ITEMS OF SOCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16823, 13 April 1918, Page 4 (Supplement)

ITEMS OF SOCIAL NEWS.

CYvrnu Stockley's husband, Major Harry Pelham-Brown, has just been awarded the Military , Cross for gallantry in France. The author's young daughter was married on the last day of tho old year to Major Oakley, D.5.0., so they have- their share of decorations in this war.

Police Constable the Marquess of DownBliir», the owner of about 120,000 acres, who has motored 50,000 miles in the courso of his duties as a "special/' is a practical engine-driver. In the grounds of Hillsborough Castle, Co. Down, ho has a miniature railway. The small train consists of an engine, one carriage, and a guard's van, and if need be he can travel at the late of forty miles an hour. The marquess has a fairly long strine of Christian names— Arthur Wills John Wellington Blundell Trumbull Hill—and part of these he owes to the marriage of his ancestor, the second marquess.

The Countess of Clonmell has been very interested and energetic in helping along good causes since war began, and is now particularly absorbed over getting funds for the Star and Garter British Women's Hospital. She is a daughter of the late Mr. Samuel Berridce, of Toft Hill, Rugby, and has two handsome youne daughters, Lady Moira and Lady Sheila Scott. Lord Clonmell is captain in tho territorial forco reserve, R.H.A. There is unfortunately no eon, and the heir-presumptive, Mr. D. A. 0. Scott, lias only daughters. Lady Clonmell is as charming as she is good looking, which is saying a lot.

Many of her admirers believed that Mrs. Humphry Ward's pronounced views against Women's Suffrage would be modified by the war. Tho war, however, has not put any different complexion on her opinions, which are as opposed to suffragettes as over. She has done much, both with her pen and tongue, to suppress the movement, which has now borne fruit in the new Franchise Bill. One of her most memorablo movements was when she listened to her son's maiden speech on Women's Suffrage from tho Ladies' Gallery. Despite her opinions, the famous authoress is revered and respected by all of her opponents.

In times of stress the English workers deposit what Mr. Wemmick called their "portable property" at the pawnshop, and tho French at tho State establishment more euphoniously called the mont-de-piete. Royalty cannot descend to these shifts, although some of the crowned heads of Europe, through pressure of hard times since the beginning of the war, have had to dispose of their jewels. The Czarina of Russia took time by the forelock by selling hers before the war began. Now the King of Bavaria has sold in Holland pearls to the raiue of half a million sterling. Doubtless these are the famous black pearls of his family, which, according to tradition, bring misfortune to their owners.

Lord Wemyss, the new Lord-Lieutenant of Haddingtonshire, is one of tho many peers who have lost their eldest sons in the war. Lord Wemyss has lost a younger son also, and nephews so brilliant as young Percy Wyndham, Charles Lister, and Wyndham Tennant. Where so many of the young have vanished, the properties they would have inherited must needs lose some of their hold on their presont possessors; and Lorl Glenconner, who married Lady Wemyss' sister, may have had some of this feeling in making his rift of Drybnrgh Abbey to the nation. His little grandchild, Francis David, not yet six years old, has naturally none of the regrets which his father, Lord Elcho, had he lived, might have felt in parting with so histpjrio a family possession.

The Earl of Stamford, who came of age recently, is a familiar figure to Londoners, as he is extra A.D.C to General Sir Francis Lloyd, and usually with him when on various social duties in connection with his military position. He is a tall, handsome young soldier, an only son, and possessing an onlv sister, who is eighteen, and has the historical name of Lady Jane Grey; the famous ill-fated owner of it belonged to the same family. The Countess of Stamford is the third daughter of the Rev. Charles Theobald, Rural Dean and Hon. Canon of Winchester, and is commandant of a Red Cross hospital in part of the family mansion at Dunham Massy. There are no boys or .young men in this family of Grey, except Lord Stamford himself. The lineage is prior to Richard IT.; the barony dates from 1603, the earldom from 1628, and there has been a marquisate and dukedom in it.

The King of Spain's daily routine would surprise many an English business man, even in war-time. His Majesty rises at nine, and after breakfast with his family spends an hour among his ministers, bearing, commenting, subscribing his signature. Then the audiences of the day commence, and a constant string of visitors files through until three o'clock, the time set apart for the midday meal. Half an hour is allowed for this repast, and another half-hour for studying tho newspapers; then follows a brief spell of recreation. The evening King Alfonso spends with his private secretary, only interrupting his labours for a visit to the theatre or a game of bridge After this he retires to his apartment, and at three in the morning the window overlooking the Plaza de Oriento may still be seen illuminated, while the King sits buried in some favourite study— smokes cigarette after cigarette.

Officially described as General Officer Commanding tho London Air Defence, Major-General E. B. Ashmore occupies a post which is far from being a sinecure. Possessed of brilliant, ability and initiative, the man to whom we look to defend the great Metropolis from the attacks of Gothas and Zeppelins has the advantage of having served both in the Royal Flying Corps and in the artillery. Regarded as an authority on matters concerning all branches of artillery, General Ashmore, who is only forty-five years of age, has accomplished wonders- A cousin of Lord Glanusk, ho entered the army at the ago of nineteen. He saw service in Bouth Africa with the Royal Horse Artillery, and was seriously wounded at Sanna'B Post. It was only a year or two before war broke out that General Ashmoro turned his attention to the possibilities of the aeroplane, and he obtained his flying certificate in 1912. Hunting is the gallant officer's favourite recreation, and he is also very keen on music, being a Fellow of the Philharmonic Society.

A mild sensation was caused in legal and political circles when it was announced that Sir John Simon, K.C., M.P., had been given a commission in the army. Still in the prime of life— he is only fortyfour years of age—he might have been Lord Chancellor a few years ago; and but for the war many of his admirers bolieve Che Premier's mantle would have fallen on him. Sir John's decision to enter the army means that he must abandon an income stated to be in the neighbourhood of £50,000 a year. Principally responsible for the drafting of the Defence of the Realm Act, he sits in Parliament as representative for Walthamstow, and has held office as Home Secretary and Attor-ney-General. The son of a Congregational minister, Sir John owes nothing to birth and influence, attained his present position by sheer ability and hard work. When, .in 1910, he was appointed Solicitor-General he was only thirty-seven years of age, and such was his reputation that at that time he held retainers from almost overy railway company in the country.