PERSONAL NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 26, 24 June 1908, Page 9

PERSONAL NOTES.

Mr. Chamberlain is staying at Aix Les Bains. His condition still shows improvement. The death occurred suddenly on June 15 -of the Earl of Derby, from heart affection, in his 67th year.

Mr Furket, at present resident engineer at Ohakune, succeeds Mr Usher as District Engineer for Otago. Mr J. P. Stephens, a well-known engineer in the Union Company’s service, died at Port Chalmers last week from consumption.

Mr. J. Wilson Craig, a well-known resident of Napier, left last week on a visit to the Old Country, which he has not seen for about 37 years. Miss Amber Reeves, daughter of the High Commissioner for New Zealand, has been bracketed first in part two of the moral science tripos at Cambridge, passing a four years’ course in three years.

Mr. W. S. O’Brien, who has been act-ing-superintendent of the Wellington City Fire Brigade since Mr. Huga resigned, has been appointed superintendent of the brigade.

Mr. A. Whitley (a member of tho Thames School of Mines Council), who recently received the appointment of Inspector of Mines in the South Islands, has tendered his resignation, and was on June 15 congratulated by the Council on his success.

Mr. A. Macintosh, formerly general manager of the Bank of New Zealand, and at present chairman of the New South Wales Savings Bank Board of Commissioners, joints Dalgety and Company, Ltd., on the first of next month as colonial superintendent for New Zealand.

Mr. H. W. Clarke,-who is severing his connection With Messrs. M. Harris and Co., of Christchurch, to take up a position with Messrs. L. D. Nathan, of Auckland, as manager of their fancy goods department, was .on Saturday evening, presented by a large number of commercial travellers with a handsome gold watch, and, for Mrs. Clark, a solid silver cream and sugar basin with tongs, and a pair of silver serviette rings. LONDON, May 15. Under the patronage of Lady Brassey, Lady Maud Capel, and Madame Blanche Marchesi, Miss Catherine Aulsebrook, of Auckland, gave a concert on May 9 at 24, Park Lane, Lady Brassey’s town house. Miss Aulsebrook has been studying for the past twelve months under Mme. Blanche Marehesi, and this was practically her first public appearance. She sang “ Softly Awakes my Heart.” from “Samson et Delilah” (Saint-Saens), and songs by Mrs. Needham, Miss Marie Horne, Mr. Landon Ronald, Mr. Wolf-Ferrari, and Mr. Paul Paget. The consensus of critical opinion seemed to be that Miss Aulsebrook had a good voice, but needed further training. “ She has a contralto voice of full quality,” says the “ Times,” “which should serve her well later on when she has gained more experience in its use. At present her singing lacks animation, and even the actual production of the voice is imperfect upon certain notes and in soft passages. Her choice of songs was not all tnav eould be wished. For instance, since she wanted to sing the beautiful Irish melody generally known as ‘ Erner’s Farewell,’ she could have found a more artistic arrangement of it than the one she chose.”

The “ Telegraph ” observes that Miss Aulsebrook is evidently an intelligent singer, and, though hampered to some extent yesterday by nervousness, succeeded in making a favourable impression. Her list included tho familiar air, “Mon Coeur s’ouvre ata Voix” from Saint-Saen’s “ Samson et Dalila,” which she interpreted with considerable feeling and fervour. The '* Telegraph ” adds that the vocalist has studied to good purpose with Mtn. Blanche Marchesi, but still needs further training.

Miss Aulsebrook was assisted by several favourite vocalists and instrumental- . ists. Madame Blanche Marehesi gave a delightful vivacious rendering of Loewe’s “ Niemand hat’s geseh’n,” and Mrs. Landon Ronald sang in attractive style three of her husband’s melodious ditties. Mr. Gregory Hast and Mr. Horatio Connell also made agreeable contributions to tho vocal side of the programme: while Mrs. Gordon Whitehouse, Mr. Jan Hambourg, and Mr. Boris Hambourg earned compliments for their performances respectively of piano, violin, and violincello solos. Recitations were placed against the name of Miss Tita Brand. The Rev. F. Stubbs, late of Rotorua, was a passenger for London by the Bremen, ol the North German line, and arrived on May 4, after a pleasant trip. Mr. Stubbs intends remaining in the United Kingdom about twelve months, during which time he will preach and lecture at various places that he visits, and also record his impressions in a series of articles to Australasian journals. With the aid of lantern slides lent by the High Commissioner’s Department, Mr. Stubbs will lecture on New Zealand for philanthropic purposes in various parts of the country. In a year’s time he proposes to go on the Continent and spend four months there, studying anil writing upon European affairs. Afterwards he will visit Egypt and the Holy Land, returning to New Zealand about Mdreh, 1910. Mr. Stubbs is at present renewing acquaintance with London after an absence of thirteen years. Mr. J. M. Geddis, of Wellington, has arrived in London After an extended tour in Europe. He landed at Port Said in February last, and visited the Holy Land and Egypt, crossing thence to Brindisi. In Italy Mr. Geddis visited the principal cities, and then made his way by easy stages along the Riviera, and up through Switzerland l , Austria, Hungary, Germany, Belgium and Holland, winding up with ten days in Paris before crossing the Channel this week. In the course of his tour he visited most of the leading art galleries of Europe. He will spend a couple of months in the United Kingdom, visiting Scotland and Ireland, and will return to New Zealand by the Vancouver- route, leaving here some time in July. Miss Millicent Aieken, of Auckland, left London this week for Paris, where she will study-singing for three months with M. Botihy, one of the leading teachers of singing in the French capital. During the past two years Miss Aieken has been studying in London with Mme. Minna Fischer, and has made excellent progress under her tuition. She returns to London in September, and leaves for New Zealand by the Mongolia in October. _ Major Harry F. Head, Royal Garrison Artillery, has been seconded for service with the New Zealand Government, with effect from the 3rd ult. Major Head has been in the Royal Artillery for 22 years, and has had the advantage of seeing active service. He was Divisional Orderly Officer of the Second Division of the Tiran Expeditionary Force during the North-West Indian Frontier Campaign of 10 years ago, and he holds the medal with two clasps.

