PERSONAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 71

PERSONAL NOTES.

—Mr Roger William Yv allace, K.C., who w n.- born in Glasgow on April 28, 1854-, takes a great interest in chemistry as well as in electrical and engineering woik. In the automobile world he is a man of considerable importance, for he is chairman of the Automobile Club, and among electrical engineers he is equally well known.

— Major-general Babington, who defeated De La Rey near Venteisdorp, is 47 years of age, and passed the whole of hi 3 regimental service in the 16th Lancers. He served on the Staff in India from 1896 to 1899, and received honourable mention for his services with the JBechuaiialand expedition in. 188*1-85. On the outbreak of the Boer war he was chosen for the command of the Ist Cavalry Brigade, and in January, 1900, he made one of the first incursions into the Orange Free State with cavalry and artillery. Ho has been A.A.G. of the Imperial Yeomanry since the enrolment of tho force.

— PeriodiraUy as the date of the battle of Trafalgar approaches, the Navy League becomes a society of considerable moment to the sightseer, ac it is responsible for the annual decoration of the Nelson Monument. In the Nnvy League the Earl of Drogheda has the highest place, for he is president. His family is a very well-known one, for soon after the Conquest it went from Franc© to Kent, but in the reign of Queen Elizabeth Sir Edward Moore went to Ii eland, and in the subsequent wars the different titles were won by the various members of the family. The present Earl of Drogheda was 55 on April 29. — Probably no writer works under nappier or more inspiring conditions than Mr Hamilton Aide, whose home at Ascot, with its luxurious apointments and lovely, secluded garden, is an inspiration in itself. Here Mr Aide, hanpily free from any sordid necessity to work, writes his charming ballade (like "The Danube River" and "Remember or Forget") and poems, his novels and plays, turning from one to the other with marvellous facility. He paints almost as well a he writes, and is no mean musician. The son of a Greek father and an English mother, he was educated in Germany, and in the army learned to w ; eid a sword before he ever thought of the pen. — Although the House of Lords has swallowed the former Sir John Lubbock, and transformed him into the first Lord Avebury, nothing can change him from tht life-long habits of investigation which have made his" name famous as a scientific man through the world. "Wasps, bees, and ants aro among the insects which he has studied most closely. Busy readers have a personal reason for wishing him many happy returns of his birthday on April 30, for it was he who was largely instrumental in getting the Bank Holiday Act passed by which Whit-Monday and the first Monday in August became' legal holidays. Lord Avebuvy was 67 on April 30. — Sir Walter Gilbey, who was 70 on May 2. is the founder of the famous house of wine merchants. Although it seems that it must always have been one of the large firms in England, it is nevertheless a fact that it was only after the Crimean war that it was founded. During that war Sir Walter volunteered for service in tho Army Pay department in the Crimea, and he served in the Convalescent Hospital on the Asiatic sl'cies of the Dardane'les. The business began in a small way, • and received its impetus when the heavy duties were taken off French wines. Sir Walter's great relaxation is horses. To him is due the foundation of the London Cart Horse Parade Society, of which he is chairman. — The oldest plaj'ing cricketer in England is Mr Thomas Baker, a resident of Horncastle. He is 87 years of age, and it is his proud boast that he can still puzzle the best batsmen, and "make them tb-ink there is a hole in the bat." Mr Baker's bowlingid the old round -arm style. He bowled to Fuller Pilch, the greatest batsman of his day, and also to our own Dr W. G. Grace. The great W. G. wrote, in answer to a letter, that the old round-hand bowling was by far the most effective, and he wished he could employ it against the formidable batting team of the day — referring to the Australian team, then on a visit to England. Air Baker, by the number of pupils he har sent out to the colonies, has done a great deal tc cement the sporting feeling existing between Australia and the mother country. One of his pupils, "a clergyman, who has lately returned from Australia, scored a total of 1800 runs in 36 innings. When lie wa asked where he learnt cricket, h replied, "At Horncastle, with a veteran ove 80, who can still puzzle me more than any bowler I ever stood against." — What Sir Guildford Lindsey Molesworth does not. know of railways is not worth knowing. He served his term as a pupil under the then engineering chief of the Iscrth-westevn railway, and became chief assistant engineer on the London-Brighton and South Coast railway. Subsequently he was in the Arsenal at Woolwich during: the Crimean War, and in time became chief resident engineer of the Ceylon Government; railway, from which he was promoted to bo Director-general of the railways of that Government. The next step was to be consulting engineei to the Government of Imb'a, in which office he served foi 17 years. During the Afghan war his services in connection with his department were oi such a. nature as to win the special thanks of the Government and to secure for him the Afghan war medal. He was 73 on May 3. —In London musical circles the late Sir John Stainer was a very well-known figure, and the announcement of his sudden death caused a most painful sensation. No mar. was more beloved, especially by student, who knew they would always find in him a candid friend. Sir John Stainer was appointed in October last Master of che Worshipful Company of Musicians, and his promotion to the chaii provided him with many a story bearing upon his privileges. •'I have the right to play; a trombone under your windows or to grind a .barrel-organ, in front of your house," he remarked. It appears that in the old days the members of the guild were granted this privilege, Chester being the only place where they were not allowed to exercise it. Sii John Stainer had a wonderful musical memory. It was put to the test once at the Crystal Palace when he had to play the organ in the "Messiah," and a folio copy, on which alone he could see the score, was not forthcoming. The conductor was in despair. Sir John cut the knot by a wonderful tour de force, playing the part fatutlessly right through, and entirely from memory — probably the only time the "Messiah" has been so rondered.