PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON

Otago Witness, Issue 3433, 30 December 1919, Page 25

PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON

(Fjbom Ons Own Cobbespondent.) LONDON, October 23. The engagement is announced between Lieutenant-colonel -Alan D. Stitt, D. 5.0., M.C., elder eon of the late Matthew Stitt, of Braemar, Ashburton, New Zealand, and Mary Kathleen, elder daughter of Dr and Mra Harris, of Avishays, Shaftesbury, Dorset. lieutenant H. B. Anderson, R.N. (Christchuiroh), has been appointed to H.M.S. Benbow. He was lately in H.M.S. Lowestoft.

Mr H. W. Sadlier (Nelson) is now an undergraduate at Emmanuel College, where he will study for his degree in medicine. It is unlikely, therefore, that he will be ready to return to the dominion for at least six years. During his vacations Mr Sadher hopes to be able to revisit Belgium and France to sot what they look like under peace conditions. He arrived recently by the s.s. Shropshire. Mr and Mrs T. W. Butcher (Wellington) are recent arrivals in London. Mr Butcher has oome entirely on a business trip, and at the moment he is away in Edinburgh. Birmingham, Glasgow, and Paisley will be other centres of interest to him. He does not expect to be able to get back before next year, on ' account of the _ difficulty of getting passenger accommodation. Mr R. F. Bell, United) States representative of the National Sailors and Firemen's Union of Great Britain and Ireland, has been able to arrange a passage by the Orontes. Mr Bell is to have a send-off at Liverpool, and there will be another one at Tilbury on the eve of his departure for New Zealand.

Captain O. R. Wason, R.N., C.M.G., CLE., ia appointed to oommand H.M.S. Comus on her recommissioniing. Captain Wason saw a great deal of service during the war in the Persian Gulf and on the Euphrates, and he was four times mentioned in despatches. Mr Oswald M.' Smith (Dunedin), accompanied by his wife; arrived by the Shropshire. Until the middle of next month they will be in London. when Mr Smith intends starting- on a tour of the manufacturing centres. In January he hopes to get across' to France, and his return to New Zealand will be made 'by the United States. Mr E. Wall (Christchurchj, another of the Shropshire's passengers, is at present in London. Mr J. W. Shackelford left this week from Liverpool by the Empress of France, travelling to Vancouver _ by way of Quebeo. New York, Toronto, Chicago, and Salt Lake City. 'At the beginning of December Mr and Mrs Shackelford will join the Makura for Auckland, and hops to be home about New Year. From every point of view Mr Shackelford says his trip Home has been a great sucoess, and he has been pleasantly surprised at the large numbar of good business' men who are greatly interested in New Zealand, and who are desirous, as soon as possible, to resume or comcerce business relations with the dominion. There are symptoms that certain hidebound customs are giving way, as they are bound to do, if British trade is to be ■worth anything.

