PERSONAL AND GENERAL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVII, Issue 13, 29 September 1906, Page 40

PERSONAL AND GENERAL.

(From Our Own Correspondent. >' LONDON, August li. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mandel, of Wellington, who with their family are on a visit to the Ohl Country, have seen a great deal of travelling since they landed in England soni? fourteen months ago. They have lived in France, Austria, Italy, Belgium, and Hungary on the Continent, am! have toured England. Wales and Scotland, visiting most of the chief centres of interest in all these lands. They made a prolonged stay in Buda Pestli among relatives, spent a month in Paris, and enjoyed life in the Rivera for over half a year. At present they are indulging in a period of comparative rest in the Isle of Wight, their head-quarters being at that delightful little seaside resort, Sandown. Early in September they return to London, and will remain here till it is time for them to travel to Southampton to catch the N.D.L. Barbarossa for Sydney. This steamer leaves England on November sth. and the party hope to reach Wellington early in the New Year.

Among the New Zealanders at present in London is Mr. J. H. Evans, of Kaiapoiwho left the colony early last February, and has been on trek ever since. His first place of call was Australia, but Ke only spent ten days in the Commonwealth before proceeding to Japan by way of Manila, Hong Kong, Canton ant Shanghai. He spent three weeks travelling in Japan, and then headed for Vancouver, whence he crossed the American Continent in leisurely fashion, visiting, of course. Chicago Niagara, New York, and other centres of American and Canadian industry en route to the Atlantic coast. Crossing from New York to Queenstown Mr. Evans made an overland run to Dublin and came thenee to Liverpool. From th? '• good old town ” he travelled north to the English lake district, and so to Scotland. Here he toured for a brief period, prior to paying a visit to the North of Ireland. From the land of the Orangeman Mr. Evans returned to Liverpool, and thence made an excursion into Yorkshire, and then travelled south by way of Coventry and Shakespeare land to Bristol. The charms of the West Country held him in pleasant bondage for a brief space, and then, working his way along the South coast watering places, he came to London. Here he hopes to remain for some time, and when he goes hence it will probably be to the Continent en route for Egypt, where he may winter. As to the dale when he will leave England or arrive in New Zealand Mr. Evans is quite uncertain. But when he does return to the colony it will be with grave forebodings that unless the Old Country speedily mends her ways in fiscal and other matters she will be undone. We are. Mr. Evans declares, being “eaten up I>v the Americans” in trade, and are, generally speaking, well on the down grade as a nation. Some people at home have had for quite a long time an idea that all was not quite well with the Old Country, but it is only when we get the cold truth from visitors like Mr. Evans that we begin to realise how swiftly we are drifting towards ruin. Mr. Henry Black McNab, late manager of the Bank of New Zealand in London, and formerly secretary of the bank at Auckland, passed away, at his residence, Blairgorm. Western-road, East Finchley, on August Uth. at the age of 76, and his remains were interred in St. Marylebone Cemetery in the presence of many sorrowing relatives and friends on Saturday. Mr. McNab had been connected with the Bank of New Zealand for 45 years but retired from active service some fourteen years ago on a pension. A Scotsman by birth, he had some colonial experience in Canada before entering the service of the bank in New Zealand. Mr. Alex. Palmer, of Dunedin, who with his wife and son left New Zealand early in 1005, has now decided to return to the colony with Mrs. Palmer by the Mooltan, but Mr. Palmer, junr., remains in Englund to continue his professional studies at the London Hospital, where he has already distinguished himself athletically and academically. Since leaving

