Melbournbe Observer. 110601A. June 1, 2011. Part A

Melbourne

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GIANT 72 PAGES

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Page 11

NEWS ★ SHOWBIZ ★ LIFESTYLE ★ TRAVEL ★ FEATURES ★ BARGAINS ★ SPORT ★ PLUS ‘OBSERVER OVERNIGHTERS’

Melbourne

STATE EDITION Vol 43 No 1431 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969 Ph 1-800 231 311 Fx 1-800 231 312

Observer WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2011

36-PAGE ‘TRADER’ INSIDE

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LOVE NEVER DIES

$2.95

including GST

RADIO MAN’S HEART ATTACK

AWARD FOR HINCH Page 6

■ Melbourne radio man Ric Ditchburn suffered a serious heart attack after completing his Magic 1278 afternoon shift on Friday. Ric underwent surgery on Monday, and is reported to be “conscious and talkative”.

Ric hosts the 2pm-7pm show. It is unclear when he will return to his radio show.

YVONNE’S BEST BOOKS

MILLIONAIRE’S $13M AD BLITZ

Page 12

GLADYS MONCRIEFF SPECIAL Page 14

Melbourne

Observer ISSN 1447 4611

■ Ben Lewis and Anna O’Byrne pictured in rehearsals for Love Never Dies which opened at The Regent Theatre on Saturday night, followed by a spectacular after-show party at the Sofitel On Collins. More photos inside.

■ Cate Blanchett, a Hollywood actress worth more than $50 million, is this week copping criticism over her decision to preach her politics to everyday Australians. ‘Carbon Cate’ has joined actor Michael Caton in pushing for Australians to pay a tax being promoted by the Gillard Government.

The former Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School and MLC student faces increasing opposition for voicing her political opinions.

“People should not be prevented from making political statements just because they were wealthy,” Caton said.

‘CAN BLACK CAVIAR BE BEATEN?’ TED RYAN - PAGE 69

Page 2 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Index to Advertisers

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Melbourne Observer Editor Ash Long offers his selections to best businesses around town. These people enjoy reputations for top service.

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Travel

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A vacancy exists for an advertising professional to take the role of Advertising Sales Manager for Travel Monthly.

Since 2002, Travel Monthly has built a successful reputation for marketing travel businesses in Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific anbd beyond.

Travel Monthly is distributed widely across the Australian eastern seaboard. It has up to 100,000 readers each month in print and online.

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Antiques and Collectables ... Page 71 Best Chance ... Page 36 Bluewater Point Resort ... Page 51 Cafe De Beaumarchais ........ Page 47 Church of Scientology .......... Page 40 CMA Landscaping ... Page 42 Circus Spot ... Page 34 Davidson Cameron Board & Simmons ...

Page 66 Discovery Floats ... Page 29 Farm Gate Plants .... Page 24 Furniture By Carter ... Page 22 Gilly Stephensons ... Page 70 Gospel Project ... Page 32 Gum San Heritage Centre ... Page 44 Gutter Mesh ... Page 25 Helen King ... Page 38 Heritage Cairns .... Page 4 Itchin For Stichin ... Page 37 K P Whitney Pianos ... Page 31 Kids Promotions ... Page 35 Knight’s Actingt School ... Page 33 Larapinta Performance Horses ...

Page 30 Lifetime Distributors ... Page 39 Mandolin Resort ... Page 49 Melanesian Papua New Guinea ...

Page 53 Metro Hospitality Group ... Page 48 Mont De Lancey ... Page 46 National Celtic Festival ... Page 72 Picture Point Terraces ... Page 43 Polka Boutique ... Page 41 Rice Horse Floats ... Page 27 Satelite City Furniture ... Page 3 SKT Leather ... Page 28 Spraypave Melbourne Westside ...

Page 23 Stallion Floats ... Page 26 Tooleybuc River Retreat ... Page 51 Vintage Cookbooks ... Page 45 Waters Edge Resort ... Page 50

In This Week’s Observer

● Barry Humphries was in a relaxed mood as he mingled with guests at the opening night of Love Never Dies in Melbourne at the weekend. The Melbourne Observer has a pictorial coverage of the big event on Pages 58-59.

Antiques & Collectables - P70-71 Horse Feature - P26-30 Melbourne Homemaker - P22-24 Melbourne Trader - Liftout starts P19 Showbiz Special - P31-35 Travel/Touring - P43-54 Victorian Rural News - P24-25

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - Page 3

Page 4 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011

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THEFT, BULLYING CLAIMS AT LOCAL COUNCIL - P13 LEGAL ACTION OVER ALP’S LIFE BAN? PAGE 13

Melbourne

Observer

WARNE FLIPS ON TWITTER ETIQUETTE PAGE 11

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2011

Crowds flock to Sacred Mist fair

REFUGEE STUDENT COMPLAINS

ALADDIN SISALEM, a Palestinian refugee, has lost his appeal, complaining that he was not treated fairly at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University’s School of Engineering.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last week judged that Sisalem alleged that he experiened discriminatory treatments at the hands of RMIT University, and the Head of the School.

● Maureen Barrass and daughter Lesley Williams were at the Box Hill Town Hall for the ‘Wholistic Festival of Life’ expo organised by ‘Sacred Mist’ of Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn. The expo included an American Indian dance by apache ‘Red Horse’, and an appearance by Hayley Jacobs who claims to be able to commuicate with the deceased.

OBSERVER SPORT: Len Baker returns with ‘Sulky Snippets’ Turn to Page 67

Sisalem says the discriminatory conduct in relation to his education was on the basis of his political belief or activity, or personal association with people who had these beliefs.

Sisalem told VCAT Member A O’Dea that the treatment arose due to him being an Arab.

Sisalem said he had experienced problems with completing individual subjects and was delayed in completing his Advanced Diploma.

He said this delay in turn meant that he did not commence his engineering degree until 2010. \ “The result is that he has been delayed by two years in being able to commence earning an income as a fully qualified engineer.”

RMIT University denied that there had been discriminatory conduct and said there were other reasons why Sisalem had difficulties with certain subjects.

“These reasons include an investigation undertaken by the Ombudsman into allegations of cheating, with the assistance of a member of the (RMIT University’s) staff by three students, one of whom was the complainant,” the VCAT decision says.

RMIT University says it was aware that Sisalem was a refugee and that he had a difficult personal history.

The university said that the dealings were Sisalem “were not influenced by his political belief or activity or his personal association with persons identified by reference to political belief or activity. It also denies any race based discrimination.”

The Tribunal heard that Sisalem was a Palestinian refugee who was, until the end of May 2004, held in detention on Manus Island under the then-Australian Government immigration policies.

At the time of his release from detention there was public controversy about the terms of these policies and some of the media attention

given to that issue focussed on Sisalem’s circumstances.

“After his release (Sisalem) attended some public meetings and appeared in media reports,” the Tribunal reasons stated.

“While he told the Tribunal that he did not criticise the then-Government’s policies, (Sisalem) said that the nature of his own circumstances were themselves an implied criticism.”

Sisalem gave evidence that there was no publicity about his circumstances after 2007.

In June 2004, Sisalem made enquiries about enrolling in the RMIT University’s Advanced Diploma of Aerospace Engineering as a precursor to undertaking a Bachelor Degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Sisalem enrollede in February 2005 in the Advanced Diploma course under the newly created Refugee and Asylum Seeker Scheme.

“Over the period from late 2004 to his gradiation with an Advanced Diploma in 2010 (Sisalem) says that he experienced discriminatory treatment at the hands of (RMIT Unviersity) and in particular by the Head of the (School).

“He says that the discriminatory conduct in relation to his education was engaged in on the basis of his political belief or activity or his personal association with persons indentified by reference to political belief or activity.

Called to give evidence were Student Rights Officer Steve Boucher, academic registrar Dr Maddy McMaster, School head Peter Ryan, and teachers Tony Servello and Mr R Meyer.

VCAT member A Dea said: “On the evidence heard and in all of the circumstances of the case, I am not persuaded there is a basis to conclude or infer that there was a direct or indirect discrimination in relation to the individual subject issues discussed above or the broader allegations.”

HARRY BEITZEL’S ‘FOOTY WEEK’ - PAGE 68

Page 6 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Crash for Christine

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People Melbourne

Send news to editor@melbourneobserver.com.au

● Christine Harris ■ Melbourne theatrical producer Christine Harris is telephoning many of her friends ... reestablishing her records after suffering a major computer crash.

Christine’s business Hit Productions, operates a touring theatre company, which is staging Furiously Fertile, including a performance tonight (Wed.) at the Athenaeum Theatre in Collins St. The play has been penned by Melbourne playwright Rod Saunders.

Hit Productions has staged Menopause The Musical and a number of other productions, nationally.

Christine became a well-known TV personality, appearing as Amy in the Ten Network 1980s show, Carson’s Law.

Fax: 1-800 231 312

Fundraiser for Fab Nobs

Sorry Eddie ■ The final episode of Between The Lines will air tomorrow (Thurs.) night on Channel 9 at 8.30pm. Host Eddie McGuire has been told that only three shows, not enough viewers are attracted. Last week’s episode attracted just 510,000 viewers nationally, with 181,000 of them in Melbourne.

Love Never Dies

● Ben Lewis, who plays the Phantom in Love Never Dies, with Melbourne celebrity Suzanne Carbone.

● Karl McNamara (left) plays Mitch and Nick Kong is Chip in Fab Nobs' July production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. They will be joining other talented performers in the company's We Were Robbed - A Concert on Sunday, June 5 at 8pm at the Fab Factory, 33 Industry Place, Bayswater.

Billed as a fight-back fundraiser to replace sound and power tool equipment stolen in the recent Fab Factory robbery, the Concert features some of Fab Nobs' favourites singing past, present and future show stopping numbers and a little more. Tickets are $20 each (strictly no BYO food or drink). Call 0414 367 062 to book a table or if having any pre-loved tools to donate.

Top 20 Melb.surnames ■ Telstra’s Sensis division has released the top 20 surnames in the latest Melbourne White Pages directory: Smith, Nguyen, Singh, Williams, Brown, Wilson, Jones, Lee, Taylor, Tran, Anderson, Thomas, Chen,Wang,White, Johnson, Martin, Li, Ryan and Thompson. Distribution of the White Pages Business and Government book commenced at the weekend. Households will be invited to order a copy of the residential book.

Push-up comp.

■ What were they thinking? 3AW reporters Tony Tardio and Rob Curtain gave a demonstration of push-ups in the newsroom on Friday.

Slow news day?

for Bentleigh Concern teenager refurb.

■ Bistro renovations have been completed at the Bentleigh Club.

Gigi Hellmuth reports that the ShowBiz Social Club enjoyed their first meeting back at the premises. Pictures inside this week’s issue.

Ooh la la, Jackie!

Award for Hinch

● Rob Curtain

40 years in radio

● Radio presenter Derryn Hinch has been awarded a Variety International Presidential Citation for 35 years involvement with the children’s charity.

■ Lee Simon is this week celebrating 40 years in radio. Simon, 57, was encouraged by his father to be an accountant, instead of entering the broadcasting industry.

The Melbour ne broadcaster started at 3XY and EON FM, and also presented the Nightmoves TV program. He is currently at Triple M.

● Nine News reporter Jacqueline Felgate has landed in Europe for a two-month vacation. The holiday involved a trip on the Eurostar train.

● Kim Duthie ■ Erratic statements by so-called ‘St Kilda school girl’ Kim Duthie are concerning her friends.

Late last week, Duthie posted a Twitter message that she was sleeping on a park bench near the Crown Casino at Suthbank.

“Well this is fabulous.

Sleeping on a bench near Crown, when all I want to do is be in your arms.”

Later she reassured followers that she was with friends:“All right, met up with the friends; All good. Goodnight all.

Thanks for the concern.”

Earlier, Duthie indicated she was being ordered from her parents’ home:“My family have formed a mutany (sic) against me! Oh shit ... I can feel the ‘Get out’ words are about to be used.”

Then: “Sitting in a cafe by myself staring into space” and “I'm still not good enough for you, am I?” Just weeks ago, the teenager said she had found God: “I felt someone protecting me last night.. I soon discovered who it was: After 17 years on this earth - I let God into my heart and soul.”

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - Page 7

Breaking News

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

GOLF CLUB MANAGER STOLE Observer $433,000 - JAIL TERM CUT In This 72-Page Edition

Vive La Lucy Nicolson

From Our Court Roundsman

■ Former Pakenham and District Golf Club manager Patrick James Keane, 58, has had his minimum jail sentence reduced from 2½ years to 1½ years.

Keane stole $433,000 from the Club, including $349,000 cash which should have been deposited in the club’s bank account.

Keane paid himself $31,000 to which he was not entitled, and wrote himself another $51,000 from the club’s accounts by cheques and electronic transfers.

Judges Bongiorno and King, sitting as the Court of Appeal, heard that the former Commonwealth Bank employee, was single and living alone.

After 28 years at the bank, his large superannuation pay-out was largely lost by mismanagement and possibly fraud on the part of a financial adviser.

The Judges heard the effect of a twoyear delay between Keane’s confesion of guilt and his sentence.

Long-standing psychological problems were not adequately considered, they judged.

Keane had gambled heavily, drank heavily, but insisted that Police be contacted when he confessed.

Di Rolle: Oh, what an opening night! ...... Page 8 Your Stars: With Christina La Cross ........ Page 9 Long Shots: Love Never Dies ............... Page 10 Melb. Confidential: Fev joins Gold FM .. Page 11 Life And Style: Yvonne’s best books ...... Page 12 Max: Theft, bully claims at Council ....... Page 13 Kevin Trask: Gladys Moncrieff profile .... Page 14 Melbourne Homemaker: Pages 22-24 Horse Feature: Pages 26-30 Showbiz Special: Pages 31-35 Travel and Touring: Pages 43-54 Cheryl Threadgold Veritas, Spoiler James Sherlock Aaron Rourke

Observer Showbiz

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Cars egged, keyed ■ Up to a dozen cars were egged, keyed, had their tyres slashed and doused in custard in Ballarat over the past fortnight, reports The Courier.