Mrs Milroy and Mrs Tonks have been touring in Scotland, and they have also been to Paris. For the winter they will remain in London, having taken a flat at Bayswater. Prior to an extended tour to Australia and New Zealand, Miss Rene Maxwell gave a vocal recital at the Wigmore Hall, the programme largely consisting of musio by British composers. The older school was represented by Bishop (" Lo,, Here the Gentle Lark"), and the modern school included Roger Quilter, Cyril Scott, Frank Bridge, and John Ireland. With Mr Vernon Sellars, Miss Maxwell was associated very effectively in some duets, including Mozart's "La Ci Darem." For the first time a London audience heard Georgette Petersen's "Australian Bush Songs." In the opinion of the Daily Telegraph: "Miss Maxwell's own equipment as a soloist is promising; she starts off on her career with a voice that is naturally responsive to her emotions. In songs of Roger Quilter and Cyril Scott she showed good feeling for the sense of the words, which with a voice registered so well as her's is a quality she should turn to good account. Her, audience was most appreciative. The Times remarks upon " her fresh soprano voice and skilful singing"; the latter being "particularly well shown in Frank Bridge's 'Go Not, Happy Day,' a song which calls for intelligent phrasing, clearness of articulation, and which reserves the hardest obstacle for the last in the high ending. Miss Maxwell surmounted the difficulties so well that the encore which she got seemed thoroughly deserved." The Morning Post says that Miss Maxwell sang with "finish, and a certain amount of brilliancy of tone." Mr Sellars, who comes from Adelaide, will make the tour with Miss Maxwell, who goes out well qualified, being the possessor of every possible prize awarded by the Guildhall Hall School of Music, of which Mr Landon Ronald is the principal. Mr Oswald _ Birley, an artist well known in the dominion, has an exhibition of portraits at Messrs Agnew's Gallery. The Times,., in a rather facetious criticism, observes: "We can imagine a German beforo the war deducing from them all kinds of facts about the English governing classes, facts which would not have been true, and yet would have looked very like the truth. So, it seems to us, Mr Birley's portraits are very like the truth, yet are not quite true. He makes many of his sitters look like characters in a successful novel, Sonia, perhaps, of one of Anthony Hope's; and we do not believe they were quite so impressive in fact. We wonder, too, whether the men all have such smooth and glossy hair, and if all wear, so easily, clothes so very well made. They are the English governing classes, as a class; biit the reason why the English governing class is not now governed by the Germans is, among other things, that it really consists of very distinct individuals, and this individuality is a littlo left out of Mr Birley's brilliant versions. We say brilliant sincerely, and then the word brilliant suggests another to us, in an association not altogether nonsensical —Brilliant— Brilliantine. The truth about Mr Birlev lies between the two words; but we wish he would not suggest the association. He has two interiors which do not suggest it; they are brilliant, and we wish he would paint mow of them."

Sir William Essex is a passenger to New Zealand via Now York, by the Mauritania,

which has left Southampton- Sir Walter has had considerable experience in politics, and has been active in municipal affairs as well. His business career has been chiefly associated with the wallpaper printing industry.

Lord Islington has left Glynde Place, Glynde. Sussex, where he has been residing for the last two years, and is returning to his old seat, Hatham Park, Corsham. Wiltshire.

Each "first night" of the new season of Gilbert and Sullivan opera, at Prince's Theatre, is as much rushed as if the opera produced were something entirely new. There is rapturous enthusiasm and hilarious applause. Although 37 years have passed since "lolanthe" was first produced, it has the popular element, and its points seem to be as much up-to-date now as when it was written. Mr Frederick Hobbs (Christchurch) has been allotted the part of the Early of Montararat. and he gives a very good account of himself. For some years he has been one of the established members of the D'Oyly-Carte Opera Company, and plays the principal baritone parts, such as Giuseppe ("The Gondoliers"), the Mikado ("The Mikado"), and Pirate King ("Pirates of Penzance"), and, of course, many others. It is some years since Mr Hobbs was in New Zealand as he has been touring in Australia and South Africa—doing concert work in the former country and musical comedy in the latter. He has also been associated in England with the Carl Rosa Opera Company and with many musical comedies. Mr and Mrs F. L. Bower have recently come to England from Paraguay, where they have -an estancia, and as they now have a place of their own in Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire, they will not be going out to New Zealand yet awhile. Mrs Bower is the eldest daughter of the late Colonel Newall, C. 8., who spent two years in Paraguay prior to his appointment as commandant of the King George V Hospital at Rotorua. Mr and Mrs Bower have been in New Zealand twice since their marriage. They are at-present in London, staying at the Langham Hotel. Captain A. G. Hamilton, R.A.M.C., (Nelson) has relinquished his commission, but has been granted the rank of major. Second-lieuten.int J, MT White, R.A.S.C., has been promoted lieutenant. Mr White was formerly a sergeant in the N.Z.E.F., was wounded' at Gallipoli, where he lost his right arm. On being discharged from the N.Z.E.F. he joined the Forage Department of the British ,R.A.S.C., with the rank of staff-sergeant, and he gained his commission 18 months ago. before going to Mesopotamia. ' . ' On completion of his service, Captain A. E. Oheal. R.A.F. (Wanganui) relinquishes his commission, but retains the rank of captain. Before the war he was assistant tramways engineer to the Wanganui Corpora--tion. Captain 0. G. Haselden, M.C. (South African Defence Force), Machine Gun Corps, has been promoted major. Before goingto South Africa some years ago Major Haselden lived at Wanganui. Mr and Mrs Roger Montgomerie. and the Misses W. and A. Montgomerie (Wanganui), who left New Zealand earlv in 1916, are leaving by the Ruahine, which is due to sail about the end of this month. Lieutenants R. Oswald Montgomerie and H. Seton Montgomerie, of the R.A.F., hope to leave for New Zealand at no distant date.

