PERSONAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3004, 16 December 1896, Page 2

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The Hon J. G. Ward is expected to arrive from South by the .Penguin to-day. Mr Matthew Brodie, son of Mr P. Brodie, a well-known Auckland citizen, is to be ordained priest on Sunday next by Bishop Lonitmn.

Mr Honniker Heaton, M.P., at present in Sydney, is as , hopeful ns ever of- securing Imperial penny postage. People may be inclined to smile at snob p.oraistenoy, but it may in tho end win the day. The oldest member df the French Sooiete des Gens do Lsttres is a woman, Madame du Boi d’Elbarg. She was born in May, 1799, and-still writes vigorous letters to the newspapers from her home in Angers. Fifty years ago-she published a number of novels. ;• Mr Bertie C. Paget, who was killed by a fall from his horse g,t JerjliJorie, Now South Wales, about a fortnight ago, was a consin of Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State fog the Colonies, and came to the cploniea to sea colonial life, little thinking ho weald find an Australian gravA Mr James Sawors, dairy instructor, has arrived, from the South, after a tour through tho'Otago and Southland districts, whore he has'visited the principal dairy factories and given' instruction, principally in cheesemaking. He will probably proceed through various districts in the North Island. Mr A.’ M. Barns, of the Press Association, leaves on Friday for Wnkapuaka to carry out the now arrangement made by the Association in reference to the cable service. The mem-, bora of the- Wellington Bowing Club, ot. yvliioh -Mr Barns has been such an able secretary, intend to show their appreciation of his services by tendering him a farewell concert at, foe olifbhouie to-morrow evening. A presentation is also to bo made to ** Aliok ” by the roemhers'pt foe Club, . 'lt is‘not generally known (that fop Queen of Benin irk (mother of the Princess of \VahSa), whp recently reached her 79th year,; bps a withered hand. The injury was the 1 remit o“ aimauling by a tamo tiger, whioh she received in her youthful days. Though gbc was seriously hurt—the tiger, however, had only - attacked her in pipy she bora herself yith ‘ singular courage, and indnped; ,thp animal to-follow Bqr to where she knew she wnefi fiu-i fop Pr-hico Guards. (The tiger was foonsfiei;.