Personal

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 245, 17 October 1932, Page 6

Personal

Mr, John Farrell, representing J. <_’. Williamson Ltd., is in Wanganui prepar ing for the Grand Opera Company’s performance of ‘Rigoletto,” to be staged here on October 25. The promotion to the rank of captain of Lieut. J. E. Stevens, of Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles, has been gazetted. Another officer of the same regiment, Second Lieut. G- R. Sturrock, has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor, one of the best known of New Zealand aviators has arrived in Palmerston North to act as pilot instructor to the Manawatu Aero Chiu until a permanent appointment is made in a few weeks’ time. Guests at the Rutland Hotel include: Mr. and Mrs. A. Hanton, Messrs. John Farrell and G. W. Bagrie (Auckland); C. A. Stewart, G. W. Battey, P. Batty and A. C. McLaren (Taihape); B. Hotchin and L. IL Jenkins (Wellington); T. E. Roach (Hamilton); Mrs. A. M. Wilkies (Wanganui East); Major Harding (Palmerston North). At the annual re-union of members of the Wanganui and Old Boys’ Rugby Football Club on Saturday night, Dr. G. J. Adams, president of the Wanganui Rugby Union, mentioned that, after having held office for nine years, he felt that the time had come for him to retire. Several speakers expressed a wish that he should continue in the post he had so ably filled during that period.

Mr. J. Newman Barker has resigned his scat on the Australian Board of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., as from September 30, owing to the, state of his halth. Mr. Barker joined the company in London in 1874, and he was transferred to Australia in 1889. In 1903 he was appointed chairman of that Board, which position he, held until 1928, since which date lie has been deputy chairman.

Week-end visitors to Foster’s Hotel included the following:—Mr. L- H. Clapham (Hawera); Major and Mrs. S. Westmacott (Otorohanga), Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Gibson, Miss P. Gibson, Master Brian Gibson, Mr. K. Pallo, Mr. and Mrs. S. Parry and Mr. F. E. Vickernran (Wellington); Messrs. M. S. Chambers (Hawke’s Bay); AV. H. Gummer (New Plymouth); Alfred G. Horwood (Dunedin); Maurice Ralph (Christchurch); Mr. and Mrs. Homer Samuels, Miss Anna Riste] and Mr. Raymond Williams (New York).

News of the death of Madame Emily Briggs (Mrs. Harry Stone) will be received in Wanganui with profound regret. Her passing removes a notable figure from the realm of music. She was a noted vocalist and gained her professorial degree in London. To her outstanding capabilities as a teacher there are many who owe success, not only in Wanganui but throughout the Dominion and Australia. She was regarded as one of the outstanding vocal teachers in the southern hemisphere. Among her many successes she won the Lord Mayor of London’s prize as the outstanding vocalist of her time. She appeared in all the noted concert halls of Great Britain and afterwards came to New Zealand. Some 27 years ago she settled in Wanganui and met with remarkable success as a teacher. About 1923 she shifted to Wellington, where she remained up till the time of her death. As a soloist in operatic work sho has a wonderful record. She displayed wonderful vitality and her appearance in “A Tale of Old Japan” since her change of residence to Wellington was hailed as one of the triumphs of modern times. Her interest in competition work in Wanganui was keen and there are many still who remember her in Wanganui Amateur Dramatic Society productions.