PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9, 1 September 1906, Page 43

PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON.

‘ (From Our Special L'orrespcuaent.) r _ ' -- LONDON, July 21. The King has been compelled regretfully to decline the invitation to visit Canada. It would be difficult to resist the pressure to extend the visit from one part of the Dominion to another, and the trip would doubtless thus involve a long and arduous programme. Having visited Canada, moreover, it .would be no less difficult for the King to decline an invitation to visit, say, India or Australasia. For the present, at any rate, his duties require that the Sovereign should remain within easy reaeh of the centre of the Empire. Says Lord Elgin on His Majesty’s behalf: — “The current business of the Empire which is continuous and incesant, imposes a heavy tax on the time and strength of its Sovereign, and it is well known that the absence of His Majesty from this country for any length of time is difficult if not impossible, except under very definite limitations and restrictions, even when considerations of health and the need for comparative rest render it expedient.” It is added that His Majesty desires that it should be made, known to all "that he is prevented by the necessities of his position, and not by any lack of appreciation of the loyalty and devotion of the people of Canada to his throne and person.” The latter portion of the message holds out a slight hope that possibly on some future occasion the present difficulties may be overcome. The colonial delegates to last week's Congress of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire had arranged a striking tribute to Mr Chamberlain as a final colonial touch to' the Chamberlain demonstrations of last week. A joint committee of Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African delegates had planned a luncheon for Saturday in Mr. Chamberlain’s honour, and the right hon. gentleman was to speak in reply upon certain important colonial aspects of the movement for Imperial reciprocity ' in trade. Unfortunately, at'ths last moment the luncheon had to abandoned ow ing to Mr Chamberlain being seized with an attack of gout.. As the delegates are now dispersed throughout Europe, it would not be possible to get together again a representative gathering. For the post of art master at Wellington Technical School the High Commissioner has selected Mr G. Ross Fitkethly, A.R.C.A. (London), who for the past six years has been second master at the Leicester Municipal School of Art. Mr Pitkethly is 30 years of age. and unmarried. He received his art training principally at the Royal College of Arts, where he spent five years, and won the College gold medal and first travelling scholarship. He has gained eight silver medals, 13 bronze medals, and - 11 boot prizes'hi'tlr> National competitions of Schools of Art. and:eight” Queen’s prizes for special, excellence in examinations. "Mr Pitki-thly has” had■’ experience in designing and carrying out ceilings and freizes in decorative plaster work, wood and stone carving, cast bronze tablets and, ■ memorials, sundials, metal work and jewellery in gold, silver and copper, enamelling. engraving, illuminated addresses, and other branches, of applied art. His students have gained 37 scholarships, 62 free studentships, three gold, medals, .11 silver and 35 bronze medals, 54 book prizes and 24 King’s prizes. His. credentials are excellent. Mr B. J. Fletcher, headmaster of the Leicester Art School, describes his assistant as “in every way a loyal and reliable assistant ahid ’ a painstaking, careful, patient afid tstrtful teacher.” 1 Mr Walter Crane, the well-known artist,, also speaks highly of Mr Pitkethly’s work. The uew art master will leave London for New Zealand by the lonic, sailing on August 23. Matter Fl'a'fieis ’ftutehhns, the Tittle Tarapaki pianist, who holds a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Musie, took .part in a» recital given this Uyek at the Bechstein Hall by some of the Kwal-Aeadewywprlnftwrwmws. -who Me pupils of Mr Tobias Matahay, and