New Zealand Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have seen a very fair portion of the world's habitable surface. Their first trek was to Vancouver by way of Sydney. Brisbane and Honolulu, and after spending a week there they journeyed acros- Canada, stopping at all the principal towns ’twix' Banti and Quebec. Thence they repaired to Prince Edward Island to visit relatives, and then catne south by way of Halifax to New York an I Boston. Ensued a trip across the Atlantic by the Lucama to Liverpool, where they landed on midsummer day last year. After touring awhile in the United Kingdom, Mr. and Mrs. Palmer went on to the Continent, and spent nearly ten monthtonring leisurely and as fancy dictated. Outside Russia. Turkey, Greece, and Spain they appear to have visited almost every place worth mention between Paris and Naples, and from Monte Carlo to Berlin, spending the winter months in the Riviera. Of course, they paid a visit to Monte Carlo, which “ gambling hell ” Mr. Palmer describes as a “ Paradise.” He tried his ’prentice hand at the Casino, but apparently did not break the bank nor yet cripple his own fttranc?s. From the Riviera he and Mrs. Palmer went on to Milan, and then visited the Italian lake district, after which they sojourned awhile in Switzerland before coming on to London by way of Paris, where they spent three weeks resting. They are now touring the health resorts of the South Coast of England, and will join the Mooltan at Marseilles on September 21st. Their trip has be *n very interesting and most enjoyable but to do the tour round the world propeily Mr. Palmer thinks a time allowance of b: twem four and five years is necessary. He returns to New Zealand fully convinced that the tipping system prevalent in Europe is an unmitigated curse and a disgrace to everyone concerned. Mr. I. H. Howard, a prominent member of the Lambeth Carlton Bowling Club, and a tine player, is proceeding to the Antipodes shortly. He is taking his bowls with him, and hopes to roll them over a good many Australasian greens ere returning to tlce Old Country. It is his intention to take part in the open tournament to be held at Christchurch during the run of the New Z -aland Exhibition. Mr. XV. B. Commin. of Gisborne, who came to England some weeks ago. chiefly in order to consult a specialist, has, his friends will be glad to hear, made satisfactory progress under the treatment of the physician consulted. He. however, anticipates having to continue the treatment for a considerable time to come, and his future movements are therefore uncertain. At present Mr. Cummin is staying at Dumfries in Scotland. €--Y<sMr. Henry E. Smith, of Christchurch, who came Home in company with his wife by the Ruapehu, ariving in May last, has found his health greatly benefited by the trip. He and Mrs. Smith sj>ent the early days of their stay in England travelling in Devonshire and Cornwall, ami then spent six or seven weeks touting in the north of England and Scotland. Returning south, they made brief sojourns at Devonport ami Weymouth, anil are nowenjoying a spell of sight-seeing in London, their headquarters being at Mr. Smith’s birthplace, Wimbledon. Their next excursion wilt be to Bristol anil Exeter, en route for Plymouth, where on September Sth they join the N.Z.S. Co.’s Turakina for the outward trip to New Zealand. Canon Charles Jordan, of Waiupii, who arrived in London recently, proposes to stay here for a few weeks prior to paying a visit to Kerry, his native county, where he hopes to get plenty of salmon and mountain mutton to help to pick him up. His movements thereafter are somewhat uncertain and he has not yet decided upon the time of his return to New Zealand. Mr C. A. H ile, of Otago, who came to England by the Mongolia, arriving early in August, intends spending the rest of the month in London. Then he proposes to tour in Scotland for some weeks, prior to making, a trip to America. Theme he will make his way back to London, and wll return to the colony by way of Suez, doing the Continent and spending a few days in Egjpe en route.

Mr L. E. Wood (Auckland), and Mr 8. Frazer (Wellington), who arrived in England recently, have eon»e Home intending io wmliinc brndnesa with pleasure. They have no definite travel ifnerary, but propose to visit Scotian 1 shortly, make a brief stay fa the north of Ireland, and then to tour awhile on the Continent, visiting as many of the chief cities as time will permit. For the t’nie being Mr Dan Reece h-.is forsaken the cricket field in favour of the engine-room of the s.s. Cymbetine, of which he has teen appoint eJ second engineer. The' vessel sailed fiom Cardiff this week for Ph:la<l-lphia, where she will load for Liverpool and Manchester. Mr Adderley XVilleoc-ks, of Nelson, has arrived in London on a trip in which business is being combined with pleasure. He came Home by way of Canada, and expects to remain here for some time. Dr. Gilbert H. M’rams. of Dune tin, who came to England by the N.Z.S. Coy.’s Rakaia, arriving in London on July' 20th, has spent most of his time since then in sightseeing, but past nowsettled down to professional work. He purposes spending six months or more in London, and during that period hopes to greatly enlarge his professional experience by attending the eliiuijiies at the various hospitals here. Before leaving New Zealand he spent a couple of years doing locum tens ns work in various parts of the colony, but on his return it is his intention to commence practice en his own account. The fact that Lord Leith is King AL fonso’s host at Fyvie Castle this week recalls the fact that dining his brief naval career —he entered the service in IS6O and retired with the rank of l eutenant in 1871—his lordship distinguished hims. If by an act of gallantry in New Zealand waters which won for him the silver medal of the Royal Humane Society. In 1866, whilst Li rd was still a ‘midshipniite.” a seaman named H’Hier fell overboard whilst his sli p was cruising oil Auckland. The young middy promptly dived after him and succeeding in keeping him alloat till a boat picked them up. A somewhat belated notice in the matrimon’al announcements cf the 'Morning Post” this week conveys the information that on July 31st at St. Peter’s Bexhill, Miss Grace Stewart Reid, elder daughter of Dr. Stewart Reid, erstwhile of Tiinarti. but now of Bexhill. was married to Mr Ralph Hamilton Grahame, only son of the lute Air XX’. S. Grahame of Ventor, Isle of XX 'ght. 'Che Rev. O. E. King performed th? marriage ceremony.

