PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 311, 30 December 1912, Page 9

PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

NEW ZEAiDANDERS' DOINGS ABROAD. (From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, November 22. Several New Zealanders were present at the wedding last week of Miss Gwendolen Nathan, daughter of Mrs Arthur H. Nathan, of Auckland, to Lieut. Esmond Moreton Sinasenr, of the Royal Engineers. The bride's gown was a very elaborate one of white satin and silver lace embroidered in diamante and silver. The veil was held in place (mob-cap fashion) by a wreath of myTtle and orange blossom, and sbe carried a sheaf of heather and white carnations. There were two bridesmaid, Miss Stella Nathan, of Auckland, and Mies Gladys de Stein (a cousin of the bridegroom), and these wore blue chiffon frocks with violet sashes and hats, and the gifts of the bridegroom—gold and enamel badge brooches of the Royal Engineers. Two diminutive attendants-, Barbara Myers and Peter Nathan, were in blue. After the ceremony, which took place at 8, Orme Court, W. (the Revs. M. Adler and G. L. Gift"en officiating), a reception was held by the bridegroom's aunt, and at this were present, among many others, the following Aucklanders: Mrs Arthur Nathan. Mr and Mrs- Charles I. Nathan, Mt and Mrs D. OTlorke, the Misses R. and Gladys Nathan, Mr J. C. Hanna. Mr and Mrs Moss Davis. Mr and "Mrs Geo. Bloomfield. Among the very numerous and handsome presents was a diamond and pearl hair ornament (from the bridegroom's mother to the bride), a silver fitted suit case and diamond and pearl earrings (bridegroom to bride), a silver fitted dressing case and gold cigarette case (bride to bridegroom), a canteen of silver (brothers of the bride), a set of furs (to the bride from her sister), while the mother of the bride and the father of the bridegroom both bestowed cheques.

The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, who has been elected depnty president of the Australasian Club—the only Antipodean institution of the kind within the limits of the city proper—is to be entertained at luncheon by the members of the club on December 3rd. Sir Ceorge Reid, wittiest of post-prandial oratons, is to preside.

According to the London "Morning Post," a marriage has been arranged and will shortly take place between Mr Reginald Pery Wilder, of Haupauri. TTawke's Bay. second son of the late Mr Edmond Wilder, of Ngapari, and Miss Madeliene Ruth Han-mer, second-daugh-ter of Mr George Hanmer, of Tilford, Christchurch.

On November ll>th Captain fJodfrey Bailey, of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, a son of Colenel Bailey, of New Zealand, took to wife Miss Francis May Goldard, daughter of Major Goldard, of Sloan Street, London. The marriage was celebrated at St. Luke's, Chelsea.

Australasia scored* heavily in the recent examination held by the Spectacle Makers Company for optical diplomas. Eighty-two candidates presented themselves for examination, but only 41— exactly 50 per cent.—satisfied the examiners, and the two first prizes fell to Mr L. R. C. Werner, a West Australian, taking the first, and Mr B. N." Irvine, of New Zealand, the second.

Among the successful candidates at the recent Primary Fellowship Examination in anatomy and physiology at the Royal College of Surgeons of England were Mr Philip Stanley Foster, M.8., Ch.B. iOtago), M.R.C.S.. and L.R.C.P., and Mr Stanley Eric Vincent Brown, M.8., Ch.B. (Otago). M.RC.C. L.R.C.P. Both gentlemen are ex-students of Otago University. Mr Foster has been continuing his studies at the London Hospital, and Mr Brown has been working nt both the London and the Middlesex Hospitals.

Mr Herbert Thompson and Mr H. M. launders, of Auckland, who have been in England for some months, are returning to New Zealand to-day.

