PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 17, 29 April 1905, Page 44

PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

(From O ir Special Correspondent.) LONDON, March 24. A Liverpool gent lonian named Mr Joseph th Id well, who made tiie acquaintance of Mr Seddon when living in New Zealand, some ten years ago, recently took a photograph of the Premier's old home at St. Helen’s, and sent it to Mr Seddon together with an ivy leaf and a flower from the latter’s birthplace. lie has since received the following reply from the Premier, dated January 25:—“Dear Mr Caldwell. — 1 cannot let this mail go out without thanking you most warmly and assuring you of my deep appreciation of the artistic photograph of my birthplace which you have sent and the kindly feelings which prompted it. When one sees a pielure of the old home associations of a varied character pass in panoramic view through one's mind, some sad amt some cheerful, but all tending towards the wish that the days which have passed might again come, I can readily fancy how beautiful the deal old place would look under snow. Although far away, my heart still warms to the lads and lasses of the dear old County Palatine. I shall treasure the ivy leaf, not only from the fact of its coming from the dear oid place, but in memory of the kind and thoughtful one who sent it to me. Trusting that your sickness is only temporary, and that long ere this reaches you you will have been restored to that greatest of God’s blessings, good health, I remain, with every good wish for a bright, prosperous. and happy new year, yours most truly (signed) It. J. Seddon.” Mr A. D. Willis, M.H.R., of Wanganui, who is on a visit to London. landed at Naples on January 28, and spent some weeks on the Continent before crossing the Channel. Mr Willis has come Home on business, but owing to receipt of a cable announcing the serious illness of Ids wife, he has had to curtail his visit, and his stay here will only be of some three weeks’ duration instead of two or three months. He is returning by the ’Frisco route, and expects to reach New Zealand at the end of May. Mr Willis had intended studying various public questions affecting the colony while over here, hut owing to the change in his plans he will not' have time for anything beyond his private business, and he has had to decline several kind invitations to visit various parts of the country. In reply to a question. Mr Willis informed me that it was his intention to contest the next general election in New Zealand. Considerable surprise was caused this week in Anglo-Colonial circles by the announcement of the forthcoming marriage of the famous contralto, Miss Ada Crossley, to Dr. Francis F. Meucke, a young Adelaide medico now doing post-graduate work at the London Hospital. The betrothal had its beginnings, on dit, during Miss Crossley’s voyage from Australia to the Cape on the Blue Anchor liner Wakool, on which ship Dr. Meucke acted as surgeon. Miss Crossley will not. it is understood, forsake the concert platform when -she enters the holy bonds; und, indeed, she could not very well do so at once, for she has engagements booked for many months ahead- including the festivals at Norwich, Sheffield, and Bristol. The Bishop of Christchurch and Mrs Julius are returning by the Ruapehu, which left London on Thursday for New Zealand. via Capetown. fallers at the Agent-General’s ofliee lid* week: — Mr A. 1). Willis (Wangaiittii. Miss Margaret Mr-Caban (Tim* aru). L’< v. L. m Hobbs (Hawke’s Bay), Mr Walter Rutherford (Palmerston North). Mr E. A. Blundell (Wellington i. Mr E. B. Gunson (Auckland). Mi W. T. Ritchie, of Dunedin and Cambridge University, was picked at

the last moment as one of the Scottish threequarters for the match against England at Richmond last Saturday, and played a very sound game. It is probable that another New Zealander would have been in the Scottish team — Stewart, of Wanganui and Edinburgh University, had not this young player met with a severe accident on the football field some few weeks ago, after showing brilliant form throughout the season.

The New Zealand Shipping Co.’s s.s. Ruapehu left London on Thursday for New Zealand via Capetown and Hobart, with the following passengers:—Right Rev. Bishop of Christchurch, Mrs Julius, the Rev. 11. H. and Mrs King, Mrs I'. B. Logan, Mr 11. K. McDermott, Mr G. E. Morris, Miss E. Pratt, Mr and Mrs F. H. Bedford, Mr E. A. Brown, Miss A. B. Brown, Miss B. Cannon, Miss J. Dunsmuir. Mr J. E. Ferguson, the Rev. R. AV. and Mrs Farquhar, Mrs K. Gann. Master F. Gann, Mr and Mrs J. Gillett, Miss A. S. Gillett, Miss F. M. Gittens, Mr and Mrs Goring-Thomas, Mr J. A. Hamilton, Miss E. Howarth, Mr L. Hughes, Miss M. P. Linscott, Dr. and Mrs N. G. McAllum, Miss A. McAlhim, Miss L. Roskruge, Mr C. Slater, Mr J. Story, Miss M. Tail'. Mr F. M. Veale, Mr R. W. White, and 73 steerage.

Air T. E. Donne, of the Tourist Department, who has come to England to interest manufacturers and exporters in the forthcoming Christchurch Exhibition, has taken an office in Victoriastreet, over the New Zealand Government offices. After working for a time in London Mr Donne will visit the manufacturing districts in the Midlands and the North.

A marriage has been arranged, and will take place in the autumn at Lichfield, between the Rev. Herbert Kearsley Fry, of St. Sepulchre's, Northampton, eldest son of the late Herbert Fry, of Windleshani, Surrey, and Mrs Fry, of Eastbourne, and Margaret Elizabeth, eldst daughter of the late Right Rev. John Richardson Selwyn, Bishop of Melanesia, afterwards Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge.

