THEOSOPHY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1266, 4 June 1896, Page 17

THEOSOPHY.

A SIX-FEET-TWO MATIATMA

A former resident of New Zealand has been elected successor to the late William Q. .fudge, head of tho American branch of the Theosophieal Society. 'This event took placo at a Convention of the Theosophists in tho Madison square Concert Hall, New York, on Sunday, April 2Gth, at which were delegates from England and other European countries. The new head Mahatina is Mr Ernest T. Hargrove, of London, who is going to give up homo and country to bo tho leader of tho Theosophists of America. Ho is the second son of a Loudon solicitor, James Sidney Hargrove, and he is a member of the same profession. He was at school at Harrow, and studied for the diplomatic service, after which, at the age of IS years, ho had a chance to go to Cambridge, or to travel. He chose to travel, and went to Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand, remaining in the hitter Colony for some time. He returned by way of Ceylon, and went into an accountant's oflice, after which ho became a barrister, and is now a member of the Middle Temple. He is Oft 2in in height.

Mr Hargrove is not tho " Groat Unknown," this individual being tho head of the occult branch of tho organisation, and tho leader of the adepts. Mr Hargrove is to be the leader of the exoteric organisation. It happened that Mr Judge combined the two offices in his person, but prior to that they were held by different persons, Mine. Blavatsky being the head of the one and Colonel Olcott the head of the other. It is said that Mr Hargrove is in close touch with the " Great Unknown," and the inference is, of course, that he had (he backing of tho Mahatina in his candidacy. The " Unknown " was said to be present at the Convention, but, of course, remained unknown, excepting-to the dozen persons or thereabouts who are now cognisant of his identify. Besides this adept, there wero present a number of other representatives of the occult lodges, who " worlc along tho interior planes."