Miss E. F. Gorrie, of Auckland, has just arrived in London from Bombay, where she has been living for the past fifteen months. She is on a pleasure trip, and so far has made no plans of travel, but hopes to see as much as is possible in a few months of London and Scotland, whither she will go next month, in all probability. Mr. Rupert White, of Auckland, arrived in London on May 5 by the Asturias, of tne Royal Mail line, after an enjoyable trip. He is now spending a month with an uncle in Lincoln, prior to spending some time in London. The date of his return to New Zealand is indefinite, and he may possibly visit America before going home.

Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Bell, who have been living in British Columbia since they left Auckland, are on a holiday trip to England. They left Vancouver on February 15, and came through the United States via St. Louis. Washington, and New York, whence they sailed for Liverpool on March sth. They have visited the Isle of Wight and other places, and may tour on tho Continent before returning to Vancouver. Later on they hope to revisit their old Auckland home.

The R.M.S. Ruapehu, of the New Zealand Shipping Company's line, left lx>ndon yesterday for New Zealand, via Capetown ami Hobart, with the following saloon passengers:—Mr. A. W. Brailsford, Mr. F. 11. St. Hill, Mr. D.

Mennell. Mrs. A. Waller, Mr. W. Carter Mrs. A. Carter, Mr. G. H. Duncan, Mrs. Finch, Mrs. M. A. Fox, Miss E. R. Fox, Mr H. Gamble, Mrs. Gamble, Miss C. Gamble, Mrs. C. Lacey, Miss D. Lacey, Mr. E. Malone, M iss E. Mapp, Mr. C, Onyon, Mr. C. II.” Theilmann, Mrs. A. Theilmann, Mr. E. Thomson. Mr. E. C, Spencer, Mr. J. F. Stiles, Mr T. R. V Williams, and 180 third-class passengers

Mr. Francis Hutchens, of Hawera. whose success in gaining the Thalberg Scholarship for pianoforte-playing at the Royal Academy of Music w-as recently recorded in these columns, is only 16 years of age, but he has been studying the pianoforte at the R.A.M. for three years past, and in addition to the Thalberg Scholarship has won the Stemdale Bennett Scholarship (open to male students between 14 and 21 years, in any branch of music), and the Heathcote Long Prize, of the value of 10 guineas, for piano-playing, and also several bronze and silver medals. Thanks to his scholarships, he receives his tuition at the Academy free. It was mainly through the advice of Paderewski, to whom he played in New Zealand, that Francis Hutchens' came to London to study. The famous pianist seemed struck with the boy’s tone. Mr. Hutchens is studying with Professor Tobias Matthay at the Academy, and he has several times appeared at the R.A.M. concerts at Queen’s Hall.

Mr C. H. Tripp iias written to the “Times” from the South Canterbury Club, Timaru, under date March 26: —

“Captain Greenstreet, of tho New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer Rimutaka, which was in here yesterday, informed me that he was now on his 71st voyage round the world. I would be must obliged if he could inform me if this be a record. I might mention that