Mr W. E. Caldow (Wellington) has just complete 1 an extensive business tour through Scotland and England, and he hopes to leave by the Ruapehu about November 18. By the railway strike Mr Caldow was held up in the south of Scotland for about eight days, and it took him 33 hours to get from Castle Douglas to Liverpool, a journey which normally takes about eight hours. At St. George's, Hanover square, on October 21, the wedding took p'ace of Brigadiergeneral H. D. O. Ward, C. 8., 0.M.G., Royal Artillery, to Mary, daughter of the late RiglSfc Hon. Charles Milnes Gaskell and Lady Catherine Milnes Gaskell. The Hon. Charles Hill-Trevor was best man, and the bride was given away by her Mr Milnes Gaskell. There were neither bridesmaids nor pages. The wedding gown was of grey charmeuse and georgette, trimmed with oxydised embroidery, and the bride's hat was of grey velvet. She carried a bouquet of pale pink roses. Those present at the cburoh inoluded Lord and Lady Ranfurly and their dadughter, Lady Constance Milnes Gaskell. The ceremony was performed by Bishop Bury, Bishop for Northern and Central Europe, assisted by the Rev. Prebendary Thieknecse, Vicar of , St. George's, the Rev. Dr. Cranage, and the Rev. P. R. Mitchell, O.F. The bridegroom was AD.O. to Lord Ranfurly during his governorship in New Zealand, and the best man was his private secretary. Brigadiergeneral Ward served throughout the war, and was four times mentioned in despatches. Mr and Mrs John Ashwell left Liverpool this week by the Empress of France, with the intention of joining the Sonoma at San Francisco about November 11, going first to Sydney, and then to Wellington. New Zealanders who have just been elected Fellows of the Royal Colonial Institute are Messrs Shirley L. Blackburne, Walter L. Clifford, and Samuel H. Seager (Obriivtchurch), and Mr J. M. R. Studholme (Hinds).

Mr G. A. C. Elkington (Trinity Hall, Cambridge) was in the first crew of the Training Eights, which have just begun work. Mr Elkington is a New Zealander. Lieutenant-colonel B. C. Freyberg, V.C., D. 5.0., Grenadier Guards (Wellington) was in the forward pack when Colours beat Whites at the Army trial match at Queen's Club the other day. Colours scored 17 points against the 16 of the Whites, but. of course, the play was the thing, and not the result.

P. R. J. Saxon (New Zealand' and Emmanuel) has been prominent in Rugby during the post week. In the Cambridge trial match Whites beat Colours by 16 ponits to 13. Saxon opened the scoring for the Co 1 - ours with en unconverted try. In the match Cambridge v. Old Leysians. Saxon was on the winning side, the University beating their opponents bv 30 points to nil. Saxon was one of the three-quarters, and he kicked well, besides helping with the score. The finals in the Marlborough College athletic sports wore decided on Saturday, in the presence of many old Marlburians. N. J. B. Raymond (son of Mr I. W. Raymond) was second in the school high jump, being braoketed equal with R. H. P. Keene. Late callers at the High Commissioner's Office have Included: —Mrs M. L. Taylor (Roslyn), Mr Shavle Gardner (Parnell), Lieutenant Arthur J. Dean, R.N.V.R. (St. Kilda), Mr F. M. Spencer (Wanganui), Misses A. Aitken and D. L. Jourdain (Mount Eden), Mrs O. S. Saunder (Thames),

