PERSONAL NOTES FROM HOME.

Evening Star, Issue 12865, 14 July 1906, Page 8

PERSONAL NOTES FROM HOME.

[From Our Special Correspondent.] LONDON, June L -,-, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward and family are staying at the Queen Anne's Mansions, overlooking St. James's Park. They have met with much liospitaUty in London, and 'invitation.'; to public and social functions of all descriptions continue to pour in upon them in a steiady stream. Sir Joseph lunched with the Lord Mayor last week, and met the' Prince ot Wales and the Trinity Brethren, the Prince afterwards engaging ham m a long conversation. The same d i<y he dined with Lord Onslow, and on the following day lunched with the Hon. and Mrs Alfred Lyttelton. On Saturday Sir Joseph had an interview with Lord Elgin, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and on Monday was present with Lady Ward and family at the "at home" given in has honor by the Hisrh Commissioner and Mrs Reeves. Ho attended a meeting of the Pacific Cable Board on Tuesday afternoon, and was present in the evening at the West Australian dinner, at •which ~he propqsed 'the toast of "West Australia." The remainder of the. week has been taken up with private engagemente, theatres, and' sightseeing. --Sir Joseph met Mr Marconi at a luncheon party this week, but he has not yet had ■time to go into the question of "wireless telegraphy. B°fore leaving London, however, he intends to examine the various systemfi now a* work, with a view to ascertaining which will best suit New Zealand's requirements. Sir Joseph Ward will visit Manchester on the 14th inst.. at the invitation of the Lord Mayor and Corporation.

Miss Eileen Ward is to bo presented at Court to-narfot, Lodv Crewe acting as her sponsor. Lady Ward was presented on the occasion of her last visit to England. Mr Winston Churchill made a very pood wpeech on Imperial politics at the West Australian dinner this week. He had a difficult audience to handle, for colonials are none too trustM of the young UnderSecretary for the Colonies just at present, but he played his part well, and kept the Catherine wpII in hnmd during Kre speech. Mr Churchill will never be a grent orator, owing to a natural impediment of speech, but he has a pood delivery and a happy vein of composition. A "portion of his sppech the o+her night was devoted to the forthcoming Colonial Conference, and outlined a policy which theceticallv at any rate is unexceptionable. "We were all lookins; forward." lie remarked, "to the approaching Colonial Conference as an occasion when we should revive and express that strong and growing feeling of sympathy and of agreement which prevailed between the Mother Land and her colonies He ncd not tell th"m that it would be a free and unfettered Conference. It would be a practical and friendly disci'snon between two men who knew 'earn other well, and it would have only one object from its inception to its separation, and Unit was to foster and develop everything that co"ld make for the larger unity of the Empire and to eliminate and discourage anything which might cause division or dissatisfaction. " Mr W. J. Nnpier (Auckland) wae a guest of Lndy Wimborne at her "at home" last, week, and was murh impressed with tto? stately splendor of Wimborne House. H»saw the Derby run, and much enjoyed the day at Epsom. He figured later' on at Sir Michael Foster's "at borne." Mr .Napier goes to " Ckuidon » in the middle of June on the invitation of Lord and Lady Onflow to spend a few davs in your ex'(rovernor's beaartiful Surrev'home.' Mr C O. M'Millan is to entertain Mr Napier (his former forensic opponent in the Samoan land case) at the Devonshire Club Mr and Mrs J. E. Varley (Fielding), who came Home list October, with then- three children, have been spending most of their time m hasfhonrne and London. Thev snjl for New Zealand again on Julv 5. pi £u A ;, Va,le ,ef t London to-dav for Plymouth, there to join the R M S Corinthic. oi-J wird hound for New Zealand "\ v rev« lr . but not. good-bye" was his farewell message to your correspondent ■ t £, V i -ne < is continuing her m.rsmg studies i„ various branches, and visiting the principal instit,, i°4 S £Tfl th ™™ n " She wl J-y about twelve months in England, and •the latter part of her vLsit will be devoted ooSSSS Ireland and ,Scothnd and * * Wa ? who armed from the colony on May 15 bv the W, German Lloyd Imer Bremen/is a . present studying nursiW under Dr Af'C-,1 of Clapham S.W.. with° ."horn £ JK main ull August. Miss Watt will then Shf m i° nth °? *> in Switzerland, probably also a few months in Germany and some weeks on the Riviera She will afterwards take up nursing again bu whether m Eng and or abroad rf£ has not yet decided Miss Watt will be absent from the colony for at least two years, and wilUpend six months in Ceylon on her way *I r J : Y- atkins ' of ihe M ™<» Depart- ?™ 1 1 !T ellln^ on ' vHred here on the L«n of last mon+n via Suez and the Continent. Mr Watkins left the steamed at Gothard route, the rugged beautv of which impressed him greatly. He spent three days in Pans and a week with relatives- in Somerset before coming on to London.' Mr Watkins intends returning to the colonv via America leaving Liverpool on August 1 and travelling bribe Canadian-Pacific ronte to Vancouver, where he joins the Maheno, which sails for Sydney on August 17. Meanwhile he intends visiting Scotland and various parts of England.