Mr Arthur Alexander, the talented young New Zealand pianist on whom the Royal Academy have conferred the degree of A.ILA.M., has just returned from a tour on the Continent, where he gave concerts with the Australian violinist. Miss iLeila Doubleday, at Vienna, Berlin, etc. At Vienna they had a tremendous reception, being recalled many times (nearly a dozen), and, for a BeTlin audience, the people of that town were quite enthusiastic. Mr Alexander hopes to return to Vienna next year and give another Tecital there. "It was pleasant to find," the New Zea.la.nder told out representative thk week, "the interest the people took in English music, the existence of *vhich they hardly knew. Many of the musicians there are now convinced that at the present day England is producing some really good music." His "Children's Suite" for piano quite took the fancy of the Continental audiences, and Mr Alexander is now busily engaged on a ibig "Symphonic Prelude"' for orchestra."

His many friends in New Zealand will be grieved to hear that Bishop WaHi6, the late Bishop of Wellington, who resigned his New Zealand charge on account of ill-health, has now decided to relinquish the Archdeaconry of Wilts for the same reason.

Miss Ruby Mitford and Miss Gertrude J. Lock, both of Wellington, have booked return passage by the Friedrich der Grosse, which sails on January 20th, for home.

Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Shaw, of Gisborne, and the three Misses Shaw, return to New Zealand on the 27th of this month, via Vancouver.

New Zealand papers are asked to announce that there passed away on the 17th inst., at Canterbury, Mr. Henry George Sadler, J.P., M.R.C.S., aged 75 years.

Mr. W. G. Archibald, who has been in Wellington for six years, is now in Glasgow for some time.

Mr. A. M. Wishart, of Wellington, has just arrived in England after two years' journeying. He left home as fourth engineer on the German liner Walkure, and so visited Valparaiso and tho small coastal ports in Chili, Hamburg, etc. On arriving in Hamburg, Mr. Wishart joined the s.s. Sangara as third engineer, and went round the African coast. He is. unfortunately, an excellent subject for malarial fever, and so had to leave the Elder Dempster Company, and now is in London. He is not yet certain whether he will be sailing nest to Burma or back to New Zealand-

Mr. Alfred Burnett, of Wanganui, was one of the delegates to the fifth International Congress ,of the Chambers of Commerce, held in Boston. At its conclusion, by invitation the delegates undertook a tour, travelling from city to city, and receiving great hospitality at the hands of the Americans everywhere. Miss Burnett accompanies her father, and they arrived in London on the 17th inst., and will remain here till over Christmas. They then visit the Continent (France, Switzerland, and Italy), returning to New Zealand via Suez and Australia, reaching home in Mai eh next.

Among recent arrivals in London from New Zealand is Mr. George Dewc, of Christchurch, who left New Zealand early in June last, and spent some months in Canada ere coming on to the Old Country. Mr. Dewe's spell with

"Our Lady of the Snows" was spent chiefly in Frederiektown — Canada's "Celestial City," and vicinity where fruitgrowing is the staple industry. Leaving Frederiektown on October 22nd for Montreal, he joined the s.s. Virginian, bound for Liverpool, and enjoyed a pleasant passage across the Atlantic. Liverpool claimed him for a few days, and he then came south to Oxford, and spent a very pleasant time exploring that ancient seat of learning and the villages and hamlets round about. He arrived in London a few days ago. and will spend the balance of his Home spell doing the 'lions" of the Empire's capital. All being well, he will leave London for Australia, en route for the Dominion, by the Orient liner Omrah, on Oth December.

Miss Bertha Clifford, second daughter of Mr. Walter Clifford, of Flaxbourne Station, Marlborough, who was married last week to Lieut. Lan C. Shirreff-Hil-ton, son of Mr. C. PhirrefT-TTilton. and great grandson of Rear-Admiral William Henry ShirrefT. wore a gown of brocaded white ninon. with a white velvet train, a family veil of old Brussels Inee. and carried a sheaf of arum lilies, her only ornament being the bridegroom's gift — a diamond and platinum slide worn on a velvet bow. There were thrfp bridesmaids—a sister (Miss Mary Clifford). and cousin of the bride, and Miss Joan Balston. a niece of the bridegroom. These all wore gold, platinum, enamel and pearl brooches, gifts from the bridegroom. The bride's mother. Mrs. Clifford, was in saxe blue velvet, with n hat to match trimmed with fur; tli" bridegroom's mother. Mrs. Shirreff-Hil-ton, being in black velvet, and a blackvelvet hat with a pink plume. Mrs. Richards (nee Miss Clifford) was in blue serge, with a panel of white cloth down the front and a high collar of white cloth. a white hat with a large white wing at one side. The bride's going-away gown was a royal blue corduroy velvet costume, with a black velvet hat trimmed with ermine, and ermine furs. The honeymoon is being spent at Eastbourne, and Lieut, and Mrs. Shirreff-Hilton's future home will be at Sheerness.

