WHO'S WHO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15349, 9 July 1913, Page 12

WHO'S WHO.

Genejrai, Sir Digiito.v Phobtn, Comptroller of the Household to Queen .Alexandra, celebrated his 80th birthday at Sandringham recently. He has spent 41 years in the Royal households, having been Comptroller and Treasurer of the Household of King Edward when Prince of Wales, and Keeper of the Privy Purse during His Majesty's reign. Sir Dighton Probyn enjoys the intimate confidence and affection of every member of the Royal Family, and of all with whom ho has associations at Sandringham. He served in several Indian campaigns, including the Mutiny, and won the Victoria Cross on the North-west Frontier in 1857.

Dr. A. Forbes Mackav and Mr W L McKinlay. two of the Scottish scientists who have joined (lie Canadian Arctic expedition under the leadership of Mr. Stefansson, left Glasgow recently for Montreal. Just before the steamer's departure the explorers were presented with the flag of St Andrew and the Union Jack by the St. Andrew societies of Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Hags had previously flown on the Palace of Scottish History at. the recent National Exhibition in Glasgow. The St. Andrew Society of Edinburgh presented the explorers with an official badge, bearing the St. Andrew's cross. ' Great enthusiasm was shown when the explorers unfurled the flags as they were leaving the quayside..

Colonel A. J. Abdy, who had to retire for age last month when within sight of his promotion to major-general, has not been treated with the same favour as General Scott-Moncrieff, although his war services were incomparably greater than those of the selected favourite. No battery did better in the Boer war than the 53rd Field Batten-, which Abdy led into the thick of the fighting at 'Rietfontein on October 24. 1899, and again at the battle outside Ladysmith six days later, when the 53rd Battery came up just in time to save the 13th from being rushed by the Boers. During a critical hour on January 5, when the Boers were attacking Ladysmith, Abdy's guns drove the enemy out of the south-east corner of Caesar's Camp, and saved the situation.

Lady Sackville, whose name has been yen- prominent lately in the papers, has a personality of much interest. She is handsome and well read, and her knowledge of art is deep and extensive. In fact her skill and taste have done much to preserve^ and restore; the priceless treasures at Knole, the family place near Scvenoaks. Tho splendid jewels that belong to the Wests have often been described, but not everyone knows their historic interest. The fine Greek-patterned diamond tiara formed part of the diamond necklace that caused the romance between Marie Antoinette and Cardinal Rohan, and about which Dumas wrote his famous novel, "The Queen's Necklace." Another noted jewel is a pearl and diamond necklace that has as its centre stone a huge emerald known as " the Dorset" and said to be one of the finest in existence. Lady Sackville wears this gem on a velvet band in her portrait by Carolus Duran. The present Lord Sackville succeeded in 1908 and his title was confirmed in 1910. The, earliest predecessors of this line were earls and dukes of Dorset.