Drink blitz at Bendigo ■ Bendigo Police nabbed six drinkdrivers, including a man who blew more than two-and-a-half times the legal limit, in a weekend traffic blitz.

Brazen daylight theft ■ Thieves have broken into a home in Seaspray and stolen guns and several vehicles, valued at more than $70,000.

Observer Classic CDs Offer

● Lucy Nicolson, featured artist in Vive La France on July 14 at Café Amici in Frankston ■ Café Amici celebrates Bastille Day with Cost is $85 per head, which includes three Vive La France on Thursday, July 14 at 7pm course meal and entertainment. Dress code: at the Garden Gallery, 167 Beach St, Red, white and blue.

Frankston, featuring Lucy Nicolson.

Bookings essential. Limited seating. 9783 Live entertainment will include songs from 7109. opera, operetta, stage and screen.

- Cheryl Threadgold

CAR CO. MUST REFUND Observations Drugs at Heathcote ■ Two men have been arrested on drug possession and traffic charges in separate incidents in Heathcote over the weekend. Police said a driver, a 48-year-old Preston man, was driving on a suspended licence and had his car impounded for 48 hours.

Deception at Warragul ■ Police are investigating reports of a man falsely charged goods on an account at B J Bearings,Warragul.

Two Diggers killed ■ An Afghan soldier shot and killed his Australian counterpart at a patrol base in southern Afghanistan on Monday. Another Digger has been killed following a helicopter crash.

By Our Court Roundsman ■ A car finance company has been ordered to pay a $1300 refund to a purchaser, and correct any blemish on her credit record.

DTGV1 Pty Ltd, trading as V1 Leasing, was takjen to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal by Kerry Lyn Walker.

Tribunal Member C. McKenzie heard the matter over many days in September and November last year, and has just published findings.

VCAT decalred the company’s behaviour as “constituting unfair tactics or unfair pressure breaches” under the Fair Trading Act. Ms Walker said V1’s transaction was in breach of the Credit Code. She sought an order that the company pay a civil penalty. Copies of the order have been sent to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Ms Walker, who is disabled, said the company failed to ensure that she understood the transaction and its applications.

“V1 is part of a national group of companies which trades under the name of ‘Motor Finance Wizard’. The company advertised on TV as 1800 CAR LOAN. V1 denied the claims.

Wandong Live Country Music Double CD Double CD. $20 (incl. postage)

32 great acts are included on this special classic Wandong Country Music Festival Live double CD. Tracks include Six Days On The Road (Cash Backman), Good Hearted Woman (John McSweeney), Mamas Don’t Let You Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys (Kevin Shegog), The Union Mare and The Confederate Grey (Gene Fisk and Gunslinger), Suvla Bay (Ray Kernaghan), Truckies (Merv Lowrey and The Country Ramblers), Ox Drivers Song (Lenore Somerset with Stoney Creek), The Fight In The Dog (Lee Conway with Moose Malone), Leave Love Behind (Christine Conway), Frankie & Johnny (Tex Morton) Daddy Frank (Colin James with Ron and Hazel), Don’t It Make You Wanna Dance (Hawking Brothers), She Taught Me To Yodel (McKonkey Brothers), While The Feeling’s Good (Reg Poole), and Margaretaville (Dave Pincombe).

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Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Treats in Chapel St ■ I love Saturday mornings in Chapel Street. A quiet walk window shopping, sipping coffee and getting the papers and going home is a real treat for me.

Being a workaholic and I am, it’s a new thing for me to allow myself some time for me. So important as I have been told over the years to do it and could never ‘find the time’.

Couldn’t quite grasp the concept of time for me when in my work it’s all about time for others. So, it is with a brand new freedom that I ‘allow’ myself time to stroll, and do what I want for an hour or so.

Walking along Chapel Street last Saturday I came across the fabulous Kikki.K store which really is worth a visit if you love stationery and paper and schedules and pencils and pens and date pads and diaries.

It’s a delight and they have ventured into bags and I happily walked out of the store with a ‘treat’ for myself which is also a ‘new’ thing I am discovering.

I bought a bag from The Stockholm Collection. I am so thrilled with the purchase it’s like all my Christmases have come at once.

The Stockholm Collection at Kikki.K is really something, inspired by and names after the unique districts of Sweden’s iconic capital.

I have promised myself that is the best treat I could have bought myself and will continue my walks along Chapel Street and leave my wallet at home for a few weeks until next ‘treat’ time!

Service for Bill Hunter ■ I was privileged to attend Bill Hunter’s memorial service at The Princess Theatre last week and was a service it was.

He was certainly loved and wherever you looked around the theatre were the familiar faces of the stage, screen and showbiz we have all grown up with.

It was lovely to catch up with Bill Armstrong, Robert Grubb, Molly Meldrum who is such a dear man, John MichaelHowson, Alan Finney, Gerard Kennedy, Gary Sweet and Rod Mullinar (whose beautiful voice was heard welcoming us all right throughout at the theatre as he spoke so eloquently and with deep love for his friend who spent his last years staying at his house).

Gary Foley made stirring speech and Mick Molloy did the ‘thank-yous’ as only Mick could.

Paul Kelly sang and we all laughed and whilst there were some tears the love could certainly be felt in the room, particularly when Bill’s wife, Rhoda Roberts, spoke of her love for him and his manager, Mark Morrissey, painted the most superb of his dear departed friend and client.

It was a rousing send off for a wonderful Aussie bloke.

A Mate Can Do No Wrong ■ I am including a wonderful Henry Lawson poem that was on the Memoriam card we were given at Bill Hunter’s farewell and was read by actor Rod Mulliner to the friends and family of Bill.

A Mate Can Do No Wrong We learnt the creed at Hungerford We learnt the creed at Bourke; We learnt it in the good times And we learnt it out of work.

We learnt it by the harbour-side And on the billabong; ‘No matter what a mate may do, A mate can do no wrong!’He’s like a king in this respect (No matter what they do), And, king-like, shares in storm and shine The Throne of Life with you We learnt it when we were in gaol And put it to a song: ‘No matter what a mate may do.

A mate can do no wrong!’

They’ll say he said a bitter word When he’s away or dead.

We’re loyal to his memory, No matter what he said.

And we should never hesitate , But strike out good and strong, And jolt the slanderer on the jaw – A mate can do no wrong!

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

To

Di

I love my job!

Di Rolle is heard most Mondays with Keith McGowan on 3AW, just after the 1am news.

For WHAT AN OPENING NIGHT!

■ Well, what a night it was. The excitement in the cocktail bar at The Westin Hotel was quite fabulous.

It’s that great Melbourne excitement that gets generated on any opening night, but this was different somehow.

I got dressed up along with the rest of us lucky people who had been invited to attending the much anticipated opening night of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies.

I was so caught up in the excitement I lost my mobile phone, something I never do, and I didn’t skip a beat when I realised it was gone.

It was a wonderful night and as always a great after show party at The Sofitel.

Rooms were adorned with merrygo-rounds and hoops hanging from the ceiling. It was indeed a most special night.

The actual production is brilliant, loved the colours and Baz Lurmanesque it had.

The music is distinctly Webber, the costumes are magnificent and the whole evening was a superb theatrical experience.

For me the thrill of the night was seeing Andrew Lloyd Webber himself come out on stage after the massive applause and standing ovations.

Andrew Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre, and has been referred to as “the most commercially successful composer in history”.

Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and Broadway.

He has composed 13 musicals, a song

with leading Melbourne publicist DI ROLLE

● Publicist Paul Taylor, Di Rolle, and Robin Murray, Director of Marketing at the Melbourne Recital Centre cycle, a set of varia- London. Producers in me the thrill of the tions, two film scores, several parts of the night. Just wondera Latin Requiem UK have staged pro- ful.

Mass. ductions, including He has gained a national tours, of the number of honours, in- Lloyd Webber musicluding a knighthood cals under licence in 1992, followed by a from the Really Use- ■ I was interested to see that the creators of peerage from the Brit- ful Group. ish Government for And there he was the HelpmannAwardservices to Music, in front of my eyes on winning The Man In seven Tony Awards, stage at The Regent Black are presenting three Grammy Theatre in the world premiere of Awards, an Academy Melbourne on his Hell Ain’t A Bad Place Award, 14 IvorNovello opening night of this To Be – The Story of Bon Scott featuring Awards, seven Olivier production.

Awards, a Golden I clapped and Nick Barker and Doug Globe Award, and the clapped. That was for Parkinson.

Kennedy Center Honours in 2006.

Several of his songs, notably The Music Of The Night from The Phantom of the Opera, I Don’t Know How to Love Him from Jesus Christ Superstar, Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina, and You Must Love Me from Evita, Any Dream Will Do from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Memory from Cats have been widely recorded and were hits outside of their parent musicals.

His company, The Really Useful Group, is one of the largest ● Nick Barker theatre operators in

About Bon

Bon Scott was, of course, a rock legend and a true rock star.

Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be, the story of rock icon and ACDC frontman Bon Scott, will premiere in Melbourne on July 12 at The Athenaeum Theatre for a limited two week season.

Tickets have gone on sale at Ticket-master.

Rock musician Nick Barker, known for his raw and intimately connected performances, will tell the story of Scott and his rise to fame with ACDC, interspersed with hit songs from the legendary musician.

Barker will be joined by legendary rocker Doug Parkinson, who knew Bon Scott in the hell-raising years of the 1970s.

Parkinson will sing songs from Bon Scott’s early years while telling stories of his time with Bon some he’s prepared to share, others he thinks may be best forgotten!

Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be – The Story of Bon Scott is directed by RocKwiz’s Brian Nankervis, one of Australia’s most celebrated rock n roll brains and a living musical encyclopaedia, and written by Andrew Barker, whose credits include producer of The Man In Black and The Ultimate Rock N Roll Jam Session.

Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be follows Bon’s life from Scotland to Australia, through his hell-raising teenage years and the bands that came before AC-DC - the Spektors, the Valentines and Fraternity.

From hippie epiphanies to bubblegum when Bon Scott

died in 1980, Highway To Hell had just reached the top 20 in the USA and AC-DC was on the brink of becoming a global rock phenomenon.

The band’s next album, Back In Black, was released as a tribute to Scott, becoming the second best selling album in history.

Australian rocker Nick Barker, one of Australia’s finest songwriters and a famed solo musician in his own right, connects with the Bon Scott story on a number of levels.

“The impact that AC-DC had on me as a teenager was huge.

Even growing up as a musician I spent a lot of my time playing in pubs and AC-DC was the benchmark.

“Bon Scott is an Australian icon as much as Ned Kelly.

We’re doing his show with the humility and truth that it deserves.”

Audiences will experience a powerful showcase of 22 Bon Scott signature songs, from rock anthems to fan favourites.

With a band including members of Electric Mary and The Casanovas as well as other respected longtime Australian rockers, Barker and Parkinson will belt out AC-DC classics like T.N.T, High Voltage and It’s A Long Way To The Top as well as earlier songs such as Been Up In The Hills Too Long, Summerville R.I.P and Seasons of Change.

Writer/producer Andrew Barker is amped up to present the story of Bon Scott, the man who fronted Australia’s most iconic band.

Turn To Page 57

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - Page 9

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Breaking Showbiz News

DEATH OF ACTOR JON BLAKE, 52 Briefs

Bush pub closes

Last call ■ Wo n t h a g g i driver Kaylin Hickey, 20, has been given a last warning by Magistrate Clive Alsop.

Hickey’s girlfriend suffered injuries in a smash. Hickey admitted driving while suspended at Woolamai.

Melbourne

Observer

Radio man sued ■ Steve Vanderveeken, a former sales executive at Classic Rock 91.5FM, is being sued, with allegations he was involved in organising corporate packages worth $615,000 that were never delivered.

■ Kelli Brett has been appointed as the new Regional Content Director for ABC Victoria. She moves from Bunbury,WA, where she been located for three years.

Golden Days winners

● Jon Blake ■ Australian actor Jon Blake has died this week at the age of 52. He died of pneumonia, and had been confined to bed for the past 25 years, since being permanently and seriously brain damaged in a motor accident in South Austrlia.

Blake was regarded as one of Australia’s finest actors at the time of his accident, after which he was in the care of his mother, Mascot, who died four years ago.

Jon Blake was born in New Zealand, and became popular in TV series including The Restless Years andx A Country Practice. He starred in the 1985 mini-series, The ANZACs.

In financial strife ● Ted Baillieu

News From Around Victoria

Kelli in charge at ABC

■ Winners of the Golden Memories CD, produced by Golden Days Radio 95.7 FM, have been drawn in the latest Observer reader contest.

Winners will have prizes mailed to them. They are: D Charters, 31 Azalea Cres, North Dandenong; Barbara MacEarhan, 2/100 Tyler St, Preston; and Cathy Fowqler, ‘Woongarra’, 140 Queen St, Wallan.

Bit light ■ One of the recommendations of the Bushfire Royal Commission is that the State buyback properties in danger areas. Only $5 million has been allocated in this year’s State Budget.

Statewide

■ The not-for-profit Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies is experiencing cash-flow difficulties, and may have to cut some of its 140 jobs.

Your Stars

● The historic Ettamogah Pub, north of Albury, has closed, amid allegations that owner Leigh O’Brien’s company owes millions of dollars.

The Border Mail reports: “Mr O’Brien has also pleaded guilty to stalking after making a series of threatening phone calls and text messages to a female former business associate and has been ordered to return to court” in June.

with Christina La Cross

Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 20) Today sees you discover who your true friends are. You may be surprised when you find out though, as phone calls and texts are about to prove. Contracts and letters promise new careers and better finances.