Recent callers at the High Commissioner’s office: —Mr Geo. Fletcher ♦ Auckland), Mr Frank Holmes tSouthlandV, Mr Norman Heath (XVellingten). Mr and Mrs C. A. Hille and Air D. Hille and Miss C. F_ Rille IGtigo), Air T. R. Rhodes (Tituaru), Mr Samuel Frazer (XVellington), Mr L. E. Wood (Auckland), Miss A. Sayers tChristchurch 1, Mr D. H. Smith (Southland), Mr A. XVillcocks (XYellington). Dr. G. H. Aliranis (Dunedin). Air H. R. Sargent (XX'estport), Air J. 11. Evans (Kaiapoi), Mrs E. Towgood (Napier), Mr T. Doneliff (Westport), Air J. J. Niven (Napier), Mr C. B. Kline (Wellington), and Mr J. Ricketts (Taranaki).

Mr Frank Holmes, of Southland, who left New Zealand in April, arrived in London last week by the s.s. Sophocles. Air Holmes, in order to visit his brother, Mr Robert Murray-Holmes, in Johannesburg, broke his journey at Durlmn and remained in Africa for one month; it was during his visit that the native rebellion in Natal broke out. and was the cause of emphasizing the depression in trade existing in that country. Mr Holmes is here on business, and is going to visit friends in Ireland and in the north of England for a month before leaving for the East to resume his duties superintending mining

where he has been engaged for several years. The Britieli and Foreign SMtera’ Society is sending its secretary, Mr. Edward W. Matthews, on a colonial l»ur round the world. He leaves to-day in the s.s. VVakool, for the New Zealand International Exhibition, to be held at Christchurch in November. The late Premier, Mr. R. J. Seddon, granted free space tor the society to ereet a “Victory” stall. Among other things associated with Nelson’s flagships taken by the secretary au’e one hundred thousand shilling “Victory” charms made of copper from the sheathing of Nelson’s flagship, bearing the initials of King Edward. These are t» be presented to the boys and girls of New Zealand and other parts of Australasia. A very fine piece of oak from the “Victory” is taken out for the Parliament bearing the following inscription: —

“England expects that every man will do his duty.” , October 21st, 1805—October 21st, 1906. This bust of Nelson, standing on Victory Oak. and containing copper taken from his historic ship, is presented by the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society to the Parliament of New Zealand, on the occasion of the opening of its International Exhibition, November, 1906. and is associated with the name of the late Right Hon. the Premier, It. J. Seddon, P. 0., LL.D., who, like Nelson, died at sea, both dying in the service of their king and country. ‘Thank God I have done my duty.” E.R. VIT.” Mr. Matthews will. I understand, stay a short time at the Cape ere going on to Australia and New Zealand, and he will return to the Old Country by way of Canada. <£■<s<s> A painful story was unfolded to the Southampton magistrates on Saturday, when the Australian actor Brand KayeBrand appeared before them charged with stowing himself away on the Union Castle liner Briton, with the intent to secure a passage to South Africa without the consent of the owners. The prosecuting solicitor said that Brand left Southampton on Saturday week in the Briton, and the following day reported himself to the purser. When the ship reached Madeira he was taken before the British Consul, and the entry in the log concerning him was read to him. Brand eould not be landed at the Cape as he was without means, and the only course open to the ship’s officers was to put him ashore at Madeira and afterwards send him back to England by another vessel, which was done. The third-class fare to Madeira was six guineas, or £ll 2/6 return. Brand stated that early in February he went to San Francisco with a theatrical company. He was there during the earthquake and lost everything owing to the calamity. He then came to England, but was unable to get an engagement, and having sold everything he possessed he walked from London to Southampton with the object of getting a passage to South Africa, where he had friends, as a stoker or in some other capacity. A letter was read which, it was stated, had been written by a member of the Cape Legislative Assembly to Brand, in which the writer intimated that if the magistrates only imposed a small line he would pay it, as he was aware that the accused was a deserving person. The Chairman said that while they sympathised with Brand sueli offences were becoming frequent, and they could not do less than impose a fine of £lO and costs, the alternative being a month’s imprisonment. The money was paid. Cecil Healy won a eouple of 100 metre races at Hamburg the other day, namely, the Hamburg Championship and the Kaiser Cup. In one of the races (the cable does not specify which), the Australian broke the European record by a couple of seconds, covering the distance in 1 minute 7 seconds.