this is no mere running round the Pole, for the boats of that company come out from England via South Africa and return round the Horn and South America, and on each voyage pass within a few miles of the Antipodean Islands.” Recent callers at the High Commissioner’s Office:—Mr and Mrs Jas. Reid and Miss Reid (Wellington), Mr and Mrs R. Keene (Wellington). Mrs W. G. Beard. Miss Beard, all'll Mr C. G. Beard (Wellington), Mr and Mrs C. E. Cockbuni Hood (Wellington), Rev. and Mrs J. Cocker (Wellington!, Miss Annie Dixon (Blenheim), Mr and Mrs V. Barker (Gisborne), Mrs Martin O'Hara (Wanganui), Mr C. Plummer (Wellington). Mr S. B. Ludbrook (Hawke’s Bay), Misses Ross (Auckland), Mrs Keith Ramsey and the Misses Ramsey (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs Johannes Wolff (Wellington). Mr Kenneth Wilson (Palmerston North), Mr and Mrs T. C. Hement and Miss E. A. Hetnent (Christchurch), Mr John Petford. Mr George Upton Slack (Palmerston North). Mr and Mrs i* S. Woolcott, and Mr C. Woolcott (Wellington), Mr and Airs J. IL Chamberlain and Miss Chamberlain (Christchurch), Air Francis Hutchings (Hawera), Mr Robert W. C. Steele (Dunedin), Mr Wm. Boocock (Wellington), Mrs Sullivan (Wellington), Mrs Knigge (Wi I'ngton). Rev. Fred. Stibbs (Rotorua), Air W. 11. and Al. B. Skinner (N. Plymouth), Rev. John R. Dart (Westport), Mr L. F. Hursthouse (Wellington), Mr ami ills George Barrell (Christchurch), Mr John N. Rice (Auckland), Bishop of Nelson. Mrs and Miss Mules (Nelson), Mr C. 11. Merton (Christchurch), Air J. Call (Christchurch), Mrs Ballance (Wanganui), Miami Airs E. Aloiriss and Miss MesTSK (Wellington), Mr D. C. Peacock (Auckland), Mr ami Airs F. W. Hay Kittle and the Alisses Havbittle (Wellington), Mrs

Gate, Miss M. E. King (Nelson), Mr W. W. Smith (Wanganui), Mr A. E. M. Rowland (Christchurch), Mrs J. J. Edgar (Napier), Mr and Mrs A. Andrew (Levin), Mr R. J. Booth, and Miss Booth (Nelson), Mr F. H. Moore (Stratford), Mr T. H. Harker (Christchurch), Mr L. Brewery (Taranaki), Mr Thos. Fordyce (Auckland), Miss Kathleen Ulbrich (Dunedin), Miss Chapman (Wellington), Miss E. J. Belcher (Christchurch), Miss Gorrie (Auckland), Mr and Mrs Jas. Garber (Wellington), Mr and Mrs George McLean and Miss McLean (Hawera), Miss A. Minnitt (Auckland), Misses A. and E. Busby (Gisborne), Mr F. P. Wesley (Auckland), Mrs Lindsey and Mr Alfred Lindsey (Wellington), Mr G. Granville Holdsworth (Waikohu), Mr Selwyn Chambers (Havelock), Mr and Mrs Edmund Bell (late Auckland). Accidents, Suicides, etc. Three men were capsized from a punt an Wellington Harbour on June 15, owing to the heavy swell caused by a passing steamer. One of the men, James McCann, single, aged 35 years, for many years in the service of the Union Company, was drowned. A. C. Ellis, the newly-arrived sawyer at the Koutu sawmill, had one leg ■taken off above the knee by the machinery just when starting work on June 10. |Hc has since succumbed from rfiock and loss of blood.

A shocking railway accident occurred at Lyttelton on June 15, as a result of which Mr. J. Gilroy, chief engineer of the Kaituna, lost his life. Mr. Gilroy was crossing the railway yard shortly before three o’clock, while shunting operations were in progress, and was struck by a truck and knocked down. He fell on to the track, and the wheels passed over both legs, almost completely severing them. Mr. Gilroy was carried to the casualty ward, where it was found necessary to amputate both feet. Mr. Gilroy died from his injuries on June 17 th.

J. H. Furlong, porter at Taihape railway station, was killed instantaneously on Saturday last during shunting operations. ~

OniSaturday last, a greaser named Ed-war<J-Doherty, belonging to London, was instantaneously .killed bn board the s.s.Cornwall, in Auckland harbour, by a portion of a temporary derrick falling upon him.

Last week a young Englishman named William Cass Stephenson was found lying dead on the Waitomo Valley road, near Otorohanga. Deceased, who was a settler lately from England, had taken a fit,, and falling face downwards in the mud, was suffocated before discovered. On June 17th at Hamilton East, Waikato, a lad named Leslie Franklin, in his 17th year, committed suicide by hanging in a shed attached to his grandfather’s residence. He had several times told his boy companions that he would do something desperate. At the Coroner’s inquest a verdict of “Suicide while temporarily insane,” was returned.

A report received from Port Awanui states that Capt. Mack, of the fishing smack J. No. 20, of Auckland, when in the vicinity of Waipiro Bay on Wednesday, in company with a man named William Christie, was blown out to sea. Mack left Christie in charge of the boat while he had a rest. Next morning, when he got up, there was no sign of Christie. Mack navigated his small craft single-handed in the vicinity of East Cape for three days, being without water, and managed to get into Te Araroa. [The fishing smack No. 20 is a 24ft. auxiliary tuck stern boat. She was sold recently by Mr. T. Madigan,'of Auckland, to a. Gjsborne resident. Christie was a man about 27 or 28 years of age.