Mr H. K. Peake (Thames), Mr and Mrs William Green way (Palmerston North), Mrs and Miss Bareley (South Canterbury), Miss D. H. Barron (Dunedin), Mrs Fred W. Webb (Palmerston), Mr George G. Goes (Auckland), Miss Macnab (Blenheim), Mis Winifred M'ontgomerie (Wanganui), Mr and Mrs George Saunders (Auckland), Mr and Mrs Henry C. Hart (Wellington), Mr s W. A. Fleming and Mr and Miss Fleming (Dunedin)) Mr John H. Buckland (Mount Eden) Sergeant A. W. Innes (Wellington), Captain E. M. Campbell (Wellington), Mr Charles B. Haines (Waipawa), Dr and Mrs S T. Parker (Dunedin). At 54 Granada road, Southsea, on October 19, the death occurred of Mrs Isabella Jane Withers, wife of Robert Withers, M.R.C.S., England, formerly of Lawrence, Otago. At Basford Hall, Leek, Staffordshire, the death occurred on Ootober 17 of Francis Chambers Harris, late commander of, the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs. He was the second son of the late Archdeacon Harris and Mrs Harris, of Christchurch, and his age was 51. He leaves a widow. When Sir Thomas Mackenzie was. at Sheffield a few days ago he spoke at the unveiling of a war memorial to the fallen old boys of Wharncliffe Side School, Oughtibridge. He remarked that people could never sufficiently express their gratitude to those who had faced the dreadful war and had lost their lives in defending the right. Mr and Mrs Sidney Webb have rewritten and expanded their "History of Trade Unionism," which originally appeared 25 years ago. In the new edition the developments since 1890 are dealt with in detail. It will be published by Messrs Longmans. The Rev. Frederio Wallis, Fellow and sometime Dean of King's College, Cambridge, and formerly Bishop of Wellington, New Zealand, and Mrs Wallis have just celebrated their silver wedding.. Mr F. M. B. Fisher is taking part in the London Covered Court Championship at Queen's Club. In the first round of the Open Singles he met and defeated Lord Charles Hope (6—3, 6—3, 7—5). In the second round he was opposed by Mr G. Stoddart, and was again victorious (6 —8, 6—2, 6—3). In the first round of the Open Double!?, partnered by Mr C. P. Diokson, Mr Fisher beat Mr L. de Oiivares and Mr J. F. Villages (6—4, 6—l, 6—l). Remarking on the game against Mr Stoddart, the Morning Post says that after the first set, Fisher hit so hard and accurately that Stoddart had little chance. The latter is a player quite at the top of the second class. Mr Arthur Alexander, the Dunedin pianist, gave a recital at the JEoUaix Hall last evening, and he should be pleased with the criticisms that have since appeared. "In his method of treating the various items comprising his programme," saya the Daily Telegraph, " Mr Alexander showed himself to be a pianist immeasurably above the average. His technique is assured, and his method of delivery is so firm that one never questions his capacity. Careful and preeminently clean in interpreting Bach, he yet seemed at the outset to savour more of the youthful, rejoicing, technical giant than of the artist who prides himself on intimacy. But when lie essayed Beethoven's Op. 27 Sonata in E flat one realised that Mr Alexander did not lack the perceptive faculty. His reading, though fluent, was thoroughly emotional, and it naturally won upon his audience. Specimens of Metner, Suk, Arnold Bax, Debussy, and the inevitable Brahms made up the rest of an excellent programme." The Morning Post considers that Mr Alexander " played ma manner that showed him to be a pianist with considerable technical gifts and interpretive insight." At the promenade concert at Queen's Hall last night Sir Henry Wood introduced Mr Percy Grainger's children's march, "" Over the Hille and Far Away," which ia considered to be "one of those breezy, jolly little works typical of the composer," and "a welcome contrast to some of tho abstruse music we hear so often nowadays. It might be described," says the Daily Chronicle, "a 3 an orgy of rhythm clothed in a picturesque orchestral coat of many colours. The clever way in which the musio keeps up the excitement makes it all very effective." Major H. D. Gillies, F.R.C.S., R.A.M.C., has relinquished his commission, but is to retain the .rank of- major. He went on service within a year of the outbreak of the war, and later was mentioned in despatches. Dr A. C. Palmer (Dunedin) is now obstetrio registrar at London Hospital. In 1913 he gained distinction in midwifery. For a considerable time Dr Palmer served with a field ambulance, and later became surgical specialist at No. 8 Stationary Hospital in France. A graduate of Otago University, Dr Ernest C. Lindsay, is now temporary assistant surgeqn at London Hospital. He saw considerable service during the war, and was temporary major in the R.A.M.C. Mrs 0. Bisohoff (Ellerslie) came to England to spend some time with her brother, Captain R. Palmer. She via Canada and the States, and has a trip to France in contemplation. A passenger by the Ruapehu on her last trip was the Rev. W. Lambert, vicar of Te Amatatu. The latter part of the voyage of this vessel seems to have been rather thrilling; for, encountering a hurricane, she was forced to drift for several days. As a consequence, practically all the crockery on board was broken, and the lids of jam tins had to be produced for passengers from which to oat their meals. LONDON, October 16.

