PERSONAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 47, 25 February 1901, Page 2

PERSONAL.

Mr W. K. Chambers returned from Auckland last ovening. Messrs W. J. Hookey and F. Teat returned to Gisborne by the Tc Anau last evening. By the Mimiro, Captain Todd, superintendent of the Tysor line, with Mrs and Miss Todd, aro going to England. The Gisborne members of the Seventh Contingent left for Wellington last ovening in charge of Sorgt.-Major Finn. Miss Batliam, daughter of Judgo Bathnm, lias secured her B.A. dogreo at the New Zealand University examinations. Mr Andrew Graham, who attended tho Assembly of tho Presbyterian Church at Wanganui, returned to Gisborne on Saturday. Mr C. E. Fox, sou of Canon Fox, has our congratulations on having takon his M.A. degree with first-class honors in natural science.

Mr Alfred Smith, now manager of the Bank of New Zealand at the Thames, and at one timo the popular manager at Gisborne, was a through passenger by the Waikare on Saturday. Information was received by Mr W. L. Rees on Saturday that his daughter Miss Rocs, now of Dunedin, had secured hor B.A. degree at tho Now Zealand University examinations. Mr C. A. DoLautour has received from his son a copy of tho Cornwall Clipper, the newspaper published on board the s.s. Cornwall, which took tho Sixth Contingent frqm New Zealand. It was printed when tho vessel reached Sydney, as a souvenir. The contents are of a chatty, interesting nature, and several of the articles are very amusing. Mr Furby, Inspector of Telegraphs for part of the North Island, lias been on a visit of inspection to this district, and left on Saturday for Wairoa via Mahia. Mr Furby has been instructed to go into the matter of tho extension of the telephone lino through Tiniroto to Wairoa, so as to give Gisborne a second telegraph line, as urged by the Times. Miss Jennie Opie, who becamo so popular in Gisborne for hor singing of the interpolated song, “ Because I Love You," in “ The Geisha,” under Pollard’s management, is at present appearing in Bland Holt's production, “ The Great Ruby.” She is said to cut a great figure in tho part of a big, manly, striding middy. Captain Jackson Barry, hero of a hundred episodes (and who once caused a sensation in Gisborne by his efforts to horsewhip an editor who would have been a match for him in the Captain’s young days), received a knock from a passing tram on New Plymouth wharf recently, and as.a result thereof lie has been obliged to enter tho Wellington Hospital for treatment. The active old gentleman will soon be about again. Trooper F. E. Morrison, of Blenheim, who returned with Troopers Harris and Don. Cameron, from South Africa, said that, together with about 400 others, lie was on one occasion captured by De Wet’s commando. Through showing kindness to some Boer women refugees, Morrison ingratiated himself with the Boer leader, and had several opportunities of speaking with him. Do Wet announced his intention of fighting to the death. “But don’t you see it is inevitable you must bo beaten ? ” said Morrison. “ Yes,” replied tho Flying Dutchman, sorrowfully ; “we realise that. We shall bo beaten, but we shall never bo conquered.”

Trooper Morrison says tho prisoners were very kindly treated by the Boers, whose character, both as individuals and as a people, he thinks has been very much under-rated. A pleasing, though in one sonso a sad,ceremony took place on Saturday evening, when members of Mr F. Hall’s plumbing staff met to extend their good wishes to Trooper William Parker, who had that day left Mr Hall’s employ to take his place as one of Gisborne’s representatives in the Seventh Contingent. Mr T. Ritchie, manager of the plumbing department, presided over the gathering, and on behalf of the staff presented Trooper Parker with a watch chain and pretty greonstonc pendant set in gold. In making tho presentation, Mr Ritchie said that they were all sorry to lose Mr Parker, they were pleased to know that he was going to fight for King and country, and knowing him so well they felt sure that he would acquit himself in a way worthy of a Britisher; in peaceful occupations ho had proved himself a worthy young man in every respect, and they were sure that in fighting his country's battles he would uphold the reputation of the district from which he went forth. The little gift -was a momento of their regard for the departing -trooper; they wished him the best of luck, and hoped in good time, when the war was over, to see him again in Gisborne, having the best of health, and having come unscathed from the field of action. The young trooper modestly replied, saying how grateful he felt for their kindness, though he did not know what ho had done to deserve such recognition. However, he would do his very best to merit their good opinion, and would ever treasure the gift they had presented to him—all going well, they could rest assured that he would return to Gisborne when the war was over. The little gathering broke up after mutual greeting and expressions of good wishes. Trooper Parker is the youngest member of Gisborne section of the Seventh Contingent. Ho is a manly young fellow, who is thought a great deal of by his many friends in Gisborne. He is a son of Mrs Parker, manageress of the Masonic Hotel.