Air H. E. Metcalfe, of Auckland, is in the list of candidates who have succeeded in passing the examination held last month for admission to the Institute of Civil Engineers, of winch he now becomes an Associate Member. Mr Aletcalfe came Home by the Runic a few weeks ago, and as his first week in London had to be spent in hospital through illness, his success was won in the face of very trying conditions. His health js now showing a very satisfactory improvement. I notice that out of 122 candidates who presented themselves for examination only 70 succeeded in qualifying. Dr. Malcolm, the new Professor of Physiology at the Otago University, left London for Dunedin last week. He will travel bv the San Francisco route.

Air. R. 11. Rhodes arrived in London this week, and is staying at the Windsor Hotel. Victoria-street. Mr. A. G. §ow. of Auckland, arrived by the Oroya on the 11th inst., and proceeded to Greenock, where his father, Air. George Gow, is supervising the construction of three new steamers by Messrs. D. J. Dunlop and Co. for the Northern Steamship Company. Air. Gow, junr., has come Home to study-electrical and mechanical engineering, and is at present taking a course at the West of Scotland College, Glasgow Air. Percival C. Edwards, of Wellington, was married on February 22 to Alias Berfha Elkington, younger daughter of the lute Air. Hyla Elkington, of Quince Lawn, Cheltenham. The wedding took (dace at St. Cyprian’s, Dorset Square, London. Air. IT. Miller, of Auckland, arrived by the Himalaya, on a business trip to the Old Country. He proceeds to Edinburgh this week. f allers at the Agent-General’s last week: Mr. Q. R. Johnson, Mr. A. G.

Gorr (Auckland), Air. and Mrs. Percy Joucs (Ashburtou), Mr. C. M. Swanson (Dunedin), Mr. A. J. Copeland. Mr. 11. Al. Bauchope (New Plymouth), Miss Grace J. Joel (Dunedin).

At the levee held by command of ih» King at St. James’ Palace yesterday by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, Captain R. S. Matthews, of the New Zealand militia, was presented by the Chief of the General Staff, in the absence of H.R.H the Duke of Connaught, the Inspector-Gen-eral of the Forces. By the King’s pleasure presentations at this levee are to be considered equivalent to presentations to His Majesty.

Next, perhaps, to the unfortunate Earl of Anglesey, the most talked-of member ol “our old nobility” a few years ago was the young Earl of Rosslyn, who last Monday created a mild sensation by marrying very quietly at a West End church the charming young American actress. Aliss Anna Robinson. This newest Yankee recruit to the peerage came to England some four years ago to play in Sir Charles Wyndham’s Company, and she has played-with Mr. Arthur Bourchier and with Aliss Kingston during a season at the Avenue. Her marriage to Lord Rosslyn came as a great surprise even to the most intimate friends of the contracting parties. Although only 36 years old. Lord Rosslyn has had many experiences. He succeeded to the title in 1880, and married a lady whom he subsequently divorced. He ran through a considerable fortune, and found himself in the Bankruptcy Court. Then he set to work to earn a living, and answered many advertisements for situations which he did not. obtain. His fearful handwriting precluded his employment in a bank: his ignorance of business prevented him from securing a position as salesman. Then he turned his attention to the stage. Sir Charles Wyndham did Hot encourage him, but Mr. Alexander gave him a letter of introduction to Mr. Pinero, which resulted in his first engagement—a part in “Trelawney of the ‘Wells'.” Lord Rosslyn edited a weekly paper called “Scottish Life,” served with Thorneycroft’-s Horse at the relief of Ladysmith, and acted as a war correspondent during part of the South African war. He had also invented a system which still needs perfecting, for breaking the bank at Alonte Carlo, and held the position of unpaid secretary to Lord Dunedin when, as Air. Graham Murray, he was Secretary for Scotland.

The matrimonial event of the week was the marriage yesterday at St. George’s Church. Hanover Square, of Chevalier Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of the system of wireless telegraphy that Lears his name, with the Hon. Beatrice O'Brien, daughter of the late and half-sister of the present Lord Inchiquin. The bridegroom was supported by his brother, Af. Alfonse Marconi, as best man. The bride, who was accompanied by Lord Inchiquin, and four bridesmaids, wore a beautiful gown of soft white silk veiled with an overdress of white lisse. delicately embroidered, and frilled with the same material. A tulle veil, arranged over a pointed wreath of real orange blossom, was fastened with a diamond fleur-de-lys, and she wore a string of fine pearls, the bridegroom’s gift, as was her bouquet of white orchids, lilies, etc. The bridesmaids’ simple but picturesque dresses were of white Irish poplin, with fichus of mousseline de soie, edged with Valenciennes lace, deep pointed belts, and elbow sleeves bordered with lace and bows cf cream ribbon. Their hats of mauve tulle were wreathed round with Parma violets, and a mauve velvet string was drawn under the chin and tied in a bow on the brim, and they carried bouquets of Parma violets and mauve chiffon.

The ceremony, which was witnessed by a very large congregation, including the Italian Ambassador, Lord and Lady Kelvin, the Marchioness of Normanby, and Countess Kilmorey, was performed by the Rev. David Anderson.

After the ceremony a few relatives and intimate friends of the happy pair assembled at the invitation of Ellen Lady Inchiquin at her house in Lennox Gardens. The bride and bridegroom subsequently left for Dromoland Castle, County Clare, lent to them by Lord Incliiquin, for the early portion of the honeymoon, and the happy couple will sail for America next Saturday