VISIT TO DUNEDIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26641, 11 December 1947, Page 8

VISIT TO DUNEDIN

SIR GEORGE AYLWEN NEXT LORD MAYOR OF LONDON London’s senior alderman who will probably be the next Lord Mayor of London, Sir George Aylwen, is m Dunedin on a brief visit. Sir George, wh for the past 50 years has been connected with one of the oldest stockbroking firms in London, J. ana “• Scrimgeour, financial advisers to the New Zealand Government came to this country with the intention of holding courtesy talks with of the Government. He w also attempting to see as much of New Zealand as he can in the short time at his dl Referring to the position of Lord Mayor of London in an interview with the Daily Times, Sir George said that a candidate for the position had to be an alderman who had served m the office of sheriff. After the election two names were submitted to tne Court oi Aldermen for the position of Lord Mayor and the aldermens usual procedure was to select their senior colleagues. The Lord Mayors allowance was £12,500, Sir George said, but his expenses might exceed that by upwards of £30,000. . T Sir George is a man of parts. In addition to his interests in hospitals, he is a prominent member of tne Masonic Craft, being a grand officer of the United Grand Lodge of England. His hobibes are fishing and golf and he was a breeder of Guernsey cattle until early in the war when calls on his time forced him to give up this pursuit. He served in the Boer and First World Wars. Accompanied by Lady Aylwen and Mr C G Dickson, who is a sheriff of the city of London Sir travelled to New Zealand by the Waipawa. Yesterday, after they had arrived by car from Christchurch, Sir George and Mr Dickson paid a surprise visit on the Mayor, Mr Cameron, and delivered a letter from the New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr JorThe party will leave Dunedin to-day on a visit to the Lakes district, returning to Christchurch in time to spend Christmas there, and after visiting other parts of New Zealand, will go back to England via Australia.