TEMUKA’S DISTINGUISHED VISITOR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1936, 29 August 1889, Page 3

TEMUKA’S DISTINGUISHED VISITOR.

There was nothing loud or vulgar about him. Ib fact, his appearance was good, even aristocratic, and his clothes, evidently tailor-made, were such as ara worn by our squatting fraternity. The Norfolk jacket and knickerbockers of grey tweed were of unexceptionable cut, and when he strolled into one of the best and most frequented hotels in Tamuka on Saturday last the boarders immediately realised that there stood before them a man of no ordinary stamp. He joined them at their dinner, in the course of which it transpired that he had served Her Most Gracious Majesty in tho capacity of navigating lieutenant of one of the vessels of tho Flying Squadron, and that his visit to the township was due te the fact that he had heard that an old friesd of his, and his junior in the service, was then located here, and that he felt it incumbent to visit him. Under the circumstances it was felt that it was justifiable to admit him to the select coterie that occasionally assembles at the hotel before mentioned, and whiles away the evening in conversation and song. The talents of the stranger here came into play. Ho was quick in repartee, and evidently well versed in the topics of the day, while ha had a great fund of humorous anecdote. He did not profess to sing much, but to his own accompaniment contributed a plaintive ballad about the “ True Hsart of John Brown,” which by the musical critic present was voted “ a sweet thing,” and received as such. Later on in the evening the society of these select boarders and their friends evidently palled upon him, and he made his way to the more public rooms, where his conversational talents and free manner found him ready acceptance. As yet no one knew bis name, but it was believed that it was Smith—none of the vulgar Smiths be it known —but BroomehullSmith, an aristocratic family of the Midland Counties of England, and it was farther understood that he was of the genus “ globe trotter.” This was at all events partially true, for he had trotted or walked that day from Winchester, and possibly from further. As the evening wore on the society of tbe common herd ceased to please, and he returned to tbe private apartments. The conversation turned te athletics, and it was then found that the visitor was an adept at wrestling and so forth. Ho had won, so he averred, medals and stars for wrestling, and had conquered the successful candidate at the great Truro sports, although as an amateur he was not entitled to receive a prize. In an unguarded moment he admitted that his father was Lord M of a noble Yorkshire family, and ho himself was Yiscoant M——, the only son. Ls ii to be wondered at that tbe conversation at once took an aristocratic turn, and the exploits of the Viscount at Cambridge and subsequently in the Navy wore received with reasonably good faith | By one or two it was thought strange that he should havo turned up in the way he did, and also that he seemed particularly short of money, but one of the company, whose collegiate degree entitled him to judge, ooufidently averred that “he knew a gentleman when he met him, and was therefore delighted to meet the visitor, for,” said he, “ there are an infinite amount of cads in the colony.” A fellow collegian, doubtless through jealousy, still seemed sceptical, and made impertinent remarks about the visitor’s shirt, suggesting that it would bo charitable to get up a subscription and purchase a clean one for him, but his remarks were received with the scorn they deserved, and the stranger retired to hia couch surrounded by a halo of mystery, romance, whiskey, and ginger ale. On Sunday he evidently laid himself open for enjoyment, that is, as much as was available. To aid digestion he partook of a bottle of claret at his midday meal, and he was liberal in hia offers of refreshment to hie fellow diners. Throughout all, howoyer, it was evident he was a man of culture, and ho displayed a considerable amount of talent in argument on several abstruse subjects. Still there existed a lingering doubt as to his bona fides, and although the landlord supplied his demands it was evident that he was ill at ease. On Monday morning he lay late, although he had expressed a wish to catch the early train south, as it was necessary for him to take passage by the To Auau. On arising and finding that the train had gone, he enquired for the telegraph station, to which he at once proceeded, in order that his friends, who would be expecting him, might not be Manned. Strange to say, he has not yet returned, nor have any traces of him, alive or dead, been discovered. What has become of ' him is a question as yet unsolved. It has been hinted that the jealous collegian may have made away with him, but this idea is not feasible. Again, it is said by the sceptical that his visit was a dream. To this the landlord aforesaid gives an indignant denial, and produces in proof au empty claret bottle, an unpaid grog bill, and points to a bed that bears strong evidence of having been slept in. What has become of him, and why should Temuka be bereft of its distinguished visitor ? No answer is forthcoming, and an appeal to the executive civil force is only answered by mysterious nods and winks that may bo interpreted by the. initiated but to tbe majority are unintelligible. Suffice it to say, ip the language of the immortal bard — “ He was a man whose like we shall not look upon again.”