Taurus (Apr 21 - May 21) You must not worry so much what other people think of you, especially when you are so close to acquiring a long held dream. People you meet right now offer you some excellent career prospects.

Gemini (May 22 - June 21) I know you have not been feeling as strong as you should. I also know you've taken on not just your own worries, but close ones too. Delegate, there's more than just you responsible for current dramas.

Cancer (June 22 - July 23) Gossip could be exciting to listen to, but it could be your downfall if you repeat it Cancer. Think how you would feel, if the boot were on the other foot. Constructive words bring new friends.

Leo (July 24 - Aug 23) Doing favours for family this week can help you get back on track and can help put the recent pressures and problems behind you both for good. E-mails and communications offer new career paths.

Virgo (Aug 24 - Sept 23) The stars line up to encourage you to overindulge. However I have a feeling that you're feeling pretty tired out. You need to take some time out to recharge your batteries, big romantic events await.

Libra (Sept 24 - Oct 23) You've had a strange sense of humour recently but you're finding it hard for others to get the joke. Romance saves the day though as a long waited trip finally shows signs of coming around.

Scorpio (Oct 24 - Nov 22) Knowing what you want from a close one before you sit down and talk to them about your future can save you a lot of embarrassment. Better admit the truth than do what is expected surely?

Sagittarius (Nov 23 - Dec 21) Keep out of arguments that don't concern you or you could end up as piggy in the middle in a drama which you don't need in your life at this time. Phone calls offer exciting travel.

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 20) Don't rush the new relationships in your life but slow your pace and enjoy the view. It makes a change for you to be on the receiving end of seduction for a change. Enjoy it.

Aquarius (Jan 21 - Feb 19) Saturn is trying to teach you lessons, but you seem to be more intent on getting involved in everyone else's problems. Could this be because the truth hurts? It won't if you listen to today's facts.

Pisces (Feb 20 - March 20) Pay attention to detail with your work today. It is the little things which you don't pay attention to which could end up costing you, both financially and professionally. Texts bring revelations regarding romance.

St Kilda pier plans ■ More than $15 million would be spent to redevelop the St Kilda Pier in plans released this week.The plans include a sea pool and penguin observatory.

Discount book coupon ■ The book, Long Shots, can be ordered for $20, on a coupon on Page 12.

Observer Reader Special Offer

Barry Rose’s Last Recording: ‘Rose Of The Valley’ $20 including postage and handling THE PROGRAM (contains no repeats from previous Barry Rose CDs): 1 All The Things You Are 2 Red Roses For a Blue Lady 3 How Deep Is The Ocean 4 I Don’t Know How To Love Him 5 I’ll Be Seeing You 6 The Desert Song 7 Theme From ‘ The Apartment’ 8 Both Sides Now 9 Sway 10 Hello Dolly 11 Sunday Morning Coming Down 12 Somebody Else Is Taking My Place 13 I Know Him So Well 14 I Left My Heart In San Francisco) 15 La Mer 16 Younger Than Springtime 17 You’ll Never Walk Alone 18 Gethsemane (from Jesus Christ Superstar) 19 Strangers In The Night 20 Dance With a Dolly (with a Hole in Her Stocking) 21 Let It Be Me 22 A Time For Us 23 When I Grow Too Old To Dream 24 What a Wonderful World 25 Goodnight Sweetheart

Simply send the form below. All orders will be despatched within two working days of cheque/money order clearance.

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Name: .....................................................................................

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Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Melbourne

Observer LOVE NEVER DIES Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne People

Incorporating the Melbourne Advertiser Victoria’s Independent Newspaper First Published September 14, 1969 Every Wednesday

Long Shots

Contact Us Phone: Fax: Web: E-Mail:

1-800 231 311 1-800 231 312 www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au

Head Office Office: Postal: Phone: Fax:

Forgotten Fortunes ■ Latest ‘Unclaimed Moneys’ details relased by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission shows millions of dollars owing to bank , building society and credit union customers.

Financial institutions are keen to locate these Victorian customers who have ‘forgotten fotunes’.

Those named (shown with their last known address) should contact their local branch to lodge a claim:

30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095 PO Box 1278, Research, Vic. 3095 +61 3 9439 9927 +61 3 9431 6247

Observer Contacts Publisher and Editor Media Director Research Director Features Editor Columnists

Cartoonist Birthday Bulletin Distribution

Ash Long Fleur Long Kristi Bryant Peter Mac Yvonne Lawrence John Pasquarelli Jim Sherlock Cheryl Threadgold David Ellis Len Baker Kevin Trask Aaron Rourke Matt Bissett-Johnson Greg Newman Sam Fiorini, Ph: 9482 1145

Mail Subscriptions You can have your own copy of the Melbourne Observer delivered to your door by Australia Post.

We dispatch hundreds of copies of the Melbourne Observer to mail subscribers every Tuesday afternoon. Subscription price for 48 copies is $228.00, pre-paid, to anywhere in Australia.

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Newsagents contact: All Day Distribution Pty Ltd, 1st Floor, 600 Nicholson St, North Fitzroy, Vic. 3068. Phone: (03) 9482 1145. Fax: (03) 9482 2962. Distribution Manager: Sam Fiorini.

● Barry Humphries ■ The Andrew Lloyd Webber production, Love Never Dies, opened at The Regent Theatre on Saturday. As our columnist Di Rolle says, what a spectacular opening night!

And what a fantastic evening for star-spotting, as our photo spread (Pages 58-59) shows.

Congratulations to the talented Ben Lewis, Anna O’Byrne, Maria Mercedes, Simon Gleeson and Sharon Millerchip.

The show is a grand spectacle. Let’s split the two show into its two halves: 5 out of 5 points in each for staging.

The impossible plotline scores 0 out of 5 for the first half, and 3 out of 5 for the second half. Total: 13. You must see it!

Well done to director Simon Phillips, costumer Gabriela Tylesova, and Guy Simpson for music.

editor@ melbourneobserver.com.au

with Ash Long, Editor “For the cause that lacks assistance, ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do”

● Enid Dodemaide with Kate Williams

Missing man

Available Across The World MELBOURNE OBSERVER ONLINE 2.1 MILLION HITS ANNUALLY ON THE WEB: www.MelbourneObserver.com.au You can read our paper free on the Internet.

Contact details for all our advertisers are also available at our website.

BACK COPIES - ARCHIVES Some back Copies for 2002-11 editions of the Melbourne Observer are available at our website.

Back copies for 1969-89 may be inspected by appointment at the State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne.

WEBSITES:www.melbourneobserver.com.au, www.melbournetrader.com.au, www.travel monthly.com.au, www.brisbanesun.com.au, www.sydneynews.com.au, www.overnighters. com.au, www.localmedia.com.au

● Judy Banks and Bob Phillips

Business Name Registrations include Melbourne Observer. B2138135X Melbourne Advertiser Newspaper. B2205254M Australian Christian Press. B2080241G Brisbane Sun. B2072542D Diamond Valley Advertiser. B1658237F Fitzgerald’s Fast Debt Recovery.

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Independently Owned and Operated The Melbourne Observer is printed by Streamline Press, 155 Johnston St, Fitzroy, for the publisher, Ash Long, for Local Media Pty Ltd, ABN 67 096 680 063, of the registered office, 30 Glen Gully Road, Eltham, Distributed by All Day Distribution.

Responsibility for election and referendum comment is accepted by the Editor, Ash Long.

Copyright © 2011, Local Media Pty Ltd (ACN 096 680 063).

● Paul Duggan ■ We are disturbed that Melbourne lawyer Paul Duggan has disappeared while on a scuba diving trip in Papua New Guinea.

Mr Duggan, 58, was diving off Kavieng, a tourist destination in the far north-east of PNG, when he became separated from his diving group on Thursday.

Mr Duggan has acted for us in the past.

Dream on ● Rita and Maris O’Sullivan

■ “Dreams are the soul’s pantry. Keep it well stocked and your soul will never hunger.”

- Shirley Feeney

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT COURT REPORTS Contents of Court Lists are intended for information purposes only. The lists are extracted from Court Lists, as supplied to the public, by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, often one week prior to publication date; for current Court lists, please contact the Court. Further details of cases are available at www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au The Melbourne Observer shall in no event accept any liability for loss or damage suffered by any person or body due to information provided. The information is provided on the basis that persons accessing it undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. No inference of a party’s guilt or innocence should be made by publication of their name as a defendant. Court schedules may be changed at any time for any reason, including withdrawal of the action by the Plaintiff/Applicant. E&OE.

Asteron Life Ltd Hercus, Clarice E. c/- Hostel Durham Ox Rd, Pyramid Hill. $3696.40.

Lang, Christopher. 64 Armadale St, Armadale. $695.61.

Longford, K M. 6 Dunlop Ct, Bayswater. $11,490.41.

Mackenzie, Peter J. 553 Grimshaw St, Bundoora. $5485.10.

Mangelsdorf, Marie Louise. 18 Acasia St, Doveton. $274.00.

McKenzie, M J. 1/340 Stephensons Rd, Mt Waverley. $590.43.

Metzke, Glen Cresswell. 1/49 Bourke Rd, Clayton South. $6023.42.

Nanscawen, Janyce Anne. 5/9 Kent Hill Rd, Box Hill. $1609.67.

Petteit, J F. 18 Searle Ct, Dandenong. $2803.20.

Schwab, Dieter. PO Box 8282, Carrum Downs. $213.00.

Squarci, Teresa Maria. 12 Holmes St, East Brunswick. $535.00.

Walker, Douglas William J. 24 Lyins St, Port Melbourne. $3742.05.

Wiesner, Hermine Anne. 39 Nordsvan Dr, Wodonga. $4877.72.

Australian Unity Investment Bonds Ltd Hardiman, Peter J. 426 Lower Heidelberg Rd, Eaglemont. $289.50.

Jewell, Verna Lillian. 32 Richards Rd, Montrose. $2141.00.

Jewell, Geoffrey Richard. Flat 2/4 Olive Dr, Morwell. $19,908.00.

Lovelock, Graham Norman. 14 Hartwell Rd, Cheltenham. $1168.00.

McLoughlin, B M. 4 Selbourne Close, Wantirna. $4004.00.

Norris, B R. 18 Taldra Cres, Seaford. $289.95.

Stevens, Dennis M. 30 Berkley St, Castlemaine. $388.64.

AXA Australia Baldry, D A. 35 Alma Ave, Ferntree Gully. $583.00.

Barr, Adam Wilson. 31 Simpson Dr, Mount Waverley. $818.00.

Beadel, Thelma Daphne. Twin Hollows North Rd, Langwarrin. $9493.77.

Observer Treasury Thought For The Week

■ Just going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

Observer Curmudgeon

■ Society is a madhouse whose wardens are officials and police.

- August Strindberg

Text For The Week

■ “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have.

- Philippians 4:11-13

Free reader ads are available in the Melbourne Trader section of the ‘Melbourne Observer’

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - Page 11

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Confidential Melbourne

Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

WARNE FLIPS ON TWITTER ETIQUETTE

&

Short Sharp

Bitch

■ The tallship Enterprize, which brought the first settlers to Melbourne in 1835, may move from Williamstown. Rent at Nelson Place is set to rise from $2000 to $60,000 annually. Geelong and Frankston would welcome the tallship.

Melbourne’s Secrets

All that glitters ...

● Peter ‘Grubby’ Stubbs, Brendan Fervola and Diane ‘Dee Dee’ Dunleavy ■ The look on the face of Gold 104.3 Brekafast co-host Peter ‘Grubby’ Stubbs says it all. Loose cannon Brendan Fevola has been signed to appear with ‘Brubby’ and ‘Dee Dee’ from next Tuesday (June 7) to talk footy on their program.

Word reaches Bitch that never ‘Grubby’ (Swans supporter) nor ‘Dee Dee’ (Saints) were consulted before radio station management reached the agreement to employ ‘Fev’ on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Bitch hears that, behind the scenes, and away from the publicity sessions, Stubbs and Dunleavy are less than thrilled to have the reforming ‘Fev’ on their show.

Extra TV work on Seven ■ 3AW sports reporter Shane McInnes can also be seen presenting reports for Seven News. The impressive young journalist is gaining television experience on a casual basis, in addition to his radio work. Shane, 27, was previously at SBS and Sport 927. ● Shane McInnes

Where are they now?

■ Some 32 years ago, Christine Amor was seen on TV as Jean Vernon, social worker at Wentwood Detention Centre, in Prisoner. Then came the role as Felicity Carson in Carson’s Law. These days, the 59-year-old is a ● Christine Amor marriage celebrant - at $295 per ceremony - on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

● Shane Warne ■ Cricket identity Shane Warne has been caught out a number of times because of communications technology.

His telephone text messages were legendary, and his Twitter exchanges with actress Elizabeth Hurley have been followed around the world.

Now ‘Warnie’ is bringing other Twitter users into line, pleading with them to behave whilst online.

“Message to idiots out there who follow you - to just send stupid and immature messages - why? Does it make you feel tough? Get a life,” Warne broadcast late last week.

“Twitter is a great way to interact with people you don't know , but care about what your doing - I think it's great to keep people informed.

“And to have a voice - seeing there is so much rubbish printed these days - I value the interaction - please don't ruin it!”

■ Embattled Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland is advertising for a Director, Corporate Strategy and Governance. “To be successful in this role you will have exceptional relationship building skills and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.”

■ Nick Onoufrios Aresti, 39, of Pascoe Vale, has received a 12-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to indecent acts with a boy, aged between four and seven. Aresti is a former President of the Brunswick City Soccer Club.

Rumour Mill

Doctor on 162 charges ■ Former abortion clinic anaesthetist Dr James Latham Peters, of Hawthorn, faces 162 charges over allegations that he deliberately infected 54 women at the Croydon Day Surgery with Hepatitis C. He has been placed on a $200,000 surety. He faces 54 counts of conduct endangering life, 54 of recklessly causing injury and 54 of negligence causing serious injury.

