PERSONAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 132, 26 May 1908, Page 2

PERSONAL

Mr. ''Jack'' London, the well-known American author, and his wife, arrived at Apia, Samoa, on the 7th inst. x-rom Pago Pag'o, in the ketch Snark. Mr London is on a trip round the world in his little craft, and has alrealy visited many of the picturesque and romantic islands of the South Pacific. The Snark left San Francisco about a year ago, and before arriving in Samoa visited Honolulu, j-lilOj .Marquesas, Tahiti, Manua, and TuUiila. Mr. Loudon is writing his experiences of the trip for Harper's Monthly and the Woman's Companion. Alter leaving Samoa, the Snark will make for Fiji. .Mr. Jess, the principal lightkeeper of the Manuka South lighthouse, has resigned from the service, and has been succeeded bv Mr. Wilson, from Cape Egmont.

The immense sums earned by Kuliclik. who is now iu Australia, may be guagcl from the fact tllat lie was aide to pay Uliil, 11(1(1 fur the purchase of I'rince liohenlohe's ancient feudal ■ensile at Kolin, iu Silesia. A few years ago lie was ollered Id!) guineas 1,,' plav at the reception of a well-known nobleman in London, but relused, remarking that just twice that sum should have hecu given him. And yet his father had tu toil as a market gardener, practically killing himself with overwork, in order to provide his son with a proper musical education! For his lint concert Kubclik received .Co, out of he paid ft, for a (vn'lh f« his lather's grave. The alterations and additions to Mr. Mnu, « s »''«"«• at Palmerston Xorth •"e proceeding apace, and it is expected that the (.overnor will he able to take up his residence in the house bv lath June,

the death of Mr. Alfred Dampier ends a long and brilliant career on the JCn lisli and colonial stage, lie was born in liundon sixty-one years ago, and began lite in a barrister's oflicc, but the glamor of the stage attracted liini, and he commenced his theatrical life in Shakespeare's native town as the Plaver King in "Hamlet.'' He quickly gained a high reputation in the provinces, and attracted the notice in 1873 of Mr. 11. I\. Harwoud, then one of the nianagern of the Melbourne Theatre Royal. Jlc made his debut in Australia* in that year as Mephistoplicles in "Faust." Later he went into management on his own account, and produced Shakespearian plays, touring Australia and Xew Zealand. From the colonies he travelled to America and England, and produced "All for Cold" in London. On returning to Australia Mr. Uampier secured from the author (Mr. T. E. Jtrowne) the dramatic rights of tlis famous story "Rolf lloldrewood," which proved a greal success, and enabled the deceased to enhance his popularity and reputation in the dashing character of Captain Starlight. Mr. Uampier w«s gifted with a magnificent voice, which enabled him to use hi ri great histrionic ability with telling effect. lie had recently been ill, suffering mole or less from paralysis, and passed the last years of his life living in retirement in Sydney.