It is announced that a marriage has been arranged, and will shortly take place, between Captain Aubrey Martin 7th. Gloucestershire Regiment, of Heweheta, Ceylon, son of the late John Henry Clarke and Mrs Clarke, of Amherst House, Clifton Park, Bristol, and Evelyn, eldest daughter of Gladstone Robinson, of Timaru, New Zealand. Engineer Lieutenant Oscar C. D. Lundius, son of Mr H. Lundius, of the District Lands and Survey Office, Wellington, is expecting to be in England at the beginning of December. He has been out in India for some time with the R.1.M., and his vessel, the Alesia, is now on its way from Calcutta to the Mediterranean. In the early days of the war Engineer Lieutenant Lundius was on the Orari when she was carrying troops. He hopes to leave for New Zealand soon after his arrival in English waters. Mr Hugo V. Anson (Lower Hutt) is taking a post graduate course at Trinity College, Cambridge, where ho expects to remain for two or three year 3. Lieutenant D. H. S. Riddiford, M. 0., Grenadier Guards, went to France with the First Battalion at the beginning of 1916, and remained until the end of 1917, when he was given 6ix months' exchange of duty in England, and remained here until the armistice. Last January ho was

demobilised, and now is on the special reserve of his regiment. In addition to being awarded the Military Cross,, Lieutenant Riddiford was twice mentioned in despatches. It i 3 his intention to remain in London until next January, when he hopes to return to New Zealand with Mrs Riddiford and their family.

Mr G. A. Keall (Wellington) is here chiefly on a business tour, and his travels will take him north as far as Glasgow. Birmingham will bo visited on his way south again. Mr Keall contemplates leaving for Australia, via the United States, about the end of December, arriving in Australia in the middle of February.