DEBT COLLECTORS MUST FACE COURT ■ The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against one of Australia’s largest debt collection groups in relation to their recovery practices.

ASIC alleges that Accounts Control Management Services Pty Ltd and ACM Group Limited contravened the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act or the Trade Practices Act by engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct and undue harassment or coercion while carrying on a debt collection business.

ASIC is seeking declarations that ACM engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct, undue harassment or coercion in relation to eight debtors between November 2008 and June 2010.

ASIC is also seeking orders restraining officers and employees of ACM from engaging in this conduct in the future.

The matter is listed before the Federal Court in Sydney on Friday (June 3).

ACM purchases debt ledgers comprising predominantly of credit card, personal loan overdraft debt and telecommunications accounts from financial institutions and telecommunications companies then seeks to negotiate repayment programs with the relevant debtors.

Hear It Here First

Whispers

To VCAT

■ A bid by Lido Centre Pty Ltd to develop a multiplex cinema at Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn, is to be referred to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Monday (June 6).

Taser case

■ Jason Gursoy, 27, of Keysborough, has been fined $700, and is on a 12-month intensive corrections order, after facing Moorabbin Court for having a Taser disguised as a mobile phone.

The device paralyses with an electric shock.

Stealing

Cutbacks at ‘The Age’ ■ Respected Melbourne journalist Leon Gettler’s business column is being cut from The Age due to “budgetary reasons”. His work is being quickly picked up by the ABC and the Business Spectator website.

Rumour is that a number of Age columnists are getting the ‘pink slip’.

● Leon Gettler

‘Age’ deflects criticism ■ Age Editor Paul Ramadge used a broadsheet half-page to deflect criticism from Jeff Kennett.

Ramadge made much of the Herald Sun’s circulation drop of 25,000-35,000 copies. The Age circulation, itself, is down 3 per cent. The Herald Sun averages 484,000 wekdays, and 571,900 on Sundays. The Age only manages 190,600 weekdays, and 225,400 on Sundays. Rumour is that Ramadge may soon be transferred out of the top Melbourne newspaper job.

DJ’s drink-drive strife?

■ Rumour is that a high-profile Melbourne radio person has kept ‘mum’ about their own drink-drive strife. Might have been better to be upfront from the start. And the question will be asked of a colleague: what did they know, and when did they know it?

E-Mail: Editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au

■ Police have nabnned 38 in a blitz on shop-lifting at Eastland.

The arrests were made over a three-day period. Police plan to charge 20 of the offenders.

Exposed

■ Former university worker Martin Karklins has been ordered to serve an intensive corrections order for 12 months after admissions to knowingly viewing child porn.

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne

Observer Life & Style

CURL UP AND READ A FAVOURITE BOOK

■ Most people, who always have their nose in a book, even whilst stirring a pot on the stove, usually have a pile of books on the bedside table waiting to be read.

Readers just can’t help themselves!

My books have gone past the bedside stage.

They are on every spare surface, and I am ashamed to admit for fear that you think I’m a bad housekeeper, that I even have a large pile on the floor beside my bed. In fact, if I don’t start being strict with myself soon our house will implode.

I know I have to sort out my books because I’d hate to think that after I’ve gone to wherever, a non- reading relative will send them to the tip.

Yvonne’s Column

Transported away

Little Lonsdale Street

■ However, after a few weeks in bed the pile of books on the beside table has diminished and I’ve taken to re-reading a few favourites.

Everyone has a book that has made such an impression on them that it has stayed in his or her head.

Whenever I watch a television documentary about an archaeological dig I think of the few days I spent at a 2002 Melbourne University sponsored dig in Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne. I was so fortunate to have been invited, and of course, in my mind I fantasised about uncovering a treasure.

Little Lonsdale Street was once notorious as the site of Melbourne’s brothels, opium dens and less respectable pubs.

Rumours ‘on the dig’

■ My mind was working overtime as I arrived on a freezing cold winter day suitably dressed to start.

with Yvonne Lawrence yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

I just knew I’d unearth something of historic value.

I must say it is exciting when one of the people on the dig raises his or her arm to tell the supervisor that something has been unearthed.

Some of the broken pieces of china we found were amazing and I was surprised because although it had been a working class area, the pieces were by known makers.

My husband explained that many people came from England and would have brought their chattels with them.

Alas, apart from large pieces of broken china

Observer Special Reader Offer

Book Offer: ‘Long Shots’ $20 including postage and handling Ash Long is a veteran of the Australian media industry. He has worked in newspapers, radio, television and ‘new media’. Back in 2001, facing hard business times, he penned Long Shots. It’s a 304-page book with 63 chapters, 183 photographs and a cast of 1851 people. Times have changed - Ash has now been EditorPublisher of the Melbourne Observer for nearly 10 years. But back then, he was facing one of the toughest business challenges of his life. Grab a glimpse of a Melbourne man with a 40-year media pedigree. We have found two boxes of the Long Shots, and we are offering the book at a discounted price of $20, postage paid, to Observer readers.

To: Local Media Pty Ltd c/- PO Box 1278, Research 3095

and a couple of buttons I didn’t find anything, except lots of fish bones and a head cold.

I’d heard that one of the madams entertained the Duke of Edinburgh and the rumour was rampant on the dig.

■ I didn’t care that it was hard backbreaking work, I loved every minute of it and although I came home drenched to the skin and collapsed into a hot Epsom salts bath I couldn’t wait for the next day and the anticipation of what I might find.

It took my back and arms a week to feel normal again. And now when I re-read the book that gives an insight into the material culture of the working class of Melbourne, I’m transported back to one of the most interesting few days of my life.

I used to visit the Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital to talk to friends and listeners who called me on the 3AW open line every week. The hospital was one of the foremost centers for the research and treatment of infectious diseases especially HIV/AIDS. It was always a pleasure to talk with the staff and those patients who could go for a walk with me in the gardens.

Sent to Fairfield ■ Fairfield was closed in 1996, and I joined those who protested loudly. It was a great hospital with a social and institutional history.

I have re-read he book Fever Hospital written by W.K.Anderson who is a freelance historian and a poet. It is such a terrific read and an invaluable record.

It was first published in 2002, and should be still available.

It wasn’t until I started visiting that I discovered that typhoid, polio, diphtheria, Cholera, smallpox and scarlet fever were researched at this hospital. \ Talking to a friend on the phone she told me that she had been sent to Fairfield when she was a little girl with scarlet fever and she said she remembered having her hair washed in kerosene.

I bet there are many readers who will remember a stay at Fairfield I miss visiting Fairfield, and I miss some of the friends I made there who are no longer with us.

The Fatal Shore ■ If we think that the refugees have it tough today, and I’m not making light of their plight because they are being treated appallingly in what can only be described as ‘gulags’, but one of my re-read book was The Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes.

I loved history at school, but until I first read The Fatal Shore I had little knowledge of those

who survived the first fleets being condemned to starvation, disease and horrifying brutality. It tells of Australia’s painful transition from prison camp to open society.

But the book that gave me the most pleasure was Long Shots written by Ash Long, the editor of the Melbourne Observer.

It’s not only about his journey in Australia’s media: he talks the talk and walks the walk!

Ash tells of his journey with absolute honesty. He doesn’t gild the lily, he tells it how it was.

3AW devotees should have this book on their bookshelves. It’s amazing how we forget things that happened only a few years ago. Ash forgot nothing.

Listeners really have no idea what goes on behind the scenes in a broadcasting studio.

Laughter and anger

■ I remember a friend telling me that I had it easy because I just sat behind a microphone, and it really wasn’t work. She was so surprised when I reminded her about the hours of research, reading a book before an interview and the odd nasty caller where it would have been so easy to make a retort.

Ash has written a book about an industry – an interesting, vital and sometimes controversial industry.

I found myself laughing, or remembering an incident at 3AW that still make me angry when I think about it.

I was a bit slow re-reading ‘Long Shots’ because almost every page reminded me about something that happened at the station and I took time to think about it.

Ash still works incredible long hours, not just as editor of the Melbourne Observer, but also for the community. He just brushes me off when I tell him that he should slow down.

But he loves life and like all good journalists when they smell a story, off they go.

I don’t know where you would buy a copy of Long Shots. But I couldn’t find Ash to ask him.

Congratulations Ash on a terrific re-read about the media and the snippets about the personalities and listeners.

And good luck with your losing weight with hypnosis. I’m a fan of hypnosis because it stopped me smoking. Management telling us that we would be sacked if we smoked in the studio didn’t deter the dedicated smokers, but one session with Clinical Physiologist, Dr Smith and 13 years later I’m still a non-smoker.

You deserve success, and as I said last week, you’ll go from strength to strength.

Long Shots, by controversial editor Ash Long is a must read.

Curl up in a chair this winter and re-read a favourite book. You’ll be well rewarded.

- Yvonne.

Contact: Melbourne Observer, P.O. Box 1278, Research Vic.3095

Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson Simply send the form below. All orders will be despatched promptly after cheque/money order clearance.

Please PRINT CLEARLY your name/address/phone number, and mail with cheque or money order to Local Media Pty Ltd

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 20110 - Page 13

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Observer Mailbag PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 Editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au

Hate mail for Ash, Keith

● Ash Long with Keith McGowan ■ Editor Ash Long writes: Hate mail is a fact of life for those working in the media. It is usually unsigned, often insulting, frequently incorrectly spelt, and just about always in CAPITAL LETTERS! Correspondents often get their facts completely out of whack. Here is one of the latest letters received at the Melbourne Observer, criticising your Editor, who appears at 2am weekdays with 3AW’s Keith McGowan. ★ “Because I am always on AW I hear the claptrap that you and McGowan go on with, The Liberal Hour. Give me Julia any day to the Mad Monk, self-confessed liar who calls Julia a liar. He was all for a carbon tax. Also climate change is crap! All of a sudden, he now believes in it. Oh yeah. Swings like a putrid corpse in the breeze.

“Poor Philip Brady, the only person in the world who has to pay for his own birthday celebration.

Pays for Fats Cats like you and McGowan, guts till you burst because Phil pays for it, what a pack of parasites you are.

“You can all afford to pay your own way. At the Elderly Cits. there is much discussion about you free loaders. Next year get off your fat greedy arses and pay for Philip’s birthady, though the shock would kill him.” ★ Editor’s final note: Philip Brady’s birthday celebration, featured in last week’s Melbourne Observer, were a gift to Philip from close friend Gill Andrew, who invited Philip’s friends as her guests.

‘Anonymous’ is wrong on so many fronts.

Melbourne

Observer

Latest Gossip

ToThe Max

THEFT, BULLY CLAIMS

MAX E-Mails: Editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au

Every Wednesday in the Observer “There are only two types of journalism - dull journalism and exciting journalism. The true journalism is exciting and decidely unobjective.

True journalism, in my view, is devoted entirely to the revelation of facts which someone does not want revealed. That is the high point of journalism; it is the real meaning of being a journalist; it is also exciting and is interesting to read.” - Maxwell Newton

● Crs Ross Lee and Robert Parker ■ Allegations of theft and bullyiong have been made at Mitchell Shire Council, based at Broadford, north of Melbourne.

Crs Ross Lee and Robert Parker are being investigated for alleged misconduct at a hearing of the Victorian Civil and Adminstrative Tribunal.

According to the Seymour Telegraph, Cr Lee is alleged to have removed anti-virus software on the laptop computer provided by the municipality. He is alleged to have refused to hand over the council property for a security upgrade. Cr Parker is said to have followed suit.

Cr Lee is also reported to being investigated for using his Council e-mail to leak confidential documents, not declaring conflicts of interest, and bullying other councillors and council staff ■ Mitchell Council’s administration has its own strife regarding the allegations against Crs Lee and Parker. How did the information of the allegations leak?

“Mitchell Shire Council is disappointed that confidential information has been provided to the media and an internal investigation will be undertaken to seek to identify the source,” says CEO David Keenan.

Melbourne

Observer The Max Factor

LEGAL ACTION OVER LIFE BAN?

■ Why would you want to be a mermber of an organisation that seems not to want you?

Craig Langdon, former MLA for Ivanhoe, is threatening legal action against the Australian Labor Party, after being hit with a life ban after allegations of disloyalty.

The ex-Whip in State Parliament lost his seat after a messy pre-selection squabble. He now is reduced to being a junior player as a Councillor on Banyule Council. ● Gill Andrew invited 40 guests to a celebration for Philip Brady’s birthday

cation in developing a culture of cyber safety within ourcommunity,” Mr Fraser said.

■ Disclosure: Observer Editor Ash Long is a supporter of Ivanhoe Grammar. He was School Captain there in 1974.

Oprah show

Action on cyber bullies

● Roderick Fraser

● Adam Hills ■ The ABC has announced that it will conclude production of the Spicks And Specks TV program starring Adam Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough.

Jailed

■ Lawrence Michael Bennett, 74, serial sex offender, has been jailed for three month, after exposing himself to a child and loitering in a public place frequenred by children at Werribee.

Nobbies ■ Phillip Island Nature Parks troubled Nobbies Centre could be demolished within a year, reveals the South Gippsland Sentinel-Times.

It is another blow for the area.

The $100 million All Seasons Eco Resort last month went into receivership.

The resort began in 2007 with 211 villas on 65 acres.

The resort will continue to operate, under administration.

Boat Show

‘Offensive billboards’ ■ A billboard carrying the statement “Jesus A prophet of Islam” is provocative and offensive to Christians, says Bishop Julian Porteouss of the Catholic Church.

“Central to Christianity is the belief that Jesus Christ is more than a prophet. He is the Son of God. He is acclaimed Lord and Saviour of humanity.

