DUKE OF KENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23191, 10 November 1938, Page 15

DUKE OF KENT

GOVERNOR-GENERAL DELIGHT IN AUSTRALIA PREPARATIONS COMMENCED PROVISION OF A RESIDENCE [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY, Nov. 5 The news of the appointment of the Duke of Kent as the next GovernorGeneral of Australia has aroused widespread acclamation, and already, although his term will not begin for another year, preparations are being made and the effects of residence in Australia of the King s brother are being discussed.

Warm ' thanks for- Australia's congratulations on the appointment of a member of the Royal Family as Gov-ernor-General have been received from the Duke of Kent. Provision of a residence at, Canberra large enough for the Duke of Kent and his retinue presents a problem for the Federal Government. W hen the Duke becomes GovernorGeneral, new standards of official life and entertainment will be set. Yarralumla, the present Canberra Government House, is inadequate even for present needs. The Government will give the matter immediate consideration. Now Stimulus to Canberra

The appointment of a Royal Gov-ernor-General is expected to give a new stimulus to Canberra, both as a national capital and a centre of Australian culture and social life. It is expected that many members of the Consular Corps, who have hitherto been reluctant to forgo the social amenities of Sydney and Melbourne, will move their headquarters to Canberra. Many people who take part in Australian social life will establish residences in Canberra.

To facilitate travel between Canberra and the State capitals, and to comply with the Duke's expressed wish to see as much of Australia as possible, it is proposed that a special aeroplane should be placed permanently- at his disposal. Duke is keenly interested in aviation and inquiries will be made 60on to ascertain what type of plane he would consider most suitable.

Masonic Position The Duke of Kent may succeed Lord Gowrie as Grandmaster of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of New South "Wales. The Duke is past senior grand warden of the Grand Lodge of England. He is fully qualified, but the appointment would depend upon his own desires. He would require" only to be admitted to a lodge in New South Wales. "If the Duke wished to take the office, it would give great gratification to all Masons," said the" pro-grand master of the Masonic United Grand Lodge of New 6outh "Wales, Dr. F.* A. Maguire. Gratification of Greeks Gratification at the appointment-of the Duke of Kent as Governor-General of Australia was expressed by the Con-sul-General for Greece, Dr. J. Kocotakis, onj behalf of his compatriots. "There is no doubt," he said, "that the 20,000 Greeks in Australia seem rery happy indeed at the news of the Duke and Duchess of Kent coming to Australia., Princess Marina has always been considered in Greece as our most charming Greek Princess, and her coming/ to Australia as the wife of the Governor-General fills the hearts of all Greeks in the Commonwealth with joy."

FALL INTO HOLD NEW ZEALANDER'S FATE , ACCIDENT ON THE ESSEX VERDICT AT THE INQUEST [from our own correspondent] LONDON, Oct. 20 "The cause of death was a fracture of the base of the skull, due to accidentally falling into the hold of the New Zealand Shipping Company's motorvessel Essex, at Alexander Docks, Newport, Monmouthshire." This was the verdict at an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Raymond Olsen, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Olsen, of Port Chalmers, New Zealand

Mr. Olsen, who was third officer on the Essex, was found lying in the hold. Nobody saw him fall. He was rushed to hospital in an ambulance, but died on the way. At the inquest it was stated that he was supervising the loading of cargo for Australia. He was wearing rubber boots, and it is believed that he slipped on an iron stairway. The hatch was correctly roped and the ship fras well lit by electric flood lights. The body was brought to London and the funeral was at the Streathain cemetery. The chief mourner was Mr. Olsen'B fiancee, Miss Madeleine ilethven. Mr. Ojsen, who was aged 26, joined the New Zealand Shipping Company on December 7, 1936, as fourth officer, and was promoted to third officer in June, 1937.

NEW ZEALAND DOCTOR VERDICT OF SUICIDE [from our own LONDON, Oct. 20 Dr. Denis Roberts Balcombe Brown, aged .30, of Wellington, cut his throat With a safety razor blade in a hospital for nervous disorders at Muswell Hill, London, three days after taking an overdose of a sleeping drug. At an inquest it was stated that Dr. Brown, who was not in practice, had been •tudying hard for examinations and was depressed. Since his recent return from New Zealand ho had come top in a bacteriological examination in London. A verdict was recorded that he took his life while the balance of his mind was disturbed. Di f . Brown went up to Oriel College, Oxford, in 1928 to read medicine. Hs completed his course in 1930, when he- returned to New Zealand, via America. In March. 1932. he married Miss Eila Marv Gu}', of Hamilton, in fondon. In 1934 ho gained his m.r.ci.v.s. The bodv was cremated at Golders ween on October 19. The ashes will be •enfc to New Zealand.