are still members of -hia elans. Master Huteltens played -the variations of Chopin numbered op. 12, and also York Bowen’s “Miniature Suitee.” The “Times” notes that the young performer showed fluency, neatness; precision and careful attention to detail. Of his rendering of the “Miniature Suite” the “Times” says> —“The details were carefully brought out—perhaps a little too carefully sometimes to allow of much spontaneity making itself felt; still, that is better when you are at the early stages of pianoforte playing than scrambling through a piece and making ‘temperament’ responsible for an incapacity for accuracy.” E. IV. Hillsdon Hutton, representative and professor of the National College of Musie for New Zealand, has been staying in London for the purpose of studying the system on which the London Colleges of music are conducted. On his return to New Zealand he will continue the work begun there before leaving of forming branch colleges connected with the National College of Musie, London. The parent college has been fortunate lately in obtaining patronage of the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke of Rutland, Canon Barker, Canon Barnet, and the Countess of Warwick. Good work has been done among the church organists and choirmasters by holding examinations. The Roman Catholic Church has patronised the Guild of St. Ceeilia’s (another department of the N.C.M.) examinations in ehurch musie. The secretary of the college, Mr W. J. Ross, has just invented a very interesting kindergarten system for teaching theory and pianoforte playing to young children, and the N.Z. representative is taking this system with him to the colony. A local committee connected with the branch college at Wharigarei, Auckland, have engaged him to direct the college there. Mr P. S. Cousins, of Auckland, who has spent the last two years chiefly in the United States in the' automobile business, is in England on a visit of a few 1 weeks’ duration, sightseeing and visiting friends. From here -Mr Cousins goes to Paris to settle there for some time, and study French methods of automobile construction. The famous Besses o' th’ Barn Brass Band made their last public appearance in this country this week at Farnworth, prior to their tour round the world. They had a hearty send off. The band, amongst other engagements, is to pinyin New Zealand, and will, it is stated, receive £2500 from the New Zealand Government. 4<*-S> Mr J. Q. Hutchinson, after 35 years’ absence in New Zealand, is revisiting his native town of Hull. Mr Hutchinson left Yorkshire in the early “seventies” with a £lO note in his pocket. “Since then,” he declared to a local interviewer, not without some pride, “I have never wanted for a day’s work.” “And howmany acres do you now- own?” he was asked. “Eight hundred and fifty acres of freehold land, and every bit cultivated,” was the cheery reply. “ And you will lie glad to go back?” “Oh yes, I shall lie glad to go baek to New Zealand. It is one of the most prosperous of the British Colonies.” Mr Hutchinson is only making a three months’ stay in this country. . Mr Birch, a leading sheep farmer in New Zealand, was present at ‘the annual meeting of shee|>breeders held at, Derby on the'seeqnd day of the Royal Agrieul■tural SteovJ’. In the-coarse of a discussion -Mr Birch said it was incredible to lurii that some yliiast ie measures had not ■ been taken in tfiist ejnr’ntry to eradicate sheep Absolute compulsory dipping w'las' SvhM Was .acquired. In two y ears, he?aiMM. that had entirely* cleared the vvlfdlc* of New the disease. aril* Jecitkuuly I that was q, much more difficult iepiinltrp to deal with than this. *.. , . , V ■:m? ■ *»firt; - r *». its ; ■ Aiuqng-the competitor-visitors to the Shrewsbury Li»n Tennis Tournament thisj.vjeek-rypa thc New Zrtalaaders Mr A. F. Wilding ami Wi F. Wilding. They Mid. .“.qmpty. aiw-?- .“A,. JX won the Gentlemen's Singles Challenge

Cup..defeating the holder,\E.-li. Allen. ; in the final, and with his brother as partner won the Gentlemen’s Doubles Handicap. “A. F. ’’ partnered by Miss Pinekney, also ran through the Mixed Doubles Handicap, and divided the prize . with Mr H. Chiswell and Mrs Hawker, time preventing a definite issue being arrived at.

Mr Charles Rawlinson arrived from Auckland last week, on a business visit to London." Mr Rawlinson travelled from 'Sydney by the P. and O. liner Mongolia.

Mr S. Kahn, of Auckland, arrived in London last week, liaving eome as far as Genoa by the German liner. Darmstadt, and thence overland to Paris. Mr Kahn leaves in a week or two for Germany on a visit of business and pleasure combined, and he hopes to sail for NewZealand in October. Colonel Kitchener, who has just returned from his visit to New Zealand, writes to the “Standard” in support of the views on modified conscription which he advocated while in the colony. “If we are to remain a nation at all,” he says, ‘‘ we are bound sooner or later to adopt some plan of modified service. God grant we may adopt it before it is too late. . . . Our present army is useless in ease of national emergency. Let us gradually do away with it, and replace it with trained citizens.” Mr and Mrs T. IV. Butcher, of Weilington, arrived by the Federal line “Dorset” last Saturday after a verypleasant trip. Mr Butcher is visiting London on business connected with the installation of gas works in New Zealand. and during h’s four months’ stayin this country he will visit various manufacturing centres. On the cor.eluV ion of business Mr Biitcher and his wife will do some sight-seeing cn the Continent. Mr Butcher attended, the Newmarket races, and cannot see that the larger colonial- lacing clubs have anything to learn from this famous course in the matter of grandstand accommodation and appointments. “The course itself,” he said, “is rather pretty, but it would never satisfy colonials to be able to see only the finish of a mile and a half or two mile race.”