“It is important that religions do not set out to antagonise those with differing beliefs. This would threaten the social harmony which we enjoy in Australia. Dialogue between the religions can only take place when it is founded in mutual respect.”

Specks

● Cr Craig Langdon: banned by the ALP The School has been ■ The Principal of Ivanhoe Grammar one of the pioneers of poliSchool, Rod Fraser, has cies working against taken swift action after a cyber-bullying, and set up Facebook page, with the a website CyberSafe.com potential for cyber-bully- to help parents stay safe online. ing, was discovered.

“The School continues In a note to parents, Mr Fraser spoke to “some to liaise with other school unsavoury content” in- communities and with involving some students at dividuals and organthe School, as reported in isations who can provide ongoing support and eduthe media.

● Oprah Winfrey ■ The Ten Network last week aired the final three episodes of the Oprah show, prior to her starting her OWN channel.

Already there is speculation as to when she will return to free-to-air TV. Now, some trivia ... her real name was Orpah, but her family mispronounced it, for which she is grateful.

■ The Melbourne Boat Show will be held over the Queens Birthday Weekend (June 9-13) at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

Advice ■ Hard work has a future payoff.

Laziness pays off now.

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Whatever Happened To ...

Gladys Moncrieff

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

● Gladys Moncrieff ■ Gladys Moncrieff was one of the most popular Australian musical comedy stars of the 20th century. For 40 years Gladys performed in musicals in Australia and overseas. She was known as Australia's ‘Queen of Song’ and fondly referred to as ‘Our Glad’.

Gladys Moncrieff was born in Bundaberg, Queensland in 1892.

Her mother was a professional singer and her father was a piano tuner. At the age of six Gladys made her onstage debut and was billed as ‘Little Gladys’.

She became a child soprano and was recognised as a child prodigy. In her teenage years she performed in popular Gilbert & Sullivan productions and won an award at The Annual Eisteddfod in Charters Towers.

At the age of 17 she auditioned in Sydney for J. C. Williamson's and was given work in the chorus. As the years went by, Gladys was given lead roles and toured in productions throughout Australia and New Zealand.

In 1921 she played the lead role of Theresa in Maid Of The Mountains in Melbourne at the Theatre Royal (which was opposite The Tivoli Theatre in Bourke Street).

Maid Of The Mountains was a very popular stage musical and Gladys played the role of Theresa almost 3000 times during her career. In 1924 she married Thomas Moore who became her manager. Whilst on her honeymoon in the UK and Europe Gladys began to make gramophone recordings.

Gladys was overlooked for roles in several major J. C. Williamson productions and signed with Fullers to star in Rio Rita which became another huge success for her.

During the depression years Gladys sang in cinemas and appeared on radio. In 1933 she returned to Williamson's for a revival of Maid Of The Mountains. She also worked for Frank Thring Snr in his first stage production, Collits' Inn. In 1938 Gladys was in a bad car accident in Geelong and suffered a serious leg injury. She retired from the stage for two years. When Williamson's planned a revival of Maid Of The Mountains in 1940, Peggy Shea was cast as Theresa and dubbed the ‘pocket Gladys Moncrieff’.

At the last minute Sir Frank Tait talked Gladys into coming out of retirement for the role and she made a triumphant return to the stage. Her work during the war years to entertain the troops in Australia and New Guinea was outstanding.

I have a handwritten note which reads, “My Dear Friends, My heartfelt thanks for your generous response to my appeal on behalf of the partially blinded soldiers, Sincerely Yours, Gladys Moncrieff.”

In 1945 Gladys had another major success when she starred in The Merry Widow. During the 1950s singing star Ted Hamilton worked on her radio series. In 1962 she made a guest appearance on the Queensland television show Theatre Royal hosted by George Wallace Jnr. She retired to the Gold Coast and lived on the Isle of Capri, Gladys wrote her memoirs and the book My Life In Song was published in 1971.

Gladys Moncrieff died on the Gold Cast in 1976 at the age of 83. She was made an OBE and there are parks and buildings named in her honour. A postage stamp was issued with her image in 1989.

Gladys Moncrieff - one of the legends of the Australian stage - Our Glad.

Kevin Trask The Time Tunnel - with Bruce & Phil- Sundays at 8.30pm on 3AW. That's Entertainment - 96.5FM Sundays at Noon 96.5FM is streaming on the internet. To listen, just put in www.innerfm.org.au and follow the prompts.

Melbourne

Observer

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Melbourne Extra

‘UNDER MILK WOOD’ AT MORELAND LOCAL THEATRE with Cheryl Threadgold ■ The Moreland Theatre Company presents Under Milk Wood on June 2, 3, 4 at 8pm at the Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre, Cnr. Glenlyon and Sydney Rds., Brunswick.

Written as a play for voices by Dylan Thomas and directed by Steve Gagen, Under Milk Wood is a voyage of discovery through the lives, dreams, ghosts and memories of the people of Llareggub.

Tickets: $20 Waged, $15 Unwaged.

Bookings: 9388 1942.

‘Fraud’ probe

● The women of Llareggub, Rebecca Nativo (left), Bronwyn Hradsky, Julie Atkinson and Audrey Farthing gossip about the events of the day.

Photo: Steve Gagen

■ The Fraud Squad is invgestigating the actions of a former Goulburn Murray Water senior manager, reports The Weekly Times.

Reporter Peter Hunt says former Organisational Development Manager, Joanne Harrison, is under investigation.

The probe centres on tens of thousands of dollars alleged to have been paid to Mrs Harrison. An audit said there had been no illegal activity.

WEST SIDE STORY: HARD TO BEAT Review by Cheryl Threadgold ■ A top production of West Side Story can be enjoyed on June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 at 8pm and June 5, 11 at 2pm at the Whitehorse Centre, 397 Whitehorse Rd., Nunawading.

In this Babirra Music Theatre production, musical director Ben Hudson and his huge orchestra do composer Leonard Bernstein proud with a marvellous rendition of his exciting music.

Director Paul Watson effectively incorporates the orchestra into the minimalistic staging to emphasise the importance of Bernstein's score in the show's visual aspects.

Based on a conception of Jerome Robbins with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story covers modern-day issues such as city violence, love/hate and racial intolerance.

Leigh Barker and Ashley Tynan's skilfully choreographed fight scenes and vibrant, dynamic dance routines are among the show's highlights.

Special mention must be made of Daniel Mottau's outstanding performance in the lead male role of Tony, surpassing any other portrayals of this role personally seen in either professional or non-professional theatre.

The cast comprises talented musical theatre all-rounders such as Robbie Carmellotti, perfectly cast as Bernardo, Georgia Wilkinson as a delightful Maria and Zuleika Khan (Anita), versatile Matt Skinner (Lt Schrank/Gladhand), Peter Noble (Doc), Michael Butler (Officer Krupke), Ashley Tynan (Anybodys) and Liam Kilgour (Riff), joined by the energetic Jets, Sharks, Jet Girls and Shark Girls.

The show is artistically complete with lighting design by Jason Bovaird and Michael Brasser, sound design by Greg Ginger and Jeremy Bailey-Smith's set and costume design. Great to see traditional 1957 costuming in this interpretation.

Babirra Music Theatre front-ofhouse company members always look charmingly resplendent in distinctive black and white outfits complete with red lapel rose.

This production of West Side Story would be hard to beat. Tickets can be booked by calling 9262 6555.

From The Outer

Melbourne

Observer

kojak@ mmnet.com.au

With John Pasquarelli

● Choreographer Leigh Barker also plays Baby John in West Side Story at the Whitehorse Centre until June 11.

Photo: Joanne Buckingham

Notices to Amcor ■ Environment Protection Authority Victoria has issued five Pollution Abatement Notices to Amcor Packaging Pty Ltd to address odour and waste management issues at its Alphington paper manufacturing site.

The notices were issued to Amcor on May 20 following hundreds of complaints from the local community, an extensive six week odour surveillance exercise by EPA Officers and discussions with the company.

■ Ted Baillieu’s surprising but sensible stand against the compulsory observance of ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremonies has been strongly supported by those who resent the intrusion of the politically correct brigade in all aspects of our lives.

‘Welcome to Country’ has only served to separate black and white Australians and the Demetriou controlled AFL is following this dangerous path with its promotion of Aboriginal footballers which is simply reverse racism and the pursuit of separatism.

‘Welcome to Country’ usually involves a white person speaking to a mainly white audience, acknowledging the indigenous owners – bearing in mind that if we are Australian born, we are all indigenous anyway.

Those who smugly feel that they are superior to the rest of us with their concerns about reconciliation should think again. ‘Welcome to Country’ reeks of gross hypocrisy and serious questions must be asked – will the trustees of the MCG pay rent to the acknowledged traditional owners? - ditto Local Government Councils and our parliaments.

Will home owners who display plaques acknowledging traditional owners offer to share their title with those owners?

Aborigines should pursue these avenues and not just accept the trendy lip service offered.

Where are all those crusading lawyers when they’re needed?

You can send an e-mail to John Pasquarelli: kojak@mmnet.com.au

621 lots at Eastern ■ Developer Mirvac plans to break the Eastern Golf Course at Doncaster into 621 lots.

First sale of subdivided lots is planned for 2015, the company says.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 15, 2011 - Page 17

Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011

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Victoria Pictorial

Historic Photo Collection

● Collins Street, Melbourne. Circa 1940.

● Gate keeper's house on Upfield line, Brunswick

● New railway offices, Melbourne.

● Victorian Railways country train at platform in station

● U.S. Army nurses march in Melbourne during World War II

● Dump of cars and trucks in a paddock at Maribyrnong. 1946.

● Washing in the Yarra at Warrandyte. 1954.

● Demolishing a house in Toorak instead of letting to homeless people. 1946.

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - Page 17

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rv se US N Ob N IO BO CT SE

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A Child’s History of England CHAPTER 36. ENGLAND UNDER JAMES THE SECOND Continued from last week

And on the very same day, a worthy widow, named ELIZABETH GAUNT, was burned alive at Tyburn, for having sheltered a wretch who himself gave evidence against her. She settled the fuel about herself with her own hands, so that the flames should reach her quickly: and nobly said, with her last breath, that she had obeyed the sacred command of God, to give refuge to the outcast, and not to betray the wanderer.

After all this hanging, beheading, burning, boiling, mutilating, exposing, robbing, transporting, and selling into slavery, of his unhappy subjects, the King not unnaturally thought that he could do whatever he would. So, he went to work to change the religion of the country with all possible speed; and what he did was this.

He first of all tried to get rid of what was called the Test Act — which prevented the Catholics from holding public employments — by his own power of dispensing with the penalties. He tried it in one case, and, eleven of the twelve judges deciding in his favour, he exercised it in three others, being those of three dignitaries of University College, Oxford, who had become Papists, and whom he kept in their places and sanctioned. He revived the hated Ecclesiastical Commission, to get rid of COMPTON, Bishop of London, who manfully opposed him. He solicited the Pope to favour England with an ambassador, which the Pope (who was a sensible man then) rather unwillingly did. He flourished Father Petre before the eyes of the people on all possible occasions. He favoured the establishment of convents in several parts of London. He was delighted to have the streets, and even the court itself, filled with Monks and Friars in the habits of their orders. He constantly endeavoured to make Catholics of the Protestants about him.

He held private interviews, which he called ‘closetings,’ with those Members of Parliament who held offices, to persuade them to consent to the design he had in view. When they did not consent, they were removed, or resigned of themselves, and their places were given to Catholics. He displaced Protestant officers from the army, by every means in his power, and got Catholics into their places too. He tried the same thing with the corporations, and also (though not so successfully) with the Lord Lieutenants of counties. To terrify the people into the endurance of all these measures, he kept an army of fifteen thousand men encamped on Hounslow Heath, where mass was openly performed in the General’s tent, and where priests went among the soldiers endeavouring to persuade them to become Catholics. For circulating a paper among those men advising them to be true to their religion, a Protestant clergyman, named JOHNSON, the chaplain of the late Lord Russell, was actually sentenced to stand three times in the pillory, and was actually whipped from Newgate to Tyburn. He dismissed his own brother-in-law from his Council because he was a Protestant, and made a Privy Councillor of the before-mentioned Father Petre. He handed Ireland over to RICHARD TALBOT, EARL OF TYRCONNELL, a worthless, dissolute knave, who played the same game there for his master, and who played the deeper game for himself of one day putting it under the protection of the French King. In going to these extremities, every man of sense and judgment among the Catholics, from the Pope to a porter, knew that the King was a mere bigoted fool, who would undo himself and the cause he sought to advance; but he was deaf to all reason, and, happily for England ever afterwards, went tumbling off his throne in his own blind way.

A spirit began to arise in the country, which the besotted blunderer little expected. He first found it out in the University of Cambridge. Having made a Catholic a dean at Oxford without any opposition, he tried to make a monk a master of arts at Cambridge: which attempt the University resisted, and defeated him. He then went back to his favourite Oxford. On the death of the President of Magdalen College, he commanded that

● Charles Dickens there should be elected to succeed him, one MR. ANTHONY FARMER, whose only recommendation was, that he was of the King’s religion.

The University plucked up courage at last, and refused. The King substituted another man, and it still refused, resolving to stand by its own election of a MR. HOUGH. The dull tyrant, upon this, punished Mr. Hough, and five-and-twenty more, by causing them to be expelled and declared incapable of holding any church preferment; then he proceeded to what he supposed to be his highest step, but to what was, in fact, his last plunge head-foremost in his tumble off his throne.