Callers at the High Commissioner's Offices this week have been: —Mr and Mrs Anbury (Auckland). Mr, Mrs. and Miss Tisdall (Christchurch), Mr Wni. K. Neil (Dunedin), Mr George ]>we (Christ church), Mr N. A. Jackson (Wellington). Mr M. Hohnes, Mr Alex. Michie (Dunedin), Miss B. J. and Mr Burnett (Wanganui), Mrs and the Misses Montgomery (Auckland), Miss A. Bryden (Taranaki). Mr H. V. Drew (Timaru), Mr A. McCosh Clark (Wellington), Mr and Mrs J. l> Shaw (Gisborne), Miss Violet and Miss J. Shaw (Gisborne), Miss Catherine Aulsebrook (Auckland), Miss Ruby Mitford (Wellington), Miss Gertrude J. Lock (Wellington)!

Mr O. E. Stout, son of the Chic"" Justice of New Zealand, sails to-day from Marseilles by the Mooltan for Wellington. Mr Stout has been in this country for four years, and has taken honours in law at Cambridge, graduating as B.A. and LLJ3 He has taken also the Bar e\ aminations in London, is a member ot Lincoln's Inn, and was called to the Bar on Monday. During each winter vacation Mr Stout went to Switzerland.

Mrs, Miss, and Miss V. Montgomery, of Epsom, leave on their return in March. They are at present at IS, Lcnster Square, Bayswater.

The Rev. Harry Johnson, of the Wilsden Congregational Church, who has accepted a call to the Trinity Congregational Church at Christchurch. sails for the Dominion by the Shaw Savill linger Arawa, which leaves London ou January 2. He hopes to rencn Christchurch in time to commence his spiritual labours there on the fourth Sunday in February. Mr Johnson will be accompanied by ii'.S wife, two daughters, and a son. The new minister of Trinity Congregational Church is a native of Leicestershire, and underwent his training for ministerial work at the Congregational Theological College, then at Cheshtint. After six years' study he offered himself for missionary service to the London Missionary Society, and was accepted and sent out to the. Lake Tanganyika Mission, Central Africa. This was genuine pioneer work, for the missionaries were the first in liir field, and so were the pioneers of commerce and good government, as well as moral and spiritual teachers. In this mission Mr Johnson laboured 10 years, and played a part in the suppression of slave raiding, massacres at burials, mutilating, infanticide, and many other barbarous native customs. During his connection -with the Central African Mission he published a book for young people, " Night and Morning in Dark Africa," which has gone through three editions, and has had a circulation of 23,500 copies up to date. After 10 years' service in Central Africa Mr Johnson, for family reasons, resigned from the London Missionary Society, but before settling in a Home church, was prevailed upon to visit Australia and New Zealand, to lecture in the churches upon the Central African Mission and its work. This tolr was arranged by the Board of the London Missionary Society. On this tour Mr Johnson made Christchurch his centre for a couple of weeks, and thus obtained his introduction to the congregation of Trinity Church. During his Australian tour Mr Johnson received and accepted a unanimous call to the pastorate of the Congregational Church, Wilsden, Bradford, and immediately on his return to the Old Country commenced his ministry there. This was nearly seven years ago, when the Wilsden Church roll numbered 134; to-day it numbers ISO. A " P.S.A." or men's meeting has been started and kept going for four years, with an average attendance of "250 men. Throughout his English pastorate Mr Johnson has continued an enthusiast fc* foreign missions, and is at the present time a member of the London board of directors of the London Missionary. Society, a member of the Standing Missionary Committee of Yorkshire, and president of the Bradford Missionary Any'liary.