PERSONAL NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5483, 11 January 1905, Page 3

PERSONAL NOTES.

MAV ZEALANDERS ABROAD. (From Our Special ( ‘orir-pomhmt.) LONDON. Professor Ernest. Kmf'her ford. K.H.S., of Montreal Enivorsity, who L a _N*'\v Zeahmdier, is one of the igukshod medallists honoured lirs year by t.ho Royal Society. He has hcmi awarded the Romford modal on account of his researches on tho properties <u naclio-aotivo matter, in particular for his discovery f>f ibc active gjwmus cmimations emitted hy such matter, am! his detailed investigation of their transformations. In the absence of Pro less or Rutherford the medal was handed to Uud Strathcona at the annual meeting of the society on Wednesday. Speaking; at. tho banquet in the evening, the Canadian High Commissioner said the award would he highly appreciated, not only by that I'niveraly, of which Professor Ruthefonl was an ornament, hut also- hy the whole people of Canada. It was well that they had in the colonies, and in the first confederated tuitions within the Umpire, distinguished men working so worthily in the line so long pursued hy the Royal Society. It was well, also, that they had spirited and generous-minded men who had given the facilities which had enabled Professor Rutherford to accomplish what he had. From one gentleman alone, Sir W. MacDonald, the applied science department of McGill I niversity (Montreal) had received more than one million sterling, while to- the cause of technical education ho had also given largely and well. Air W. J . Tonkin, of Dunedin, who carno Home a couple of months ago to -spy out the hind'’ in connection with tho frozen rabbit trade, as is his custom every few years, has, decided to return lo the. colony by the Papanui. which he joins at Plymouth on Saturday next. Ho has enjoyed the trip very much, but would have fouhd it si ill more satisfactory bad New Zealand rabbits been making somewhat be tier prices. Owing to Iho largo volume of Sydney and Melbourne rabbits living offered at very low prices, the New Zealand article lias been difficult to clear at anything like a reasonably profitable rate. Mr Tonkin is convinced that unless there is a further reduction in freight and other charges in Now Zealand, rabbi Is, your exporters will soon find tho game is scarcely worth the candle.

Mr Thomas Caradoc Kerry, owner of the late-lamented Ariadne yacht, has resumed the role of explorer, and, as I mentioned the other day, is about to visit Tristan d’Acnnha, a lonely island in the South Atlantic. Ho invited tho public to send presents for the islanders by his vessel, offering to carry thoso free of charge, and at least twenty tons of presents—chiefly tea, sugar, cotfoe, .seeds, tobacco, clothes, and books—have been received. Out of tho eighty inhabitants of Tristan d’Acnnhn it is

ciid that only two are able to rear!, nevertheless seven hundred Bibles will be at their disposal when Mr Kerry’s racht arrives. So versatile a gentleman may be depended upon to play the part of colporteur with, much aplomb. Some of tho British public, by the way. seem to be concerned about tho moral welfare of tho Tristan d’Acnnhans, for large quantities of religions tracts, many of them painting tho dangers of intemperance and thriftlossnoss in lurid colours, are (icing sent, by Mr Kerry’s boat. For this attention to their needs the islanders should bo deeply grateful. The depths of ignorance into which these unhappy people are plunged may ho gauged from the fact that there is no drink on the island, and not a solitary pawnshop. Fred Weish has, I understand, pretty well made up his mind to give England a fairly long trial before returning to Australia, lie feels that 'ho cannot hope to do himself full justice, until ho has become thoroughly acclimatised, and proposes, therefore, to -stay in tho Old Country over the current billiard reason and the next. Thus far, Weiss has shown exceptionally good form at times, notably in bis recent game with Cook, since which, I believe, ho has had tho misfortune to lose his favourite cuo—a sixtoen-ycar-oki friend, of which he was particularly fond. Pending more serious engagements, of which ho has several in view, Weiss is keeping his hand in with exhibition games. Miss Bessie Laird, of Parnell, Auckland, who arrived by the Athenic last Juno, has since then been staying with her aunts, the Misses Macgrcgor Laird, at Folkestone. Making that her headquarters, she has visited various parts nf England, and latterly has crossed to Ireland to vijSit some relatives there. Aliss Laird is on a pleasure trip, and ha.s greatly enjoyed her holiday. Sim expects to return to New Zealand about Juno next.

New Zealand papers are asked to record the death of Mr Louis Victor C’ooner, agecl thirty-one, the second son of Mr and Mrs William Cooper. Deceased lived at Brighton, but at the tirno of his death, which took place on November 33rd, ho was at South Norwood, S.E.

