PERSONAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 814, 11 May 1910, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

We are pleased to state that his Excellency the Governor passed a much better night on Monday, and that his health was reported to, be considerably improved yesterday. Lord Plunket has received numerous' telegrams of condolence from local bodies, citizens, and others throughout the Dominion on his illness. The Prime Minister' and all the members of the Cabinet, except two, are in Wellington. The Hon. Dr. Findlay is due here to-day, and the Hon. T. Mackenzie is at Okoroire, The Hon. G. Powlds arrived in Wellington from the north yesterday. The Hon. Dr. Findlay left Auckland for Wellington by the Main Trunk train last bight. Sir Alfred Scott-Gatty, C.V.0., the Garter King of Arms, who read the 1 proclamation of the accession of King George V, is u composer of note. He has written many jropular songs, and he is always a good patron of musical enterprises. His influence in music has been very pronounced, awl his compositions lmve been heard in many concerts in the British Dominions. When a student he had a German tutor, named Ebbinghaus, who later on became Professor of Experimental Psychology in Berlin, and subsequently .Professor of Psychology in the University of Halle. Professor Ebbinglnuis, who died a year ago, was a brother-in-law of Air. Hugo Gorlitz, nowresiding in Wellington. Dr. I'. H. Buck, 11.P., is still acting as medical officer in Karotonga pending the return of Dr. Dawson, or arrival of •a permanent medical officer. During his stay Dr. Buck has been feted by several of the leading Natives in the Cook Islands, as he is much liked. Mr. James Griffin, general secretary to the National Insurance Company, who was well known iu business circles in Duntxlin, was found de-ad in bed yesterday morning. Death is supposed to' bo due to heart failure. Deceased, who was 51 years of age, was a widower.—Press Association. Mr. .Prcd. Weston, of Auckland, a member of the "Hansard" staff, is in Wellington in connection with tho_ Communication of Freemasons to begin today. Mr. .T. J. Virgo, general secretary of the Sydney Young Men's Christian Association, and hon. national- secretary, has received word of his appointment as Australasian representative of the World's Alliance, which has its headquarters at Geneva, SwiUerlaj'tL

Mr. T. I'onavne, general manager of tho Net, Zealand Railways, is at present in Auckland, having arrived on oat> urdnv troni Taiimarunui, to make ms annual inspection of the railways 111 that vicinity. Accompanied by Mr. Jas. Burnett, cliiel engineer, and Mr. H. Buxton, chief tra/tic manager, he has gone to Wliurigarei, where an inspection Hill be made between Whangaiei and KawaIcswa, the partv returning to Whangarei in the evening, and remaining there till Thursday morning, when they go across 10 Tan"ntaroa - aud down to Dargaville. On Friday morning they leave Dargaville, and that night slay at Hcleusrille, ami next day inspect tho line between Welsl'ord 'and Auckland, arriving buck in Auckland on Sunday next. On Monday the line between Auckland and Fraukt'oii J unci ion will be inspected, and that completes the inspection o't the jS'orth island railway system. ■_ Mr. Konayne hopes to be back in Wellington by 'iuesd-ay next.

The Rev. Alexander M'Lnrcn, D.D., Baptist minister of Union Chapel, Manchester, since 1858, died t.n May ti in his 85th year. Dr. M'Laren has been described as "tho last of the great preachers of the Victorian era." Born in Glasgow, he held the pastorato of Portland Baptist Chapel, Southampton, from 1846 to 1858, and then- accepted a call to Manchester, ,thc city with which he has ever sinco been associated. In 1903 Dr.'M'Laren retired from regular preaching, and became pastor emeritus. He was twice president of' the English Baptist "Union, and was President of the Baptist World Congress ,hel<l in London in 1905. He published many volumes of sermons and expositions. The late Dr. M'Laren paid a visit to New Zealand about twenty years ago.

Mr. Charles Albert, late of the Polliard Opera Company, has joined the ranks of Mr. J. C. Williamson's players. .

Mr. Fred Duval has been engaged by Mr. Hugo Gorlitz to pilot the EUwoodNixon Concert Party throughout New Zealand.

Mr. Hicks, for 'some lime connected with the 'Tree Lance," has been, appointed editor of a Rotorua paper. It is understood that the appointment of Financial Secretary to the Council of Defencc is to be conferred on Pay and Quartermaster-Captain F. • B. Mabin, ot the staff of the First. Wellington Rifle Battalion, who is at present in charge of the Financial Department of the Council of Defence. Captain Mabin has held his present official position for some time, and has also acted as Camp Quartermaster at the Trentham Rifle Meeting for the past few ye*ars. The experience gained in these various capacities should be' of excellent value to 'him in his new appointment*

Mr. Frederick Sloorhouse,' lately connected with Tourist, Office in Wellington, has been transferred to Rotorua, .of which district ho becomes ranger. Mr. Moorhoiise, who accompanied Mr. T. E. Donne to ■ the■ St. Louis Exposition,, has lml u good deal to do with t.he handling of the deer, wapiti, and other animals which have been imported from outfide countries for liberation in Now Zealand.

Mr. Matheson Lang, the distinguished English actor, and his wife, Hiss Hutin Britton, hare arrived in Melbourne under engagement to Messrs. Clarke and Meynell. '

The Rev. Father Johnston, of AVaitoawa, has received >a letter from Archbishop Redwood, informing hira of his .promotion to bo parish, priest of .Kaikoura. Father Johnston was born in County Down, Ireland. He was educated at Maynooth College, and was . ordained priest iu March, 3897. . His first appointment was curate at the Cathedral Parish, Wellington, and then he became adminis. trator of tho Stratford parish. Eighteen months later he was appointed to AVaii>awa. ■ ,

'Mr. Henry Sliotlander,;of this city, has purchased through Messrs. Dwan Bros, the lease and furniture of the Club Hotel, Suva, Fiji. Yesterday a large number of personal friends of Mr. and Mrs. Shotlander. and their .family gathered ut the Manaivatu Railway Station to, say good-bye as the Auckland express departed.---They-leave by tho s.s. Navna to-day for Suva.