1 Sir Joseph Ward wa*> present at the West Australian dinner on Tuesday evening, and was invited to propose the toa-"t of "West ern Australia" In the course of a brief speech Sir Joseph Ward referred to the rapid strides Western Australia bad made of late years, and said it would have been impossible for that progress to have taken unless the hearts of the people were behind those who held office during, thee ?iTw I NeW * ea ]? nd the ? revised that Wertern Austral.a had an up-to-date Agent-General in Mr James, and while his departure would be a loss- to this countrv they were gkd to find that he was going back to Australia where he would be able, to make lots of money and do well for himself A great deal of prosperity which had attended Western Australia was undoubtedly due to the forcefulness of that statesman Sir John Forrest, and when the time came for the great scheme of the Trans-Australian Railway to be carried through they.would see a new era dawn T"\ W?* ern Australia, Sir Joseph thanked Mr Winston Churchill for hi* si^eech, assuring him" that it would be read with. the.deepest, interest throughout. Australia and New Zealand, and recommended English statesmen to visit the self-governing colonies of the Empire. The High Commissioner and Mrs Reeves were present, on Wednesday evening at the ladies dinner of the Txmdon Chamber of Commerce. After dinner Ladv Straehey opened a debate on 'Woman's Suffrage,' in which Mrs Reeves took part. The latteT stated that m New Zealand, where female suffrage had existed for a number of years, experience showed that when a whole sex was enfranchised it simplv split up into parties, just as the other sex did. The. Rev. Thomas Whitelaw, D.D., of Kilmarnock, who paid a visit to Australia and New Zealand : n 1901 as a delegate to the Presbyterian Church of Australasia, was one of the speakers at the Matthew Fowlds centenary dinner, and had some flattering ttmgs to say of the " Britain of the South." * New Zealand," he said, "is a delightful country to live in, and a country in which Scotchmen, like Mr George Fowlds and Mr Aitken. are sure to prosper. It has sunny skies, fertile fields, rich mines, and an enterprising population. Its statesmen are intelligent and capable, its working people are well fed and well paid, and its possibilities of progress are almost unlimited. With more people to cultivate the coil, to work the mines, to manufacture the raw material," and to consume the manufactured articles as well as to develop, oversea; trade, there is no reason why before this century has reached its middle course New Zealand 'should not be a powerful nation."

Mr W. B. Builer, Auckland r-iaiiager of £be Bank-of 2n«w Zealand, is oavr oh a visit

to London, accompanied by Mrs Bulkr and hw ivo daugbtere. They travelled from Wellington ny the Ayrshire, arriving at Avonraouth on Mny 17, after aft exceptionally favorable passng* The Ayrshire was dtlayed at Monte Video for sir days, which gave the passengers an opportunity of visiting Buenos Ayres. Mr Buller ia on a pleasure trip, having obtained twelve months leave of absence after thirty-nine yeans' service in the Bank of New Zealand in -the colony. He has no settled plan of travel, but he wall make London his headquarters till January next, and visit various parts °^Pfl and - S*** l3l " 1 * and tk* Continent. _ Mr. Frank Heaton, the new science master for the Auckland College and Grammar School, will leave for the colony by the Orient liner Orotava, sailing, the week after next.

. Mr W. J. Caughey (Auckland) arrived from the colony this week, accompanied by his two boys, one of whom he is putting to business in London and the other to school. Mr Caughey, who travelled Home by. way of Canada, is likely to remain here till about the end of the year. A number of gifts from friends in New Zealand were presented to Mr Matthew Fowlua on the occasion of his centenary dinner at Kilmarnock last week. The list included-.—Walking stick from Mr Wesley Spragg, Auckland; walking stick from Mttfiis J. and W. Campbell, Glasgow; beautiful embroidered mg from- employees ni Mr George Fowlds., Auckland; gold quartz and volcanic stone from Mr William White, Auckland ; and wall motto from Mrs Charles Smith, Auckland.

