PERSONAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 453, 11 March 1909, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

All the Cabinet Ministers arc now in town. Tho Hon. A. T. Ngata is still iu tho North of Auckland district. Dr, Bell, director of the Geological Survey, returned yesterday from tho south. Sir. C. I). Hoadley, of Napier, is at present in Wellington. Mr. G. Hogben, Inspector-General of Schools, is on a visit to Dunedin, and may ))o absent about ten more days.

The Rev. Father O'Moara, of Feildiug, and formerly of tho Basilica, Wellington, lias boon unwell for somo timo past, but is now progressing slowly.

Among the passengers to arrive from Sydney yesterday was Archpriest Walsh, of Maclean, Clarenco River, New South Wales, and Brother O'Sbca (Christian Brethren), of Sydney. The latter is about to pay Dunedin a visit.

His Grace Archbishop Redwood went to Palmerston yesterday, and will go on- tomorrow to Hamua, to attend festivities in connection with the Maori Roman Catholic Church. His Grace will return to Wellington next week.

The death isi announced, of Mr. Donald Monro Martin, of this city, son of tho late Major Martin.,.of; t|ie : .Ro,yal .Bengal Artillery, and, later, ■ of- tho Bank of New Zealand, Wellington. Mr. Martin was in his 54th year. .

The Rov. Dr. Capra, of Milan, has decided that he cannot leave New Zealand so soon as by to-morrow's boat, which was his intention a few days ago. Ho'will go to Nelson to-day for a short visit, and leavo for Sydney on Friday week.

A Duncdin Press Association . telegram stales that the congregation of Moray Place Congregational Church last night presented their pastor (tho Hev. W. Saunders) with a cheque for. i'L'3o, prior to his departure for the.Old Country on Sunday on nn extended holiday.

Tho Rev. Father Saundcrson, from Ireland, arrived by tho Warrimoo yesterday to take up work in the arch-diocese of Wellington. Father Saundcrson, who is a comparatively young man, and was educated at Kilkenny College, has been appointed assisting priest at'Masterton, where lie will commence work at the end of tho week.

Among the passengers to arrive by the Warrimoo from Sydney yesterday was tho Ilev. K. S. ''Buchanan, of Sovenoaks, Kent, England. Ho is a New Zealandor, having been educated at Canterbury College. Ho has been abcentfrom Xew Zealand for twclvo years, and is now on a holiday visit. Mr. Buchanan was a fellow-student at Canterbury College of tho Hon. A. 'I'. Ngata, M.P., and Mr. Arnold Atkinson, of Wellington.

Dr,, Smyth, who formerly attended" the Thorndon .School and Wellington College, and was afterwards on the local stall' of the Commorciui Union Assurance Company, returned to Wellington by the Warrimoo yesterday, after an absence of thirteen years, accompanied by Mrs. Smyth, (nee Miss Tqomath). J)r. Smyth studied. medicine in Edinburgh, and after practising some years in England came out to New South' Wales, where he lias been doing locum tenons work for some time. Ho may settle in tho Wellington district.

Mr. Kenneth C. Brown, who for sonic-years has been representing Messrs. I'/liiiondson and Oiokerson, of Wellington, and lias now severed his connection with Hie linn in order to tako a trip to the Old Country, was tho recipient yesterday afternoon of a handsome solid leather dressing-case, suitably fitted, and a ease of silra'-pl.itM fish and fruit knives for Mrs. Brown, from his brother commercial travellers. The pn-sentntimi. was made by Mr. W. Angus (Smith and Smith. Ltd.).' Mr. Brown suitably replied, and stated that ho would be absent from tho Dominion for about nino months.

Mr. Vi. C. Bntkin, formerly in business in 'Wellington, ami who lias been resident ia (Tooivoinba (Queensland; for a couple of years, arrived from Sydney yesterday by the Warrimoo on a visit to. Wellington. 11 r.' Jl.itkin speaks iu hkh praise or the South Queensland winters, which, he describes as tho perfect climate, but there are drawbacks in the summertime, not, so much on account of the high temperature as the plague ot insect life. At the same time, he says, Queensland is wonderfully productive when it gets a moderate rainfall, and he believes it is destined to become one of the richest States ill tho Commonwealth.

Lord Xoi thlano,', whoso name has been, prominently mentioned in connection with tho Stirling case, is a descendant of William l'enn the Quaker, and the son and heir of Lord Ranfmly (says "-"U.A.IV'i. An officer of the Coldstream Guards, his lordship possesses 3 pretty wit, uliicb he frequently uses with considerable effect. Once at the Guards' eliib, a young subaltern remarked in his presence, "I was insulted at tho ball last night. 1 was actually taken for one of tho waiters; but of course an apology was made afterwards." "And did the waiter accept it?' : asked Lord Northland, tt'iili an innocent air of inquiry.

Mr. Alex. Russell, who for the past seven years has held Hie position of foreman of works for the Lyttellon Borough Council, has been appointed to the position of borough engineer at Wangamii, and will tako up his duties there next, month. At tho meeting of tho Lyttellon Borough Council on Tuesday night (states "The Press"), Mr. Russell's resignation was received, and accepted with legret Tho Mayor and all tho councillors spoko in highly eulogistic (onus.regarding the valuable services rendered to the borough of Lyttelton by Mr. Kussell, and a motion congratulating him on his appointment, and expressing appreciation of his past services, was carried unanimously, 1