PERSONAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1422, 24 April 1912, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The Hon. T. Mackenzie (Prirao Minister) is at Hamilton, the Hon. A. M. Myers and tho Hon. G. W. Russell are at Auckland, the Hon. G. Laurenson and tho Hon. To llangihiroa at Waitara, but the last-named will be at Grcatford later in tho day. The Hon. J. A. Hanan, the Hon. W. I). S. Macdontild, tho Hon. .T. Colvin, and the Hon. H. G. Ell are in town. .

Tile Premier (tho Hon. T. Mackenzie) opened the Kuakura State Farm as a farm of instruction yesterday in wet weather, but there was a fair attendance.— l'ress Association.

The ltev. W. D. Westervclt, a wellknown authority upon tho folk-lore of tho Pacific, is at present on a visit to New Zealand. He is accompanied by his wife and son, mid by Dr. J. H. Whitney aud his wife, also of Honolulu.. Mr. Westervclt is tho president of tho Hawaiian Historical Society, and is known here as the author of a book on the various legends of Mai, the Demigod of Polynesia. The Maori legends, lie says, notably those of the fishing up ol tlif- islands and the noosing of the sun. nro identical practically with those of Hawaii. The party are in Christchurch, and _ have nlrcady spenfc seven weeks in tho North Island.

A Press Association mcssape from New Flymouth states that Mr.lrancis .Simpson, late Commissioner of Crown Lands in Tarauaki, died last evening, aged GC. lie retired frori oflice twelve months ago. The late Mr. Simpson was born in Lancaster in 1810, and came out with his parents to New Zealand at the ago of seven. He was educated at Wesley Collcgo and the Church of England Grammar School sit Auckland, and adopted tho profession of land surveyor. 110 joined the Government Service in 187"), and four year* later was appointed a district surveyor. In 18D2 he became chief draughtsman in the llnwke's Hay otliee, and in 1111)1 he went to New Plymouth as Chief Connni«i«ner. lie held a commission in the Second Waikato Company during Ihe Maori war.

A presentation was made to Mr. Arclnbald Walker, now Lloyd's Ship Surveyor, at the port of: Wellington, by Mr. If. Duncan, Chief Inspector of Machinery, nt his oflice on Monday afternoon. Mr. Walker had filled the position of nil Inspector of Machinery, Marine Ship Survevor. and Examiner of Marine Engineers for tho Inspection of Machinery Department at Dunedin. Me. Duncan spoke in eulogistic terms of Hie great services Mr. Walker had rendered to the Department in the eleven years lie had been with him. The present consisted of a. handsome gold watch, suitably inscribed, for Mr. Walker, and a jewel case for Mrs. Walker. Mr. Duncan wished the recipient. ail success in his new position. Mr. Wnllier tolrti» up the duties of tbo l&to Oaptnia Bwmll.

Mr. L. E. Partridge, as president of tho Wellington Industrial Association, has boon appointed a member of (ho provisional committee of (lie Auckland Industrial, Agricultural, ami Mining Exhibition, which is to bo opened at tho end of next year. Tho opening dato has been iixed for December 1, 1913.

A Press Association message from Auckland states that a dozen Norwegian residents mot Captain Amundsen yesterday morning and presented him witlu a gold watch, in recognition of his conquest of tho South Pole.

It is with deep regret (says tho annual Tpport of tho Wellington Boxing Association) that your committee have to record tho untimely passing of our president, Dr. A. ]~ Kapicr M'liCan. His connection with tha Wellington Boxing Association extended over a number 01 years, dating from the time tho association languished from want of assistance, such as Dr. Jl'Lean was able to give. Ho was a great enthusiast, aul threw himself whole-heartedly into every movement: having for its object Hie proper control and popularising of the'sport. Being well up in ring craft himself, ho exerted great inlluenco over competitors, and gained their complete confidence. His impartinlitv and sterling qualities won golden opinions from all with whom ho camo in contact. He was rightly recognised throughout the Dominion as an authority 011 all points connected with boxing. In refereeing and controlling ho eet a standard which may well be looked up to in future years.