WHO'S WHO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15390, 27 August 1913, Page 12

WHO'S WHO.

Captain Oswald Borland recently celebrated the eightieth anniversary of his entry into the navy, which he joined in 1833. He became a lieutenant in 1845, and served in that rank in the Bellerophon during the Russian war, being present .at the bombardment of Sebastopol. Apparently there is only one other captain who entered the service in the reign of William IV., Captain J. de C. Agnew, who like Captain Borland, has been on the retired list for over forty years.

In accompanying President Poincare in London, M. Cambon, the French Ambassador, completed a noteworthy record, for he has been at the side iof all the three French President* who have accepted the city's hospitality. The 15 years during which M. Cambon has been *t Albert Gate have indeed been memorable in the history of the two nations, for he came here when Fashoda was still in the air, and he haS borne no small share in the events which have produced the cordial relations which have been celebrated. He had made a considerable reputation before he came to England. Thirty-one years ago he was appointed Minister at Tunis, and he has been Ambassador at Madrid and at Constantinople.

The Duke of Westminster, who has been showing a considerable interest in political affairs of late, and whose article' on "Practice! Imperialism" is given a place of honour in one of the leading monthly reviews, is one of our wealthiest dukes! and the owner of vast estates. His London rent roll alone reaches a fabulous figure. He is a coming man of many interests. A soldier by profession, he served in the South African War as aide-de-camp to Lord Roberts. He is of course well known on the turf, though his sporting activities are not all centred in it. His Grace has for a good many years been a noted competitor at the Monte Carlo motor-boat races. Ho is said to possess a strong guiding hand and a keen eye, and knows the details of his craft thoroughly.

Mr. H. Curtis Bennett has been appointed chief magistrate for the metropolitan Police Courts, in succession to Sir Albert de Rutzen, who has retired owing to failing health. The duties of London's chief magistrate, whose salary is £1800, as compared with the £1500 of the other metropolitan magistrates, include the hearing of political prosecutions, extradition cases, charges arising out of crimes on the high seas, and cases arising out of Royal Ascot week charges in a special Court at Ascot. Mr. Curtis Bennett was first appointed to the magistracy in 1886. For nine years he sat at the West London Police Court, and next for 10 years at Marylebone, leaving there in 1905 for Westminster, where he sat for three years. In 1908 he was appointed to Bow Street. Mr. Graham Campbell, who has been appointed to the vacancy at Bow Street, was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1892.

The Criminal Investigation Department has obtained a new chief in the person of Mr. Basil Home Thomson, who succeeded Sir Melville Macnaghten. Probably no one at Scotland Yard has had such a varied and adventurous career as Mr. Thomson. He has been a- Premier and a prison governor, and as secretary to the Prison Committee he has shown his skill in administrative work. He is a son of the late Archbishop of York, and was educated at _ Oxford. After _ entering tho colonial service he accompanied the High Commissioner in the Pacific, Sir John Thurston, from Fiji to Tonga. There a Wesleyan missionary, the Rev. Shirley Baker! acted as Prime Minister, and eo disturbing was his influence that ho had to be deported. Mr. Thomson, then only 29, was appointed in his place.