PERSONAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10755, 29 April 1913, Page 3

PERSONAL.

The Hon W. Fraser was at Greymouth yesterday and left to-day for Reefton. Mr E. Parry, Government Electrical Engineer, has returned to Christclrurch from a visit to the works at Lake Coleridge. The householders at the Elmwood School laet night carried a special resolution of thanks to Mr J. 0. Adams, chairman of the old committee, who was not seeking re-election. At the annual meeting of the Richmond householders last night a motion of sympathy was passed to the headmaster, Mr J. M'Gregor, and Mrs M'Gregor, Mrs M'Gregor's mother having died at Akaroa during the last few days. The motion waa carried in silence, all present standing. The Governor, accompanied by the | Countess of Liverpool, arrived at Thames by special train yesterday afternoon and was met by representatives j of the local bodies .and presented with I an address of welcome on their behalf. In the evening he left for Auckland. A Press Association telegram from Thames states that Lord Liverpool ''created a most favourable impression." When Dr Wilson entered the White House as President of the United States he beoame entitled to an annual salary of £15,000, or just three times as much as j ''pecuniary compensation" voted by Congress to the first President, Washington. For eighty-four years £SOOO remained tho Presidential salary (states a London journal), but on the re-election of General Grant as Pre- ! sident for a second time in 1873. Congress doubled his salary, and granted him £IO,OOO. Grant's seven successors each received a. similar annual remuneration, including Mr Roosevelt during his first Presidency, but on his election as President in 1905 another £SOOO was added, and at £15.000 it now stands. In addition, the White House is maintained, travelling expenses met. and other incidentals of the office financed by Congress, which altogether meets a bill every year on account of the President of over £50,000. Lord Mcrley's defence of the Home Rule Bill in the Lords in the recent debate recalls the story of his conversion to the principle of self-government for Ireland, as told by Sir Edward Russell. An editor friend of Russell's wrote to Mr Gladstone, asking for a clear statement of his policy, when Home .Rule w.T3 first mooted. The G.O.M. replied in twenty closely-written pages. "On the day my friend received it," says Sir Edward, "he was at the Reform Club, and John Morlcy camo in. lie told him what had occurred, and Mr Morley, thrown into considerable excitement, begged the letter for a private perusal, went up in the library, and remained there two hours. When he camo down he was evidently under the influence of very strong feeling, and he said, with great determination, ' I shall go with the old man.' "