Personal Paragraphs.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue XVIII, 3 November 1894, Page 414

Personal Paragraphs.

LADY GLASGOW having been duly installed as a Forester, will, without doubt, soon become a Druid also. It is unlikely that the great sister society—the most ancient order of Druids—will allow the Foresters any claim to superiority there may be in having the wife of the Governor of the Colony as * one of us.’ Manifestly it is the desire of Lady Glasgow to become the most popular Governor’s consoit who has ever lived on and left these shores, and it will be strange if she does not effect her obiect. Her genuine good feeling, her bonihomme, and the entire absence of anything like tide or affectation, cannot fail to create popularity. A few snobs may consider that an entire absence of * Government House swagger,’ and a desire to join in everyone's pleasures is making the Governor and his amiable consort too cheap. These are the one class for whose opinion Lord and Lady Glasgow would not care a brass farthing.

We give a portrait this week of the late Hon P. Dignan, M.L.C., whose funeral on Wednesday last was very largely attended. The ceremony was of a most impressivecharacter.

The wreaths and flowers were exquisite, and completely covered the coffin. All the leading men in Auckland were represented in the procession.

The presentation to Dr. Lemon the other day in Wei. lington marks the retirement of one of the most able men we have ever had in the Civil Service of this colony. Dr. Lemon has served the countiy faithfully and well, and the news that a presentation had been made him will be received with pleasure by thousands who know him merely by reputation and the reforms and improvements he has brought about in the Postal and Telegraph Department.

Bishop Moran’s numerous friends and admirers will be relieved to hear that he is now convalescent. His residence at Brown’s Sanatorium at the Peninsula is proving very beneficial, and under the care of the resident doctor his health improves daily.

Mr Harry Vogel, sometime City Councillor of Wellington, and the author of several rather clever short stories, goes to England in the Tongariro. Mr H. Vogel is decidedly clever ; indeed, he inherits a good deal of the brilliance of Sir Julius.

£45,000 is a comfortable fortune even in these days of millions, and if Mr Menteath —formerly member for Inangahua—is really and truly on his way out from England with that sum (left him by a relative, so rumour says) he will be welcome! back with open arms. He ought to console the lugubrious New Zealand Herald on the loss of that mysterious man from Kingsland with his £38,000, was it not ?

Dr. PuRCHAB(sen ), of Auckland, has produced a song, ar.d very kindly sent one to this office for review. It is called * National Song,* and if intense patriotism and many

hurrahs stir the blood of young New Zealand the song should certainly have a vogue. Dr. Purchas is an old colonist, an accomplished gentleman, and universally respected, and we have no doubt his many friends will ensure a good circulation for the song. We fear, however, it will not attract colonial attention.

Major Trask, of Nelson, of whom a picture appeared in the Graphic some time since, is to be presented by his grateful townsmen with * a memento ’ as a token that his services in the defeat of the Midland Railway will have been recognised.

It is pleasant to know that poor Mrs Wallis, whose husband was murdered at Tophouse recently, has the practical sympathy of the Government, who have appointed her telephonist and postmistress at Kaihobe, near Russell. The remuneration is £7O a year for a start, and increases to £lOO. The entire change of scene will, it is hoped, have a beneficial effect on the unfortunate woman’s health and spirits, which have been entirely broken by the terrible occurrences through which she has passed.

The Rev. W. J. Miller, who is to found the new congregational church in Napier, comes from Onehunga, famous in song and story since the blossoming forth of Mrs Yates. He will doubtless advise the people of Napier on the subject of lady mayors should they ever be taken that way. Would he be for or against! Quien sabe !

Mr J. W. McDougall, new editor of the Napier Telegraph, is a rising litterateur. His play has been freely criticised mainly by people who don’t understand plays. It may not be up to the Pinero comedy level, but * The Phrenologist ’ is at least on a level with many of the plays we sit out and laugh at nowadays. Mr McDougall writes a slashing and forcing editorial. He has a fine, strenuous style, and in his hands the Napier Daily telegraph will, if we mistake not, become a factor of considerably moie influence, a greater political power than it has been in the past. The late Mr Martin was a man with an intensely judicial mind. He always saw both sides of a question—an admirable quality in a man, but a great drawback for a political leader writer who, if he is to be * great ’ in that profession, must have only one eye, so to speak. We wish Mr McDougall success. There are to be great goings on in Feilding next month when General Fielding arrives back. The general is going to have a tremendous welcome. Dr. Reed, who is about to commence the practice of medicine in Hawera, was for many years in practice at Waipukurau, and won there the respect and gratitude of all who were brought into contact with him. He is an able man, and a courteous and accomplished gentleman. Mr E. H. Carew, Stipendiay Magistrate of Dunedin, who had a very bad bout of rheumatism, is, we are informed, on the high road to recovery, and, indeed, before this appears in print will probably have resumed his duties. His many friends will be delighted the affair was not so serious as was at first reported. Dr. Coates, of Wellington, will have a beautiful boat in the new five ton yacht now being built for him in Auckland by R. and A Logan. All the Aucklanders who have seen the boat as she already appears agree that she will be one of the most beautiful and fastest boats ever turned out in Auckland.

Mr H. Rossiter, of Christchurch, whose song, * Only You,’ is meeting with some success down South, is said to be engaged on the score of a comic opera. Are we going to procure a Sullivan or a Cellier as well as a Haddon Chambers ? Why not ?

Mr J. G. Wilson, who has been made president of the Martini Henry Rifle Club, New Zealand, is a great enthusiast on shooting and marksmanship.

Mr G. J. Smith, M.H.R., was accorded a big reception on Monday last. The Prohibition party of Christchurch are delighted with their member. It was almost cruel to inflict speechesontemperanceetc.,on aman who for months past has had doses of speeches for hour after hour and day after day. A case of save me from my friends, eh Mr Smith, only you are too polite and too discreet to say so. It was distinctly humorous to charge a silver coin for admittance, by the way.

John Jones—we know a few hundred of that name, but this is John Jones of Wanganui—who has just come from Coolgardie, says what everyone has been saying for months —that it is a bad place for a poor man. But Mr Jones speaks in glowing terms of the prospects of Coolgardie, we are told. We are not told, by the way, if Mr Jones has brought bis pile back from Western Australia, or whether it was a case of .

Mr A. W. L. Lasc ILLES, of Napier, who arrived in Sydney by the Manapouri en route tor India, expects to be away a considerable time.

We congratulate Judge Kettle on his promotion, for we presume it will be promotion to be appointed one of the judges under the Native Land Validation of Titles Act Amendment Bill.

Inspector Miller, of the Wairarapa, is being assailed in the local Press for setting the law in motion to enforce settlers to kill rabbits. It is claimed that settlers have already done all they can and in vain. The bunnies are as numerous and prolific as ever. It is unfortunate for both the inspector and the victims. It is his duty to worry them, however hard, and even unjust, it may seem on individuals. Truly, an Inspector’s life is not a happy one.

Mr A. E. Cousins, of Wellington, will be generally complimented next month, when Treasurer Ward’s new £L bank notes are issued to the public. His design for the notes, which carried off the bonus offered by the Government, has before been described, but we may again remark that it is handsome and appropriate. Mr Cousins is an expert in this class of work, and has at different times made many very beautiful designs.