All Sorts of People

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 206, 11 June 1904, Page 3

All Sorts of People

MR. J. McGregor, M.A., the bro-ther-in-law of Sir Robert Stout, who retired from the Legislative Council about three years ago, is still very keenly interested m puKbe questions. He lias been writing some pungent words on the Bible-im-echools party v. the Catholic Bishops. "Probably the most striking fact about these pronouncements," be says, "is that the Catholics appear as the champions of toleration and liberty of consoieoee, whilst the Protestants find themselves in the position of defenders ox tine power of the majority even in matters of faith and conscience " # * *" Mr McGregor, like all othei thkikers has observed that the Bible-m-sohooLs people, while making a very loud noise about it, don't do anything practical themselves. They wantthe school-teacher to do the work. lney don't want it to cost themselves anything. He further remarks that a Protestant minister is reported to have declared that if 10s were paid to ministers for every school visit, they would be tumbling over each other in their eagerness to perform the sacred duty. • • • Charles Lewis, M.H.R., ratheu fancies himself as a joker, but very often comes off second best. It was so> at Ellesmere the other day. The jocular Charles hinted' that sometimes a handful of grit (pointing at George Laurenson) got into the machine, then the man with the oil-can had to com© along and lubricate. To this Laurenson smartly retorted that Charles could have the reputation of being oily if he liked, so long as he (George) had the reputation of having grit in his composition. And then Laurenson walked to the top of the class ' • • • The Earl of Leicester holds a unique position in the British peerage. He has been the father of eighteen chiJdlen of whom fourteen survive, and he numbers among his sons-in-law four earls, a viscount, and a baron.. There is a difference in age of close on haJf-a-century between, his eldest and his youngest son, and he is ai great-grand-father several times over. Wonder if ho could be persuaded to visit the colon v with hisi little lot ? ♦ ♦ * W. S. Gilbert, partner with Sir Arthur Sullivan, in the production of all those delightful little operas of topsyturvydom, has been, living m retirement for some years past. But, the mail brngs us news that he has iust come to h.ght again. At the last dimner of the G?llery First-nighters' Club, he got off a few characteristic! jokelets. Referring to a recent production, he said"Better eongratu — late than never," a regular Gilbertian paradox. He explained, in the humorous vein, his disappearance from the dramatic world by referring to the report on a suicide which wound up with the words— "No reason can be found for the rash act, 7s 6d being found on the body. Though he was dramatically dead, 7s 6d woith of ideas still remained in his cranium. "But it was inoperative to prevent me breaking off the jealousies, heartburnings, and annoyances inseparable from the dramatic profession. So I retired to an obscure corner of Harrow Weald, and therefore, so to speak, blew out my brains." Mr. Gilberts new play was to be staged at the Garrick on May 3.

Mr. Jellie, the Unitarian pastor at Auckland, who took a walk trom the northern city a while back, and fetched up in Wellington, told us that the Rev. Charles Hargrove, M A., was coming out here to star Unitarianism up to white heat. He's ob his way. Is at Adelaide at present. What we want particularly to say in regard to Mr. Hargrove is that from hi® congregation at Leeds came seventeen of the sixty mayors of that city. Seems that the Unitarian' Church' theo-e is a vei itable mayors' nest. Mr. Hargrove's ehurdh at Leeds had once for its ministei the celebrated discoverer of oxygen, Rev. Dr. Priestley. * * ♦ The Hon. Thomas Bent, Victoria's Premier, is subject to small lapses of language which go to show that Thomas has carved his way to a position by sheer persistency to which little learning has been added. Melbourne "Ar°W reports him verbatim thus. — "We intend indexing the statutes to make the contents readily accessible. This is merely a continuation and completion of the work of conciliation of the statutes begun, by the late Chief Justice Higginbotham." Voices "Consolidation!" Bent "Eh? What?" Minister Mackey • "Consolidation , you said 'conciliation. 1 " Bent "Did I? Well, concikdation" (loud laughter)— "consolidation, there you are." And, mopping his perspii ing brow, he plunged heavily on. ♦ * * Little Peter Savien, the dark-eyed enthusiast, who is going to join the Woods-Williamson Company, reached out several years ago for the ladder of fame and an artistic career from his place as a softgoods assistant in Wellington. Peter knew he wasn't more than five feet high, but his ambition was to play tragedy. When he had triumphed a little in amateur comedy, he began to feel that he wasn't built for the higher flights of the art, so he hasn't worried about tragic parts since. His first professional appearance was with Gladys Lee, at Wellington's Exchange Hall. He played in a one-act sketch — and didn't get paid. Little Peter was born at Leghorn— where the hats which are made in Florence come from — and his father died when he was eleven. You know how Mrs. Savieri toiled for the family "on her own/ and made it a credit to her devotion. Little Peter has been engaged professionally for five years and has struggled hard. Before that he and Bob Hall engineered some very successful ooncerts in the Wellington Skating Rink. He toured Queensland back-blocks and shearing-sheds with the Jessie Maynardl Company, and 1 there he played tragedy if you Kke. * * * Bushmen dearly love a joke, and to see little Peter playing Richelieu, who should be about the length of Sin- William Steward, one minute, and the old innkeeper a minute later, set them in roais. But Peter was a host in himself in "The Silver King." He dashed on as Geoffrey Ware from the right, and tore round in time to be Jacques at the left. Two minutes later, with the same hurried alteration, of toilette that didn't at all deceive the "bushies," lie was doing the station-master, whose place on retiring was filled with Mi . Paiker, who was still little Peteir. For a new-chum professional, Petei was getting something to do. • • • In a version of "Nell Gwynne " in which Mr. Savieri has played, he takes the part of the old-time actor Betterton. It; is interesting to know that Mrs Savieri, who was also in the caste is a direct descendant of Betteiton. For six months Mr. Savieri ran a company of his own. and he came to New Zealand with the Majeronis, when those clever brothers did not meet with the success they deserved.

