PERSONAL AND GENERAL NOTES

Lake County Press, Issue 977, 29 August 1901, Page 7

PERSONAL AND GENERAL NOTES

LONDON, July 12. Sir James Prendergast had a very good place at the Lord Mayor’s banquet, just opposite the Lord Mayor himself, and a chatty neighbor in Lady Cecil. At Lord Aberdare’s dinner (on behalf of the Atlantic Union), at Eaton square on Wednesday, Sir James again had very pleasant neighbors in the persons of Lord Alonkswell and the Alaster of Downing. Sir James’s duties as a delegate are now at an end, and after a short visit to relatives at Salisbury he contemplates returning to New Zealand very shortly, either direct or by Suez. Lieutenant-colonel Cradock is back again from America, whither he went about a month ago in the interests of the Vickers Maxim Company. He spent the week he was over there between Now York, Philadelphia, and Washington. At the capital he had an interview with Air APKinley. He found all the Americans very interested in the South African War, and comparing it with their position in the Philippines. The assistance of the colonials was much discussed, and Colonel Cradock told his interrogators that the New Zealanders and Canadians were the greatest of friends, each swearing by the other, men and officers alike, especially the men under his command and the North-West Police, with whom they went up to Kenhart, and with whom they afterwards fought side by side up to Diamond Hill. Colonel Cradock on lis journey met only one New Zealander, a steward on the Oceanic, who had seen the Second Contingent off from Wellington. He also found a New Zealander in a responsible position at the Vickers Alaxim works in Barrow-on-Furness. Both recognised him and introduced themselves. Colonel Cradock has so far seen no New Zealand soldiers over here, although he left word at the Agent-General’s that he will always be pleased if those who visit England will come and renew his acquaintance. Several have written to him, and several called at his club, but found that he was away in America. His business trip, too, caused him to miss both the investiture and the medal dis nbution parade, but he hopes to attend the next, which will probably take place some time this month.

Colonel Cradock was officially freed from active service by the War Office on Alay 21. and is not taking any further service in the Imperial Army, nor is he returning to New Zealand. London will probably be his headquarters, and tho Naval and Alilltary Club, 94 Piccadilly, his pied a terre.

Aliss Therese Sievwright was in much improved form at the pleasant concert she gave in Bechstein Hall on Alonday night. She has considerably reduced the tremolo which hitherto has so marred her singing, and her songs were given with much feeling, occasionally her intonation was hoi quite beyond reproach. She was at her hest in Bemberg’s ‘ Ballade du Desespere,’ which had not been given before in London. Death knocks one snowy night at the door of a despairing mortal, and seeks admission. He demands her name. She calls herself Glory, Love, Art, Inspiration, Splendor, Power, in turn —all in vain. At last she discloses her real name, “ Death,” and the weary mortal lets in the guest he has long yearned for but dared not summon Air Acton Bond recited the words that are put into the mortal’s mouth, and Air Dettmar Dressel on the violin and Aliss Bessie Griffiths on the ’cello supplied the accompaniment to this really effective composition, which 1 can recommend as a novelty for colonial concerts. Three bergerettes of the eighteenth century by Weckerlin were very daintily and archly rendered by Miss Sievwright. One of the most enjoyable features of the concert was the ’cello playing of Aliss Bessie Griffiths. The young Australian has made great strides since she landed in England, and now plays with ease and finish, and produces a full round tone from her instrument. The ‘ Pall Alall Gazette ’ says;—“Aliss Sievwright possesses a remarkably sweet voice and a real dramatic instinct; her singing of Bemberg’s ‘ Ballade du Desespere ’ was in its way a remarkable performance. The music itself belongs to a highly descriptive order of things, a quality very well suited to Aliss Sievwright’s talent.” A number of New Zealanders were present in the large audience, among whom 1 saw Air and Airs James Mills and Miss Alills. Air and Airs Henry Alackenzie and Aliss Butterworth, Airs (Justice) Edwards, the Alisses Alendelson (who are making a two years’ stay here), and Air and Airs Howie.' The last-named have just returned from Alargate, the fresh air of which has quite cured Airs Howie’s cold. She has resumed her lessons with Air Santley, in whom she has every confidence. and is taking the opportunity of hearing as many of our great singers as jtosslble. Airs Reeves and her children are spending their holidays high up in the mountains in the Bernese Oberland.

Sir Felix Semon has already worked a wonderful improvement in Air W. H. Alontgomery’s throat. Air E. G. Jellicoe has abandoned his intention of reopening his appeal to the Privy Council. He and Airs Jellicoe have been down at Ramsgate, and have much improved in health. Aliss Lettie Lloyd-Hassell sang at Airs R. J. Turner’s garden party at Beechhanger. Caterham, last Saturday. Air T. Bullock (of Ashburton), wife, and daughter have had a good time in Paris and Cornwall. Air Bullock visited the Croydon show, Bath and West of England Agricultural show (which was a disappointment), and the Royal show at Cardiff (which was a big success). He finds the English farmers not in such bad case as they had bees reported to be. On Saturday Air Bullock takes his party Northward ho! He will make for the Inverness show via the Aberdeen coast, and return by the Caledonian Canal.

Air L. Blundell and his wife and daughter have also flitted to Scotland. After they have exhausted its show places they will make the round tour in Ireland. Commander Ernest F. A. Gaunt has been appointed to the Landrail for the coming Channel manoeuvres. Yet another. This week’s ‘Gazette’ intimates that the appointment to a second lieutenancy of Sergeant V. W. O'Farrell, from the Third New Zealand Contingent, is cancelled at his own request. These cancellations are becoming rather wearisome, and public attention might well be directed to them by a question in the House of Commons. If brains were required from officers instead of boodle, we shouldn’t see many cancellations, and tho army would he the richer by colonials of courage, common sense, and experience of actual warfare. Grimsby was cn fete the other day to welcome home Captain Errington Josse, of the New Zealand Field Battery, who had been at the front for eighteen months. He joined from Grimsby as a trooper in Paget’s Horse, but was rapidly promoted. For some time he was stationed at Alafeking, and also acted as staff-captain in the Rhodesian Field Force. Mounted on his charger, he was met at the station yesterday by the mayor, borough members, and the Artillery Corns, and the procession marched to the Royal Hotel, where the gallant captain was entertained at a banquet. The route was lined with spectators, and the streets were decorated.