People and Their Doings.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20359, 17 July 1934, Page 6

People and Their Doings.

The N.Z. High Commissioner’s Daughter is Regarded as a Notable Acquisition to London Society : Australian Team Presented an Autographed Bat to the King’s Grandson.

'J'IIE KING’S GRANDSON, Viscount Lascelles (elder son of the Princess Royal and the Earl of HarewOod), now eleven years old, is very keen on cricket and is taking a great interest in the Australians. He knows records, for he is a diligent student of Wisden and other cricket literature. He thought recently that perhaps he might get the Australian team to put their autographs on his bat. Hearing of the boy’s interest in them the Australians anticipated his wish. They presented him with a special bat in commemoration of their visit. It bears all their autographs. The King is aware of his grandson’s devotion to cricket and also of this kindly gesture of the Australians, which must have touched him as it would any grandfather. .& 9 9 CIXTY YEARS AGO (from the “Star” of July 17. 1874) t Correspondence.—The Domain. To the Editor of the ” Star.” Sir,—ln passing through the Domain yesterday, I was very much alarmed by the fact that a number of trees are being planted. It is obvious that if trees are planted the space for recreation will be much lessened, as some kinds of trees grow to an enormous size in New Zealand. If such precedent as this be allowed other steps for embellishing parts of over 700 acres will be taken. The Museum will be enlarged, and more people than ever will be pouring out into the gardens disturbing their privacy. We shall have the college built there, so that people will have such a healthy piece to study in, that I fear it will draw numbers from such hot countries as Australia and India to have their sons educated there, and so the population of the place will go on increasing worse than ever. This is bad enough at present as everyone that wants a house knows. So, for all these reasons, I do hope you will do all you can to prevent any more ground being appropriated to trees or anything else that is likely to grow and flourish, in order that we may be able to walk straight in any direction, and have full benefit of the sun and wind. Your obedient servant, —One Who Is Not Easily Frightened.

]yjRS ERIC STEVENS, the daughter of the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Sir James Parr, was one of the great successes of the luncheon which the New Zealand Society gave to honour the Duke of Gloucester in connection with his forthcoming visit to New Zealand (writes a London * correspondent). She was the Duke’s right-hand neighbour at the fop tafc!e, and during the meal he gave her almost the whole of his attention. It seemed a singularly happy conversation, and evidently full of good jokes, for the Duke was constantly smiling. Mrs Stevens went to London a few months ago to act as hostess for her father after Lady Parr died. Her husband is in business in New Zealand. She is regarded as a notable acquisition to London society. There are at present about 400 New Zealanders resident in London. There was one innovation on the menu. Instead of “ hors d’oeuvre ” appeared the word “ relishes.” 9 9 9 YOUNG WOMAN, busily engaged in the intricate w’ork of watchmaking and repairing, is one of the “ shopping sights ” of Auckland on Friday nights. She is Miss Edna Dawson, and she works in the window of a jeweller’s shop in one of the principal thoroughfares. “ I’m quite used to the crowds by now,” said Miss Dawson. “ Curiously enough, it is only on Friday nights that people seem to notice me. I work in the same place all through the week, but I suppose I’m not noticed so much in the day time.” Miss Datvson is probably the only skilled woman watchmaker in New Zealand. There are one or two in Sydney, and possibly in other Australian cities, but the trade is very much a “ man’s preserve ” in Europe. The work requires a long time to learn, and Miss Dawson has been engaged in her craft for nearly five years, under the tuition of her employer. “ I can entrust her with the most intricate work,” he said. “ Possibly women are particularly well adapted to handle delicate mechanisms, such as that of the smallest wrist watches. The work strengthens the eyes, provided, of course, that the sight is nojgmal to begin with.”

THE English critics agree that of all the yachts ever built to compete for the America’s Cup, the Endeavour stands the best chance of bringing the trophy back across the Atlantic. Her owner, Mr T. O. M. Sopwith, has been out sailing her from early morning till evening- trying out various sails. In her earlier races she beat his Majesty’s Britannia, and since then has beaten Velsheda. built last year by Messrs Camper and Nicholson, builders of the Endeavour. Starting last Saturday, these two boats are engaging in a series of trials sailed under conditions as near to those of the actual contest as possible. The Endeavour will leave for New York at the end of this month. A smaller mast and sails will be carried on the voyage. She will be convoyed across the Atlantic by her owner’s steam yacht, Vita 11., and will be in the charge of Captain Paul, of Gourock. The Endeavour is 130 ft over all, 22ft beam, and 15ft draught, and carries 7550 square feet of sail. 9 9 9 TT is common knowledge that King Alfonso has been looking for a house where his family might live in more “ homely ” surroundings than they enjoy at the hotel at Fontainebleau, which is at present their dwelling. Something within easy driving distance of London was first considered, but finally Alfonso decided upon and has now bought the Villa Anastasia, formerly the property of Prince Christopher of Greece. It is situated in the most exclusive and one of the most beautiful quarters of Rome, across the Pincian Park. The house is almost a palace, set in lovely grounds. Here the former royal family will spend part of the year. They will continue to visit London and Fontainebleau a good deal. 9 9 9 jyjß HILAIRE BELLOC, that substantial man of letters, has composed an epitaph for the memorial to that vivid actress. Miss Anny Ahlers. His generous tribute will have to be left to others to accord equal fairness to Mr Belloc’s own art. for he has already half humorously written his own epitaph, which readers will surely sav needs amplifying. It runs, When I am dead T hope it may be said, 4 His sins were scarlet, but his books were read.’ ”