Mr. Lionel Terry, the large young man., of many travels, who stayed a while m Wellington, and wrote some burning things to the papers about matters Imperial, is away up m the far North — Mangonui — surveying the trackless forest, or words to that effect. Lionel is deeply Imperial, believing m "the Empire for the British," having Been the yellow agony canning salmon m British Columbia, the insanitary Asiatic doing chores in Africa, and 1 the Mongolian on his way to Johaiuniesburg. • » * Lionel, in a letter, remarks that foe has received information indicating that the Rothschilds have been for many years "the private advisers of the British. Cabinet." He wants to know what remuneration the Rothschilds get for actmg as private directors of Imperial policy, and asserts that the great financiers were prime movers) in, the Dr. Jim raid, the war, and the Chinese slavery outrage. Likewise, he thinks that Chamberlain's "preferential yell" is a faked yell, and is a bid for the Premieuship. • * • Ei nest J. Littlejohm, who was diivoiced by his wife up at Auckland) last week, is well-known in Wellington. He burst lLke a comet about eighteen months 01 two years ago upon the commercial world of Auckland, and made a great splash in tine newspapers as an agent for the sale of businesses and landed properties. At the very period 1 that he discontinued the wretched payment of £1 per week to his wife, says the "Observer," he was driving about in style in a dashing pony trap, with a fascinating lady by his side. • • • The pony trap, the fascinating lady, and the enterprising agent all went on a trip to Rotorua together, regardless of expense, much to the envy of his friends, who thought the fascinating lady was his wife, and didn't know that the real better-half was toiling to support her children. It is occasioamllr thus. Having sold his estate business for a couple of hundred pounds, Littlejohn is now at the St. Louis Exhibition, probably driving another dashing pony trap, with another fascinating: lady by his side. His wife is well rid of him. • • • "Banjo" Patterson, editor of Sydney '"Evening News," publishes the "seven stages" of the New South Wales Minister foa* Works • —

Ex-Patea M.H.R. Haselden, who went to Africa, having been shown, a good lead by also ex-Patea M.H.R. Hutchison, is a knight of the hammer in Johannesburg at present. His special line is live stock. At times he bursts forth on the fact that New Zealand is the only place on Godfs earth worth living in, a conclusion most men who leave it come to. ♦ • • Lord Hindlip, well-known to Victorians and colonaials generally as aide-de-camp to Baion Brassey, during that bluft old man's handling of the viice-re-gal reins, is another of the young men belonging to the Beerage who has just "been and gone and got married." He is an Allsopp ("Allsopp's Ales"), and married a Miss Thynaie. His lordship is dhiefly remarkable for having hunted big game, with much comfort, many servants and perfect safety. He has been up the White Nile, and was with "Micky" Mahon at the relief of Barmim Powell, at Mafeking. "Micky ' was deprived 1 of his services rather early in the war, usually having for his only staff officer that exuberant and largesized aristocrat and good fellow, Prmoe Alexander of Teck.

