A New Zealander In Sydney Town

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 505, 7 November 1928, Page 14

A New Zealander In Sydney Town

(THE SUN’S Corespondent) Two New Zealand tree-ferns gracefully guard the entrance to a prosperous dwelling in one of Mosman'ssuburban, tree-less avenues. That variety of fern known to the young New Zealander as “pig-fern” is carefully cultivated in the garden. There are two whole patches of it. And on the neatly painted gatepost the inscription rdads: “MASSEY.” Is there a man, I ask you. with soul so dead who would dare to say this man was NOT a New Zealander? The Assistant Treasurer To be elected h member of Parliament and almost in the same breath made a Cabinet Minister, was the experience of Mr. Stevens, the Assistant Treasurer, and {he man who is really responsible for the new Bavin levies. Mr. Stevens was an official of the Treasury Department when Mr. Lang last held office. In some manner the young civil servant roused the ire of the Labour Premier, who determined to sweep him from his path. Mr. Stevens resigned his post, however, contested a seat in the Nationalist interest in the State House, was elected, and when Mr. Bavin formed his Ministry. shortly afterwards, was allotted the important position of Assistant Treasurer. His first essay in politics has been regarded, hitherto, as one of meteoric hrilliapce. Link With Dickens Apropos of the recent Dickens controversy in England, it may not be generally known that the body of the youngest son of the famous writer lies buried in the Church of England portion °f the cemetery in Mox-ee, New South M ales. A tablet has been placed by the Dickens Society in All Saints’ Church to his memory. Born 1902 SO ~ th * S 5,0,1 die<l in Australia in Scarlet and Ermine - A . I J absentee when the final law term of the present year was opened this week in the Banco Court, was Mr Jus t.ce Langer Owen, the son-indaw of Su Frederick Chapman, of Wellin"f on ’ , Owing to ill-health the judge •es S t T, 0 l de ch?ef tW T 0 m ? mh8 ‘ complete L. r " Cblef Justice (Sir Philin Street), the Senior Puisne Judge (M, term Bacon From New Zeala^a reason ha * eoo<l enterprise this week Vhe m^-kp t aland heavily supplied with ' n ket was quantities of New Zealar,^™ 11 ’ ] arge available niL , 1 nd meat being the Dominions some C °Jf P< r h ? °P frorn traders reduced most lar^est at least one penny " pound' 1 °" ts by of standard brand? POPnd - Curers into line with lower * their rates order to protect their Relics of 1747 a loin° Id a"d ei^L“^ e 23 in v ‘ he of Captain Cook visited" v before recently -discovered on 1 he‘'% Mn 6 a r-thV British gold. Though it has no com? meicia! it is considered to be worth a faifly substantial sum as a

relic. The mystery is how the coin ever came to Australia. Pitt's Teapot While on this subject I might mention that a silver teapot once the property of William Pitt, the famous Prime Minister, was recently left by an elderly Newcastle resident to his daughter. Auckland's City Engineer To look over the harbour bridge and the waterworks, as well as steal a quiet holiday at Canberra, Mr. W. E. Bush, city engineer at Auckland, arrived by the Maheno. It is also his intention to carry a few* town-plan-ning ideas back with him to the New Zealand city if he can find any suitable. Personalities Mr. C. G- Macindoe, the proud owner of Prince Humphrey, is back after his flying week-end visit to the Dominion. The Aucklander arrived by one steamer and departed by the next. At the moment he is on the wing for Melbourne. Shura Cherkassky. the Russian boy pianist, a quiet and unassuming lad, and E. J.

Gravestock, his maanger, were others who were tossed from one end of the Maheno to the other by the turbulent Tasman this week. Mr. A F Ellis C.MG Commissioner for New Zea-' .land at Nauru Island, who is over here on private ousiness, had the same experience. It was one that the passengers will not soon forget. , Mellie Melba is a passenger by th*-; Chitral, bound for Europe. JShe is accompanied by one of her Patterson nephews, from Melbourne. Mr. R YV Dalton, former Brilish Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, who now holds a position for the Commonwealth, is in Melbourne, returning from Europe. Passengers bv the Maloja included Mr. and Mrs. George Goddard, who have been visiting Europe. Mr. Goddard is associate editor of the “Evening News.” and his wife was formerly Miss Eve Thomson, of Auckland. Ben Travers, of “Cuckoo in the Nest fame, is in Melbourne with the English cricketers. Theatredom in England, he said, was in a chaotic condition. Few* of the London theatres had settled policies, and the rivalry with the picture shows was very keen. James Liddy Rebuked

Mention of the theatre recalls the fact that James Liddy. who was in New Zealand recently with “The Student Prince,” was sharplv rapped across the knuckles other morning by one of the dailieis following the premiere of "The Vagabond Iving.” It was suggested in no uncertain terms that it was Mr. Liddy’s job to sing and act —and not to make speeches and presentations. Following every “curtain” the actor selected various friends in the audience with whom to share the call —always an obnoxious habit. The American, while in Auckland, rather liked to show himself in

the full glory of his war paint and make-up outside the theatre prior to the opening of the show'. The Australian Press, which is never afraid to tell an artist what it thinks of him. whether it is right or wrong, also drew attention to this action on tho part of Mr. Liddy. ERIC RAMSDEN,