LORD FORSTER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 225, 17 June 1920, Page 5

LORD FORSTER

AN ENTHUSIASTIC SPORTSMAN

BENEVOLENT WORK OF LADY FORSTER

By Tolegraph-PreßS AsßOclation-Oopyrlffht

London, Juno 11. ] Lord Forster, the new Australian Govornor-General, is a keen golfer, and an ardent yachtsman, and hopes to indulge in yaohting in Australia, especially , in Sydney Harbour. He had the cham- , pion boat in every class in which he had a boat, and ntwaye sailed his own yacht. He is an enthusistio hunter, ] and is considered to be one of the best gamo shots. Ho has driven his own motor-car ever 6ince motor-cars were;introduced, and has no convictions against ' him for reokless driving, but has been lucky. He is interested in modern fainting methods, and possesses country properties in Kent and Hampshire. The new Governor-General is net so ' keenly interested in racing as in sports calling for physical prowess. He never owned a racehorse, but attends Ascot, and is looking forward to the wonderful spectacle of the Melbourne Cup. Lord Forster took honoura in the degree of Law at Oxford. He was a civil member of the Claims Commission, stationed at General Headquarters in Franco during tho war, unbl tho Ocali- , tion was formed, and was thon appointed Financial Secretary to the War Office, Ho was primarily concerned in the purchase of the first Australian wool clip. His only two sons were killed in the war. The elder, an infantryman, feCl in the first battle of tho Aisne, in 1914; and the younger was killed while serving with the Soots Greys when tho cavalry was advancing at Le Cateau, in October, 1918, where the Australians fought their last battle. • . Lady Forster has never T>een quite the same in health' since the shock of their sons' deaths. There' ate two married daughters, eaoh with two children. One is a widow; the other is married to Captain Pitt Rivers. Lord Forster believes he is connected with, the family of Adam Lindsay Gordon, the Australian poet as an aunt married into the family, and he wiGl take an opportunity to investigate the relationship. Lady Forster is keenly interested In music, art, and social questions, and the women's movement, and was tho most popular figure in the constituency, always trying to help people. During the war she actively assisted soldiers wives and poor families in South London. Latterly she superintended a convalescent hospital for poor London mothers, near the Crystal Palace, for which Lord Forster presented an old-fashioned houso with large grounds. : ■ Lord Forster will depart forjAubtralia in August, and hopes to reach Australia in time for the test match against England. Lord JelHcoe will call on him to-morrow.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WOOL PURCHASE NEGOTIATIONS PART TAKEN BY LORD FORSTER. London, June 15. It is Stated that Lprd (then Mr.) Forster and Lord Derby, negotiating on behalf 'of Britain in the wool transactions, offered 45 per cent, above the pre-war profits. Mr. Androw Fisher and Mr. Massey insisted on 55 per ' cent. Eventually Lord Derby irately exclaimed: "If we cannot have tho at our price, wo can withhold the ships and prevent you marketing it." The threat caused an impasse. Finally Lord Forster said: "Let us give 55." Lord Derby siiid: "Then we will be able to have our dinner, and perhaps earn a reputation os patriots and for strengthening the bonds of Empire."—Aue.-N..Z. Cable Assn.