FEW ZEALANDERS ABROAD.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 26, 28 June 1911, Page 7

FEW ZEALANDERS ABROAD.

LONDON, May 19.

"Sir Joseph Ward is still kept at high pressure by the tide of business and social engagements, and the past week has been, as usual, a very crowded one. lie attended the unveiling of the Queen Victoria Memorial on Tuesday, and was present on Thursday at the ceremony of affixing the banner of Sir John Forrest, treasurer of the Commonwealth, in the Chapel of St. Michael and St. George in St. Paul’s Cathedral. With Lady Ward and his son and daughter, the Prime Minister attended the Irish Club’s concert on Sunday night, and met there several members of the Irish party. The programme of the concert was a remarkable one, no fewer than 80 artists taking part, including several members of the Beecham and Carl Rosa opera companies. Sir Joseph and his family expressed themselves greatly pleased with the entertainment, and remained until a late hour.

Sir Joseph spoke at the annual meeting of the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society on Monday, and received a presentation shield -from the society which lie is to convey to the Waitaki Boys’ High School. He dined with Mr. Sidney Buxton on Tuesday, and on Wednesday he attended the iuneheon given by Sir George Reid in honour of the Australian Ministers, and dined with the Benchers of the Inner Temple in the evening. To-night he attends the Aus tralasian banquet at the White City. He lunched to-day with Mr. Lloyd George. Arrangements are being made for the Prime Minister to visit Roubaix, in Northern France, whire New Zealand has a pavilion in the Exhibition now being held there. It is proposed to have a ‘‘New Zealand Day” at the Exhibition, in honour of Sir Joseph’s visit, but the date is not yet settled. The launch of the New Zealand Dreadnought at Fairfield works on the Clyde has been fixed for July 1, and the Prime Minister and Iris party intend to be present on this historic occasion. The ceremony of naming the warship will be performed by Lady Ward.

During the past week Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward have been the guests of no fewer than four British Cabinet Ministers at dinner or lunch—Lord Haldane, Mr. Herbert Samuel, Mr. Sidney Buxton, and Mr. Lloyd George. Yesterday Sir Joseph was the guest of the Governor and directors of the Bank of England, and to-night he goes with his wife and daughter to the State Ball at Buckingham Palace. Next Monday he dines with the British Prime Minister and Mrs. Asquith, in company with the other overseas Prime Ministers.

At the unveiling of the Queen Victoria Memorial on Tuesday last Sir Joseph and Lard Ward were given seats on the dais with the Royal party, immediately opposite the King and the Kaiser. Sir Joseph afterwards was presented to the Kaiser at Lord Londesborough’s garden party on Tuesday afternoon, and had an interesting chat with him. Dr. Findlay was also introduced to the Kaiser, and had the pleasure of a talk with him. He was much impressed by the strength of personality which marks the German Emperor. ■ In the crowd of four thousand people who accepted their invitation to the reception at the Dominions’ Club last Friday, at which the King and Queeii, Princess Louise, and the Duke-of Argyll, the Prince: of Wales, and Princess' Mary were present, it was difficult to find New Zealanders, though very many were'present. > -- I

Among those there were to be noticed Sir Joseph, Lady and Miss Eileen Ward, Lady Ward’s sister'; Mrs. Boys (late of Dunedin), Mr. and Mi’s, and the Misses Montague Laing, of Wellington; ■ Sir William, Lady and Miss Russell. Mrs. Seddon and the Misses Rubi and Marie Seddon, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Nathan, ot (Auckland; Mr. E. C. E. Mills (Wellington), Lady Stoiifts Mr. and Mrs. Grey ’(Taranaki), Mr. A. Myers (Wellington), Miss Nathan (Auckland), Miss Beetham i Masterton); Mrs and Miss Bridge (Canerbury), Mr. John Holmes, Madame Betty Brooke, (Christchurch), Mr. It obert Turnbull (Wellington), Miss Rhind (Wellington); Miss Marjorie Richie (Dunedin)',; Miss Ethel Ru'thertford (Mendip ,Hills), Mr. Carruthers, Miss Lyttelton, and Mr. P. A. Vaile [(late of Auckland). The Earl and Qqitnfess of Ilardwicke Mies Nellie Russell of Auckland)

were among the guests at a large garden party given at St. Dunstan's, Regent’s Park, on Tuesday afternoon by the Countess of Londesborough. to meet the leading members of the Victoria League. Sir William Russell has just recovered from a severe attack of influenza which confined him to his room for eight or nine days. Three New Zealand officer- were invited to take part in the military ceremony accompanying the unveiling of the Queen \ idtoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace this week. They were Lieut.-Col. D’Arcy Chaytor, Captain R. J. Seddon, and Captain A. M. Samuel. Capt. Seddon arrived from New Zealand just in time to take part in the ceremony. He is to be in England for a year’s military training. Mr. R. Harold Gordon, of the “Auckland Star”—who is visiting the Old I ountry on six months’ leave of absence, arrived in London last Friday, having landed from the s.s. Everton Grange at Avonmouth the previous day. His plans of travel are a't present indefinite, but he will remain in London until after the Coronation, and then will probably visit Scotland and the Continent. Brigadier-General R. H. Davies, late of the New Zealand Forces, and now commanding a brigade at Aldershot, was among the callers at the High Commissioner's this week. He is delighted with his new work, and apparently finds it thoroughly congenial.

