PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 167, 15 July 1907, Page 3

PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON\June 7. Mr George Hogben, Inspector-General of Schools in New Zealand, was the official representative of the colony at the Federal Conference on Education convened in London by the League of the Empire. He thinks the Conference has accomplished a great deal, but is of opinion that in future it should be made an official affair convened by the Government. Speaking of the work of the late Conference, Mr Hogben remarked to an interviewer: "Some steps which were suggested have already been adopted by individual colonies. For instance, the recognition of certificates of teachers from other parts of the Empire seems to mc most important, and we already recognise in New Zealand any certificate issued by the Education Department of any other part of the Empire. Meeting with other delegates at this Conference will enable us, we hope, to obtain mutual recognition for our teachers if it is wanted. We have found the system has worked quite satisfactorily, and it has a strong bearing on the interchange of teachers, which is particularly desirable —although it is hardly possible, perhaps, in the form in which it was proposed—namely, for a term of years. But I agree cordially with the spirit of the understanding at which we arrived at the Conference, first, that by the introduction of a. certain number of teachers coming from time to time from other parts of the Empire, with the intention of settling permanently, and, secondly, by the visits of teachers and inspectors accredited by their Education Departments, and receiving facilities from the authorities of the countries visited for seeing the actual working of the various educational institutions, the outlook of members of the teaching profession throughout the Empire would be widened and their sympathies broadened." On the whole, Mr Hogben thinks the Conference got through its business very smoothly. Of course, there were differences of opinion, but there was no friction. He thinks all felt that excellent work had been done.

Mrs E. W. Alison, of Auckland, and her two daughters have arrived in London, having left the Marmora at Marseilles on April 6th, and spent two months in Paris en route. Miss Ivy Alison took the opportunity in Paris of placing herself under the tuition of Mme. Marehesi, the celebrated teaoher of singing. They reached London on May 26th, and will leave again shortly to visit Manchester, Mrs Alison's birthplace, and also Plymouth, Cornwall, and Scotland, where Miss May Alison is to be married in September to Mr John Fotheringha.ni, of Glasgow. Afterwards, Mrs Alison will go to Ireland. Her health is greatly improved, and she hopes to return to New Zealand very much the better for her trip.

Lieut.-Col. I. W. Abbott, D.5.0., of Auckland, arrived with his wife and child by the Omrah on May 17th, and is now staying in London. They propose visiting Scotland and Devonshire, but will spend the greater part of their time in London. They return to the Antipodes by the Ortona in October, joining the vessel at Naples.

Mrs. G. P. Mirams, lady superintendents of the Victoria School for Maori Girls in Parnell, Auckland, arrived by the Turakiaa, on the 25th ult., and is at present visiting Commander and Mrs. Colquhoun in South Kensington. Mrs. Mirams is on a pleasure trip, and after staying in London for about three months she goes to Devonshire for a short vis't. thenoe to Warwick. Stafford and York. Later on she hopes to visit friends at Winchester and in Sussex, and afterwards will spend another week or two in London just before sailing for New Zealand, via the Cape, in September.

The fear which the late Mr. Abraham Dison, of Leatherhead, had of Socialist legislation finds expression in his will, which has just been proved. Mr. Dixon, who left estate valued , at i.v>2,813, adcised his trustees not to increase his holding in Dixon's Investment Company, Ltd., which is limited in its operations to investments in New Zealand, as, while he had every confidence in the company and its directors, he did not wish to increase his or his wife's interest in that colony, as he feared a reeurence of Socialistic legislation in that country, which would be inimical to the interests of investors.

The Rev. Father Fay, of Wellington, who is visiting London on a holiday trip, travelled from New Zealand by way of Canada, leaving Sydney on March. 18 and reaching Vancouver on April 11. ''the journey through the Rocky Mountains and the great plains of Canada was very trying, as the weather was extremely cold .and snow was lying very deep on the ground. The train was held up by a snow slide for 34 hour's in the most dangerous pass in the Rockies. Canada was iflso seen at a great disadvantage, for the weather was more like winter than summer. The trip across the Atlantic was. however, very fine. After remaining in London for a few weeks Father Fay intends visiting Scotland and Ireland, afterwards returning to England and leaving then for the Continent. He will travel through France, Switzerland and Italy, cross the Mediterranean, and tour through Egypt and Palestine. Joining a North-German-Lloyd s.eamer at Port Said, he will go on to China and Japan, returning to Sydner by way of Northern Australia. This trip will occupy about, sis months Father Fay's brother, Mr. D. Fay, of Wellington, who is also at present in London, will accompany him on his tour.

Recent callers at the High Commissioners' office:—Mr. Neil H. Procter (Christchurch), Mr. Herman Meyer (Waimate), Mr. H. P. Richmond (Wellington), Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Rooney (Greymouth), Mr. James Glanville Mrs Mary Glanville (Christchurch), Mr M Luther, Mrs. Luther (Auckland"), Mrs A. Aubrey (Taranaki). Mr. W. Saunders Johnstone (Hawked Bay), Mrs and Miss Crosby Martin, Miss Wil 3 on Miss Nancy Wilson, and Mr. Noel Wilson (Bulls, Eangitikei), Mrs. S. E. Shrimski (Oamaru), Mr. H. C. Collins (Wellimr ton), Rev. John Honybill (Grevmouth) Mr. Geo. E. Prince Wellington)" Mr h' 0. Manz ( Wellington), Mrs. and Mi*s Fogo (Dvmedin), Lieut.- Col. F N Abbott, D.5.0., and Mrs. Abbott (Auckland), Mr. Wm. Road (Wellington) Miss Alice M. A Maunder (Rangitfkei), Mrs. E. P. Miriams (Auckland), Miss Canning (Christchurch), Mj, s (Ponsonby), Miss J. Collins (Invercargill), Mrs. V. Jacob (Auckland) Mr Charles Duggan (Christchurch) Mr and Mrs. Allan Strang

North), Mrs- G. W. Allison and the Misses Allison (Auckland), Mr. and Mrs. S J Atkins (Auckland), Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Wilcox and Master E. Wilcox (Dunedin). Mr. and Mrs. G. Stead and Miss Stead. (Christchurch). Mr. Herbert Jackson (Wellington), Mr. N. Young (Auckland), Miss O. Lullman (Wellington) Mrs. Rigarlsford, Mr. and Miss Ri°a'rlsford (Wellington). Mr. and Mrs. W H Sargeant (Invercargill), Mr. \rthur AlcKee (Wellington), Rev. F. G. Evans and Mts. Evans (New Plymouth), Mr. Samuel Wigg (Hawke's Bay), Mr. and Mr«. Cameron, Miss and Mr. A. Cameron" (Dunedin), Mr. H. H. Loughman and Mr. Louis Loughman (Christchurch).