EX-LEGIONNAIRE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 155, 23 February 1932, Page 2

EX-LEGIONNAIRE

WANDERER WHO IS FRIEND OF NEW SOUTH WALES GOYERNOR. COLOURFJJL PERSONALITY. SYDNEY, Saturday. It's a far cry from the French Foreign Legion to a rough shack on the har-bour frontage of Woolloomooloo. Karl Kolnel, former Legionnaire, known to the habitues of the Domain as Sir Otto, has crossed the world in his search for freedom and the fulfilment of a philosophy that the easy life in a world topsy-turvey with strife, is the only life worth living. Fair-haired, Karl, 29 years of age, a native of Marseilles, might be the handsome counterpart of any juvenile lead. He has found his paradise on the Woolloomooloo front, among the fish and prawns and bobbing bottles, which are scooped into his trim little launeh and added to, the heap of fiotsam and jetsam, which, sorted and retailed, brings money to help him along the easy road: Such a Tr ansformation ! When the . sun goes down in the Domain, Karl either retreats to the snug comfort of his shack, or, if his circle of Sydney friends decree, he dons his bowler, immaculately cut suit, his spats, takes his stick, and lavender gloves, and joins the 'party, and is the count away from. the Domain. Should the Governor chance to pass along the high road behind his Domain retreat, as he often does, Karl is there to talk to him of his life in the Legion, his campaigning against Abdiil Krim, and his happy existence where the king tides lap the rocks under his house. To the other human fiotsam of the Domain Karl is the mystery man, dubbed as such on account of his superior education, seeming hauteur, and his determination to mind his own business.

"Saved" the Governor. There is nothing of the mystery man about Karl. He can repair launches, keep them trim and ready for sea, all experience gained while in the pilot service at Naples. Karl will admit that he deserted from the Foreign Legion and stowed away to America. He saw service at Marrakech, in Morocco, for two years, with No. 4 regiment, and was transferred back to the 1st regiment. He fought against the Riffs, knows the discipline of the Legion, but says that its life has been greatly exaggerated. Sir Philip Game discovered a conversationalist, a philosopher, and a good prawner rolled into one when his dog "Mick" slipped, near the Woolloomooloo shack, and fell on to Karl's roof. On this occasion Kary rescued Mick for his owner, but the bond of friendship which sprang up between the Governor and Karl was further strengthened when Sir Philip's launch broke down off the Domain. It was Karl who went to the Governor's assistance, put a line aboard, and towed the launch to Farm Cove.