PERSONAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1321, 27 December 1911, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Sir Joseph Ward, the Hop. J. A. Millav, and the Hon. E. M'Kcnzie are in Wellington. Sir Jamos Carroll is at I'arawanui, Eongitikci, the Hon. D. Buddo at Rangiora, the Hon. T. Mackenzie at Dunedin, and the Hon. A. T. Ngata at Port Awanui. A Press Association message from Sydney states that Captain Simpson, Marine Court Assessor, is dead. Mr. Oscar Maplesden, o. resident of Now Zealand for thirty-eight years, nearly tho wholo of which have boen spent in Wellington, died on Christmas Day, aged 61 years- Tho docoased, who was a member of an old Kentish family, leaves a. widow and seven adult childrun. "Great men sometimes outlive tho popular recollection of their_ greatness, iso that when tliey dio their death creates littlo commotion among the living (writes "Mcrcutio" in the Auckland "Hornld"). Had the Ef.v. Dr. Darid Brace, wlw died in Sydney a few days ago, passed away thirty-fivo years before, 110 man's death ivould liavo caused a greater sonyilion in the city of Auckland. At that limo he was one of our foremost and host-known citizens, and probably no minister of the I'roibyterian Church in this country was ever more respected aJld beloved by his people. Thn story of all ho did for that church in the early days of tho colony is never likely to bo told, for there are few now remaining who knew it even imperfectly, but there can )m no doiibt that he rendered it an immense service. Endowed with a powerful frame and an iron constitution, an indefatigable worker, a splendid organiser, an earnest and able- preacher, and a man Rifled wilh a. clear and wiund judgment, ho was indeed n strong pjll.tr of the kirk. What Solwyii was to Anglicnuism. Dr. Bruco was 16 rrpsbytori.inif.m. It was my good fortune to know him intimately majiy years ago. and I never met mio who h;tA so gcntlo nnd loveable a. ditpou'tion or "ho could 1» m Hod w9 churmlnr t juidc, Dhiloiophcr, and uiead.

Jl.r. Daniel Lynch, for some years chief niossciipw at the Parliamentary Buildings died id llio wsidonoe of Mr. J. Murphy, OuildforJ Terrace, on (.'hristm>l.3 Eve. Mr. Lynch, who was un old West Cloister, leave.-, a grown-up family, the members of which are the Rev. l'"at.U«;r Lynch, L'.S.S.B., formerly of Dimedin, hdil now ctationoi) in the Philippine Islands; Mr. .1. J). Lynch, of Groymoutb; Mr. F. .). Lynch, of Sydnoy, and two daughter?, both Dominican nuns at Dimedin. li'equiein Mass was celebrated ut the Hill Street Basilica on Monday mornins, prior to the interment. Deceased was 78 years of age. Mr. Thomas Chiug, an old resident of Auckland, died at his residence, liemiiera, on Friday Just. Tho late Mr. Chiug, who was 77 years of age, arrived in Australia many years ago, and spent some Jinio in prospecting on tho goldßelds. When Dunodin beenmo the centre of mining activity, Mr, Cuing went to Otago. Later ho followed mining at Hokitika, Grcymouth, and the Thames, before taking up his residence in Auckland. Mr. Ohing was a director of tho Auckland Gas Company. During his long residence hero ho mado many friends, and he was a popular member of tho Auckland Club. The late Mr. Ching leaves a widow, one daughter, and three sous, Mr. Carey Ching, of Wairangi; Mr. T. Bayutum Ching, branch manager for the South British Insurance Company at Napier; and Mr. AVilmot Ching, who is at present completing his studies as an architect in London.