People We Hear About

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 52, 28 December 1905, Page 10

People We Hear About

By the recent death of the Hon. Captain Kenny the life members of the Legislative Council have been reduced to nine in number (says the l New Zealand^ Times '). They are the Hons. W. D. Baillie (appointed^ 1861), C. C. Bowen, Speaker (1891), C. J. Johnston (1891), G. M'Lean (1881), Sir Henry John Miller (18)G5) W J. D. Ormond (1891), H. Scotland (1868), E. C. Stevens? (1882), L. Walker (1885). Archbishop Kcane, who has done noble work as Rector of the Catholic University of Washington, tells of Cardinal Manning's last illness, that in his extreme weakness his Eminence's physicians urged him to take some stimulant. Calmly but almost sternly he refused. Then they gave him a drug that had a similar effect. Beckoning for his faithful attendant, Monsignor Johnson, he whispered : *■ That drug has flushed my face and dimmed the clearness of my brain, and I will take no more of it.' And so, with unclouded mind and true tothe League of the Cross, he passed to our Eternal Judge. The death is announced of Lady Florence Dixie, the sister of the Rev. Lord Archibald Douglas. She had been an invalid for some years. 'In her youth she was. fond of outdoor life, and was a magnificent horsewoman. She travelled widely in unknown parts of the world, spending days on horseback, and suffering great hardships. When Patagonia was even less known than it is now she was familiar with its wildest parts. In the Boer War of 1881 Lady Florence was a war-corres-pondent of the ' Morning Post.' Owing largely to her advocacy, Cetewayo, the captive king of Zululand, was restored to liberty. Sir Henry Irving was not as rich as his admirers would have wished, this being due to his unbounded generosity. Some strange stories are told of him in this respect. It is said that on one occasion he wasasked to perform at a benefit given for some poor actor who had broken down. ' I cannot go,' wrote Sir Henry, ' but I'll put him on the pay list at the Lyceum.' And on the pay list he was duly put, survived for over twelve years, and all i that time drew £9 a week without ever having entered the theatre. Sir Henry spent enormous sums on the ' mise en scene ' of his plays. For the few seconds spent by Marguerite in crossing ther stage to enter the cathedral the church bells play, and for the chime of bells which thus played Sir Henry gave a thousand pounds. Concerning Sir William Butler, the ' Westminster Gazette ' tells, ' on excellent authority,' a capital story. During the stormy period of the ' Plan of (Janfpaign, 7 when Sir William was living temporarily in Ireland, a foree 1 of police, under an officer to whom the gallant soldier was unknown, arrived at his, house. The policeoflicer informed Sir William that he was aware that an lush M.P for whom he had a warrant was in the building, and demanded that he should be given up forthwith. On being asked for the authority by which he made this demand on a stranger, the representatne of ' the force ' leplied that ho knew the ' wanted ' IM.P. was in, the house, and that he meant to search it, even though hehad no scirch-wariaiu. To which the famous soldier answered that whoever attempted to cross his threshold without due authority of law would do so at hisperil. For answer the police-officer ordered his men to ' fall in,' and — marched away. The beauty of the situation was that the gentleman for whom the police werelooking was actually in Sir William's house at the time. Among the politicians retiring this year (says the ' Otago Daily Times ') are some who have given many years of service to the country. Mr. J. W. Thomson, Clutha, who did not seek re-election, was returned for nine Parliaments, and gave his attendance at 30 sessions. Sir W. R. Russell, who was defeated for Hawke's ßßary r was elected for nine Parliaments, and had attended 32 sessions. Mr. W. C. Buchanan, who has given place to Mr. Ilornsby for Wairarapa, had seen seven Parliaments:and served for 25 sessions Mr. John Duthie, who was defeated by Mr. I/,ard for Wellington North, was elected for four Parliaments and attended 12 sessions. The Right Hon. R. JPSeddon has been elected for 10Parliaments and has seen 31 sessions, the Hon. T. Y. Duncan nine Parliaments and 28 sessions, the Hon. Sir J G. Ward and the Hon. J. Carroll seven Parliaments and 21 sessions, the Hon. W. Hall-Jones seven Parliaments and 18 sessions, the Hon. C. H. 'Mills six Parliaments and 1 / sessions, and the Hon. Mr. M'Gowan six Parliaments and 14 sessions. The Hon. Sir W. J. Steward has the ' record,' having been elected for 10 Parliaments and served for 33 sessions. Sir William Steward ami Mr. J. W. Thomson entered the House ir. 18"J, Sir V llljpm Russell in 187(5, Mr. Frddon in 1879,. and Mr. D""<- n n and Mr. Buchanan in IPS I ].