A New Zealander In Sydney Town

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 944, 10 April 1930, Page 16

A New Zealander In Sydney Town

THE SUN'S Sydney Correspondent SYDNEY, April 1. Windfall for Chief Justice The benefactor who caused the resignation of the Chief Justice, Sir Adrian Knox, from the Bench this week was his old friend, the late John Brown. This is the first indication of how the coal millionaire has distributed his vast wealth. Sir Adrian apparently decided that as lie would now be vitally concerned in a certain industry in Australia he should retire from the Bench, Although no names were mentioned, and the industry was not specifically indicated, there is no doubt that he referred to coal. The Knox family for many years past has been closely identified with the sugar industry. Sir Edward Knox, father of the retired Chief Justice, was one of the founders of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company. Apart from his legal work, Sir Adri|u Knox’s principal interest has been the turf. A popular annual event at Randwick bears his name. John Brown, his old friend, likewise paid him the compliment of naming one of his horses after Sir Adrian. Not Afraid to Differ Sir Isaac Isaacs, Sir Adrian’s successor as Chief Justice, is a strong and convincing personality, who on many occasions has differed in no uncertain manner from the opinions of his learned brethren. He is regarded as one of the ablest men who has held this position. As he is in his 75th year he is easily the oldest to have occupied it. Sir Isaac was Attorney-General in the Deakin Ministry of 1905. Prior to federation he had a distinguished career in Victorian politics, and on one occasion was acting-Premier of that State. He was the first Australian judge to appoint a daughter, Miss Nancy Isaacs, to act as his associate. Ethel Turner’s Bereavement Mention of the judiciary brings to mind the fact that Ethel Turner, one of the best loved Australian writers, and in private life the wife of Judge Curlewis, suffered a bitter bereavement during the week. Jean, their daughter, and the wife of Mr. Leonard Charlton, died, after a long illness, at the early age of 31. Jean Curlewis was a writer of merit, who specialised in magazine articles. Though she never achieved the publicity of her mother, she was regarded as talented with her pen, and had several books to her credit. The Bishop of Christchurch The preacher at evensong at St. Andrew’s Cathedral on Sunday was the Bishop of Christchurch, Dr. West Watson. From the moment on the previous day, declared the visitor, when he watched the sun, in all its wonderful glory, rising out of the sea, he had been impressed with the colour and beauty about him. Though he came from,, a city one-tenth of the size of Sydney he assured the congregation that it was also a city of singular beauty. Christchurch was known in New Zealand, he said, as the garden city of the Dominion. Successful Revivals The revival of “The Belle of New York” In Sydney, and “The Maid of the Mountains in Melbourne,” has been so successful that the J.C.W. management is seriously considering reviving a few more of the old favourites. Sir George Tallis recently declared he was convinced that the tide had turned. Although the talkies had captured public fancy for a time he said he had never been afraid of them. I am afraid that Sir George is a little too optimistic. It is interesting enough to go and see “The Belle” jazzed up to meet modern requirements, but once the sentimentalists of another period have renewed acquaintance with their old loves, they will, I believe, return to the talkies or insist upon something better in theatrical fare. Old Favourites Returning

William Faversliam is drawing well. “Journey’s End” is at last closing. Now we are awaiting Edith Taliaferro from America in “Let Us Be Gay.” Her company will include Ethel Morrison, once of Wellington, and J. B. Rowe. I was also informed during the week that Beatrice Day is to join Faversliam for “The Hawk.” We are to have the firm’s musical comedy success, “Mr. Cinders,” before long, and little Josie Melville will soon go out on tour again as the dishwasher in “Sally.” Muriel Starr’s Bankruptcy In the course of her examination in bankruptcy the other day, Muriel Starr admitted that all the money she had in the world was 12s lOd, and about £3O worth of stage frocks. Meanwhile, she can still smile, despite a fickle public, and joins in the rush to the talkies. It’s a long time since Muriel had so much time on her hands. Quite candidly she admits that she adores the new form of public amusement. Muriel Starr, however, can hardly blame the public, which stood loyally behind her for many years. J. C. L. Fitzpatrick to Retire New Zealanders who have 'observed the New South Wales Parliament in session will remember Mr. Fitzpatrick, the member for Orange, and a member of several Ministries in for-, mer years. “Fitz,” as he is popularly known to all sections of the House, will retire with the present Parliament. He will not seek re-election. A thorn in the side of the Opposition, for he has all the Irishman’s wit in repartee, Mr. Fitzpatrick will be much missed —almost as much as the pink carnation that he invariably sports in his coat. Sydney’s Newspaper War The next broadside in Sydney’s newspaper war is expected next week. The two evening papers, controlled by the Denison group, will increase their price to a copy. A determined move through the news agents against the old and sedate morning journal, which, despite the keenest of opposition, still retains pride of place as the first newspaper in the Commonwealth, failed dismally. Just hVv the public will respond to the new demand will be interesting to observe. The newspapers of late have felt the prevailing financial depression by a corresponding drop in advertising. Whether the evening journals \\ V recoup their losses, however, by an increase in price, is problematical. ERIC RAMSDEN.