Mr. Bert Royle, the well-known librettist on the stair of Mr. J. 0. Williamson, tells a journal that all the flowers that were in such profusion at Bloemfomtein when Miss Orossley was there were brought four huindlred miles. The smallest spray costs £1, and they were literally worth their weight in gold. Piobably, the result of British occupation. In the old Free State days, Bloemfontein was a veritable flowergarden, and it was because of this it was so called. * * ■» Sir Harry Rawson, the old sea-dog who vice-rules New South Wales, the other day publicly congratulated graduates who had taken thear degree in Sydney. There was a fair M.A. named Hardy there. 'Tis said she is sweetly pretty, and as the Admiral extended his hand in congratulation he looked admiringly at her. A student in the crowd, remembering Nelson and his historic exit, remarked, in a tragic voice : "Kiss me, Hardy." It fetched the crowd. * • • Piet Marais, the African millionaire, whose sight was destroyed by having vitm'ol thrown on him by the daughter of a iealous woman, was a Boer General. He was a particularly active tram raider, a smart- witted man, but a poor dresser. Reminds us of the New Zealand vitriol-throwing case, in which one. Carroll, was alleged to have thrown that vile stuff on Robert Jewell, at Paeroa. Case of jealousy. The jury found that the bottle held by Carroll emrotied itself on to the face of the victim, and' Carroll went scot free. The voidtim subsequently married 1 tine girl Miss Lake), wheim the row was about, and 1 she now shines, together with her badly-scarred husband, in Britain's best society. Previous to shining, she was a barmaid. * * * Carnegie, the library scatterer, has been the means of making thirty-two employees of .his millionaires. He paid part of their wages in stock, and it grew. m Rev. W. J. Elliott, the versatile parson who is now endeavouring to enlighten the people of Hokitika, is of opinion that the harvest is plentiful but the labourers few there-away. In other words, there are twenty hotels for ai population of some 2000. Mr. Elliotts church is to 'have a pipe organ costing £300. and the local Anglican church is also to score likewise. He is of opinion that the appeal to the Privy Council' in the Newtown licensing case wiSl materially strengthen the prohibition cause, far, although — 'Tis weary watching wave by wave, And yet the tid,e bears onward: We climb like corals, grave by grave, Who pave a pathway sunward. We are driven back, for our next fray A newer strength to borrow, And where the vanguard camps' to-day The rear shall rest to-morrow. ' * • • 11 Mr. Elliotts journalistic instinct prompts him tot grab potential sermon "copy" wherever he may find it. Thus, when the s.s. Torganten was stranded on the beach at Hokitika, he announced that he would' preaoh "a sermon from a stranded steamer," and the young mem rolled up splendidly. He dealt with Paul's ancient shipwreck, and said he was a good earthly pilot as wedl as a "sky-pilot," and showed! that the "skypilot" who knows most about common things is a better kind of a pilot to have than the soaring saint who scorns the earth, and knows nothing about it. Mr. Elliott, in short considered that the parson who could work a hammer or drill for eight hours with the beet miner on the Coast would! be much more likely to save the said miner's soul than a doctor of divinity who could expound a text of the most obscure meaning. Mr. Elliotts simplicity of diction and practical illustration? have already endeared him to Hokitikians.

