Who's Who-and Why

NZ Truth, Issue 1150, 15 December 1927, Page 6

Who's Who-and Why

Percy's Back! DUNEDIN is proud of Percy Braithwaite. For has ho not returned from a world tour, bringing back to the canny city all that they wanted to know about the picture industry? They take their pictures seriously in Dunedin —hence the high standard of local entertainment and the fact that, in Braithwaite, they have a personal friend of several of the leading stars, right in their midst, is a fact that causes Dunedin to pat itself on its tartan-covered back. When Braithwaite returned to his native heath, the first words he said were: "I'm glad to be home!"—and Dunedin was glad to see him back again. Associated with the silver screen in Dunedin for many years, P.B. has an appreciation of fine pictures which Is artistic as well as profitable. He realizes the box office possibilities of a film at a glance. He plays a wicked game of bowls, and many a Knight of the White Shoes rues the day Braithwaite crossed his track. "By Their Works..." IN these times of societies with varying aims and proportionate usefulness, there appears the tendency to quote and emblazon the trumpeted activities of Mesdames So-and-so," whilst the blessed tincture of helpfulness contributed by some is washed away by others on the tide of pompous self-advertisement. And because of this, we now strike the gong for . the character of Mrs. Annie Blaney to appear. For some years Mrs. Blaney has conducted Tattersall's Hotel in Dunedin, and, if for no other reason than her capability as hostess and overseer, much credit has redounded to her. That, however, is quite apart. The day-to-day philosophy of this sweet-natured woman, has the comforting leaven of sympathetic interest in the well-being of unfortunate folk whose circumstances come within her kindly observation. She has demonstrated the full purport of'charity to its innermost degree, the while her own beacon-light of generous help lies hidden beneath the bushel of stealthy works for good. "By their works shall ye know them."

Earnest Ernest WHAT an ill-fitting garment is the Christian name which frequently clothes a man's identity! There are Franks whose reputation gives the lie direct to the name ascribed to them in blameless youth; and Rogers who are anything but jolly. But think -of the exceptions, and, having generalized, focus your thoughts upon the example broached by a DunMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiniiiiniiitiniiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii GEN. SIR OHAS. FERCK7SSON

Governor-General of N.Z., ( whose official signature ended a record session in point of length of sitting days. iiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiHiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

edin Ernest, with pendant name Wilson. As a public secretary, E. S. Wilson has a clientele akin to the schoolboy's "hundreds and thousands" —of infinite variety and interest, each, demanding hie whole-hearted attention. "Ernie" is the corner-stone of earnestness, be it Rugby, cricket, musical competitions or, well, anything which may come within the radius of his personal bioscope. As an erstwhile player of many sporting parts, it is but natural that any project with the familiar tang of the field about it should inspire his interest; nor is it surprising that his personal attainments and likeable traits have resulted in his appointment as manager to the Otago cricket team, which goes on tour this month. Zealot is his rightful name. DonaV — Ye Ken A FATHERLY, unruffled, smoothspeaking man is Donal' of Duneclin —aye, the name's Cameron, but his occupation would be more difficult to determine. His official capacity of chief detective is never obtruded on the stage of life as Ave see it in the streets — L unless, of course, someone kicks up a -pair of frisky heels and. . . well, the usual thing, you know. He was born in a wee village which tips the fringe of Loddon river 'way over from Melbourne, where his inherent observation of the life that animated home-town streams and hills formed the ground work later for his equally keen scrutiny of the humans who populate our cities. "The Chief" has a quizzical, dryhumorous trick of expression in conversation, and a quip or two in exchange sends a ripple of chuckles right across his comfortable mind. A score of years ago he commenced to poke his alert official nose into the wrong-doings of Wellingtonia, until there came a day when some brasshat adjusted his pince-nez and decided that Donal's energy could be better directed in the less conspicuous "civvies" of a detective. Which was, really, the commencement of Cameron's story so far as concerned New Zealand. Ambition and promotion alternately followed and overtook each other in the ensuing years, and his enjoyment of unqualified respect and sincere estimation are of themselves eloquent. If blowing the Cameronian bugle had been left to Donal', there would be little fear of his collapse from bandsmen's heart—his achievements and worth are left to the singing of other men. Here's luck, Donal'J i