He had issued a declaration that there should be no religious tests or penal laws, in order to let in the Catholics more easily; but the Protestant dissenters, unmindful of themselves, had gallantly joined the regular church in opposing it tooth and nail. The King and Father Petre now resolved to have this read, on a certain Sunday, in all the churches, and to order it to be circulated for that purpose by the bishops. The latter took counsel with the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was in disgrace; and they resolved that the declaration should not be read, and that they would petition the King against it. The Archbishop himself wrote out the petition, and six bishops went into the King’s bedchamber the same night to present it, to his infinite astonishment. Next day was the Sunday fixed for the reading, and it was only read by two hundred clergymen out of ten thousand. The King resolved against all advice to prosecute the bishops in the Court of King’s Bench, and within three weeks they were summoned before the Privy Council, and committed to the Tower. As the six bishops were taken to that dismal place, by water, the people who were assembled in immense numbers fell upon their knees, and wept for them, and prayed for them. When they got to the Tower, the officers and soldiers on guard besought them for their

blessing. While they were confined there, the soldiers every day drank to their release with loud shouts. When they were brought up to the Court of King’s Bench for their trial, which the Attorney-General said was for the high offence of censuring the Government, and giving their opinion about affairs of state, they were attended by similar multitudes, and surrounded by a throng of noblemen and gentlemen. When the jury went out at seven o’clock at night to consider of their verdict, everybody (except the King) knew that they would rather starve than yield to the King’s brewer, who was one of them, and wanted a verdict for his customer. When they came into court next morning, after resisting the brewer all night, and gave a verdict of not guilty, such a shout rose up in Westminster Hall as it had never heard before; and it was passed on among the people away to Temple Bar, and away again to the Tower. It did not pass only to the east, but passed to the west too, until it reached the camp at Hounslow, where the fifteen thousand soldiers took it up and echoed it. And still, when the dull King, who was then with Lord Feversham, heard the mighty roar, asked in alarm what it was, and was told that it was ‘nothing but the acquittal of the bishops,’ he said, in his dogged way, ‘Call you that nothing? It is so much the worse for them.’

Between the petition and the trial, the Queen had given birth to a son, which Father Petre rather thought was owing to Saint Winifred. But I doubt if Saint Winifred had much to do with it as the King’s friend, inasmuch as the entirely new prospect of a Catholic successor (for both the King’s daughters were Protestants) determined the EARLS OF SHREWSBURY, DANBY, and DEVONSHIRE, LORD LUMLEY, the BISHOP OF LONDON, ADMIRAL RUSSELL, and COLONEL SIDNEY, to invite the Prince of Orange over to England. The Royal Mole, seeing his danger at last, made, in his

fright, many great concessions, besides raising an army of forty thousand men; but the Prince of Orange was not a man for James the Second to cope with. His preparations were extraordinarily vigorous, and his mind was resolved.

For a fortnight after the Prince was ready to sail for England, a great wind from the west prevented the departure of his fleet. Even when the wind lulled, and it did sail, it was dispersed by a storm, and was obliged to put back to refit. At last, on the first of November, one thousand six hundred and eighty-eight, the Protestant east wind, as it was long called, began to blow; and on the third, the people of Dover and the people of Calais saw a fleet twenty miles long sailing gallantly by, between the two places. On Monday, the fifth, it anchored at Torbay in Devonshire, and the Prince, with a splendid retinue of officers and men, marched into Exeter. But the people in that western part of the country had suffered so much in The Bloody Assize, that they had lost heart. Few people joined him; and he began to think of returning, and publishing the invitation he had received from those lords, as his justification for having come at all. At this crisis, some of the gentry joined him; the Royal army began to falter; an engagement was signed, by which all who set their hand to it declared that they would support one another in defence of the laws and liberties of the three Kingdoms, of the Protestant religion, and of the Prince of Orange. From that time, the cause received no check; the greatest towns in England began, one after another, to declare for the Prince; and he knew that it was all safe with him when the University of Oxford offered to melt down its plate, if he wanted any money.

By this time the King was running about in a pitiable way, touching people for the King’s evil in one place, reviewing his troops in another, and bleeding from the nose in a third. The young Prince was sent to Portsmouth, Father Petre went off like a shot to France, and there was a general and swift dispersal of all the priests and friars. One after another, the King’s most important officers and friends deserted him and went over to the Prince. In the night, his daughter Anne fled from Whitehall Palace; and the Bishop of London, who had once been a soldier, rode before her with a drawn sword in his hand, and pistols at his saddle. ‘God help me,’ cried the miserable King: ‘my very children have forsaken me!’ In his wildness, after debating with such lords as were in London, whether he should or should not call a Parliament, and after naming three of them to negotiate with the Prince, he resolved to fly to France. He had the little Prince of Wales brought back from Portsmouth; and the child and the Queen crossed the river to Lambeth in an open boat, on a miserable wet night, and got safely away. This was on the night of the ninth of December.

At one o’clock on the morning of the eleventh, the King, who had, in the meantime, received a letter from the Prince of Orange, stating his objects, got out of bed, told LORD NORTHUMBERLAND who lay in his room not to open the door until the usual hour in the morning, and went down the back stairs (the same, I suppose, by which the priest in the wig and gown had come up to his brother) and crossed the river in a small boat: sinking the great seal of England by the way. Horses having been provided, he rode, accompanied by SIR EDWARD HALES, to Feversham, where he embarked in a Custom House Hoy. The master of this Hoy, wanting more ballast, ran into the Isle of Sheppy to get it, where the fishermen and smugglers crowded about the boat, and informed the King of their suspicions that he was a ‘hatchet-faced Jesuit.’ As they took his money and would not let him go, he told them who he was, and that the Prince of Orange wanted to take his life; and he began to scream for a boat — and then to cry, because he had lost a piece of wood on his ride which he called a fragment of Our Saviour’s cross. He put himself into the hands of the Lord Lieutenant of the county, and his detention was made known to the Prince of Orange at Windsor — who, only wanting to get rid of him, and not caring where he went, so that he went away, was very much disconcerted that they did not

Continued on Page 18

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From Page 17 let him go. However, there was nothing for it but to have him brought back, with some state in the way of Life Guards, to Whitehall. And as soon as he got there, in his infatuation, he heard mass, and set a Jesuit to say grace at his public dinner.

The people had been thrown into the strangest state of confusion by his flight, and had taken it into their heads that the Irish part of the army were going to murder the Protestants. Therefore, they set the bells a ringing, and lighted watch-fires, and burned Catholic Chapels, and looked about in all directions for Father Petre and the Jesuits, while the Pope’s ambassador was running away in the dress of a footman.

They found no Jesuits; but a man, who had once been a frightened witness before Jeffreys in court, saw a swollen, drunken face looking through a window down at Wapping, which he well remembered. The face was in a sailor’s dress, but he knew it to be the face of that accursed judge, and he seized him. The people, to their lasting honour, did not tear him to pieces. After knocking him about a little, they took him, in the basest agonies of terror, to the Lord Mayor, who sent him, at his own shrieking petition, to the Tower for safety. There, he died.

Their bewilderment continuing, the people now lighted bonfires and made rejoicings, as if they had any reason to be glad to have the King back again. But, his stay was very short, for the English guards were removed from Whitehall, Dutch guards were marched up to it, and he was told by one of his late ministers that the Prince would enter London, next day, and he had better go to Ham. He said, Ham was a cold, damp place, and he would rather go to Rochester. He thought himself very cunning in this, as he meant to escape from Rochester to France. The Prince of Orange and his friends knew that, perfectly well, and desired nothing more. So, he went to Gravesend, in his royal barge, attended by certain lords, and watched by Dutch troops, and pitied by the generous people, who were far more forgiving than he had ever been, when

they saw him in his humiliation. On the night of the twenty-third of December, not even then understanding that everybody wanted to get rid of him, he went out, absurdly, through his Rochester garden, down to the Medway, and got away to France, where he rejoined the Queen.

There had been a council in his absence, of the lords, and the authorities of London. When the Prince came, on the day after the King’s departure, he summoned the Lords to meet him, and soon afterwards, all those who had served in any of the Parliaments of King Charles the Second. It was finally resolved by these authorities that the throne was vacant by the conduct of King James the Second; that it was inconsistent with the safety and welfare of this Protestant kingdom, to be governed by a Popish prince; that the Prince and Princess of Orange should be King and Queen during their lives and the life of the survivor of them; and that their children should succeed them, if they had any. That if they had none, the Princess Anne and her children should succeed; that if she had none, the heirs of the Prince of Orange should succeed.

On the thirteenth of January, one thousand six hundred and eighty-nine, the Prince and Princess, sitting on a throne in Whitehall, bound themselves to these conditions. The Protestant religion was established in England, and England’s great and glorious Revolution was complete.

CHAPTER 37 I HAVE now arrived at the close of my little history. The events which succeeded the famous Revolution of one thousand six hundred and eighty-eight, would neither be easily related nor easily understood in such a book as this.

William and Mary reigned together, five years.

After the death of his good wife, William occupied the throne, alone, for seven years longer.

During his reign, on the sixteenth of September, one thousand seven hundred and one, the poor weak creature who had once been James the Second of England, died in France. In the mean-

time he had done his utmost (which was not much) to cause William to be assassinated, and to regain his lost dominions. James’s son was declared, by the French King, the rightful King of England; and was called in France THE CHEVALIER SAINT GEORGE, and in England THE PRETENDER. Some infatuated people in England, and particularly in Scotland, took up the Pretender’s cause from time to time — as if the country had not had Stuarts enough!

— and many lives were sacrificed, and much misery was occasioned. King William died on Sunday, the seventh of March, one thousand seven hundred and two, of the consequences of an accident occasioned by his horse stumbling with him. He was always a brave, patriotic Prince, and a man of remarkable abilities. His manner was cold, and he made but few friends; but he had truly loved his queen. When he was dead, a lock of her hair, in a ring, was found tied with a black ribbon round his left arm.

He was succeeded by the PRINCESS ANNE, a popular Queen, who reigned twelve years. In her reign, in the month of May, one thousand seven hundred and seven, the Union between England and Scotland was effected, and the two countries were incorporated under the name of GREAT BRITAIN. Then, from the year one thousand seven hundred and fourteen to the year one thousand, eight hundred and thirty, reigned the four GEORGES. It was in the reign of George the Second, one thousand seven hundred and forty-five, that the Pretender did his last mischief, and made his last appearance. Being an old man by that time, he and the Jacobites — as his friends were called — put forward his son, CHARLES EDWARD, known as the young Chevalier. The Highlanders of Scotland, an extremely troublesome and wrong-headed race on the subject of the Stuarts, espoused his cause, and he joined them, and there was a Scottish rebellion to make him king, in which many gallant and devoted gentlemen lost their lives. It was a hard matter for Charles Edward to escape abroad again, with a high

price on his head; but the Scottish people were extraordinarily faithful to him, and, after undergoing many romantic adventures, not unlike those of Charles the Second, he escaped to France. A number of charming stories and delightful songs arose out of the Jacobite feelings, and belong to the Jacobite times. Otherwise I think the Stuarts were a public nuisance altogether.

It was in the reign of George the Third that England lost North America, by persisting in taxing her without her own consent. That immense country, made independent under WASHINGTON, and left to itself, became the United States; one of the greatest nations of the earth. In these times in which I write, it is honourably remarkable for protecting its subjects, wherever they may travel, with a dignity and a determination which is a model for England. Between you and me, England has rather lost ground in this respect since the days of Oliver Cromwell.

The Union of Great Britain with Ireland — which had been getting on very ill by itself — took place in the reign of George the Third, on the second of July, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight.

WILLIAM THE FOURTH succeeded George the Fourth, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty, and reigned seven years.

QUEEN VICTORIA, his niece, the only child of the Duke of Kent, the fourth son of George the Third, came to the throne on the twentieth of June, one thousand eight hundred and thirtyseven. She was married to PRINCE ALBERT of Saxe Gotha on the tenth of February, one thousand eight hundred and forty. She is very good, and much beloved. So I end, like the crier, with GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

What Christmas is as we grow older

Time was, with most of us, when Christmas Day encircling all our limited world like a magic ring, left nothing out for us to miss or seek; bound together all our home enjoyments, affections, and hopes; grouped everything and every one around the Christmas fire; and made the little picture shining in our bright young eyes, complete.

Time came, perhaps, all so soon, when our thoughts over-leaped that narrow boundary; when there was some one (very dear, we thought then, very beautiful, and absolutely perfect) wanting to the fulness of our happiness; when we were wanting too (or we thought so, which did just as well) at the Christmas hearth by which that some one sat; and when we intertwined with every wreath and garland of our life that some one’s name.

That was the time for the bright visionary Christmases which have long arisen from us to show faintly, after summer rain, in the palest edges of the rainbow! That was the time for the beatified enjoyment of the things that were to be, and never were, and yet the things that were so real in our resolute hope that it would be hard to say, now, what realities achieved since, have been stronger!

What! Did that Christmas never really come when we and the priceless pearl who was our young choice were received, after the happiest of totally impossible marriages, by the two united families previously at daggers — drawn on our account? When brothers and sisters-in-law who had always been rather cool to us before our relationship was effected, perfectly doted on us, and when fathers and mothers overwhelmed us with unlimited incomes? Was that Christmas dinner never really eaten, after which we arose, and generously and eloquently rendered honour to our late rival, present in the company, then and there exchanging friendship and forgiveness, and founding an attachment, not to be surpassed in Greek or Roman story, which subsisted until death? Has that same rival long ceased to care for that same priceless pearl, and married for money, and become usurious?

Above all, do we really know, now, that we

should probably have been miserable if we had won and worn the pearl, and that we are better without her?

That Christmas when we had recently achieved so much fame; when we had been carried in triumph somewhere, for doing something great and good; when we had won an honoured and ennobled name, and arrived and were received at home in a shower of tears of joy; is it possible that THAT Christmas has not come yet?

And is our life here, at the best, so constituted that, pausing as we advance at such a noticeable mile-stone in the track as this great birthday, we look back on the things that never were, as naturally and full as gravely as on the things that have been and are gone, or have been and still are? If it be so, and so it seems to be, must we come to the conclusion that life is little better than a dream, and little worth the loves and strivings that we crowd into it?