Mr Robert F. Bell, United States representative of the National Sailors and liremen's Union, to Great Britain and Irehind, has come to London, en route to Lytteltom, via Sydney. He has booked his passage by the Orvieto, which is due to leave toward the end of this month. He is a Christchurch man. Mr Bell's arrangements so far do not take any active part in the Trades Union movement, though he may respond to the few requests that have so far come to hand to speak on British seamen and the war in two or three centres. He started out from New York with the intention to be back there again by the beginning of March next. Other arrangements may yet assume shape before he gets away from the United Kingdom, but if not, he says, "all that he can add is that to get back to New York and visit South Africa en route will mean getting a 10 cent hustle on from the time I moke a move on —from here. It's a lively proposition to get started off from this country, I assure you." The People's League, of which Mr F. M. B. Fisher is chairman, in a memorandum dealing with the industrial situation, says the recent railway strike has shown that there is urgent need for some reformative legislation which will make it impossible for the State to be industrially paralysed by the action of any groups of individuals. The league proposes that the people shall protect themselves by the passing into J aw of legislation which '-will effectively prevent -what is known as the lightning strike. A veteran of the New Zealand wai-s, 1860-61, has just passed away in the person of\Lieutenant-general B. L. Forster, Colonel Commandant of the Royal Artillery. He entered the army in 1855. For his services in the New Zealand war he was mentioned in despatches and received his brevet majority. At the funeral, which took place at Surbiton, the King was represented by Strigadier-general E. G. C. Norton, Aide-e-Oamp. General Forster was 82 years of age. G. C. Hamilton, C.M.G., D. 5.0., Grenadier Guards, held the rank of colonel while he was employed as commandant at the School of Instruction, having now relinquished that duty he also relinquishes tHe temporary rank, which went with it. During the war Lieutenantcolonel Hamilton was three times mentioned in despatches. He gained his D.S.O. in 1915, and his 0.M.G., for valuable services ,fn France and Flanders, was bestowed upon him in the New Year Honours this year. Lieutenant-colonel B. O. 'Freyberg, V.C., D. 5.0.. Grenadier Guards (Wellington), is one of the colours in the . Army Rugby Union fifteen which is to meet the Whites in a trial match, preparatory to playing against Cambridge University. It is announced that Madame Clara Butt thinks of returning presently to the operatic stage. "I am going to take to opera,' she said. "I think it is great." "The only thing is," she added with a smile, " there are no tenors." Madame Butt explained that she hoped to reappear next year in Gluok's "Orpheus." This was the work in which she made her first appearance at the Lyceum Theatre in December, 1892, in a Royal- College of Music performance. Mr Tom Mann has been elected secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers in place of Mr Robert Young, who, becoming an M.P., had to relinquish the post; The election was by ballot, and Mr Mann secured a large majority over his opponent, Mr J. Kaylor, a member of the executive of the society. Tom Mann first came into prominence in the great dock strike of 1889. In the late 'nineties he spent some stormy years in Australia. In some respeote he is the antithesis of his predecessor at the headquarters of the A.S.E., and. it will be interesting (says The Times) to what extent he has retained his old extravagance of policy and vehemence of language. His varied career is thus summarised by the Daily Chronicle: "For several years he lived and worked in Australia; for a period just preceding this he kept a public-house (the Enterprise, Long-acre); and once he contemplated entering the Church. He has contested parliamentary seats on four occasions; been arrested in Hamburg and Melbourne, and expelled from France; -has quarrelled with people in Europe and Australia, and has made many lasting friends in all parts of the world. When he retired in December last year, to start poultry farming, the Sailors' and Firemen's Union subscribed £250. and the Transport Workers' Federation ±IOO. He is now olected secretary of one of the strongest trade unions in the kingdom." In recognition of his eminent services on the Board of Admiralty, Admiral Sir Roslyn E. Wemyss, G.C.8., C.M.G., has been specially promoted to be Admiral of the Fl ee t—the promotion being additional to the ordinary number of Admirals of the Fleet. Sir ' Roslyn, who succeeded Lord Jellicoe as First Sea Lord, at the end of. 1917, was out in New Zealand in command of the Ophir on the occasion of the visit of the King and Queen (then Duke and Duhcess of York). After the uutbreak of war he commanded a cruiser squadron in the Atlantic, and subsequently he was appointed senior naval officer at Mudros. He conducted the landing operations at Cape Helles. and eventually organised the naval side of the Gallipoli evacuation from Suvla and Anzao, in December, 1915. In that month Admiral Wemyss was appointed Commander-in-Chief on the East Indies station, and, .going to Mesopotamia, organised the naval attempt to relieve the beleaguered garrison of Kut. He returned to Egypt to assist In the operations in Syria and Palestine and in September, 1917, ho was called home to take the posts of Second Sea Lord. Deputy First Sea Lord, and then First Sea Lord. Laft November he was elected by the Supreme War Council as' the naval representative to meet tho German delegates and_ arrange the armistice terms. Apart from his work as Chief of the Naval Staff and as-Chief Naval Adviser to the Peace Conference. _ Sir Roslyn has also taken the initiative in bringing about Important reforms in the Navy. Mrs and Misa Seddon have been visiting

St. Helen's. They were met by Alderman J. Forster and Mrs Forater, who motored them to the o!d sohoolhouse, where Mr Seddon was born, and where his father wa* schoolmaster. It was mentioned that many JNcw Zjea.ia.ml 60idiers had visited the schoolhouse as a tribute to the memory of he who did ho much for the dominion. A luncheon, was given the visitora bv the. Mavor and Mayoress. During the afternoon Alderman J. v. ; roL>K« had a t.iar ivith Mrs Soddon, and told her that he livrrl near tb<> old- sohoolhouse. He remarked: "I well remember your husband n;aking his last visit to St. Helens, when he told us he had 'ooom whoom,'" The local paper adds: "TearW glistened in Mrs Seddon's. eyes, as she smiled and said, 'Yes, that was a pleasant visit.'" She said, when leaving, that it wad always a pleasure to any of her family to pay a visit to St. Helens and Ecoleston. Before leaving for New Zealand Mrs Soddon is hoping to pay another visit to France to w>e the grave of Captain "Dick" Sed* don.