King James ? AN uncrowned King of Reform Party effort is Ernest A. James, silent, shrewd, but battling- secretary of the Reform League. Hail King James! Upon his head, rests laurels for many political tilts, of many clever jousts. The Reform steed on which he has seated many Knights - ito-be, has done many a good battle. But, beware, O King! thy leader'e E. A. JAMES, lance needs must be sturdy for the coming battle! May the hand of the fayre ladye Control go to the victor.

Comes Through THE beaming countenance here reflected is that of the headlight that has guided Eugene Casey to the terminus of promotion in the North Island section of New Zealand railways. A comparatively young man to hold the responsible throttle of his present office, Casey is one of the new school that has come into prominence under the present administration, and from the chair of divisional superintendent he can look back along the shining rails of his 25 years' efficient service. From his commencement in the engineer's office at Wellington, his abilities gave promise of success and progress. Leaving the capital city he dropped a "tablet" in the engineer's offices of Wanganui, Auckland, Greymouth and Ohakune, before taking the first important grade to promotion, when in 1916, he was appointed assistant engineer in charge of grade-ease-ment work between , Penrose and Mercer. At his work, Casey always had a "full head of steam" on, but it was steam condensed through the tubes of a powerful and capable brain-box — and which subsequently landed him where he is to-day. Prior to taking over the D.I. appointment' last year, he was inspecting engineer for the whole of New Zealand's iron veins. In the locomotion of the New Zea-

Happy Harold SHOULD, perchance, you pass in your wanderings an energetic young man with an intense, contagious smile, you may enter up in your diary that your day has not been altogether in vain. For, lo! you have seen Harold Hunter. Crack tennis player—ace of salesmen —Dunedin representative for Abbot, Oram, Ltd. —amateur actor of marked ability—an authority on .the works of Bill Shakespeare —if there were 48 hours in every day they wouldn't be quite enough for Harold. His way of doing business is unconventional, but successful. He sets out to make a friend of a man before he makes him a customer. He maintains that, when a prospect is glad to see him as a friend, the order is as good as signed. There's a lot of good horse-sense in that. Tom Jones APROPOS of summer-time and hot, sticky days, it is on the cards that the New Brighton and Sumner beaches will get a professional onceover from Thomas Charles HobbsJones, recently transferred from Auckland to Christchurch as superintendent of His Majesty's mails. Tom held the position of president of the Auckland centre of the N.Z. Swimming Association and a few years ago he took many a neat header in Wellington. Being perforce, a peregrinating civil servant he has developed into a plain citizen of New Zealand rather than a parochial booster of any particular part. Napier is his home town and it was on the shingly beach there that he learnt the healthful art of propelling his person in water. But it's in the blood—this love of deep sea bathing. For Tom had a sister than whom there was not a better known figure on the Napier beach. Tom's spare frame encases the heart of an ox. He is the personification of indomitable will and the ascendancy of mind over matter. More —he is a permanent repository of the elusive joy germ. Judge To Be ?

SPOKEN of as a judge soon to be, and admittedly the possessor of all those estimable qualities that embellish the judiciary, Magistrate E. Page has neither temperamental rashness nor indecision. "Ned" (we risk the familiar appellation) Page, whose immaculate figure may be seen any day of the week interpreting the Law from magisterial perspective, is well liked and well respected by the Bar. He can always be reckoned on to render a correct interpretation, logical if not entirely satisfactory to both 3ides. Meticulously careMagistrate rage ful with his enunciation, and a clear and forceful speaker, it is a pleasure to be in court when he delivers some learned dictum, for it is always a gem in composition and wisdom.

