PERSONAL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 20 October 1919, Page 2

PERSONAL.

Mrs Baunie, widow of the late" F. E. Baume, former M.P. for Auckland East, is a candidate for the Pnrncll seat as an Independent.

Mr G. B. Sykcs, of Masterton, has left tho "Reform" Party and becoaio an Independent,

Constable Satk'erley, who has been indisposed for the past two or three weeks, resumed duties to-dav.

Mr C. A. Griffiths and Mrs M. A. Griffiths leave Otaki on Friday next to rake up residence at Havelock North.

Mrs Russell, of Wellington, who has been visiting Otaki for the purpose of giving demonstrations in the florists' art. returned to the city on Saturday afternoon. During her "stay here she was the guest of Mr and Mrs H Witchell. ' '

Mr C. I. Harkucss, of Ohau, informs the "Horowhenua Chronicle" that the statement in u recent -issue of tho "Otaki Mail" that he would contest the Otaki scat is "unauthorised and incorrect." Our representative received the information personally from Mr Harkness in the company of a third party, and cannot see how he could possibly have misunderstood Mr Harkness in the matter.

■The death has occurred at Foxton of Mrs Agnes Walls, aged 77 years. Deceased, who had only been ill a few days, came to New Zealand in the early days, first residing at Dunedin. Later she went to Wellington, and in 1881 took up residence in Foxton. Deceased leaves four sons (John, George and Fred, Foxton, and Hugh, of Wellington) and thrco daughters, Mesdjames Thompson (Morrinsvillo), Pcrreau and Wishart (Foxton), and thirty grandchildren and five great-grand children to mourn, their loss.

Mr W. Tompsitt, in declining to accept office with iho Otaki branch of tho Sports Protection League, said he only did so because he would be leaving to tako up residence elsewhere about March. Mr Tompsitt, it may be mentioned, is one of the district's oldest ■ residents, and remembers this locnlity when it was a wilderness. * Mr Tompsitt opened the first sk>re in Manakau, and for some years was mine host of the Manakau Hotel, and Inter of the Family Hotel, Otaki. He was also one of the. leading lights in sporting circles —hi fact, was practically head of the now defunct Otaki (European)' racing club for years. Mr Tompsitt was also •

a valuable member of the Horowhenna County Council, the Licensing Bench, and the now defunct To Iforo and Otaki Road Boards, as well as being identified with other organisations. s

With the passing, at the great ago of 02 years, of Tcono Makarika (Macgrcgor), a half-caste Maori of I-'oxton, another link with the notable past of this coast disappears. He was • the grandson of Tutepounmgi, the great fighting chief of the Ngntlapn tribe of the South Island, who was in command of the Southern Maoris in tho last. battle between the North find Sooth at Wnt'orua (Kapiti Island) about 1820. Over 4000 native warriors took part and it was this battle which sett led the question of the future of Wellington and a portion of the South Island, including Nekon and Marlborough. The Southerner* were defeated by To Banparaha and his allies. Tutcpourangi was taken prisoner, and in return for spuring his life be made.a gift to the victors of the territory from d'Urvillo Wand and P«lorus Sount t<> Cape Farewell, about 3,000,000 acre*, the largest single gift of land in New Zealand history recognised by the Native Land Courts.

At the Otaki Lawn Tennis Club's courts on Saturday Mr fl. A. Griffiths, who is about to-leave the district, was made the recipient of a very handsome presentation, on behalf of the Tennis Club and the Golf Club. Mr Prank Penn (vice-president of tb<j Tenuis Club) made the presentation. In doing so, be referred to the great loss the club would sustain through Mr Griffiths' departure, be having }>een one of the club's mainstays for several year*, and having filled the position of secretary and treasurer with great credit. Mrs Griffiths, too, would be much missed. Mr Penn said that, though only resident in Otaki for a few years, Mr and Mrs Griffith*! had been estimable citizens, and would <*arry with them the highest esteem of - many friends. Mr E. Hopkins, on behalf of the Golf Club, voiced the regret of that club's members at lostsg such valued members as Mr and Mrs Griffiths. Mr | Griffiths had been an excellent treasurer of the club, and was also a most promising player. ' The presentation took the fona of a case of four valuable silver-mounted pipes, the, caw; being suitably inscribed- Mr Griffith* mad<; an appropriate reply, after which he and Mrs Griflithswere accorded musical honours. There wa* a very large gathering of club stestbeis and friend*; at the funetioa-