Mr. H. L. Bowker, junr., and Mrs Bowker, of Christchurch, were among the “Otranto* passengers to London on her last homeward voyage. They have come to the Old Country on pleasure, and the date of their return to New Zealand is at present quite uncertain. Their intention is to spend* the next few weeks in London, and then to pay a round of visits to friends in the provinces, after which they propose to make an extended tour in Germany, to see something of life in the Netherlands and Austria, and to spend some weeks with friends in Paris.

Mr R. H. Wilson, of Petone, who, with his wife and her daughter, Miss Peach, to bear him company, came to England by the “Medic” in mid-April, has been spending the interval visiting friends in Bedfordshire, and* seeing something of London. The Isle of Wight and the southern seaside resorts will occupy the party’s time till coronation week, and after that eventful period they will tour in the North of England and in Scotland and* Ireland. Then, after a brief spell in London, they will visit some of the principal Continental centres, ere leaving for New Zealand by the “Osterley” at the end of October.

Among those present at the unveiling of the Queen Victoria Memorial last Friday was Captain A. M. Samuel, a member of the Coronation Contingent, who, with Colonel Chaytor, represented New Zealand’s military forces. Captain Samuel travelled from Australia by the “Grosser Kurfurst,” and landing at Genoa, made his way overland* to London, visiting en route Monte Carlo, Milan, Venice, and Paris. Immediately after the coronation he purposes starting for Spitzburgen, where he anticipates a real good time salmon fishing and big game shooting. He expetes to be back again in New Zealand about Christmastide.

Mr Thomas R. Strong, of Invercargill, who arrived in London at Eastertide, has been enjoying an extended tour in Scotland, visiting most of the centres of scenic, historic, and commercial importance. He returns to London for the crowning of the King, and then makes his way to Paris and Brussels. Following another short spell in London. Mr Strong will cross the Atlantic and* travel home by way of New York and Canada to Vancouver, whence he embarks for the Dominion.

Mrs. J. F. Clapperton, of Palmerston North, and her daughter. Mrs. Haggitt, who arrived in England by the Otranto late in April, propose to remain in London until the Coronation period is at ah end. Then they will travel about. England for a spell, and later, ‘with Mrs. Clapperton’s granddaughter, Miss Johnston, will leave for a short sojourn in Switzerland, after which Mrs. Haggitt will return to New Zealand. “The Other Richard Graham,” a New Zealand novel by Mrs. Frank Clapperton, was published a few days ago by the well-known publishing firm of Elliott, Stock and Co. Mr. Joseph Smith, ranger and fisheries officer for the Wellington district, is at present in England, holiday-making and visiting relatives. ’ During 'his visit he means to visit as many deer forests and parks and fish hatcheries as he can,

and will also make a point .of attending dog shows, particularly those in which his favourite, the bulldog, bulks large. Mr. Smith expects to oe leaving England iu September for Sydney, where he will, if he arrives in time, officiate as judge for bulldogs at the October show.

Mr. James Tait, of Christchurch, and (Mrs. Tait, were among the passengers b.v the Corinthic on her last Homeware ■trip, and reached London early in May. Here they will stay till the end of June, and will then go on a visit to relatives in Scotland, and spend the balance of their stay in Europe in touring the United Kingdom and visiting the Continental centres. They propose to return to the Dominion by the Orient liner Orsova, which leaves London on September Ist, and will embark at Naples. Mr. Thomas Chapman, with Mr. J. Chapman, Miss Chapman, and Mrs. Dampier-Crossley, arrived in England a few days ago. having made the journey Home by way of Vancouver, Chicago, Montreal, and New York.

The party propose to remain in London for the Coronation, and will then go on tour in Scotland and the provinces. Thereafter they will spend some weeks on the Continent, and will bring their holiday to a conclusion in time to reach New Zealand in December.