Mr W. H. Jones (Auckland and Balliol) took part in the Freshmen's hookey match at Oxford this week against the Seniors. The Freshmen were the victors by three goals to one. The New Zcalander, at right back, showed to considerable advantage. In the senior trial match at Cambridge two New Zealanders played in the White* v. Colours. They were J. B. W. Robertson, D.S.O. (King's College, N.Z., and Emmanuel), and R. M'lntyre (New Zealand and Jesus). The match resulted in a win for the "Whites by 3 placed goals and 1 try to 1 placed goal and 2 trirs. Robertson and M'lntyre both assisted in scoring for the winning side. Major A. M'Nab, N.Z.R.8., expects to be demobilised in a few days' time. He is now at Christ's College, Cambridge, studying law. Major M'Nab served through the war with the N.Z.E.F., transferring to thai Rifle Brigade from the N.Z. Engineers. Major-general R. S. F. Henderson, C. 8., M. 8., late R.A.M.0., who has just returned from New Zealand, where he filled the position throughout the war of Director of Medical Servioes, has been oreated a K.C.M.G. Sir R Henderson has just accepted the post of president of the Newj Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association in iLondon.

Mr C. K. Kihgi (Gisborne), late of the N.Z. Engineers, was demobilised here in order to take a course of wireless tele-, graphy. Since last March he has been a student at the British School, in Qapham road, which specialises in this subject. Now, in view of the approaching'' whiter, Mr Kingi is medically advised to return as early as possible to New Zealand, and ha hopes to sail In November. He joined up in 1915, and was drafted to the wireless section of the N.Z.E. in Egypt. Mr and Mrs J. Mill (Port Chalmers) and their two daughters have been spending some weeks in Scotland, and now they are anxious, like so many otner New Zealanders, to get back to the dominion. For the present they are in London. Mr Mill intended to combine business with pleasure, but he finds things here still very much disorganised.

On October 3 a wedding of New Zealand interest took place at the Newcourt Congrefational Church, Hornsey. The bride was liss Muriel J. Puttick, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Charles Puttiok, of Harringay, and the bridegroom was Ernesf Frank Prime. lieutenant, Ist Punjabi*, youngest soa of Mr and Mrs F. Prime, of Watford. Miss Rosina Buckmai has been engaged by Sir Thomas Beecham to appear at his coming season of grand opera in English at( Co vent Garden.- The repertory will appeal to opera-goers of all tastes. For the first time the great musio mystery drama, "Parsifal," will bo sung in English; and Stravinsky's "Nightingale" (perhaps the most remarkable of the productions during the Russian feason of 1914) will be a revival. Madam© Elsa Stralia has also been engaged for the same season. The large gallery at the Opera House will be.at the disposal of the public, and the admission will be Is 2d, plus Id tax. Grand opera at Covent Garden haa never been available to the public for a price so low as this. The Empire Review publishes as an article part of the speech made, by Mr H. Beauohamp, chairman of the Bank of New Zealand, at the annual meeting held last Mrs K. D. Babington, wife of Sergeantmajor Babington (Christchurch), is leaving with her husband and little daughter by the Ruahine at the end of this month. For two yeans Mrs Babington 'Was doing work tor tne New Zealand War Contingent Association, and during this year she has been working at the N.Z.E.F. Headquarters. For a while she was commandant of the club at Torquay. Mrs Babington has lately been on the Continent spending a wonderful two months between Paris and Cologne, Brussels and the Rhine district, and she saw many of the places of pathetic memory due to the war. For a considerable time Sergeant-major Babington was under treatment at Walton Hospital, having been invalided to England from Egypt. The death is announced from Worthing of the Rev. James West Stack, late Canon of Christchurch, New Zealand, in his eightyfifth year. Canon Stack had been living fo;' a considerable time at Worthing, where his interment took place to-day. For 20 years, from 1860 to 1880, Canon Stack was connected with, the Maori Mission of Christchurch. For four years from the latter date ho was at Banks Peninsula, then for several years at Kaiapoi, and later for 10 years vicar at Fendalton Since leaving the dominion Canon Stack has always token, a very keen interest in its affairs, and has always been very hospitable to New Zealand visitors who have been to see him. The Hull Northern Union Club ha 3 signed on Ernest Watson, the New Zealand International, who has taken the step on tho advice of W. Johnson, the famous AllBlock. He played hi* first full-back position in the Boulevard A team last Saturday, and although totally unknown to anyone present his fine display drew from Wyburn the remark that here was a footballer for Hull to 'ay their hands upon. Watson is stated to be almost a facnmile of Tich West, the one-time Rovers' idol. Miss Ida Russell, daughter of Mr and Mrs A. E. Russell, who was a very energetic New Zealand war worker under the New' Zealand War Contingent, expects to leave for New Zealand next month. Mr Frederick Hobbs (late of Christchurch) is appearing with much success in " The Gondoliers" at the Princess Theatre. The Gilbert-Sullivan opera revival is being at* tended by large audiences, and all the) operas will be produced l in turn. "The Goa* doliers" has been running for several weekfl, and its successor will be " lolonthe."

