Our Royal Visitor.
A Childhood Story.

July 24, 1909.

Maxime Elliott dined last night at Ashley Gardens, where she made early capture of the susceptible heart of Jack Fisher, who was among the guests. She told a charming story from the domestic circle at Marlborough House. The other day King Edward looked in to share the lunch which serves as dinner for the children of the Prince of Wales. The course of conversation was at one moment broken upon by an eager attempt on the part of Prince Henry, aetat nine. His Majesty gently reproved his grandson, quoting the familiar axiom that “little boys should be seen but not heard.” Later, anxious not to wound childish sensibilities, the King said now there was a pause in the conversation the boy might have his turn. “I only wanted to say, sir,” said the little Prince, “that there was a grub on your salad. It doesn't matter now: you've eaten it.”—“The Diary of a Journalist,” By Sir Henry Lucy (Toby M.P. of “Punch.”)

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In a personal letter just to hand, Mr. John W. Collins, New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Canada, states that he is having a very busy time at present on trade and tourist matters immediately preceding his impending trip to the Dominion. Mr. Collins has been in communication with Miss Bathie Stuart (N.Z. Travel Representative in America) since her return from a recent “refresher” visit to New Zealand, and states that she has warmly expressed her gratitude for the many courtesies extended to her by New Zealanders during her brief stay here.

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Considerable attention was attracted recently in the city of Philadelphia when a giant locomotive was moved along the streets to the Franklin Memorial Museum. It was the sixty-thousandth produced by the famous Baldwin Locomotive Works. The moving of it was undertaken by a removal company, and six days were required for the tremendous task. It was accomplished by laying special tracks along the streets, pulling the massive engine a few feet, removing the tracks and relaying them ahead of the engine. This operation was repeated over the five city blocks between the railway yards and the Museum. It is now on view, and visitors to the Museum may perhaps wonder how it came to be there.—“H.R.E.”

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Your note in a recent “Variety in Brief” concerning inappropriate Maori names, called to my mind something which I had noticed in a certain Melbourne suburb a few years ago. The Maori expression “Kia Ora” had become very popular in the locality. It was used in naming houses, places of business, and even as a trade mark for manufactured articles. I noticed two homes, in opposite ends of the suburb, each of which had a plate upon the gate bearing the word “Kiore.” This, I concluded, was a misspelt form of “Kia Ora,” but unfortunately when spelt that way it means “Rats” or “Mice.”—L.R.H.

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A simple and interesting method for arriving at the speed of trains is to note the number of seconds taken to cover a quarter of a mile and divide this number into 900. The result is the rate per hour at which the train was travelling. Thus, if it takes 20 seconds to run between two quarter-mile posts the speed is 900 £20, or 45 miles per hour. If 15 seconds is taken, the speed is 900 £15, or 60 miles per hour and so on. An interesting pastime for passengers is to check the speeds in this way, and it can easily be done as there are mileage pegs placed at every quarter-mile along all New Zealand railway tracks. Of course perfect accuracy could only be obtained by use of a stop-watch, but a good approximation can be made by anyone with a quick eye using the second-hand of an ordinary watch.

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On one of the recent outings organised by the Railway Department at Christchurch for hikers, a stop was made for lunch at The Sign of the Packhorse. This stone building, provided with bunks and stove, is the fourth of a chain of rest houses built on Banks Peninsula by Mr. H. G. Ell, who died a few months ago. The four hostels are: The Sign of the Takahe, at the tram terminus on Cashmere Hills; The Sign of the Kiwi at Dyer's Pass, overlooking Lyttelton Harbour and about two miles from the Takahe; The Sign of the Bellbird, at Kennedy's Bush; and finally, The Sign of the Packhorse. The Takahe is an imposing stone building, being built in old English style with an old English garden putting the finishing touch to it. It is intended, if sufficient money is available, to extend the other three buildings similarly. There are many tracks on the Port Hills, and these are the work of Mr. Ell, who spent many years beautifying the hills for trampers, and it is only now that he is beginning to get the thanks which are due to him. It is proposed to erect a memorial of some type to him on the hills.—D.F.T.