PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 222, 25 October 1909, Page 2

PERSONAL.

Mt. Alfred Loveday, a well-known townsman of Stratford, died somewhat suddenly on Saturday. Mr H. W. Oliver, of thVEltham branvi. o*. the Bank of New Zealand, has uecii promoted to the Auckland ollice. KTr. E. J. Reid, of the A.M.P. Society, is at present relieving Mr. C. A. Bcnbow, the local manager, whilst absent from New Plymouth on his annual leave. Ida Lewis, "the Grace Darling of Anie. Rica," who for thirty years lias kepv the Lime Rock lighthouse, and has saved the lives of eighteen persons, recently added five more to her list. Five girls who were in a boat were upset by the waves caused by a passing sleanierloml waves caused by the passing of the big steamer Commonwealth. .Miss Lewis, from her perch in the lighthouse, saw the accident. She jumped into'her boat, the Rescue, rowed to the girls, and ont after another lifted them into the boat. New Zealand is to be visited at the close of the year by the fiitst Buddhist monk that has ever 'visited this country. The Ven. Bhikku U. Sasana-Dhaja is a well-known English lecturer who in 1002 visited every city and town of any si/.e in New Zealand and gave illustrated lectures in the various halls and theatres, and also preached in many of the leading churches. After covering Australia he visited Java, India, Burma, etc., where he became deeply interested in Buddhism that Eastern religUn which to-day has live hundred million followers. He was invited to join the Sangha, and with much jiomp and ceremony was admitted into the Noble Order of the Yellow Robe, and has now been living for over twelve months in his own monastery among the mountains of Tipper Burma, seven hundred miles up the Irrawaddy, studying Buddhism. Mr. Alfred llosking, F.S.Sc. whose death occurred in Auckland on Kiiiluy. has been a teacher for fifty-live yen-, and the New Zealand Herald remarks that many thousands "f the inhabitants of Auckland have received the ben: lit of his careful instruction and kindly guidance. His invention, the "Tellurian." (for which a gold medal was awarded at the New Zealand Exhibition. 1007), is an instrument for explaining the seasons, which is used in a large number of schools, and it is described as a boon to teachers. In 1574 Mr. llosking was the champion rijle shot of Victoria, Austnlia, and the Auckland cadets have benifited greatly liv his skill and experience. His school at Mount Eden was the first school in the Empire to salute the Hag. Mr. llosking was intensely patriotic, ami the Mount Edrn School cadets formed the firing party at the military funeral which was tendered to his remains on Saturday.

Xladame Melbn, who intends to rerna.ii in Australia until the end of the yoar, lias very generously offered (says' the Age) to give instruction at tlie Melbourne University in .singing and in the teaching of singing to a few advanced Conscrvatoiium students. Additional interest is added to this announcement liy reason of Hie fact that Xliss Eri

Thomson, the phenomenal contralto whom Xladame Xlclbu recently "discovered" in New Zealand, has already entered the eonsorvatoriuni as a pupil. The continuity in the system of teaching singing at the conservalorium was seriously disturbed by the departure of Madame Janscn some months ago, nn.l further disturbance U threatened by the prospective departure of licr successor, Xfadame Xlallinson. In these circumstances the announcement that Xladame Xlelba intends to give instruction might be regarded as having more than ordinary significance. It is, however, understood that the diva's undertaking is an independent one, and can in no manner be regarded as an appointment to the conseivntoriuin, however desirable or advantageous such an appointment 1111 doubtedlv would lie.

A recent cable stated that Mdllo Frances Alda, the .Sydney soprano, and niece of Xladame Frances'Saville, i a engaged to many Signnr Clatti C'asazza, director of the Xew York Xletropolitaii Opera House. Xldlle Frances Alda, is the "grand opera" name of Xliss Frances Adler, who was well known on the Australian stage as a singer in vaudeville, lighter opera, and pantomime some ten years ago or less. Among other productions she appeared in "Xfatsa," and 'Djin Djin," and has sung with Xlr. Harry Rickards' companies. Sportsmen will remember the Victorian racehorse owned by Sir Rupert Clarke named ■F..I.A.'' It was so called after the initials of her who is now Mdlle Alda. Some years ago she was advised that her voice was worthy of better things, and she wcnl Home to study. She has studied under Xtarchesi with wonderful success, and finally made a successful debut at tiie Opera Oflniiqiie in Paris, creatiit,; „ VPrv favourable impression. •Mdlle. Alda, who at latest was simmi.. at the Metropolitan Opera House, Sew -nrk, is a daughter of Madame Leonora Snnonscn, a famous prima donna thirty years ago, and a neiee of Xladame FratC ees Snville, who was an operatic queen on (he Continent a quarter of a eenhirv ago.

Lord Kitchener landed at Penan* from the steamer Sydney on 10th September, and was welcomed by Sir William Taflor Rcsidcnt-flencral of the Federated Ma ay States. Later that day he crossed to the mainland, to Pyre, where he found a special train, which conveyed him turniißl, the States to Johore Bab™ A ler visiting the. Sultan of Johore at Istana, Lord Kitchener crossed bv launch to Woolands. where he boarded another special train, for Singapore. Sir William Taylor accompanied the Heldmarshal throughout. After tiffin at f.ovemme.nt jr oHS(>i ) lis W(lshi eeeded to Mount Habcr Ridges, and inspeeted tins important militarv feature of Singapore. Then he visited the adjoining islands, dock works, worksho'is and other places of interest. At night lie was entertained at dinner at Governnieiit House. The following day the field-marshal rejoined the steamer Sydney, and was due to arrive at Hon»kon» on 301], Sentc.mbcr. and remain "there until 3rd October. His itinerary included visits to Canton mid iracnoi three davs at Shanghai, as the guest of Colonel Jlniccj then to Nanking, ICiukiang, Hankow, Pekin. and Sliangninkwan. On leaving the. latter place Lord Kitchener was to visit (he battlefields of Manfliuria, Ualnv, Mukden. Port Arthur, and Korea, arriving at Tsurugn on Ist NoVcmlier. '