His Honoi Judge Jackson Palmer, in immaculate "get up," exquisitelycreased pants, shiny button boots, and wearing the ever-present cigarette — he has discarded the twisted holder that was part of him in his Parliamentary days — looked into Wellington this week. He is filling himself with the invigorating Poneke ozone befoie he taoklei some of those two hundred and fifty native land appeal ca<«es that have been laid aside for the past thiee years. The new judge is the son of Ins father, a Belfast man, who deposited his portmanteau in the Kaipara when the coming judge was but four years old. • » • Mr. Palmer, the eldeir, had a penchant for mills. He turned his attention to bone-millme, then to oat-milling, and subsequently to flour-mulling, having four grinding concerns going at the same time. Then, he went in for timber, being partnered with Sir Frederick Whitaker. There were half-a-miUion railway sleepers surging up aeramst the Palmer-Whitaker booms one time. The booms burst and the/ sleenei-s awoke to life, and' went out to sea. They never returned. The iuda;e's father gave up the timber industry in, the Kaipara. * * * Them, he squatted, and young Jack,son was sent to Wellesley-street (Auckland) Public School, where he gathered in enough learning to win an Auckland College scholarship. In due time he left school, andi went to learn the law in the office of the Hon. John Sheehian (then Native Minister), and was admitted to practice at the age of twenty-one. Associated with his legaj sponsor in many great Waikato native land cases, he was practically suckled on that veiy complicated! kind of menu. Always ambitious, and fired with political aspirations by Mr. Sheehan's example, he took the political stump at the age of twenty-three, in the election of 1885, and fought Mi . Moat, the "silent member." • • • Mr. Palmei was possibly deemed "ower young," and abandoned politics for six years, when he girded on his political war-pawit, and sallied forth to meet the most eloquent man in Parliament, Mr. Monk, the member for Waikato He bumped thy ancient one out, and for three years did the best that was in him for his constituents. In the 1894 election, Mr. W. H. Massey, now leader of the Opposition, put him down, but in 1897, he agiam "put 'em up" to the rotund Bollard, whose weight told against the slim young Irishman. Still panting for fight, he, in 1900, assailed the Ohinemuri stronghold, defended by the Hon. W. McCulkmgh and Mr. Moss, and gained a victory. In 1903, the result of the Ohinemuri fieht left Messrs. Palmer and Poland nothing to do but to congratulate Mr. Moss on winning the Parliamentary stakes. • • • Mr. Palmer tells how, in 1885, he, a bare-faced youth, met on the wharf at Tokatoka the man who was alleged to make or mar politicians'' chances in that district. "Have you seen this Jackson Palmer fellow ?" the main, asiked Mi . Palmer assumed the expression of an aged war-horse, and said "I am he'" "Go on , you're a mere kid ! but," confidentially, "can you spout ?" The candidate reeled off a few political opinions, and the man obtained for the "kid" the largest meeting that had ever been seen in those parts. Also, the largest number of votes. * * * Mr. Palmer is a solicitor, with a license to practise in German, American, or British courts. It's a bit Irish to assume that he's a subject of Kaiser Wilhelm, the American Republic, and King Edward, but his Samoan law experiences made it necessary. Mr. Palmer tells a yarn, that will bring some sympathy for the chief party concerned' this cold weather. He and Mr. Sheehan, during a political campaign, were being pulled up the Mahuramgi river, from Warkworth, in an open boat to take the "Lady Bowen," for Auckland. Halfway up the boat, in charge of one Christie, strandied on the mud, the tide having run out. Christie fell into the mud, up to the shoulders, and those two lawyers drew him out, a bit at a time, until he popped like a champagne cork. They scraped him with rowlocks, and it was a lone; time before they could get enough off to put any clothes on him His feelings and his coldness are better expressed in his own words • "I wish I was in for just half-an-hour'" Don't know where he is now. * » • Modest Freddy Pirani indicates the presence of a "dark horse" in Petone. Wonder who he is? "But during the last twelve months a change has come over the scene. There has come to reside here a politician with an eye on the Hutt seat whom the Premier has over and over again acknowledged to be the strongest opponent he ever had in Parliament, and every nerve has to be strained to keep him in honest retirement." "Honest retirement" is particularly^ fetching. As if anybody doubted it.

The fact of that popular young ofhcei, Captain J. E. Hume', who is leaving Lytteltcm to come to Wellington, being prefeented with a silver entree dash, lemmds us that it is against' the regulations. It seems that it is a regulation that is "winked at," though you remember it used to be a common thing before Police Commissioner Tunbndge's time for people whom the police had left alone to give a retiring constable a little present. Now, the constable's wife is generally the recipient of the present. Although the sentiment is nice enough, there isn't any good reason why officers in the public service should receive 1 presents for 'having done what they are bound to do, and are paid for doiAg. # Mr Gabriel Elliott the Waikr, x young: man who wanted £500 d. mages from Mass Louisa Crosher for damaging his reputation by claiming him as the author of her trouble, didn't gam the juiy's verdict. Gabriel was a layagent, and home missionary of the Wesleyan persuasion, but not yet ordained. He has been previously stationed at Marton (where 'tis s<aid his fiancee resildes) and also at Mangaweka. It was stated in evidemce that Louisa met Gabriel when on a visit to Te A wamutu , and that she returned there in response to a letter which Gabriel wi ote her father begging her assistance' for Christian Endeavour work. The father assented to the oious proposal, and Gabriel arranged for Louisa to stay at the house where lie himself lodged. The rest is ivuscribed in the annals of the court. Gabriel is a rather pretty youne; man, and wears gold-rimmed eve-p-lasses. He is not related to either of the Revs. Elliott so well known in Wellington

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