PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8180, 13 August 1906, Page 2

PERSONAL.

Mr J. B. Comiett, who lias been attending a meeting of the Executive of the Harbor Board Association, returned to Now Plymouth ou Saturday night. Mr L, Hanson, dairy produce grader at New Plymouth, leaves by the express train this morning on his annual leave. After visiting friends atPihama, he will probably visit the Auckland district.

Mr S. Pipe, of the local post ollice, who is leaving for Stratford, was the recipient of a neat shaving outfit from his fellow letter carriers. Mr Honeyfield, in a very feeling speech, eulogised his old colloaguo, and said there would be general regret at his departure. Mr Pipe suitably replied. Mr G. Spencer Chapham, one time school teacher at Mangatoki, but better and more generally known perhaps from his connection with Chapham's patent horse holder, arrived in town on Saturday night on business in connection with the " Holder," and other matters. Mr Chapham has quite recently returned from America, whither he went prior to the opening of the St. Louis Exposition. During the past two years Mr Chapham has been a student of tho American people and their methods. In pursuit of his quest, he engaged himself in journalistic, commercial, and lecturing pursuits-all three at a tune frequently. From time to lime newspaper articles from the pen of Mr Chapham, or reports of his " talks " with university students and professors, found their way to the colony, and those who were privileged to pursue these notices will know that " the story of New Zealand " lost nothing in the telling, and can quite appreciate that in those States where Mr Spencer was best known and longest domiciled, the thinking portions of the' democracy have gained a lofty, but withal fairly accurate, knowledge of the most advanced democracy on the planet, A representative of the News, in the course of only a short chat with Mr Chapham, gained a deeper insight into the real America, tho America of the people, than ever before. Mr Clapham, when oneo set going, is full of his subject. His talk is extremely interesting, logical, and further, convincing, and suffices to give one, in many cases, quite a different view of many of the great national questions of the day, the average New Zealander's conception of which is, as our reporter had to acknowledge, terribly distorted. He has much to say regarding education, and the unique juvenile courts. As Mr Clapham has been invited by various State schools and technical schools of South Taranaki to " talk " on various phrases of his observation, those in charge of similar institutions in New Plymouth might, with profit to themselves and pupils and students, got into communication with the gentleman with a view to inducing him to similarly favor them here.