People and Their Doings.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20476, 30 November 1934, Page 6

People and Their Doings.

St Andrew s Day Passes with Tittle Recognition : Prince s Equerry Honoured by Tive Nations : Sonnet on Melbourne by John Masefield : Meaning of “Marina.”

the inconvenience of a bank holiday, St Andrew’s Day means little to New Zealanders. The only city observance was at St Andrew’s College, where the cross of the patron saint of Scotland flew at the head of the school flagpole. When the boys assembled this morning, they were briefly addressed by the headmaster, Mr J. B. Mawson, on the significance of the occasion, and they were reminded of the life and work of the saint whose name their college bears. sS? sU CAIXT ANDREW had been a disciple of John the Baptist, and was one of the first to follow Jesus and was present on some important occasions as one of the disciples more closely attached to Him. Tradition relates that he preached in Asia Minor and in Scythia along the Black Sea as far as the Volga. Hence he became the patron saint of Russia. It is said that he suffered crucifixion at Patras, in Achaea, on a cross of the form called “ Crux decussata.” really an X in shape, which is now known as St Andrew’s Cross. According to tradition, his relics were removed from Patras to Constantinople and thence to St Andrews in Scotland, where, in the middle of the eighth century, he became the patron saint of Caledonia. Legend states that the relics of St Andrew were brought under supernatural guidance from Constantinople to the place where St Andrews now stands. There are good reasons for supposing that the relics were originally in the collection of Acca, Bishop of Hexham, who took them into Pictland when he was driven from Hexham about 732 A.D. and founded a see on the site of St Andrews. pAPTAIX HOWARD KERR, 0.8. E., V.D.. Chief Equerry of Prince Henry during the Australian and New Zealand tour, has more decorations than most men in the world. Five nations have honoured him —Britain, Belgium, France, Italy and Japan. The Pope has appointed him Priv}' Chamberlain of the Sword and Cape

at the Vatican. After serving in the Cheshire Yeomanry, he has acted as equerry to Royal Princes for the past ten years. Before that he was aide-de-camp to Lord I'itzalan while he was Governor-General of Ireland. Captain Kerr is deeply interested in hospitals, and is a practical supporter of charitable work, especially in association with the Roman Catholic Church. He is life governor of Queen Mary’s Hospital, in the Last End of London, and is a member of the committee of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London. PARIS has been talking a great deal about Princess Marina’s name; babies are being christened by it because it is considered lucky. As a matter of fact it is a most appropriate name for a Princess of a seafaring nation and the bride of a sailor Prince. The Greek counterpart of this Latin name is “ Pelagia.” which means “ of the sea.” “ Marina ” was the name chosen for the Princess by her Russian mother. It is quite a popular name with Russians and there is a Princess of the Romanov family bearing it also. 32? SIXTY YEARS AGO (from the “Star” of November 30, 1874) : The Railways.—The branch line of the Great Southern Railway from Rolleston to Malvern will be opened to-morrow for traffic. There is one train each way. The branch line from Rangiora to Oxford will also be opened as far as Cust station tomorrow. There are two trains each way connecting with the great northern line at Rangiora. Auckland. November 28.—The schooner Peerless, 130 tons burthen, built for Captain Lewes, and intended for the southern trade, was successfully launched at Niccol’s yards. The schooner loads for Lyttelton immediately. Lyttelton Wharfage.—lt is necessary to point out that, owing to the accumulation of deposits brought down the sewers, vessels lying at the export wharf are at times aground.

jYj[ELBOURNE has been favoured by the Poet Laureate. John Masefield, with a tribute over which he has written “ Melbourne.” It runs:— A hundred years ago this was the range Of savages who neither built nor sowed. The wilderness was here, with Nature’s change; No flock, no herd, nor any house nor road. The sea, the river, and the desolation Ruled here together, then: a hundred years Have made her this, the city of a nation, Lovely with flowers above her sister peers. This is her Spring; I shall not see her Summer, But guess it from her Spring; a century hence W isdom, Man’s rarest strength, and Earth’s new-comer. Will sojourn here and crown her citizens. Fulfilling beyond thought the dreams we share For those to-morrows our to-days prepare. This is a sonnet—“ a picture and a reflection, a song and an echo ” —but the Australian newspapers published it as it appears, instead of running it without divisions as to verses. & ® Q APT AIN of the English women's cricket team touring Australia, with New Zealand to follow, is Miss Betty Archdale, LL.B.. 8.A., student of international law. Iler appearance on the field is boyish because of her strong, well-developed stature and Eton cropped dark hair. She has plenty of power for batting, with a long reach. The first ball bowled to her in Perth was straight driven with such force that it scattered the spectators in its path. Miss Archdale in street or evening attire is described as “ extremely feminine,” so that she is evidently an all-rounder in one respect, at least.