The Bishop of London, Dr Winnington Ingram, has been pleased to accept the dedication of Mr P. A. Vaile's new book on modem lawn tennis players, which is shortly to be published by Macmillan and Co. The style and strokes of the leading exponents of the game are analysed by Mr Yaile, and some fifteen now strokes are illustrated and explained. The hook will be plentifully illustrated with photographs of wellknown players making their characteristic strokes. Mr Vaile’s first book, "Modem Lawn Tennis," has been translated into German, and the “Allgemeino Sport-Zcitnng," a leading German sporting journal, publishes a very eulogistic review of the volume. "Never,” says this paper, “has the forehand drive been so clearly and .convincingly sot forth, and never has the American service that continual source of argument—been so lucidly

explained. ... It seems to us wo should have to quote from every chapter in order to do justice to this thoroughly excellent hook.” Mr E. C. Hayes, of Now Zealand University and St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, has been admitted a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Mr E. G. Jellicoe, of Wellington, and Mrs Jollicoo are in London just now. The trip was taken on account of Mrs JcUiooo'S health, and although she is much better, it has been thought advisable not to undertake the outward voyage just yet. Mr Jollicoo has taken chambers in the Temple, where ho proposes to remain until after next summer. The Christmas vacation will bo spent on the Riviera. Mr Walter Kirby, an Auckland tenor, was congratulated by Sir Alexander Mackenzie, principal of the Royal Academy of Music, upon his rendering of “Angels Guard Theo” , at a concert given hist week at Covent Garden in aid of the Musicians’ Society. I went to hear Sarasate’s second and foist recital of tiro season at St. James’s Ball on Tuesday. The famous Spanish

violinist is now sixty years of age. but there i> as yet no trace of waning power in the magic ol hU bow. Sarasafe has placed in evorv con-ineiP except. Australia, and one would like to ms. him follow {lie example of Paderewski and venture on a trip to the Ant-inodes ere his star begins to set. Il is a Ihou-aml pities that Uv people of the colonics should have been denied tin* opportunity of listening to ho rare an artist.

Lord Strathcona, th© ‘“G-0.M.” of Canada, who represents the Dominion in London as High Commissioner, has again found it n<?ces>Vy contradict tin* rumour of liis imp-ending retirement. Although in his .eighty-fifth year, Lord Strathcona is more active* than many a man of half his years. Ono dav last week, for example, despite tho bitterly cold weather, lie travelled from London to Liverpool, opened a volunteer bazaar, and returned to London the same day. The following morning be was at liis office hy ball-past ten. and did not leave off work for a minute till eight o'clock tn tho evening. Ho declares that he lias not had luncheon for sixty years! Mi- Oscar Ascho. who with Miss. Lily Drayton and a particularly strong company scored a brilliant success this week in his revival of -The Taming of tho •jhrew.” at the Adolphi, is an Australian hy birth, though bin father is a Norwegian and liis mother Lnghsh. H« learned liis business thoroughly iu tins Slnlo Theatre in Christiania, tho director of iWiich was Bjorn lijornson, son of IVjoriistjorn lijornson, the author, whuio lie took part m many plays during eighteen nioniths. Then ho came to Jvngiand, but, lading to secure an engagement. returned to Norway for a visit» during which ho gave a sorfe., id Shakespearian costume recitals on a short tour. AVJlilc with the Henson Company, Mr Ascho played upwards of ninoty ShaKcspearian parts. “ See that place?" said a ’busman to a visitor, as they drove past St. Pauls Cathedral, 'That’s the Bishop of London's church. He reads tho lessons there twice a week, and gets ten thousand a year for it.” The Bishop of Loaulon himself told this story at a meeting the other day, to illustrate a popular notion regarding the alleged opulence ot the bishops. Ho characterised the notion as “an extraordinary superstition—as mythical as the equally popular delusion that a bishop spent liis evenings toasting his toes over- tne tire, reading a nice book! Dr Ingram went on to sny that he had to ask him self whether he could afford to- pay more than the £IOO a year which ho and his predecessors had always contributed to the Bishop of London's Fund for erecting new churches. He- quoted soni-o details of his annual expenses which would surprise tho abovc-mcntun 'bus-driver and others wuo share his “superstition." Hero is an extract trom the Bishop’s balance-sheet- for the year; Hates and taxes ... ... ... £ 846 Queen Anne’s Bounty ... ... 422 Income tax ... ••• ••• jj99 Haintenaiico of houses ... ... Into Henairs ... ••• ••• Vl9O Coal “9? Electric light and gas oiJ Four horses ... ••• Garden (35 acres, with 10 men)... i'2'2 Printing, stationery and postage 368 Total ... ... ••• ... £7370 These, said tho Bishop, were only preliminary expenses, and at tho end of three years ho was £SOOO poorer than when ho became Bishop of London. In giving these figures Hr Ingram hopes that he has succeeded m “pricking a gigantic bubble.”