PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 68, 21 March 1910, Page 6

PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, February 11. A Maori war veteran, who in his latex years achieved prominence as author, artist and sportsman, has just died in the person of Captain John Joseph Dunne. Captain Dunne was severely wounded in tihe New Zealand war of 1863----05. Later he travelled nearly all over the world in quest of sport and advenitizre. He was closely identified with the Home Rule movement. Becoming governor of Castlebar Prison, he -was credited with being the only official in Ireland who refused to avail himself of police protection at the time of the Phoenix Park murders. In later years he devoted himself to literary and artistic 'work, and his contributions to "Vanity Fair" and "The Field," fcT which he wrote under the pseudonym of "Hi Regan," enjoyed the widest reputation. He was also a brilliant iblack-and-white

artist, whose portraits and caricatures were eagerly .bid for.

Mr K. E, O'HaUoran, of Auckland and Wellington, is at present in London. He left Auckland at the end of July, 1909, and proceeding to 'San Francisco spent several months in New York, -wheTe, he says, he "found 'public interest in New Zealand amounting to sentiment." He crossed the Atlantic late in Deeeaniber, and spent Christmas with friends in Bandon, a picturesque old village in County Cork. After a visit to Blarney, and what he calls "the customary osculatory greeting," Mr CHalloran came on to London and thence to Paris. In Paria he took part in the annual competition for tailors, which a paternal Government arranges in order to maintain the supremacy of French costuming. Mr OTlalloran distinguished himself by securing a gold medal and two diplomas, mid he was also oreatpd a. "Memlbre fie la Academic Rationale dcs M«.rtres Failleurs de Paris." At about this time the problem of the continually-rising Seine bocame all-absorbing, and provided the New Zealander "with several interesting experiences. During his travels, Mr O'Halioran lias contributed numerous articles to fashion journals in America and London. Dr. S. T. Champtaloup, the newly-ap-pointed lecturer on pathology at Otago University, and medical officer of health for Dune'din, will leave for New Zealand on March 23rd, accompanied by Mrs Ohanruptalou-p. They -will travel toy the Orient liner Orrieto, joining the boa.t at Marseilles. Owing to internal dissensions following on the failure of the negotiations for amalgamation with the Victoria League, a considerable number of members of the League of the Empire have resigned, and most of these have gone over to the Victoria League. Among those who ha-ve ■withdrawn from the league of tho Empire are Lord Tennyson (president), the headmaster of Eton (member of the Council), Dr. Paikin of the Rhodes Trust (member of the Council), LieutenantColonel G. T. Plunkett (member of the Coumll), Mr ftudyard Kipling, lady Makgill (secretary of the New Zealand branch), Mrs Plunkett (hon. secretary Correspondence Comrades' branch) and many other leading members. Mr P. A. Vaile ihas received this week a letter from Sir Joseph Ward to the effect that the Aucklander's scheme oi Imperial scholarships, "ivhieh in various ways," says the Premier, '"you 'have co eloquently urged," will ibe brought up in the New Zealand Parliament next session. The matter has already been before the Education Committee of the House, but owing to extreme pressure of ibusiness it had to stand over. Mr Arthur Ballance, of Wellington, is still touring in the English provinces with a musical comedy company. Mr Ballance is leading man in "Miss Hook of Holland" on tour.

Recent callers at the High Cammassioner's office: Mt Leslie W. Gardner (Heme Bay, Ponsoniby, Auckland), Mr Geo. GJllow (Westport), Misses E. M. and E. W. Andrews, Miss Plemint (Dunedin), Miss Davidson (Kumara), Mr R. W. Stokes (Dunedin). Mt A. L. Meldmin (Auckland), Mrs J. J. Walker (Christchurch), Mr Alex. E. Wa,tkins (Christchurch).