PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 142, 15 June 1908, Page 7

PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

rfrom Our Special Correspondent.) I

LOXDOX, May 8. 3Jr. R J. Mason, well-known throughout the racing world in Xew Zealand, is paving his first visit to England on holiday, accompanied by his son. Mr. Mason iad been trainer for the late Mr. G. G. Stead's racehorses for 21 years, during which time he trained 400 winners of races of the value of £100,000, and the Sews of Mr. Stead's death this week came as a great shock to him. His holiday is likely to be shortened in consequence of the sad event, and he will not spend more than a couple of months in England. Mr. Mason and his s on i e ft Christchurch in February last, and travelled from Sydney by the Moolian to Marseilles, where they left the boat and came on to Lngland via Paris. Mr. 3_ason, junr.. fell ill wth measles on .the way, and had to lay up at Dover for a few days before coming on to London. He had intended competing in the swimming championships at the Olympic Games, but this illness will probably put racing out of the question. During his stay here Mr. Mason, sen., will visit some of the leading racing stables of the country, and see something of English racecourses and race meetings, including, of course, the Derby. His plans are subject to alteration, but as far as as he knows at present, it is probable that he will leave again for Xew Zealand on July 3, returning via Suez by P. and O. Mrs. Sidney Xathan, of Auckland, and her daughter arrived by the Omrah a week or two ago, after a very pleasant voyage from Australia. Mrs. Xathan has put her daughter to school at Queen's College, London, and will remain in this * country for about two years, making London her headquarters. Among the 103 new licentiates of the Royal College of Physicians admitted at the meeting of Comitia, held last Friday, was Mr. Charles Ernest Howden, of the Xew Zealand University, who has completed his studies at the London Hospital. The L.R.C.P. degree implies that the licentiate has passed the final examination in medicine, surgery, and midwifery oi the Conjoint Board, and is entitled to practice as physician and surgeon. Among the candidates who passed the recent preliminary examination for Holy Ordersc were Mr. W. G. Williams, BA. and 8.D., and Mr. R R. Hovell, M.A., both oi the Xew Zealand University, who are now pursuing their studies at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. Mr. Guy Pierce, of Auckland!, who came Home with his mother and sister by the Orontes early in April, has been spending a very pleasant month travelling in the South-West of England. They propose to stay in London sightseeing till early in June, when they leave for Scotland, where they intend to tour for some time. Miss Edna Pierce, by the way, proposes to take part in the forthcoming golf tournament at St. Andrews. Mr. John Fuller, of Auckland, the head <}f the well-known Fuller vaudeville syndicate, is on a visit to London,., accompanied by his wife and Miss May Fuller They arrived on Tuesday by the German liner Bremen, after a evry pleasant trip. They propose to spend a few weeks iv London, and then travel in Scotland, Ireland and on the Continent, returning to Xew Zealand via America, Japan and China, and arriving back in Auckland about Christmas. Mr. and 'Mrs. Wilfred Stead, who only arrived from Xew Zealand a week or two ago on a holiday trip, were compelled to «_ncel all their plans by the news of the death of Mr. Stead's father, Mr. G. G. Stead. They axe returning fortwith to Xew Zeaiimd, and left London last Friday by the P. and O. Route. The Rev. A. F. Smith, vicar of Northcote, Auckland, and his wife and two children have arrived in England. They left Auckland on February 10, stayed eight days in Sydney, then embarked on the White Star liner Afrie. on February 22nd. Calling at Melbourne, Hobart, Albany, Durban, Capetown and Plymouth, they reached! London on April 22nd, after a most enjoyable voyage. After a look round London, they went on to Sandiaere (Mr. Smith's native place) in Derbyshire. They intend to see a little of Derbyshire before going further afield, and they hope to see London during the Exhibition, Devon, Hants, Xotts. Torkshire, Lancasliire and Scotland before returning to New Zealand. In June Mr. Smith will attend the Pan-Anglican Congress in London as a delegate from the Diocese of Auckland. Other Ancklanders on the Afric for England were Mr., Mrs. and* Miss Barker (Mt. Albert). Mrs. and Miss Maisie Evans (Xorthcote), Mr. Crosher (Devonport), Miss Kenny (Ponsonby), Mr. F. P. Worley and Miss Henriekson (Devonport). Miss Maisie Evans has dejidedto study mask in London, and has already commenced her studiesRecent callers at the High Commissioner's office:—Mr. Leonard Clark, Mr. J. p. Col will (Christchurch), Mr. and Mrs. Neylon (Wanganui), Mr. E. J. McLaehlan (Wanganui), Mr. J. F. G. Richards (Wellington 1. Mr. and Mrs. T. Begge (Wellington). Mr. and Mrs. and Rev. Hr. and Mrs. Gibbs (Wellington), Mr. A J- Redgrave, Mrs. an_ Miss Redgrave (Nelson), Captain and Mrs. W. & Gardner (Palmerston Xorth), Mr. R. J. Mason (Christchurch). Mr. George George (Auckland). Mr. W. W. Triggs (Christchurch), Miss Gorrie (Auckland). Mr. William Crosher (Auckland), Mr. Len Freeman (Palmerston Xorth), Mr. R. T. White (Auckland). Mr. R. O. Withers lOpawa). Mr. W. Burnett (Opawa). Mr. W. H. Davey (Timaru). Mr. and Mrs. R. Duncan (Auckland). Mrs. John Anderson, Miss Anderson and Miss K. D. Anderson (Wellington). Miss Dak-v Turton (Christchurch). Mrs. Howard Smith (Christchurch,. Mr. T. H. Stone (Wellington),, ilr._J. G. Wilson (Wellington). Mr. Edwin L. Hall (Christchurch). Mr. Jas E Duncan (Christchurch). Mr. Thos. Worthinb--ton (Auckland), Mr. D. Clarke (Dunedin').