Nash —Not Rash T'OOK not for the trace of fire-eater *-* in Wulter Nash, secretary of the New Zealand Labor Party. Search for wisdom and "your quest will be ,frueful, for TV.N has a mind well stored. His place on the gamut of temperament falls not on the note of ostentation for he is the 'better for an inherent modesty. Fierce eyes, you see here, truly, but they do not burn with antagonism. , _._ MAeLJ Fearlessness, dis- wALT E R NAS M ■ crimination, discernment and fairness —there! You have Walter Nash.

Under Pressure land Railway Officers' Institution, E.C. has kept the pressure up as vice-presi-dent for seven years, while the Auckland branch has had him shovelling presidency fuel into the organization for the last nine turns of the calendar. With the interests of his department in one hand and the welfare of his fellow-servicemen in the other, Casey, in handling deputations, etc., has merited the confidence and respect of both management and subordinate. A first-hand topographical knowledge of human nature to assist a radiant personality, is his, and this, firmly inlaid with the virtues of integrity, tolerance and leniency, keeps the North Island railway service running smoothly. The big, robust-faced chief of the iron-horseway prefers working at a job to worrying about it, and holds as his maxim—"it is worry that kills, not work." Gifted as a brilliant orator he has figured as a winner in elocutionary competitions throughout the Dominion. The Orphans' Club, Auckland, is proud to have him as a vice-president and for three years -as representative for the Auckland Rugby Union, he has poured his eloquence into the ears of the parent body. Needless to say Eugene Casey holds the highest diplomas in the mixture of dichoto-goneo-cycle-trigono-metry, and all other 'graphs and 'grams that diverge from a study of engineering.

True Feminist COME of a. Christchurch musical family, Miss Ada Maindonald has wide sympathies for her own sex, and a very clear vision about its needs. She is a true social welfare worker with a strong disbelief in official interference, and the sacrifice of girls and boys on the plea of helping or reforming them. The new laws which make a boy or girr- a chattel of the State until twenty-one or over, without redress, rouse her to burning indignation, and before these laws she realized the sadness of backblocks life when a farmer father could sacrifice a bright boy or girl to his cows, instead of letting them take out their free education in towns. For several years she has been a most successful head of the College Girls' Hostel in Auckland. Gilt-edge Tom THE forceful personality of Tom Newburgh is one of the most popu- , lar on the Christchurch Stock Exchange. From a humble beginning as a clerk in the Christchurch Gas Company's office when the staff comprised three people in the old Chancery Lane days, Tom rose with ambitious Scots spirit to bigger things, and for more than ten years he and E. R. Caygill were partners in a successful sharebroking business. Over a year ago Tom launched out on his own and his staff is now a large one. What Tom follows he follows to the "kill." Secretary of the Canterbxiry branch of the N.Z. Motor Traders' Association and manager of the Olympia motor show, not to mention the presidency of the Sumner Live-Saving Society and the Sumner Beautifying Society are a few of his side-line interests in leisure hours. Topping the poll at the last Sumner Borough Council election Tom graces ifcie office of deputy-mayor, and when he can find time he follows the healthgiving pastimes of motoring and golf. In Every Way —

COUEISM for legal men could easily embrace such an one as Lawyer Wilfred E. Leicester. "Every day in every way" he's "getting better and better." The nucleus of most success can be attributed' to an initial courage and while W.13.L.. had this to begin with, 1 had also inhere) faculty for obgei vation, discrimii ation and commc sense. Give a mr these things ar he quickly profi by experience. As a crimin lawyer he un doubtedly kno \v the frailties c human nature ar the weaknesses juries. With th; his cases are ha won before they Lawyer Leicester begin. This young and successful barrister, able speaker and witty writer will go far. or rather further, in his profession.

