THE COUNTESS CASSILLIS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17982, 28 January 1924, Page 2

THE COUNTESS CASSILLIS.

TOUR OF THE DOMINION. Countess Cassillis arrived at Auckland last week in the Ulimaroa from Sydney for a month's visit. She said she had retained many pleasant memories of the visit she paid to New Zealand many years ago.

'■' During the war," said her ladyship, ''l saw much of the New Zealand troops and I cannot tell you how much we admired those men, when we met them in England. They were, indeed, splendid, ana they were favourites with ail who met them. I went to France not so long ago, and was very pleased to notice how well the war graves were kept, including those of New Zealanders."

The.Countess intends to spend most of the time in the North Island. During her earlier visit she toured the South Island, visiting the Sounds. The Karl of Cassillis, who is in Sydney, will join her later, his arrival in the Dominion having been delayed by a very long motoring tour. The Earl of Cassillis is First Grand Principal, Royal Arch Masonry. A family bereavement has caused a shortening of the world tour of the Earl and Countess. They will proceed Home, via San FrancißCo, and expect to arrive in England at the end of June. Although their tour is essentially a pleasure one, it is entailing much work in connexion with freemasonry for the Earl of Cassillis. The Countesa i* accompanied by her sister, Miss S. B. Stewart.

The Earl of Cassillis, who was born in 1872, is the eldest son of "the third Marquess of Ailsa. He married in 1903 Frances, third daughter of Sir Mark McTaggart Stewart, Bart. He was a major of the 3rd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers and served in the South African war He was with the British Expeditionary Force from December, 1914, to May, 1919, and was mentioned, in despatches. He is a member of the Royal Society of Archers, H.M. Bodyguard for Scotland. His Scottish home is Culzean Castle, Ayr.