encamped with New Zealanders at Arundel. His Grace, who had never seen an Army water-cart before, approached the New Zealand lines with a request for water for his troop. History tells how permission was refused by the Kaffir driver. To a New Zealand sergeant, who was in charge of the water-cart his Grace, who was watching the dirty water trickle from the taps into the cooking dishes, said, ''Aw, how interesting. But, how d'yoii know when the — cr — bally thing's empty don't you know?" The sergeant looked round at the officer, and replied: "When the taps stop running, sir, she's empty." "Oh, weally? How very novel!" exclaimed his Grace delightedly. Sharp fellow, the Duke! • ♦ * King Dick was standing on the Ashburton platform alone, and bathed in majesty the other day. "Ye daur nae grap him by the hond!" screamed an excitable Scotch lady to a friend who was gazing open-mouthed upon a sight so rare as a real live Premier. Whereupon, the challenged lady dived suddenly for Richard, and fastened on to his large but honest hand. Courteously the Premier sawed the offered hand in the bleak air, and smiled his No. 1 smile. As he smiled some quarts of water, released by a jerk of the car-brakes, deluged Dick's devoted tile. The man upon whom cold water is often thrown merely smiled at the inconvenience. When in Ashburton on© must expect water.

Mr. Tom Shields has got a mission. The stalwart tailor, who is known far and wide as an enthusiastic swimmer and sportsman, doesn't want boys to be drowned. The average parent doesn't want his boys to go near the water for fear of falling in. Tom Shields wants them to fall in, and exhibit no fear when they get there. Mr. Shields has taught without any fee scores of Wellington youngsters to swim. One boy who came as a free pupil to the baths, and who couldn't swim a stroke, under tuition swam twenty-five yards within the hour. That twenty-five yards' ability might save the kiddy's life if he happened to fall overboard, or get tipped out of a boat. • ♦ • Mr. Shields is so convinced of the necessity of his mission to save youngsters from drowning that lie intends to ask permission of the authorities to visit the schools before the holidays to tell the children how to get through the vacatiom without being drowned. Mr. Shields' contention, which he illustrates, is that a human being who is perfectly motionless in the water is unsmkable, and he is actuated solely by a desire to save valuable lives by demonstrating this and teaching all youngsters who care to learn an art that should be made part of the national education. Swimming is the ideal exercise. It developes muscle naturally and evenly. It doesn't bulge the biceps at the expense of the legs, or produce a bicycle thigh and ai drumstick forearm. It is clean, wholesome, invigorating, and necessary. Tom Shields is certainly entitled to much praise in freely giving so much of his time to the youngsters of this city. * * • The power of cash I Mr. E. M. Smith, who sustained a severe accident at New Plymouth, a ladle of molten lead having spilled on him, was saved by cash. The lead ran into a pocket which contained notes, silver, and gold. The lead cremated the notes, but the coin saved Mr. Smith from more serious inJ ury - . When Mr. Justice Chapman was elevated from the bar to the bench, _ the Invercargill Law Society gave him a spread at an hotel. The Licensing Committee was asked to extend the closing hour so that the assembled "Devil's Own" might say what they had to say, and leave no fragments — or heel taps. An adamant Bench refused the soulful prayer, and the legjal luminaries were only fairly into their stride when a firm but respectful landlord poked his nose round the door, and asked them to withdraw. The idea of

asking lawyers to observe the law seemed a bit ridiculous to the convives, and one "junior counsel" slyly observed that as bath the Magistrate and Crown Prosecutor were present, an action would not lie. However, a firm publican mustered them up, even though they offered to let him take the liquor away. All the liquor taken away was comfortably buttoned over with black waistcoats. According to the lawyers, the law is an ass ! If it wasn't there would be fewer lawyers, and less plentiful six-and-eightpences.