Respected Q^J When a man's name, without hi 3 address or occupation, is given in conjunction with the town in which he lives, it is obvious that he is someone with a fair share of local respect. . Southland has a few men who nave given their best years to the service of their fellow-citizens rather than to their own advancement. These men are all quiet fellows —but, oh! so efficient and reliable. In their ranks, Ewen Matheson stands, and, if he has his own way, he will be standing well in the background. Matheson has many jobs to take up his time in Otautau. His interest in sport and local affairs keeps him busy. Of course, being Ewen Matheson, he prefers the spade work to that which brings the honor and glory. Though gifted with expression and a pleasing personality, Matheson does not care to be thought of as a speaker. Just let him do something to help you —that's a sure way to make him your friend for life. Good To Know IN Christchurch, the tall figure of Captain M'Laglen, ardent sportsman and ju-jitsu past-master, is as well known as .the Cathedral spire. Like his brother, Victor M'Laglen, the genial motion-picture star in "What Price Glory," Captain M'Laglen has had an eventful life in various countries. He knows those parts of the earth where the tourists never go —simply because, to go is to look for, and find, trouble in its most concentrated forms. The Captain knows all a European could possibly know of ju-jitsu. He has written about it and instructed thousands of people—from policemen to schoolgirls—in the gentle art of standing no nonsense. A lover of animal life, he brought some valuable pets to New Zealand. These included about the smallest monkey which ever came to the Dominion. This, howeveV, is but one of his many hobbies. He is most efficient with rod and gun and can handle a high-powered motor as if it were a toy. Tom Thumb Whyte DEALING with the necessarily wide ramifications of shipping, there are* many" masters—of varying degree —both ashore and afloat. Perhaps one of the most likeable chaps with the Union Steam Ship Co., at its head office in Wellington, is Harry Whyte with the official designation of "store superintendent."

To him, silence is mostly golden. He gets paid for watching and quelling possible refractory elements in the political machine. He is dignity. He is respected.

unimmimmmmmmmimiimmmimmmimiiinmimmmnmmmiiimnmi' Ask any of the U.S. men who needs must go down to the sea in ships (they tire the ones who should know) and they will tell you that diminutive Tom Thumb Harry Whyto is the right man in the right job—albeit it is a mansized one. If there arises any controversy upon a ship, Whyte is the man to settle the matter and he deals with it in an understanding manner. For he has been through the shipping mill from A to Z and knows all there is to know about the internal workings and provisioning of ships. He is a thoroughly approachable chap in his, present job and the men beneath him can always reckon on getting a "fair hearing." Before the "big chiefs" saw fit to anchor him ashore at the centre of activity, his last job afloat was a chief steward on the run-between "Wellington and Sydney.

Sailing On ONE of the pearls which the sea reputedly hath is Captain W. ("Bill") Martin, of the Union Steam Ship Co., Ltd. The esprit de mer is typically exemplified in this hail-fellow-well-met gentleman whose rise in his chosen profession can be likened to the billows over which he triumphantly rides—steady and sure. One of the finest navigators in southern waters, his encyclopaedic nautical knowledge has gained him a deservedly wide reputation. It nas been said, however, that his knowledge of the gee-gees on the race track is as great us his knowledge of the sea. But that is easily understood in one who spends three-fourths of his lifetime upon the water and has no other association with land than following closely the doings of turf favorites. "Bill" Martin has made the turf his close and favorite hobby and should you be doing a trip between Sydney and Wellington or vice versa and get into conversation with this genial captain of the Marama, turn the topic of the moment to horses. His last command was the Maheno, but now she lies dismantled and forlorn alongside the Clyde Quay wharf at Wellington. W.M. has sailed the Seven Seas in all classes of boats, but for a number of years has been an appreciated member of his profession under the U.S.S. banner. When the sea relinquishes its hold upon him and a well-earned relaxation comes his way, he takes ferry steamer to the south and loses himself in the bosom of his family.