PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16190, 28 September 1914, Page 3

PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

(Fbou Oub Own Correspondent.) LONDON, August 6. Professor A. P. W. Iliomas, of Auckland, has arrived in London with his daughter from Switzerland, after an exciting dash from the Continent. Professor Thomas went to Switzerland to moot his daughter, who has just completed her course in French and obtained the Swiss Government diploma as qualified to teach that language. They will spend some time in LonMr and Mrs W. B. Fisher (Wellington) disembarked at Plymouth, and 1 have spoilt three or four weeks in England beioro coming to London. While visiting St. John's Gate, Clerkenwoll, a few days ago, Mr and Mrs Fisher were invited by the authorities to sign the Homage Roll of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, which contains autographs of Queen Victoria, King Edward, Queen Alexandra, tho late Duke of Edinburgh. Lord Ranfurly, and other distinguished 1 people. Other New Zealanders who have signed the roll are Bishop Ncvill, the late Mrs S. A. Rhodes (on whom King George conferred the distinction four years ago of Lady of Grace). Mrs Harper Bell (Dunedin) and Miss Doris Bell set out from New Zealand with the intention of making a three' years' trip. They are now in London, but no plans are yet possible. They are staying in Bloomsbury, very near the Gorman Consulate, and their dayjs have been occupied lately by watching German subjects waiting for instructions, passports, and papers. There has been a good deal of excitement naturally. Mr and Mrs N. J. M. Roin (Invercargill) and the Misses Deschler have booked,, passages for October 16. New Zealanders who have called at tho High Commisioner's office to-day have included:—Mr B. E. Sibbald (Dunedin), Mr F. R. M'Mahon (Wellington), Mr F. W. Marchant (Timaru), Mr Walter Bewjey (New Plymouth), Mrs G. Middleton (Wainiate), and tihe Misses Middleton, Mrs E. W. J. Nursey (Wellington), Mr and Mrs C. C. M'Millan (Auckland), Mr and Mrs G. F. M'Millan (Auckland). With a view of facilitating social intercourse at the Royal Colonial Institute a Social Committee has been chosen to welcome newcomers and introduce them to other Fellows. These members -will bo present every Thursday afternoon for the purpose. Sir Godfrey Lagden is tho chairman.

The High Commissioner is cabling to the New Zealand Government for authority 'to assist New Zealand visitors stranded owing to tho war operations. It is quite impossible to give help to any who are now on tihe Continent. Now Zealanders residing in the United Kingdom who wish to offer their services or help of any description to the Britisn naval, military, or civil authorities are being organised by the New Zealand Association, of which Mr E. M. Kennaway is the honorary secretary. Several have handed in their names.