Mr and Mrs W. R. Barker (Gisborne), who left.the colony.last January on a pleasure trip, accompanied by two of Mr Barker's 6isters, Misses Eva* and May Barker, are at present staying in London. Thev travelled to England by way of Sydney, Japan, and Canada, breaking the journey at various points. At Banff the Misses Barker left to return home, and Mr Barker and his wife continued their journey via Chicago, Detroit, and Niagara, and thence to Montreal, Quebec, and New York, where they took steamer for Liverpool At present they axe sight-seeing in London, but leave for Scotland and Ireland in about a fortnight. ' They intend also to take a trip to the Continent, afterwards joining an outward mail steamer at Naples. Miss Christine Picot (of Wellington), who arrived by the Ather.ic in April, has since been visiting relations in London and various parts of England. Next week she goes Over to' Jersey, her birthplace, where she expects to remain for several months. Later oil Miss. Picot will visit Cornwall and Scotland. She expects to be away from New Zealand for about eighteen- months.

The Rev. H. G "Blackburne, the new vicar of Lowcliffe, near Ashburton, concerning whom I wrote last week, lias since modified his plans by reason of a cable message received from the Bishop of Christchurch. The Rev. Mr Blackburne will leave London by the Rimutaka on July 12, instead of sailing in September, as he originally intended. His marriage has now been fixed to take place .at ; Harrogate at the end of June, and his wife will accompany him to New Zealand Mr Stewart (of Kiwitea) is revisiting England after thirty-three years' absence in the colony. He arrived at the beginning of last month, after having spent a fortnight in the Argentine en route. Mr Stewart will be in England till about September, and expects to be absent from the colony for two or three years.

Among the New Zealand passengers by the Ornba were Mrs MaedonaJd (Dunedin) and her daughter. Miss Ethel Macdomi'ld. Mrs Macdonald has come Home chiefly on business connected with the forthcoming Exhibition at Ohrisfcchurch, and will, afteT spending some little time in London, repair to Scotland. Thence she will probably mrke an excursion to Ireland, and before leaving again for New Zealand will pay a visit to Paris. Miss Macdonald remains in England to pursue her musical studies and to have her voice cultivated under Madame Minna Fischer.

The Misses E. and C. Coles (of Christchurch) are at present spending a few week s : in Ix>ndon prior to pi.ying a lengthy visit to relatives in Somersetshire.

Lieu'cnant Viscount Kelburne, B.N . eldest, son of your former Governor, the Earl of G'aseow. was married la.'i; Tuesday at Blonbrnehy Parish Church, Surrey, to Miss Hyacinthe Mary Bell, daughter of Mr W. A. Bell, of Pendell Court, Bleohinglev. The ceremony was attended by over three hundred -guests, who arrived by special train. The bride, who was attended by seven bridennaids and four pages, wore an ivory satin gown, veiled with chiffon and trimmed with silver giuze ribbon and Carrick-ma-Cross laee, the train of silver moire gauze being decorated with orange blossoms and whiite heather. The bridesmaids all wore dresses of e<w net over very pale pink silk, trimmed with Yalenciennrs and empire satin girdles The Bishop of. Worcester officiated, assisted by Oanan Low. of and the Rev. A. H Dp Fontaine, rector of Blechingley. The presents nun-b red over two hundred. The Prince and Princess of Wales sent a diamond and ennmel scarf pin. with the initials G. and M. The officers of-the Renown sent a mosrive silver dear box, with all their signatures engraved on it. and the warrant officers gave the bridegroom a case of silver spoons. A reception and garden party followed at Pendell Court. Recent callers at the High Commissioner's office:—Miss Ethel M. TTevwood (Wellington). Mir F. J. Wriglev (Ha.wera), Mrs J. F. E. Wright, Miss Wright (Wellington), Mr Andrew Mackenzie (Wellington). Mrs A. W. and Miss GWbb ; n<? (Morrmsville). Miss Cora Lee (Wellington). Mr Stewß.rt Bridge, Mr Thomas T. M'Rae (Wellington), Mr and Mrs W. B. Barker (Gisborne), Mrs P. C. Hansen. Mr W. C. Hansen (Thames), Mrs Macdonald and Mis E Mardonald, Mr A. A. Smith, Mr and Mrs Arthur E. Ri'ssrfl (Palmenrton North), Miss Maude Williams and Mi r 6 Elfie Williams (Pnlmerston North), Miss Dea.nsfiekl, Mr and Mrs L. Pharazyn (Wellington). Dr and Mrs MT)owell (Auckland). Miss W. George (New Plymouth), Mr James Knox (GHjome), Mr .fames F. Taylor (ChrHchurch), Miss K. Reresford Maude (Najpier), Mr Wm Palmer (Petone), Mr arid Mrs C. C. M'Millan (Auckland), Mr and Mrs Fmnk Bull (Auckland), Mr Thos. Gower (Wellingiton), Mt Clande B. We.lsbv (Wellington), Mr Wm. H. Pike (Christehurch), Misses E. and C. Coles (Christcburch), Mr R. Baxter (Dunedrn), Mr J. B. Clark-on (Palmereton North), Mr J. M. Jannet (Christehurch).