PEOPLE WE READ ABOUT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4307, 16 March 1901, Page 6 (Supplement)

PEOPLE WE READ ABOUT.

Universal regret will he felt at (lie announcement that Hie Rev Sabine Baring Gould has been entered a long rest, and is to»spend Ihe next nine months out of Dngland. Mr Baring Gould lias made his mark mainly in, fiction and folk-lore, hut he is also a theologian of striking originality, and his two volumes on “The Origin and Development of Religious Belief'’ anticipated by thirty years the work of Mr Andrew bang. It is curious that a clergyman of such brilliant abilities bos never received any promotion beyond a small benfice in Essex, to which he was ‘presented by Mr Gladstone. The country rectory he holds at present is a family living in North Devon.

It is reported that Sir Arthur Havelock, whose five years’ tenure of office as Governor of Madras does not count in his service under the Colonial Office, ami who has still a short time to serve in that department to qualify for-his pension, will he sent to Victoria, where Sir John Madden has been acting as Governor since Lord Brassey came away from Melbourne. .Sir Arthur would b'e no stranger to the Antipodes, for he was out in Fiji with Sir Arthur Gordon—now Lord Stanmore —over twenty years ago. and was for some liltle time Colonial Secretary and • ReceiverGeneral of the Polynesian Colony. Sir Arthur’s selection for Victoria would no doubt give satisfaction (here, for lie m a man of good style and commanding administrative abilities, and a keen aporlsman, which gees a long way wilb Victorians.

Sir William Cnningham. who now retires from the important post of Secretary of the Foreign Department under the Government of India, is succeeded by Mr ITciirv Shakesimar Barnes, an able official, who has been nearly fhirfv years in the Indian Civil Service. Mr Barnes has had a useful experience. He served ns a “Political’’ through the Afghan War under Lord Roberts, and remained for n time as assistant to the British Resident at Kandahar. Subsequently he became Go-vernor-General’s Agent, in Behi'histan. and in 1883 was appointed polilieal Agent in Quetta. Pishiu. He was also for a time Resident in Kashmir, and ten years ago he became Tinder Secretary of the Department of which be now becomes Die permanent head, although in the meantime he Ims been back on the frontier again cu several important missions. '

Of the many picturesque and interesting incidents of the Holy Year, none lias been more so than the recent reception bv Loo XIII. of Donna Carolina Tnnteurelli, an aged lady from Perugia, who attained her 101st year early in .January last. On account of her great age the Pontiff granted her a private audience. Much to his surprise. Donna Carolina reminded him that they first met in her husband’s house in 1850. ”50 years ago,” and. added she. lr wo were neither of us very young then.” The Pope, who is only nine '-ears her junior, was greatly amused. Donna Carolina Tnnturelli is not, however, the oldest woman in Holy; a still greater centenarian lives in Naples, who is said to he m years of age. *

It is reported in well-informed circles that Gen Horace Porter, United States Ambassador in Paris, lias manifested a firm desire to ouit his nost and return to America. Although bis retirement has not yet been officially announced it may be regarded as virtually decided. The 'Exchange. Telegranb Company states that the matrimonial affairs of Earl Bussell will once again come before -n. divorce fudge very early in the-for* I;coming sittings of the Law Con’ts, H will bo remembered that the earl figured as a. cc-resnondont in tlm mit of S-—r-rvide v. Son ervillo. when be w« mulcted in /r *a~ofl damages. Mr- 5 was H’e lady the earl married in A merle". The suit now filed is bv the Countess Bussell, against Earl Russell, and it will be undefended.