MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 17, 23 April 1892, Page 425

MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

| VERYONE will be pleased to hear that the Marquis j of Lome triumphed over Prince Henry of Battenberg with regard to the governorship of Windsor Castle. The Marqnis has had a far from pleasant life of it since he married into the Royal Family, and this reward for his patience will be as welcome as it is well-deserved.

The Misses Beswick entertained their girl friends at an afternoon tea on Monday to meet Miss Le Cren, of Timaru, who is on a visit to them.

Mrs Cowlishaw of Christchurch was ‘at home’ on Tuesday, and those who visited were charmed by the singing of a lady from England, who is at present her guest. She accompanied herself on the guitar.

Mrs Isemonger (nee Miss Wright), Parnell, who was married about Christmas, is up in Auckland from the Thames on a visit to her parents. She looks both stylish and pretty in a light grey tweed gown with broken check, and large black hat which suited her admirably.

MISS CoURTAYNE, of Auckland, was in town the other day looking exceedingly handsome in a stylish and wellfitting light brown tweed costume, and most becoming hat.

Mrs Jerrams, from Napier, who is visiting her sister, Mrs Devore, wears a black merveilleux gown, and small bonnet trimmed with jet.

Mrs R. Wilson, of Compton, has been the honoured guest at many luncheons and small entertainments, as she leaves for England in the Ruahine, the fine new steamer, in charge of the popular Captain Greenstreet, next week, taking her daughter Gladys and Miss Meir.

Mr W. S. Gilbert has gone to Cairo (writes a well-in-formed correspondent), but, contrary to report, he is not at work there upon an Egyptian or any other opera. Mr Gilbert, of course, has several libretti already sketched, though not written, and it is expected that bis next comic opera will be in collaboration with Sir Arthur Sullivan. Meanwhile, ‘ The Mountebanks ’ has proved a thoro ugh success, and a certificate from an eminent firm of accountants shows that the receipts for the first month amounted to £7,797, or an average of £3ll per day. The public mourning does not appear to have affected one, at least, of the leading theatres.

The terribly sudden death of Mr W. E. Ivey, the Director of the School of Agricultuie at Lincoln, gave all his friends almost a thrill of horror. It has been known for a considerable time that he has been suffering from some internal malady, and lately he has had a rather bad attack of influenza, from which he did not seem able to recover, until at length he decided to apply for leave of absence for a holiday, intending to take a trip to England to recruit his health. It was feared among other things his heart was afl'ected, and his awfully sudden death proved part of the trouble lay there, as he was in the act of running from the college to the gate to catch the coach, when he was seen to stagger and fall, and before any one could get to him he had ceased to breathe. He has had a long and useful career both in Australia and New Zealand. He leaves a wife and two children—a son and daughter.

Mr Christopher, of the Railway Department, has just concluded a three months' holiday, spent in Wanganui and on the Coast, and, with Mrs Christopher and family, has returned to Picton.

Mr and Mrs Wm. Cruickshank, of Auckland, have taken the house in Princes street next to the Synagogue, and will remove there shortly.

New Zealand is singularly fortunate in amateur actors and singers. Mr Ainslie, who with a friend, Mr Garry, gave a race night entertainment at New Plymouth recently, is spoken of as * a born actor ’by the local critics. He is undoubtedly clever, and has the bump of humour largely developed.

Mrs Scott, of Onehunga, looks remarkably well in town, wearing a suit of brown cloth, the shoulders and cuffs supported with brown velvet. A dainty toque composed of brown materials, feather, velvet, etc., completes this costume.

XV ellingtonians have a distinguished visitor in the person of Lord Masserene, who arrived by the Arawa, and intends touring New Zealand.

One ot several charming costumes worn by Miss Myra Kemble in * Dr. Bill ’ is a very handsome tea gown of primrose ottoman silk and cream ehiffon. The front is full and hanging loosely, held in place by a black steel beaded girdle. The back of the bodice is tight-fitting, and the train long, the sleeves full from the shoulder to the elbow of chiffon, the cuffs of the yellow silk tightly buttoned to the elbow. The neck is cut a little low with soft falling chiffon edging it. Another gown is of grey poplin, very stylishly made, with large hat and ostrich plumes.

Dr. MacGregor, Inspector of Hospitals, inspected the Picton Hospital last week, and was greatly pleased with the management and cleanliness of that institution. The Doctor was accompanied by Mrs Macgregor.

Mr James Coates, manager of the National Bank at Auckland, still looks very ‘ peeky ’ after his long and serious illness. He left Auckland on Thursday last for a holiday trip to the South.

An account of the selection by Mr Spurgeon of his final resting-place is given which differs somewhat from the generally received versions. Mr Spurgeon visited Mor wood Cemetery on one occasion with Mr McMaster, who went to choose a spot fora family vault. Mr Spurgeon suggested a site, but Mr McMaster objected that it was too prominent. ‘No,’Mr Spurgeon said, ‘it will just do for you.' The spot was agreed upon, and then Mr Spurgeon, turning to the superintendent of the cemetery, said, ‘Now, have you a decent corner where you could put Spurgeon some day ?’ A corner was pointed out, and Mr Spurgeon said, ‘ That will do.’

Miss Ollivier, of Christchurch, gave an afternoon tea on Saturday, when Miss Gladys Wilson bade ‘ good-bye ’ to many of her young friends.

Mr Haslett, solicitor, of Picton, is spending the Easter holidays with his mother in Auckland.

Sir Dillon and Lady Bell left by the Tongariro on Saturday. They intended paying New Zealand a longer visit, but Lady Bell’s health requires her to return to England. Mr and Mrs A. R. Fitzherbert, of Wanganui, also departed by the same vessel on a visit to England, and also Mr Paul Coffey, of Wellington.

The new Deputy Adjutant General at headquarters in England, Major-General C. Mansfield Clarke, C. 8., has a distinguished New Zealand record. He served in New Zealand continuously from 1861 to 1866, having proceeded thither with H. M. 57th Regiment. He was deputy-assis-tant quartermaster-general there from 1863 to 1866, and was in many actions with the Maoris. He was four times mentioned in despatches, and, of course, received the New Zealand war medal.

Mr Kempthorne, senior partner in the well known firm of Kempthorne and Prosser, was in Auckland last week with his wife and two daughters. They intend visiting the lake district, and will then return to Auckland, remaining probably for two or three months.

Mr Baruch, of Wartie, Cambridge, is expecting his brother Mr Barugh, with his wife and family, from Yorkshire. It is to be hoped that the new comer will take up his abode in New Zealand, and prove as good and useful a settler as his Waikato brother.