Miss Edith M. Kemptilicfnie arrived itt London from New York in August, aa<t

%he is returning there this For tho last four veara Miss Kompthorno has been national field secretary of tho Camp-fire Girls' Organisation of America, and she haa found that her early outdoor life in i New Zealand has particularly fitted her for the splendid work she is now doing. In many respects tho girls eeem to be trained as are the Girl Guides in this country. They are taught to be domestically thrifty, , their motto being "Save food," "Work through your homes." They learn to be sociable; to find the romance, beauty, and adventure of everyday life; mothers and daughters are helped to a better understanding of each other through the sharing mot onfv of tho task, but of the interest, by working together. Camp-fire guardians are older women who, by their. experience, S are able to lead the girls into larger interests. After a girl has been a camp-fire 1 girl for a certain length of time and has fulfilled certain requirements she ia given : the rank of wood-gatherer, and becomes possessed of the silver ring given by the National Board. Later she becomes a firemaker, an-i entitled to a special bracelet. ' "Wohelo" is the watchword, made up of the first two letters' of the words work, health, love. In America Miss Kempthorne helps in directing the work, and also travels to organise groups. She has spoken in nearly every State, at public meetings, \ before schools and colleges, in ohurchee. She haa personally directed about seven training camps for leaders in Kansas City, Chicago, 'Buffalo. Northfield Religious Conference, New York. Miss Kempthorne says the work is growing in England, and she came, over partlv on account of an invitation of the leaders here and to in- . terest other people in the work of the allround development of the girl. _ Her own camp-firo experience was gained in _ Alaska, and tho v first organised camp for girls was jn Sitka, on the site an old Indian battlefield. Recent oallers at the High Commissioner's Office have included: —Miss-'Edith D. DawSon (Auckland), Miss S. E. Ohatfield (Auckland), Mr George A. Keall (Wellington), Miss E. G. I. Rodgera (late of Invercarffill), Mr K. R. Saxon (Nelson), Mr A. A. Mac Nab (Blenheim), Mr E. F. Tacon (Som--1 Her), Mr J. S. Hiddleston (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs W. H. Godby (Christchurch). Mr ; H. W. ■Sadlier (Nelson), Mr and Mrs C. L. Hartman (Mount Eden, Auckland), Miss Mary Thelkeld (Christchurch), Mr and Mrs Oswald M. Smith (Dunedin), Mr Edward Wall (Christchurch), Mr and Mrs C. B. Russell (Wellington) and Miss Russell, Mr and Mra T. W. Butcher (Wellington). Mr and Mrs E. Dymook (Palmerston North), Miss Edith M. Kempthorne, Mr and Mrs John Shackelford (Mount Eden, Auckland), Mr and Mrs F. I* Bower, Mr Richard Talbot Cox, Major O. R. Carr (Rotorua), Rev. Walter Lambert (Waikato), Captain S. Cory ' Wright. N.Z.E. (Auckland), Mr and Mrs W. H. Tisdall and Miss Tisdall (Christchurch). Miss Morton-Jones (Wanganui).