A party of Ne.w Zealand bowlers composed of Messrs G. Tutt, IV. H. Mercer and IV. Lyons, all of Auckland, assistel by Mr S. Fortescue, who is well known to colonial bowlers, paid a vi-it to the South London Club's green last Tuesday- and encountered a strong fou skipped by the old internationalist Mr J. Bryant. The visitors played up well in the first half.’ but wore overplayed in the second and had to acknowledge defeat by- 25 points to 10. A return match was played on Thurs day, when the veteran New Zealander. Mr .J. Butt, took Mr Fortescue's placa. Playing a great game the visitors.sto <1 at 13 to love at the end of the first half, but in the second they could onlyadd five points, while their opponents gathered in 21 and pulled the match out of the fire by three shots. The game was very exciting towards the finish, the scores being 18 all when the two last ends only were left to be played. Mr Lyons skipped the New Zealanders in both matches. Miss Irene Ainsley, the New Zealand contralto, has been honoured with a summons from the Prince and Prineess of Wales to appear at Marlborough House on July 25tlv.aud sing before His Majesty the King. This is an -exceptionally high Jionmmfqr a vocalist who has just made her debut. ■j-s-a* • Recent callers at the High Commissioner’s Office: —Mrs. A. E. Dunn (Christeliureb), ~ Mr. and Mrs. E/ Watts '(Christchurch). Mr. and. Mrs. H. -F; Christie and Dr. H. 11. Christie (Wanganui), Dr. W. AChapple and Mrs. Chapple (Wellington), Mr. J. T. Millington (Wellington), ML J. R. Johnston and Mbs Johnston (Chei- ; (tenham), Mr. T. Kahn (Auckland), Mr. Christian TJeigh (Hokitika), Rev. atpl ».-Mrs-. Ms -E- ..Y«r.k (Reefton),. AU-, Wm. Lyons (Auckland), Miss L. K. Tohuine

(Dunedin),.Mr. Kbuioiml U. Esdaile xWeb lington), Mr. 4»e. K. Fulton (Welling, ton). Miss A. Perkins and Mrs. W. IL Perkins (Gcevmouth, Mr. 8. A. Shaw (Waihi), Mr.* and Mrs. T. W. Butcher tWellington), Miss If M. Corfc (Christi ehureh), Mr. Victor E. Moore (Christchurch), Mr. Jas. Thonisdn (Wellington)', Mr. Wm. Earnshaw (Dunedin), Mr. T. Fawcett Rowe (tkwnbridge), Mr. E. C. Studholme (Waimate), Mr. F. J. Gibbs (Auckland), Mr. Norton Francis (Waimate), Mr. Philip Kenway (Gisborne Mbs Beatrice Carrigan (Nelson). Mr. Geo. Felton (Wellington), Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mandel (Wellington) j Mr. and Mrs. 8. F. Smithson (Tilnaru). Mr. H. Smales, of Auckland, arrived on the uth inst-., after a pleasant voyage via Sydney, Melbourne ami the Cape. He is now on a visit to relatives in Sussex, and will afterwards visit Cornwall and various plaits, in England and on the Continent, returning to New Zealand via Suez in December. Mr. Smales is anxious to see as much as possible of the agricultural districts during his stay in England.

Miss Grace Sharland, eldest, daughter of Mr. Chas. Sharland,- of London, was presented at Court on June Ist by lauly McGregor. Miss Sharland was born at Auckland twenty years ago. . ' Mr. Philip T. Kenway, of Gisborne*, who arrived by the lonic a week or two ago, will probably stay four months in this country.' Mr. Kenway has bought a motor-ear, ahtT intends to spent* most of his time .in touring through England and Scotland. Mr. W. J. Napier was* entertained to luncheon on July IH.h hy the Headmaster of Eaton and Mrs. Lyttelton, ami was subsequently shown over, the schools, chapel, library and grounds of the historic educational institution. Ho was delighted with all he saw, and inspected with' great interest th*e rudely carved nanu s on desks and -..a11s inserilx-d by boys whir attained greatness, sm-h as Gladstone, Byron. Shelley, Walpole, Pitt, and many others. 4 ’ *’' Miss I*. Morton Jones, of. Wanganui, has qrrjved in London,'and is making her headquarters at a ladies' club in South Kensington. She ea'me via Suez and the Continent.'landing at Genoa in May last, and travelling in Italy with Mrs. Stamms Jones, formerly of Auckland, and now living at Nice. Miss Morton Jones spent a month at Nice, and tnen came oil to London. She is here on a pleasure trip, and will spend Christmas in England. Iler present intention is to return to New, Zealand some time next year by way of Vancouver.