No! Far be such miscalled philosophy from us, dear Reader, on Christmas Day! Nearer and closer to our hearts be the Christmas spirit, which is the spirit of active usefulness, perseverance, cheerful discharge of duty, kindness and forbearance! It is in the last virtues especially, that we are, or should be, strengthened by the unaccomplished visions of our youth; for, who shall say that they are not our teachers to deal gently even with the impalpable nothings of the earth!

Therefore, as we grow older, let us be more thankful that the circle of our Christmas associations and of the lessons that they bring, expands! Let us welcome every one of them, and summon them to take their places by the Christmas hearth.

Welcome, old aspirations, glittering creatures of an ardent fancy, to your shelter underneath the holly! We know you, and have not outlived you yet. Welcome, old projects and old loves, however fleeting, to your nooks among the steadier lights that burn around us. Welcome, all that was ever real to our hearts; and for the earnestness that made you real, thanks to Heaven! Do we build no Christmas castles in the clouds now? Let our thoughts, fluttering like

butterflies among these flowers of children, bear witness! Before this boy, there stretches out a Future, brighter than we ever looked on in our old romantic time, but bright with honour and with truth. Around this little head on which the sunny curls lie heaped, the graces sport, as prettily, as airily, as when there was no scythe within the reach of Time to shear away the curls of our first-love. Upon another girl’s face near it — placider but smiling bright — a quiet and contented little face, we see Home fairly written.

Shining from the word, as rays shine from a star, we see how, when our graves are old, other hopes than ours are young, other hearts than ours are moved; how other ways are smoothed; how other happiness blooms, ripens, and decays — no, not decays, for other homes and other bands of children, not yet in being nor for ages yet to be, arise, and bloom and ripen to the end of all!

Welcome, everything! Welcome, alike what has been, and what never was, and what we hope may be, to your shelter underneath the holly, to your places round the Christmas fire, where what is sits open- hearted! In yonder shadow, do we see obtruding furtively upon the blaze, an enemy’s face? By Christmas Day we do forgive him! If the injury he has done us may admit of such companionship, let him come here and take his place. If otherwise, unhappily, let him go hence, assured that we will never injure nor accuse him.

On this day we shut out Nothing!

“Pause,” says a low voice. “Nothing? Think!”

“On Christmas Day, we will shut out from our fireside, Nothing.”

“Not the shadow of a vast City where the withered leaves are lying deep?” the voice replies.

“Not the shadow that darkens the whole globe?

Not the shadow of the City of the Dead?”

Not even that. Of all days in the year, we will turn our faces towards that City upon Christmas Day, and from its silent hosts bring those we loved, among us. City of the Dead, in the blessed name wherein we are gathered together at this time, and in the Presence that is here among us according to the promise, we will receive, and

not dismiss, thy people who are dear to us!

Yes. We can look upon these children angels that alight, so solemnly, so beautifully among the living children by the fire, and can bear to think how they departed from us. Entertaining angels unawares, as the Patriarchs did, the playful children are unconscious of their guests; but we can see them — can see a radiant arm around one favourite neck, as if there were a tempting of that child away. Among the celestial figures there is one, a poor misshapen boy on earth, of a glorious beauty now, of whom his dying mother said it grieved her much to leave him here, alone, for so many years as it was likely would elapse before he came to her — being such a little child. But he went quickly, and was laid upon her breast, and in her hand she leads him.

There was a gallant boy, who fell, far away, upon a burning sand beneath a burning sun, and said, “Tell them at home, with my last love, how much I could have wished to kiss them once, but that I died contented and had done my duty!” Or there was another, over whom they read the words, “Therefore we commit his body to the deep,” and so consigned him to the lonely ocean and sailed on. Or there was another, who lay down to his rest in the dark shadow of great forests, and, on earth, awoke no more. O shall they not, from sand and sea and forest, be brought home at such a time!

There was a dear girl — almost a woman — never to be one — who made a mourning Christmas in a house of joy, and went her trackless way to the silent City. Do we recollect her, worn out, faintly whispering what could not be heard, and falling into that last sleep for weariness? O look upon her now! O look upon her beauty, her serenity, her changeless youth, her happiness!

The daughter of Jairus was recalled to life, to die; but she, more blest, has heard the same voice, saying unto her, “Arise for ever!”

We had a friend who was our friend from early days, with whom we often pictured the changes that were to come upon our lives, and merrily imagined how we would speak, and walk, and think, and talk, when we came to be old. His - Continued on Page 55

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From Page 15 destined habitation in the City of the Dead received him in his prime. Shall he be shut out from our Christmas remembrance? Would his love have so excluded us? Lost friend, lost child, lost parent, sister, brother, husband, wife, we will not so discard you! You shall hold your cherished places in our Christmas hearts, and by our Christmas fires; and in the season of immortal

hope, and on the birthday of immortal mercy, we will shut out Nothing!

The winter sun goes down over town and village; on the sea it makes a rosy path, as if the Sacred tread were fresh upon the water. A few more moments, and it sinks, and night comes on, and lights begin to sparkle in the prospect.

On the hill-side beyond the shapelessly-diffused town, and in the quiet keeping of the trees that

gird the village-steeple, remembrances are cut in stone, planted in common flowers, growing in grass, entwined with lowly brambles around many a mound of earth. In town and village, there are doors and windows closed against the weather, there are flaming logs heaped high, there are joyful faces, there is healthy music of voices. Be all ungentleness and harm excluded

from the temples of the Household Gods, but be those remembrances admitted with tender encouragement! They are of the time and all its comforting and peaceful reassurances; and of the history that re-united even upon earth the living and the dead; and of the broad beneficence and goodness that too many men have tried to tear to narrow shreds.

The Old Curiosity Shop CHAPTER 1

Night is generally my time for walking. In the summer I often leave home early in the morning, and roam about fields and lanes all day, or even escape for days or weeks together; but, saving in the country, I seldom go out until after dark, though, Heaven be thanked, I love its light and feel the cheerfulness it sheds upon the earth, as much as any creature living.

I have fallen insensibly into this habit, both because it favours my infirmity and because it affords me greater opportunity of speculating on the characters and occupations of those who fill the streets. The glare and hurry of broad noon are not adapted to idle pursuits like mine; a glimpse of passing faces caught by the light of a street-lamp or a shop window is often better for my purpose than their full revelation in the daylight; and, if I must add the truth, night is kinder in this respect than day, which too often destroys an air-built castle at the moment of its completion, without the least ceremony or remorse.

That constant pacing to and fro, that never-ending restlessness, that incessant tread of feet wearing the rough stones smooth and glossy — is it not a wonder how the dwellers in narrows ways can bear to hear it! Think of a sick man in such a place as Saint Martin’s Court, listening to the footsteps, and in the midst of pain and weariness obliged, despite himself (as though it were a task he must perform) to detect the child’s step from the man’s, the slipshod beggar from the booted exquisite, the lounging from the busy, the dull heel of the sauntering outcast from the quick tread of an expectant pleasure-seeker — think of the hum and noise always being present to his sense, and of the stream of life that will not stop, pouring on, on, on, through all his restless dreams, as if he were condemned to lie, dead but conscious, in a noisy churchyard, and had no hope of rest for centuries to come.

Then, the crowds for ever passing and repassing on the bridges (on those which are free of toil at last), where many stop on fine evenings looking listlessly down upon the water with some vague idea that by and by it runs between green banks which grow wider and wider until at last it joins the broad vast sea — where some halt to rest from heavy loads and think as they look over the parapet that to smoke and lounge away one’s life, and lie sleeping in the sun upon a hot tarpaulin, in a dull, slow, sluggish barge, must be happiness unalloyed — and where some, and a very different class, pause with heaver loads than they, remembering to have heard or read in old time that drowning was not a hard death, but of all means of suicide the easiest and best.

Covent Garden Market at sunrise too, in the spring or summer, when the fragrance of sweet flowers is in the air, over-powering even the unwholesome streams of last night’s debauchery, and driving the dusky thrust, whose cage has hung outside a garret window all night long, half mad with joy! Poor bird! the only neighbouring thing at all akin to the other little captives, some of whom, shrinking from the hot hands of drunken purchasers, lie drooping on the path already, while others, soddened by close contact, await the time when they shall be watered and freshened up to please more sober company, and make old clerks who pass them on their road to business, wonder what has filled their breasts with visions of the country.

But my present purpose is not to expatiate upon my walks. The story I am about to relate, and to which I shall recur at intervals, arose out of one of these rambles; and thus I have been led to speak of them by way of preface.

One night I had roamed into the City, and was walking slowly on in my usual way, musing upon a great many things, when I was arrested by an inquiry, the purport of which did not reach me,

but which seemed to be addressed to myself, and was preferred in a soft sweet voice that struck me very pleasantly. I turned hastily round and found at my elbow a pretty little girl, who begged to be directed to a certain street at a considerable distance, and indeed in quite another quarter of the town.

It is a very long way from here,’ said I, ‘my child.’

‘I know that, sir,’ she replied timidly. ‘I am afraid it is a very long way, for I came from there tonight.’

‘Alone?’ said I, in some surprise.

‘Oh, yes, I don’t mind that, but I am a little frightened now, for I had lost my road.’

‘And what made you ask it of me? Suppose I should tell you wrong?’

‘I am sure you will not do that,’ said the little creature,’ you are such a very old gentleman, and walk so slow yourself.’

I cannot describe how much I was impressed by this appeal and the energy with which it was made, which brought a tear into the child’s clear eye, and made her slight figure tremble as she looked up into my face.

‘Come,’ said I, ‘I’ll take you there.’

She put her hand in mind as confidingly as if she had known me from her cradle, and we trudged away together; the little creature accommodating her pace to mine, and rather seeming to lead and take care of me than I to be protecting her.

I observed that every now and then she stole a curious look at my face, as if to make quite sure that I was not deceiving her, and that these glances (very sharp and keen they were too) seemed to increase her confidence at every repetition.

For my part, my curiosity and interest were at least equal to the child’s, for child she certainly was, although I thought it probably from what I could make out, that her very small and delicate frame imparted a peculiar youthfulness to her appearance. Though more scantily attired than she might have been she was dressed with perfect neatness, and betrayed no marks of poverty or neglect.

‘Who has sent you so far by yourself?’ said I. ‘Someone who is very kind to me, sir.’

‘And what have you been doing?’

‘That, I must not tell,’ said the child firmly.

There was something in the manner of this reply which caused me to look at the little creature with an involuntary expression of surprise; for I wondered what kind of errand it might be that occasioned her to be prepared for questioning. Her quick eye seemed to read my thoughts, for as it met mine she added that there was no harm in what she had been doing, but it was a great secret — a secret which she did not even know herself.

This was said with no appearance of cunning or deceit, but with an unsuspicious frankness that bore the impress of truth. She walked on as before, growing more familiar with me as we proceeded and talking cheerfully by the way, but she said no more about her home, beyond remarking that we were going quite a new road and asking if it were a short one.

While we were thus engaged, I revolved in my mind a hundred different explanations of the riddle and rejected them every one. I really felt ashamed to take advantage of the ingenuousness or grateful feeling of the child for the purpose of gratifying my curiosity. I love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us. As I had felt pleased at first by her confidence I determined to deserve it, and to do credit to the nature which had prompted her to repose it in me.

There was no reason, however, why I should refrain from seeing the person who had inconsiderately sent her to so great a distance by night and alone, and as it was not improbable that if

she found herself near home she might take farewell of me and deprive me of the opportunity, I avoided the most frequented ways and took the most intricate, and thus it was not until we arrived in the street itself that she knew where we were. Clapping her hands with pleasure and running on before me for a short distance, my little acquaintance stopped at a door and remaining on the step till I came up knocked at it when I joined her.

A part of this door was of glass unprotected by any shutter, which I did not observe at first, for all was very dark and silent within, and I was anxious (as indeed the child was also) for an answer to our summons. When she had knocked twice or thrice there was a noise as if some person were moving inside, and at length a faint light appeared through the glass which, as it approached very slowly, the bearer having to make his way through a great many scattered articles, enabled me to see both what kind of person it was who advanced and what kind of place it was through which he came.

It was an old man with long grey hair, whose face and figure as he held the light above his head and looked before him as he approached, I could plainly see. Though much altered by age, I fancied I could recognize in his spare and slender form something of that delicate mould which I had noticed in a child. Their bright blue eyes were certainly alike, but his face was so deeply furrowed and so very full of care, that here all resemblance ceased.

The place through which he made his way at leisure was one of those receptacles for old and curious things which seem to crouch in odd corners of this town and to hide their musty treasures from the public eye in jealousy and distrust. There were suits of mail standing like ghosts in armour here and there, fantastic carvings brought from monkish cloisters, rusty weapons of various kinds, distorted figures in china and wood and iron and ivory: tapestry and strange furniture that might have been designed in dreams. The haggard aspect of the little old man was wonderfully suited to the place; he might have groped among old churches and tombs and deserted houses and gathered all the spoils with his own hands. There was nothing in the whole collection but was in keeping with himself nothing that looked older or more worn than he.

As he turned the key in the lock, he surveyed me with some astonishment which was not diminished when he looked from me to my companion. The door being opened, the child addressed him as grandfather, and told him the little story of our companionship.

‘Why, bless thee, child,’ said the old man, patting her on the head, ‘how couldst thou miss thy way? What if I had lost thee, Nell!’

‘I would have found my way back to YOU, grandfather,’ said the child boldly; ‘never fear.’

The old man kissed her, then turning to me and begging me to walk in, I did so. The door was closed and locked. Preceding me with the light, he led me through the place I had already seen from without, into a small sitting-room behind, in which was another door opening into a kind of closet, where I saw a little bed that a fairy might have slept in, it looked so very small and was so prettily arranged. The child took a candle and tripped into this little room, leaving the old man and me together.

