PERSONAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1689, 4 March 1913, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Tho.Hon. A.„L, Herdman, General, left' for tho south last evening by the ferry steamer, en route to Invorcargill, wliero lie will, on Wednesday, appear for tho Crown in the now famous Southland lease case, Brighton v.*. tlio Commissioner of Crown Lands (at Invercargill) and tho Minister for Lands. Professor Harold A. Woodruff, who succeeds Dr. Gilruth (now. Administrator of tho Northern Territory), in tho Chair of Veterinary Science nt Melbourne University, arrived in Mclbourno on February 24. Tlio new professor is 3G years of ago, and looks ovon younger. The Itev. H. G. Blackburne, of Kilblrnie, is going to England by tho s.s. Runliino on April 3, on a nine-months' holiday. The Rev. E. Whitohouse, late vioar of Ashburton, Canterbury, is taking charge during his absence. Mr. W. R. Potter, who so nearly lost his lifo in Friday's boating accident off Seatoun, lias recovered sufficiently to resumo his duties at tho Wellington Gas Company's office. Captain H. W. Smith, D.5.0., Royal West Surrey Regiment, has been appointed as instructor at the Australian lioyal Military College. Captain Smith, who vacates tho appointment of adjutant of the Inns of Court Rifles to take up his new one, entered tho regiment in December, 1892, aiid amongst other services ho had a turn with the Lagos .Constabulary, and the West African Frontier Force. He Was officer, of a company of cadets at Sandhurst, and adjutant of his battalion. He served in tho Borgu Expedition, West Africa, 1897-98 (medal with clasp), and with Damant'a Horse in tho South African War; including tho relief of Ladysmith, tlio actions of Colenso, Tugela, where ho was wounded, Spion Kop, Vaal, Ifrantz, Tugela Heights, and Pieter's Hill, Laing's Nek, and tlio bperatious ill tho Transvaal and Orango River Colony. Ho was mentioned twiec in dispatches, nnd obtained tho distinctions of D.5.0., Queen's modal with eix clasps, King's medal with two clasps.

By tho death of Mr. John Clark Hoyto, which' occurred at his residence, Mosmnn, .Sydney, 011 February 21, the art world or Sydney loses ono of its oldest (identities (says the Sydney "Daily Telegraph"). Mr. Hoyto was born in England in 1835, and about 16G0 bo wont to 3\ow Zealand, wliero he joined the teaching staff of tho Auckland Grammar School. It was about this time that Mr. Hoyte's artistic work began to bring him into prominence—it was not long before,lie occupied a leading position in New Zealand art circles, alid it is as a portrayer of tho scenic beauties of tho Dominion that he will 1)0 long remembered. To the time of his death his work found keen appreciation. About 1877 Mr. Hovte left New Zealand and settled in Sydney, wliero the freshness nml charm of his dainty water-colour work soon won for him a foremost place amongst contemporary artists, whilst liis kindly and genial disposition 'secured for him a host of friends. Mr. Hoyto was cno of tho founders, nnd tho first president, of the Royal Art Society, amongst those associated with him at the timo being Mr. A. J. Daplyn, tho present secretary of tho society. Of late years Mr. Hoyto hod teen but little beforo tho Sydney art public. He was one of the old school, and found it difficult to adapt his ideas to tho conventions of the newer artistic cult. Docensed leaves a widow nnd two married daughters, • also .several grandchildren and .great-grand-children. Among tho passengers by the Orvieto, which called at Fremantle 011 Fobrnnry 25 011 tlio voyage from London, were George Gray, world's champion losing hazard billiard player, nnd his father. They liavo just completed n three years' tour of Great Britain, South Africa, and India, and are going now to visit their relatives in Queensland. ■ Whilo in Australia Gray will play Aitken, and, possibly, Lindrum. Gray, jun., indignantly denies that he did not treat Lindrum fairly by not meeting him. lie savs 110 had all his dates booked up ahead. _ Gray is to play in Australia with bonzolino balls. Mr. Horace Seldom well known among Sydney black and white artists and cartoonists, is leaving for an extended tour of Fiuropo and the East, on March 1!). Mr. Seldon menus lo study black and white art method* ill tho countries lie visits. Mr. J. J. Roberts was elected acting-sec-retary of the Wellington Bowling Centre last evening. Mr. G. Glen, superintendent of reserves, leaves on a holiday trip to Australia 011 Friday next. Tho l'ev. A. T. Brainby, of Adelaide, is expected to sail from Sydney 011 March 22, 110 having accepted a call to the Baptist Church iu Vivian Street, Wellington. Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Butler, of Wellington, will leave on a trip to tho Old Country 011 Friday next.