ITEMS OF SOCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17145, 26 April 1919, Page 4 (Supplement)

ITEMS OF SOCIAL NEWS.

Major Claud and Lady Florence Willoughby made Orimsthorpe their headquarters while the former was canying on, his election campaign at Stamford. Qrimsthorpe is thtf splendiid old seal of the Dukes of Ancaster. It passed from the late Baroness Willoughby de Eresby to her only son (who was created Earl of Ancaster), and from him to his eldest son, the second earl. Lord Ancaster has been somewhat indisposed of late, and was unable to take any part in his brother's electioneering campaign.

The Earl of Jersey and the Earl ,of Bradford have both been appointed Lords-in-Waiting. These posts ore still supposed to be " political," and the holders are expected to relinquish office with a change of Government. The late King Edward, however, let it be known that he intended to have a .rather large say in the selection of bis Lords-in-Waiting. This is an example that has been followed by the present King, who is now always consulted by the Prime Minister before any appointment of this nature is made. -

Lord and Lady Zetland are to be congratulated on possessing a great-grand-daughter, Lady Carlton having presented Lorq Carlton with an infant daughter, who is also ; the first grandchild, of Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam. It is not much more than 20 years since Lord Fitzwilliam, then Lord Milton, was .married in St. Paul's Cathedral to Lady Maud Dundas, and their son and heir is _ not yet nine years old. Last year their eldest daughter, Lady Elfrida, was married to Lord Carlton, son and heir of Lord Wharncliffe.

One of tho most distinguished upholders of vegetarianism is trie Duchess of Portland. Besides being a strict teetotaller, she never touches meat or fish. "If you value your complexion," she says, " don't touch meat." Tbe idea of being a vegetarian merely on account of one's complexion would make many enthusiastfl smile, but the duchess does not appear to hi actuated by this idea only. She is, as a matter of fact, a sincere humanitarian, as is shown by the sums of money she spends on birds. She keeps the birds only until they are well and strong after their confinement. Then she deliberately sets* them free.

The Duchess of Sutherland, who is accompanying the Duke to Canada shortly, is extremely fond of country life and sport. She is an accomplished yachtswoman, frequently sailing her own boat on the Clyde, and will not be at ail unsuited to life in the West. Her photographs give the impression of fair beauty, but in reality she is a brunette, with dark hair and eyes. The statement that the present duke has acquired large land interests in Canada is hardly correct. It was his father who purchased a vast tract of country, at that time almost entirely uncultivated, but of which his son will now reap the bonefit.

Bathurst House, imposingly situated at the north-west corner of Beigrave Square, will shortly cease to be-a hospital, and will then be restored to its original use as the town mansion of /Lord and Lady Bathurst. Almost at the beginning of the war the owners of this capital house gave it up for the use of wounded officers, and during all this time it has been maintained entire!/ by the generosity jf two American la&es of large fortunes—both of them married to Englishmen—Lady Granard and Lady Ward, the latter a daughter of Mr. Whitelaw Reid, a former United States Ambassador to the Court of St. James's. Not only have these ladies borne the entire expense, but they have made a point of going every day when in town to look after the well-king of tho patients.

I Captain and Lady Violet Astor, are 1 living at Torquay. Some time ago Captain Astor was so badly wounded in France that his foot had to be amputated, and he was for several weeks an inmate of Lady Ridley's hospital in Carlton House Terrace. He has been exceptionally unlucky out in France, for more thrn a year ago ne developel appendicitis while serving at the front, and had to undergo a rather severe operation, after, which he and Lady Violet Aster spent some months at Princess Alexis Dolgorouki's place near Taplow. It was there that a son and heir was. bom to them n the earlv part of last summer. While at Nashdom they were conveniently near to Cliveden, the beautiful place belonging U> Captain Aster's elder brother, Major Waldorf Astor.

Lady Jane Butler will be an interesting debutante. She is the younger daughter of Lord and Lady Carrick, and sister to Lady Rosamond Butler, who will shortly be married. Lady June seems to have inherited the tastes and talents of her mother. She is fond of books, likes poetry, and when only fifteen wrote a book of charming verses under the name of "Julian Butler." They gave much premise. Like her sister's, her war work was useful and energetic. Lady Carrick is a woman of wide- intelligence. She reads a good deal, is deeply imbued with the spirit of poetry, and has sometimes taken the chair and spoken well at the Poetry Circle at the Lyceum Club. Lord Carrick is interested in agriculture, and is said to be a connoiseur in butter, with an experience of the subject which extends over a quarter of a century! He sits in the House of Lords as Baron Butler.

Few men have spent mora money on a bobby than Sir Thomas Lipton, whose challenge to contest the America Cup has been declined on the ground that " this is no* an appropriate or fitting time" for a sporting event. The expense of the great contests has been enormous, for each ot tie famous Shamrocks cost over £100,000, and on the last occasion, in addition to the yacht itself, he had to requisition a fleet of 33 different craft. It has been estimated that he has spent £500,000 on the races, but, though unsuccessful, he declares the money well spent, if only because it has done so much to create goou feeling between Great Britain and the United States. His opinion of American sporting honour is of the highest. When last Sir Thomas tried to wrest the trophy from the Americans, mascots were simply showersd upon him by his wellwishers—from white heather and horseshoes by the score to rabbits' ears and a broom to mount at the masthead of the Shamrock. Live stock also was sent him " for luck,*' including several dogs. The mascot he prized most, however, was a curious walking-stick, presonted on behalf of 900 sailor men.

One or two Irish girls are amongst com-> ing debutantes. Lady Maureen Stewart is often seen about with her mother, Lidy Londonderry. Lord Londonderry's family is much beloved in Ireland, and it. is interesting to remombor that when this first baby was born the poor women on the Mount Stewart estate worked an exquisite lace and embroidered robe, which the baby wore at her christening. Lady Maureen has outdoor tastes, and much of her time has jeen spent in the country—at Springfield, near Oakham. She takes great interest in her herd of goats, and through her influence a good many goats are kept by the cottagers. Her mother's model dairy is another delight. Lady Maureen is a captain in the Girl Guides, and, of course, a member of the Women's Legion. No family in England has more frequently entertained Royalty than the Vane-Tempest-Stswarts. Dowager Lady Londonderry has been | hostess to all our own Royal personages, to the King and Queen of Spain, the Tate King of Portugal and Amelie, also, incidentally, to William Hohenzollorn when in a different nositon to that which ho occupies now Ho woe pleased 10 suy that the then Marchioness of Londonderry was a perfect hostess.