‘You must be tired, sir,’ said he as he placed a chair near the fire, ‘how can I thank you?’

‘By taking more care of your grandchild another time, my good friend,’ I replied.

‘More care!’ said the old man in a shrill voice, ‘more care of Nelly! Why, who ever loved a child as I love Nell?’

He said this with such evident surprise that I was perplexed what answer to make, and the more so because coupled with something feeble

and wandering in his manner, there were in his face marks of deep and anxious thought which convinced me that he could not be, as I had been at first inclined to suppose, in a state of dotage or imbecility.

‘I don’t think you consider —’ I began.

‘I don’t consider!’ cried the old man interrupting me, ‘I don’t consider her! Ah, how little you know of the truth! Little Nelly, little Nelly!’

It would be impossible for any man, I care not what his form of speech might be, to express more affection than the dealer in curiosities did, in these four words. I waited for him to speak again, but he rested his chin upon his hand and shaking his head twice or thrice fixed his eyes upon the fire.

While we were sitting thus in silence, the door of the closet opened, and the child returned, her light brown hair hanging loose about her neck, and her face flushed with the haste she had made to rejoin us. She busied herself immediately in preparing supper, and while she was thus engaged I remarked that the old man took an opportunity of observing me more closely than he had done yet. I was surprised to see that all this time everything was done by the child, and that there appeared to be no other persons but ourselves in the house. I took advantage of a moment when she was absent to venture a hint on this point, to which the old man replied that there were few grown persons as trustworthy or as careful as she.

‘It always grieves me, ‘ I observed, roused by what I took to be his selfishness, ‘it always grieves me to contemplate the initiation of children into the ways of life, when they are scarcely more than infants. It checks their confidence and simplicity — two of the best qualities that Heaven gives them — and demands that they share our sorrows before they are capable of entering into our enjoyments.’

‘It will never check hers,’ said the old man looking steadily at me, ‘the springs are too deep.

Besides, the children of the poor know but few pleasures. Even the cheap delights of childhood must be bought and paid for.

‘But — forgive me for saying this — you are surely not so very poor’— said I. ‘She is not my child, sir,’ returned the old man.

‘Her mother was, and she was poor. I save nothing — not a penny — though I live as you see, but’— he laid his hand upon my arm and leant forward to whisper —‘she shall be rich one of these days, and a fine lady. Don’t you think ill of me because I use her help. She gives it cheerfully as you see, and it would break her heart if she knew that I suffered anybody else to do for me what her little hands could undertake. I don’t consider!’— he cried with sudden querulousness, ‘why, God knows that this one child is there thought and object of my life, and yet he never prospers me — no, never!’

At this juncture, the subject of our conversation again returned, and the old men motioning to me to approach the table, broke off, and said no more.

We had scarcely begun our repast when there was a knock at the door by which I had entered, and Nell bursting into a hearty laugh, which I was rejoiced to hear, for it was childlike and full of hilarity, said it was no doubt dear old Kit coming back at last.

‘Foolish Nell!’ said the old man fondling with her hair. ‘She always laughs at poor Kit.’ The child laughed again more heartily than before, I could not help smiling from pure sympathy. The little old man took up a candle and went to open the door. When he came back, Kit was at his heels.

Kit was a shock-headed, shambling, awkward lad with an uncommonly wide mouth, very red cheeks, a turned-up nose, and certainly the most

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From Page 55 comical expression of face I ever saw. He stopped short at the door on seeing a stranger, twirled in his hand a perfectly round old hat without any vestige of a brim, and resting himself now on one leg and now on the other and changing them constantly, stood in the doorway, looking into the parlour with the most extraordinary leer I ever beheld. I entertained a grateful feeling towards the boy from that minute, for I felt that he was the comedy of the child’s life.

‘A long way, wasn’t it, Kit?’ said the little old man.

‘Why, then, it was a goodish stretch, master,’ returned Kit. ‘Of course you have come back hungry?’

‘Why, then, I do consider myself rather so, master,’ was the answer.

The lad had a remarkable manner of standing sideways as he spoke, and thrusting his head forward over his shoulder, as if he could not get at his voice without that accompanying action. I think he would have amused one anywhere, but the child’s exquisite enjoyment of his oddity, and the relief it was to find that there was something she associated with merriment in a place that appeared so unsuited to her, were quite irresistible. It was a great point too that Kit himself was flattered by the sensation he created, and after several efforts to preserve his gravity, burst into a loud roar, and so stood with his mouth wide open and his eyes nearly shut, laughing violently.

The old man had again relapsed into his former abstraction and took no notice of what passed, but I remarked that when her laugh was over, the child’s bright eyes were dimmed with tears, called forth by the fullness of heart with which she welcomed her uncouth favourite after the little anxiety of the night. As for Kit himself (whose laugh had been all the time one of that sort which very little would change into a cry) he carried a large slice of bread and meat and a mug of beer into a corner, and applied himself to disposing of them with great voracity.

‘Ah!’ said the old man turning to me with a sigh, as if I had spoken to him but that moment, ‘you don’t know what you say when you tell me that I don’t consider her.’

‘You must not attach too great weight to a remark founded on first appearances, my friend,’ said I.

‘No,’ returned the old man thoughtfully, ‘no.

Come hither, Nell.’

The little girl hastened from her seat, and put her arm about his neck.

‘Do I love thee, Nell?’ said he. ‘Say — do I love thee, Nell, or no?’

The child only answered by her caresses, and laid her head upon his breast.

‘Why dost thou sob?’ said the grandfather, pressing her closer to him and glancing towards me.

‘Is it because thou know’st I love thee, and dost not like that I should seem to doubt it by my question? Well, well — then let us say I love thee dearly.’

‘Indeed, indeed you do,’ replied the child with great earnestness, ‘Kit knows you do.’

Kit, who in despatching his bread and meat had been swallowing two-thirds of his knife at every mouthful with the coolness of a juggler, stopped short in his operations on being thus appealed to, and bawled ‘Nobody isn’t such a fool as to say he doosn’t,’ after which he incapacitated himself for further conversation by taking a most prodigious sandwich at one bite.

‘She is poor now’— said the old men, patting the child’s cheek, ‘but I say again that the time is coming when she shall be rich. It has been a long time coming, but it must come at last; a very long time, but it surely must come. It has come to other men who do nothing but waste and riot. When WILL it come to me!’

‘I am very happy as I am, grandfather,’ said the child.

‘Tush, tush!’ returned the old man, ‘thou dost not know — how should’st thou!’ then he muttered again between his teeth, ‘The time must come, I am very sure it must. It will be all the better for coming late’; and then he sighed and fell into his former musing state, and still holding the child between his knees appeared to be insensible to everything around him. By this time it wanted but a few minutes of midnight and I rose to go, which recalled him to himself.

‘One moment, sir,’ he said, ‘Now, Kit — near midnight, boy, and you still here! Get home, get home, and be true to your time in the morning, for there’s work to do. Good night! There, bid him good night, Nell, and let him be gone!’

‘Good night, Kit,’ said the child, her eyes lighting up with merriment and kindness.’

‘Good night, Miss Nell,’ returned the boy.

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‘And thank this gentleman,’ interposed the old man, ‘but for whose care I might have lost my little girl to-night.’

‘No, no, master,’ said Kit, ‘that won’t do, that won’t.’

‘What do you mean?’ cried the old man.

‘I’d have found her, master,’ said Kit, ‘I’d have found her. I’ll bet that I’d find her if she was above ground, I would, as quick as anybody, master. Ha, ha, ha!’

Once more opening his mouth and shutting his eyes, and laughing like a stentor, Kit gradually backed to the door, and roared himself out.

Free of the room, the boy was not slow in taking his departure; when he had gone, and the child was occupied in clearing the table, the old man said: ‘I haven’t seemed to thank you, sir, for what you have done to-night, but I do thank you humbly and heartily, and so does she, and her thanks are better worth than mine. I should be sorry that you went away, and thought I was unmindful of your goodness, or careless of her — I am not indeed.’

I was sure of that, I said, from what I had seen.

‘But,’ I added, ‘may I ask you a question?’

‘Ay, sir,’ replied the old man, ‘What is it?’

‘This delicate child,’ said I, ‘with so much beauty and intelligence — has she nobody to care for her but you? Has she no other companion or advisor?’

‘No,’ he returned, looking anxiously in my face, ‘no, and she wants no other.’

‘But are you not fearful,’ said I, ‘that you may misunderstand a charge so tender? I am sure you mean well, but are you quite certain that you know how to execute such a trust as this? I am an old man, like you, and I am actuated by an old man’s concern in all that is young and promising. Do you not think that what I have seen of you and this little creature to-night must have an interest not wholly free from pain?’

‘Sir,’ rejoined the old man after a moment’s silence.’ I have no right to feel hurt at what you say. It is true that in many respects I am the child, and she the grown person — that you have seen already. But waking or sleeping, by night or day, in sickness or health, she is the one object of my care, and if you knew of how much care, you would look on me with different eyes, you would indeed. Ah! It’s a weary life for an

old man — a weary, weary life — but there is a great end to gain and that I keep before me.’

Seeing that he was in a state of excitement and impatience, I turned to put on an outer coat which I had thrown off on entering the room, purposing to say no more. I was surprised to see the child standing patiently by with a cloak upon her arm, and in her hand a hat, and stick.

‘Those are not mine, my dear,’ said I. ‘No,’ returned the child, ‘they are grandfather’s.’

‘But he is not going out to-night.’

‘Oh, yes, he is,’ said the child, with a smile.

‘And what becomes of you, my pretty one?’

‘Me! I stay here of course. I always do.’

I looked in astonishment towards the old man, but he was, or feigned to be, busied in the arrangement of his dress. From him I looked back to the slight gentle figure of the child. Alone! In that gloomy place all the long, dreary night.

She evinced no consciousness of my surprise, but cheerfully helped the old man with his cloak, and when he was ready took a candle to light us out. Finding that we did not follow as she expected, she looked back with a smile and waited for us. The old man showed by his face that he plainly understood the cause of my hesitation, but he merely signed to me with an inclination of the head to pass out of the room before him, and remained silent. I had no resource but to comply.

When we reached the door, the child setting down the candle, turned to say good night and raised her face to kiss me. Then she ran to the old man, who folded her in his arms and bade God bless her.

‘Sleep soundly, Nell,’ he said in a low voice, ‘and angels guard thy bed! Do not forget thy prayers, my sweet.’

‘No, indeed,’ answered the child fervently, ‘they make me feel so happy!’

‘That’s well; I know they do; they should,’ said the old man. ‘Bless thee a hundred times! Early in the morning I shall be home.’

‘You’ll not ring twice,’ returned the child. ‘The bell wakes me, even in the middle of a dream.’

With this, they separated. The child opened the door (now guarded by a shutter which I had heard the boy put up before he left the house) and with another farewell whose clear and tender note I have recalled a thousand times, held it until we had passed out.

To Be Continued

Observer Crossword Solution No 21 P ROME N A D E POC K E T M TW I NGE CH I R R W M N NOUN R RHOD E N N AME N I E C AGE D L I V E L Y N MA DR A S N E A R MA DD E N S SO L O M O R P I T I N T N A R D E N T E P E N A L U BOA T A I S L E ME T MA T A O ME E T D I S T R E S S I NG Y A L E A OB E Y S A N MON K A H GA L A T L R E MA T I N E E P UN I CORN O R E A L T O MA N I A C L R E N T A L S R I SOB A R O M O A R EM I T L K E E N E S T I AWA I N I GH T S N E S C A P E E E A S E L S E T S E E AGE S O E D E LWE I S S N K I D S P R A N K S P AM A M S N C TW I N H S ODD S S E A L UR B A N OV E R N I N E P M I N E E L I T I S T S O S A T I R I S E OA T A CO G L E N N M I G YM N N T R A I D I O T T A I L E ND E R E COS Y S T EM S K R I S HN A I N D I I OC M L E O E A H T E N A K E D P E L E CR AG GN A S H B A L A U F OS V I A L E A R S T Y R MUCH G E H I T L E R T N S T Y E N A Y S A T A C A R A Y S I R H I GH S A DHOC T UDOR C C L T GROOM A EON I R A I OU I J A N I NO E W A I R E S K N E E D T I E I N N D N E SOSO A S T I N A T R A U OR A NGE T S A D E V E N MUG HOO T UGH B ROS Y S E L T RU S S D E L I L OA N S A T E S R C C B T N E E W C B N MA E N DWA Y S U H C H A RMON I C A T H I GH BON E I E MMA MA C E I N M L A S N I U ROA D B ME A L NOBOD I E S V EGOMA N I A MA G ME T E EM I T ME A N S N E RD T O I L U L T R A MU S E E O R A S OS SO E O A O BO Y S N MAGN I T UD E M P R AM P A S S I S I C O T T AWA M K F AMOU S O N A P P Y W R E N EWA L A S P R E F P A ROD Y O MA S S E D U I P R A V D A U E I U S I NGU P P RUDO L P H R S CU T T L E E M A L SO I L I NC A C A A E SOP K I E V A N A B S I MP A S S I ON E D MU T T D R UNCU T L A T T E S T E E D P E A R S E A R S E RMON S WE I R L I A E H CH E F S A P E R E U S E N A I L E D M SWE A T Y AM I G N M R NU T S E E X AMS W OD E S A E S H A D E S N A S S UR E T ON E CROS S E Y E D

P I E S T A U W S R O T I ON S A L I L A C E I S L E S R S T A D AME T T E E D I UM L A S Y E N A S T H L EWE S R S R B A S H L E F L A Y C I A E T HOR T U I B I S I N S O G I L D D A I D E N S A I MOB Y NN S A A UD E N U P NO L L S E A Y XO T I C E I H DRON E E N I D L S L L T I E R O N A Y T I D D OWN