Personal.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 97, 24 December 1913, Page 5

Personal.

The Czarevitch has completely re covered, states a cablegram from St Petersburg.

General Vittorio Cuneberti, inventor o fthe Dreadnought, is dead, reports a Press Association cablegram from Home.

Mr Sydney Buxton will retire from the position of President of the British Board of Trade and will be succeeded by Mr C. F. G. Masterman, .VI .P.

Mr Jas. Craigie, M.P. for Timaru, has telegraphed to the secretary ol the local Scottish Society that he will be iu Stratford for the burns Anniversary on January 2Uth next.

Mr Massey (Prime Minister) is indisposed as the result of the strain of the session, and is confined to his house, but his condition is stated to be not serious, states a Press Association telegram from Wellington.

Mr George limes, at present assist-ant-manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Auckland, has been appointed acting-manager of the bank during the absence in England of the manager, Mr H. Buckleton.

Mr W. Burton, of Dunedin, who is connected with 1 the Fuller picture venture, is at present on a visit to Stratford. He is at present engaged on a tour round the theatres supplied by the firm, supervising the handling of films.

Mr McTaggart, of the staff of the Department of Agriculture, and recently of Ontario, is paying a visit to the Stratford district. To-dav. with Mr Wilson, Inspector of Nortons Weeds, Mr McTaggart is making a tour of the district and- noting beqv the land lies.

Miss Dolly Allen, the younger daughter of the Hon: Jas. Allen, Minister of Education, is leaving New Zealand in March for an indefinite period. It is Miss Allen’s intention to study the Montessori system of education under the celebrated teacher at Romo.

The Duke and Duchess of Brunswick have d°c)ined an invitation to spend Christmas at Potsdam, it is believed owing to the oresencr of the Crown Prince, whom they constantly refused to meet since bis intervention in the Brunswick success'.m question.—Berlin cable.

The Rev. J. Lawson Robinson, 8.A., now second minister at First Church, Dunedin, has received a pressing invitation from the Cairns Memorial Church, Melbourne, to go and preach, withi a view to a call to the pastorate of that hue city church. Not wishing to leave New, Zealand,. Mr Robinson has declined the invitation.

Mr W. B. Fearon, secretary of the A*, and P. Association, left this morning for Auckland, where he will remain on holiday for a fortnight. Everything in connection with the recent Show has been cleared up, after fairly continuous strenuous efforts. Mr Fearon will meet Mr Dingle, a member of the executive, at Auckland, and together they will view the amusements at the exhibition, the object being to secure, if possible, some amusement novelties for the Association’s Gymkhana.

The late Cardinal Rampolla 'in May of 1887 became Under Secretary of State. In this post it lias been bis duty to conduct the delicate negotiations between the Qiiirinal and the Vatican, especially with regard to the Penal Laws directed against the clergy by the Ciispi Cabinet. He was the chief adviser of the Pontiff, and as the introducer of foreigners earned fame. Among the Papabili, or probable successors to the present Pope, he was regarded as the most eligible candidate, his supporters being the prelates of the Latin races as opposed to the Austrian and German dignitaries, who did not favour him owing to his opposition to the Triple Alliance.

Sir Maurice O’Rorke is still able to take his place as Chairman of the Auckland Grammar School Board of Governors at the animal prize-giving. This was referred to in a happy little speech, by the ( Mayor (Mr C. J. Parr) at last Friday’s ceremony at the Town Hall. -Mr Parr, created a ripple of laughter amongst the pupils by remarking that he well remembered their chairman presenting him with a prize and patting bis curly bead at one of the annual functions in the Choral Hall some thirty years ago. He expresed a hopes that Sir Maurice would lie able to preside at still many more

such functions—a sentiment that was heartily reciprocated by all present. Sir Maurice, who is now in bis 84th year, .states that he contemplates visiting the Old Country next year.

Mr I' 1 . S. Seamon, Inspector in the Xational .Bank’s service, for several months pa-st, has been stationed in Stratford acting temporarily as manager of the Flank, and by his unfailing courtesy and business ability has made many firm friends. Advantage was taken yesterday afternoon at an informal meeting of a ij opportunity to bid Mr Seamon good-bye on the eve of his departure for Wellington, and to express the esteem in which he is held As a memento of his sojourn in Stratford Mr Seamon was asked lo accept a piece of plate'for Mrs Seamon, Mr W. P. Kirkwood making the presentation in felicitous terms, and several others present endorsing'the Mayors remarks. Mr Seamon suitably acknowledged the, to him. unite unexpected expressions of goodwill from Stratford friends. Occasion was also taken 1 to further welcome Mr J. F. Hartley, who is now well-installed as the Bank’* permanent Manager at gtratfprd.