Mr. de Beer, managing director of the D.I.C. in Wellington, has just arrived in London to see the Coronation, accompanied by his wife and family. Mr. H. C. Butler, who was honorary A.D.C. to Lord Ranfurly in New Zealand for some years, was among the callers this week at the High Commissioner’s. S-ince leaving Wellington, Mr. Butler has lived chiefly abroad, and he is now visiting London for the season. Mr. J. G. Raine, of Wellington, arrived in England recently in company with his wife, having travelled Home by the Grosser Kurfurst. Mr. Raine primarily took the trip for business purposes, but anticipates working a good deal of pleasure into his programing. He expects to remain in London most of his time until after the Coronation, and will later pay business visits to the Potteries and Scotland, and, if time permits, will spend a brief period on the Continent. He and Mrs. Raine are returning to New Zealand by the N.D.L. Bremen, which leaves for Australia early in October.

Azlarge party was given on Tuesday evening at 12, Belgrave-square, by Countess Bathurst, under the auspices of the Victoria League, to entertain the visitors from the Dominions. Herr Gottlieb’s Orchestra performed during the evening at the foot of the staircase, which was decorated with palms and ferns and masses of red tulips. Among the guests were Lady and Miss Russell of New Zealand, Mr. and Miss Beetham. of Masterton, Mr. Bethell (Masterton), and Mr. A. Myers, of Wellington. Dr. W. A. Chapple, M.P., late of Wellington, and his daughter, were among the guests in the enclosure at the unveiling of Queen Victoria’s statue on Tuesday morning. Miss Chapple was in a black velvet gown with a wide white boa, and a black and white toque.

Mrs. J. lliolup, wife of the Prime Minister’s private secretary, was among the guests in the enclosure to witness the unveiling of the Queen Victoria Memorial. New Zealane papers are asked to announce the death, at Southsea, on May loth, of Mrs. Albert Piccaus, daughter of the late Alexander Elphinstone, Chewton Glen, Hants; and of Charles Graham Neale, only son of Charles J. Marsh, L.R.C.P. and M.R.C.S., after a long illness at Penn Hill, Leovil, on the 11th of May. The Primate of New Zealand and Mrs. Neville, who arrived in London last week, have made their headquarters at the Worcester House Hotel, South Kensington. The Primate’s visit to the Old Country was taken partly with a view to consulting with the architect of the proposed Cathedral for Dunedin, and partly in order to attend the Coronation, for which the Earl-Marshal will assign seats in the Abbey to the Primate and his wife. After the Coronation they have many invitations to visit friends in various parts of England, including one to the Primate’s cousin, Lady Hopkinson, wife of the Vice-Chancellor of Manchester University.

During the present week the Primate and Mrs. Neville have had their time fully occupied with social engagements. They were among the distinguished company present at the Earl and Countess of Londesborough’s garden party, at the Earl’s seat, “St. Dunstan’s,” Regents Park, given in honour of the Kaiser and Kaiserin on Tuesday afternoon. One of the most picturesque incidents of this gathering was a performance before His Imperial Majesty by a boy fiddler, who until recently had picked up a scanty livelihood by playing in the streets of London. The boy, David Paget, was recently awarded first prize in a competition held for street players, and he appeared before the Royal party yesterday in the clothes he wore during the latter days of his street peregrinations. Paget played two selections, and was warmly congratulated by the Kaiser upon the skill which he displayed. Paget was one of some 20 street performers who were gathered together for a competition at the Apollo Theatre. Sir Alexander Mackenzie, who was present, expressed himself delighted by the boy’s playing, and an enterprising agent at onee offered Paget an eight weeks’ engagement. Before he became a “star,” Paget stood outside places of entertainment, and played to queues. Ou Wednesday the Archbishop and Mrs Neville dined with the Archbishop ot Canterbury, and attended an “At Home” given by Mr. Harris at Queen's Gate.

To-night the Primate and his wife are due to attend a reception, at which they are to meet Mr. and Mrs. Asquith and many other political notabilities. The Hon. Dr. Findlay had the honour this week of being the guest at a dinner at the House of Commons given by the Scottish Liberal Association to Sir Edward Grey, Mr. Walter Runciman (Minister of Education), and himself. After dinner the topic of discussion was Imperial Federation ami Home Rule all round. Sir Edward Grey and Mr. Runciman both delivered strong and direct speeches on the necessity which will prise of granting Home Rule to Scotland, England and Wales at least when Home Rule had been granted to Ireland. Dr. Findlay was asked to speak upon the topic from the colonial point of view, and took the opportunitv of reviewing what Home Rule, or self-govern-ment, had done in New Zealand and other oversea States, and explained what he believed to be the growing sentiment of Imperialism. He spoke for half an hour, and had a. fine reception. Dr. F’ndlav takes the chair at the London School of Economics next Wednosdiv at a lecture hv a Cambridge don, and ho lectures there himself on “Citiveneldp of the Fmnire” on May 31.