OUR LONDON LETTER

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1732, 10 May 1905, Page 67 (Supplement)

OUR LONDON LETTER

(From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, March 24 The Rev. J. Hobbs, vicar of St. Matthews’ Church, Hastings, is on a visit to the Old Country. Last year Mr Hobbs suffered from a collapse of the constitution which specially affected tha threat, causing complete loss of voice wilh laryngitis Gr “clergyman’s sore throat.” It was imperative for him to tako a long rest and consult a specialist. Mr Hobbs reached London on February 17th, his health being very much improved by the rest and sea air. Since then he has been under medical treatment with the very best success, though he is not yet able to use ilia voice in divine service. Mr A. D. Willis, M.H.R., of Wanganui, who is on a visit to London, landed at Naples on January 28th. and spent some weeks on the Continent before crossing the Channel. Mr 'Willis has come home on business, but he has had to curtail his visit, and his stay hero will only be of some three weeks’ duration instead of two or three months. He is returning by the San Francisco route, and expects to reach. New Zealand by the end of May. Miss Ada Crossley will not, it is understood, forsake the concert platform when sho enters matrimony. She could nob very well do so at once tor sho has engagement® for many months ahead, including the festivals at Norwich, Sheffield and Bristol. Callers at the Agent-General’s office this week:—Mr A. D. Willis (Wanganui), Miss Margaret McCahon t'i’nnaru), Rev. John Hobbs (Hawke’s Bay), Mr Walter Rutherfurd (Palmerston North), Mr E. A. Blundell (Wellington), Mr E. B. Gunson (Auckland). Mr W. T. Ritchie, of Dunedin and Cambridge University, was picked at the Last moment as one of the -Soots three-quarters for the match against! Jingland, at Richmond, last Saturday, and played a very sound game, it is probable that another New Zealander would have been in the Scots team, Stewart, of Wanganui and Edinburgh University, had lie not met with a severe accident some few weeks ago.

Mr T. Mill, M. 8., F.R.C.S. (Ed.), youngest son of Mr John Mill, Port Chalmers, has been appointed house surgeon of St. Peter’s Hospital, Covent Garden. He took up his duties on Monday last. Mr G. B. Wise, of Dunedin, who has been taking a course at tiie National Dental Hospital, London, left on Tuesday for America to undertake more post-graduate work at Philadelphia. On the eve of his departure he wan entertained at dinner by a number of his fellow-students.

Mr ±\ E. Donne, of the Tourist Department, vdio has come to England to interest manufacturers and exporters in til© forthcoming Christchurch Exhibition, has taken an office in Victoria street, over the New Zealand Government offices. After working for a tune in London Mr Donne will visit the manufacturing districts in the uiictiands and the North.

Mr H. E. Metcalfe, of Auckland, ia m tiio list of candidates who have succeeded m passmg the examination held last month for admission to the Institute of Civil Engineers, of which h© now becomes an Associate Member. Mr Metcalfe came Rome by the Runic a few weeks ago, and as his first week m London had to be spent in hospital through illness, his success was won in the face of very trying conditions. Ris health is now shelving very satisfactory improvement The matrimonial event of the week was the marriage at St George’s Church, Hanover square, of Chevalier Gugliolmo Marconi, the inventor of the system of wireless telegraphy that bears his name, with the Hon Beatrice O’Brien, daughter of the late and half-sister of the present Lord Incliiquin. The bridegroom was supported by his brother, M. Alfonse Marconi, as best man. The bride, who was accompanied by Lord Inchiquin and four bridesmaids, wore a beautiful gown of soft white silk, veiled with an overdress of white lisse, delicately embroidered, and frilled with the same material. A tulle veil, arranged over a pointed wreath of real orangeblossom, was fastened with a diamond fleur-de-lys, and she wore a string of fine pearls, the bridegroom’s gift, as was her bouquet of white orchids, lilies, etc. The bridesmaids’ simple tut picturesque dresses were of white Irish poplin, with fichus of mousseline de soie, edged with Valenciennes lace; deep-pointed belts, and elbow-sleeves bordered with lace and bows of cream ribbon. Their hats of mauve tulle were wreathed round with Parma violets, and a mauve velvet string was drawn under the chin and tied m a bow on the brim, and they carried bouquets of Parma violets and mauve chiffon. The ceremony, which was witnessed by a very large congregation, including the Italian Ambassador, Lord and Lady Kelvin, the Marchioness of Normanby, and Countess Kilmcrey, was performed by tlie Rev David Anderson. After the ceremony a few relatives and intimate friends of ilie happy pair assembled, at the invitation of Ellen Lady Inchiquin, at her house in. Lennox Gardens. The bride and bri<;legrocm subsequently left for Dromolnnd Castle, County Glare, lent to them by Lord Inchiquin, for the early portion oi the honeymoon.