NEW ZEALANDERS AT HOME.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue VII, 15 August 1896, Page 211

NEW ZEALANDERS AT HOME.

THE warm summer has been very trying to Sir George Grey, and his many friends fear he is getting more and more infirm. He gets out frequently, rarely now, however, without a companion, as his sight is becoming exceedingly dim. He feels keenly his inability to read, the despondency resulting from this deprivation can hardly fail to have an injurious effect upon his general health. Sir George was one of the earliest subscribers to General Robley’s monumental work on Moko, and General Robley was much gratified at this mark appreciation from a judge so exceptionally competent.

Miss Sievwright has made many admirers by her artistic style of singing. She gave great satisfaction to a large audience at a West End * At Home ’ recently.

Among the visitors at the Colonial Institute the other night was Mr N. W. Levin, who was there with his daughter-in-law, Mrs W. H. Levin. He was looking remarkably well and sprightly, in spite of his advanced years, and appeared to enjoy the animated scene.

Dean Fitchett is making steady progress toward convalesence. He is able to leave his bed, and to walk about his room for an hour daily, but he will not be able to go out of doors for some weeks to come.

Mrsß. A. Edwin and Miss Edwin, of Wellington, are at present on a visit to England, and are now staying with Mr and Mrs William Gisborne—the latter being a sister of Mrs Edwin—at Allestree Hall, Derbyshire.

Mr and Mrs Gisborne bad a grand celebration the other day at Allestree Hall, Derbyshire, in honour of the birth of their first grandson, Master William Guy Gisborne. About 300 people, friends, and tenants, were generously entertained. Mr William Gisborne had a severe fall the other day, but is recovering.

An accident to Mrs Wordsworth, wife of the Bishop of Salisbury, who recently visited New Zealand, was fortunately unattended with serious injury. Her carriage collided with a runaway omnibus. Mrs Wordsworth’s horse had to be killed. She was thrown out, but only bruised severely. Her sister is popular in New Zealand —Mrs Wallis, wife of the Bishop of Wellington.

Mr James Stewart, M. Inst. C.E., is one of the latest arrivals from Auckland. He is at present ‘ doing ’ London after an absence of thirty-seven years. He intends to proceed shortly to Scotland, his native country, and to spend as long a time as possible there, re-visiting old friends and old haunts. He says his mission to England, viz., that of arranging for electric tramways in Auckland city, is progressing very favourably.

Mr T. C. Dennison, who went Home with two or three new inventions with regard to bicycles, appears likely to score a success. It is said that his inventions have been taken up, and will probably be brought out in the course of a week or two. To a large extent they will revolutionise the cycling world by introducing wholly novel principles in construction and working.

Mr Thomas Brassey, the Auckland manager of the New Zealand Insurance Company, arrived in London by the s.s. * Oceana ’ last Saturday. He has taken up his residence for the present in Duchess-street, Portland Place. He intends going to the Isle of Wight in the course of a few days, where he will spend some little time.

Mr T. Mandeno Jackson is getting on very well, and has sung at a number of concerts lately, while he has numerous engagements for future dates.

Mr H. Horton leaves for Scotland on Saturday. Mr and Mrs J. L. Wilson will most likely quit London next week for a visit to the west of England.

Miss Emily Alexander has unfortanately met with another accident to the knee which was formerly injured, and the result will be to keep her a prisoner on her couch for some little time to come.

MR James Mills, of the Union Steamship Company, talks of leaving for his return to New Zealand about the end of August. He is arranging for the building of two new steamers for the Union Company’s service.

Mr George Cowie, ex-manager of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, has been carrying on his private business since the closing of the Bank in one of the offices formerly occupied by the Bank, at 92, Cannon-street, He has just removed from thence to a new office at 113, Cannon-street.

AT the last meeting of the Council of the Royal Colonial Institute, the Rev. W. Wynn Williams, Mr Patrick G. Weddel, and Mr J. E. Tustin were duly elected Fellows of the Institute.

Miss Large is going to follow up her recent musical success in London by giving an evening concert at the Queen’s Hall. It will be under the direction of Mr N. Vert, the well-known imprcssario. Miss Large will be assisted by several eminent artistes.

There are many New Zealanders in London just now, including Mrs and Miss Lyon, Mr T. Mandeno Jackson, Mr James Stewart, Mr Battley, Mr and Mrs J. L Wilson, and Mr M. Wilson, Miss Coates, Miss Horton, Mr J. Baillie, Mr T. C. Dennison, Mr J. Gould, and others.

Mr H. Gillies, of Dunedin, New Zealand, who is a student at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, has passed successfully in the Tripos at that University.

Mr Charles Crombie, a stepson of Captain Ashby, of Auckland, has passed with honours in science. Mr Crombie is studying at Worcester College, Oxford.

Mrs Percival Johnston is endeavouring to supply a long-felt want by establishing a sort of Australasian salon in London. So far her commodious flat at Kensington Mansions, open on certain days for Australian and New Zealand visitors, seems likely to be a very popular resort. Mrs Johnston is ably seconded on her entertaining days by her newly-fledged daughter, charming Miss Muriel.

Mr W. Weddel has just returned from New Zealand, after an absence of five months from London. He is looking remarkably well, and appears on the whole to have enjoyed his trip.

Mr John Baillie’s pictures have been most favourably criticised by some of the leading English artists to whom he has submitted them. One of them asked to have two in his studio for exhibition. One well-known English artist remarked to Mr Baillie that if he had only half the artistic ability that he is fortunate enough to possess, he ought to do extremely well in England, and that with his powers, a brilliant future ought to be assured. Mr Baillie's artistic appreciation has been fervently excited by the beauty of the English rural scenery, of which he speaks in terms of enthusiastic rapture. He is at present staying at Sydenham, one of the most charming of the London suburbs.