ABOUT NOTABIUTIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 180, 29 July 1916, Page 14

ABOUT NOTABIUTIES.

Sir James A. Ewmg, Director of Naval Education, has been appointed Principal of Edinburgh University.

At present there are living five exWar Secretaries — Lord Lansdowne, Lord Middtteton, Lord Haldane, General Seely, and Mr. Asquith. When asked how it was that if Kitchener loved home life so much he never married, General Sir R. PoleCarew replied: "He nearly did get married once—but that is another story." Canon Carnegie, rector of St. Margaret's, Westminster, has been appointed Chaplain to the House of Commons, in succession to the late Archdeacon Wilberforce. Sir Frank Benson was presented at the Hotel Cecil -with the sword which the King used in knighting him after the Shakespeare Tercentenary performance at Drury Lane. Lord Hardinge is to resume his former position of Permanent Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Sir Arthur Nicholson desired in the ordinary course of events to relinquish the Under Secretaryship at the end of 1914. Mr. Ftederie Coleman, tbe American war correspondent, has published a book entitled "From Mons to Ypres with French." In it he makes some splendid references to Captain Lucas-Tooth, of the 9th Lancers, who was killed at Verneuil, in France, who, he says, was a gallant cavalry officer. He also speaks of the staff of a general with whom he toured, and adds: "Our mess boasted a chef, a French soldier, among whose experiences was a trip round the world with Madame Melba." Two of the prettiest and most energetic of the many young society girls who are working for Queen Mary's Needlework Guild at Friary Court, St James' Palace, are Miss Daphne Bourke and Miss Myrtle Farquharson. Miss Bourke is a niece of the Earl of Mayo. She is a typical Irish beauty, has dark hair, with just the suspicion of a curl in it, and fine eyes, and is a great social favourite. Miss Myrtle Farquharson is the eldest daughter of Mr. Alexander Farquharson, of Invercauld. She *b one of the many girls who were disappointed of making their social debut this season, and is a clever linguist and dancer. Tall and dark, she is more suggestive of the Spanish than the Scots type.

Since disposing of her residence, Osborne Cottage, Princess Henry of -Battenberg has made her headquarters at Carisbrooke Castle, which is the official residence of the Governor of the Isle of Wight, a position which her Royal Highness has held for many years past. Princess Henry is the only feminine member of the Royal Family to hold such a post. The Governorship carries with it several local privileges along with its official Btatus. For instance, Princess Henry is ex officio a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron Club, and flew the white burgee on her yacht in former days,* when yachting was one of her favourite pursuits. The club premises are free to her as to any of the masculine members of that famous institution, the entrance to which is still one of the most difflimlf. to obtain.

Prince Christopher of Greece is, it is said, about to become engaged to a young and wealthy widow, well known in London society. There are, however, difficulties in the way of the match on account of the lady not being of Royal birth. Prince Christopher is the youngest of the brothers of King Constantine. AfteT the unfortunate war with Turkey, in 1897, when military reform was in the air, he was compelled, as were his brothers, to resign his commission. Reinstated before the second war, he served in the Salonika campaign. Subsequently, when the Greek court became a house divided against itself over the great war, he sided with his brothers, with their French, Russian and British leanings, against the German element represented by his eldest brother and his wife.

General Townehend, who is at present a prisoner of the Turks, has for many years been an ardent admirer of the French people. He was for a long time a resident of Paris as a British attache, and was a close student of French military tactics. It is told by a writer in a London paper that quite a few years ago General Townshend predicted the present war—naming the year it would break out. He went further, it is stated, and predicted pretty much what has happened up. to date—the first German rush, the danger to tbe small British expeditionary force, etc. He gave it as his opinion that eventually the German rush would be stayed and that in the end the Allies would win.

It is curious (remarks the "Daily Chronicle") how rarely our military and naval supermen leave direct posterity in the male line. Tn the three cases of lord Roberts, Lord Wokeley, and Lord (Kitchener the succession has passed outj of the usual direct male line. Lord Nel-1 son was succeeded by his brother, for whom, in fact, the earldom was created in recognition of the hero's last and 1 greatest exploit. Lord Howe, victor of the "Glorious First of June," left no son, and the Barony of Howe descended to his daughter. The title conferred on Lord Strathnairn is extinct, and there is no longer a Lord Clyde. Lord Amm, the great sailor who girdled the world, left no children, and the title was recreated for his great-nephew.

Princess Mary is most anxious to take up some definite war employment, and if she were permitted, she makes no secret, she would like to go in for munition working. The Queen at present sets her face against her only daughter undertaking such arduous employment at her age. But Princess Mary found an ardent supporter of her wishes in the Prince of Wales, who, during his brief stay with his family, not only emphasised*: what a fine example it would set the aristocracy, but how it would endear the young Princess to democracy if she were allowed thru, during war, to take her share in the patriotic toils of the people. Princess Henry of Battenberg and Princess Christian have both personally served soldiers at London termini buffets. Bat the energetic young Princess Mary declares ehe wantn jeven more practical work, and' indignantly rejects any suggestion that her health would not be equal to the strain It is probable that, if the hot weather were not imminent the Queen would agree to let her try her hand at light -nork; but as it is, the project of the Princess is not likely to be immediately gratified.