PERSONAL.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 9 February 1920, Page 2

PERSONAL.

Hr Fred. Coley, who recently entered the Wellington Ec-spit'J for i. serious operation, is now sufficiently recovered to leave the institution. He hopes to be able to return home in the course <>f & dstys. yyr W. H. Bowden the request of many Otaki ami district residents, decided to be a candidate for the licensing election to be held on March 10th. Hr Bowden, who should be a. useful member, has already been prorru?»'l much euppojti _

Mr and Mrs A. E. Anderson, of Wellington, are spending a few days in Otaki. . Mrs Dimock, of Palmerston North, who returned to New Zealand last 4 week by the Bremen, together with her £ husband and sou, after an enjoyable I trip) to the Old Country, is on a visit to j Otaki —the guest of Mr and Mrs T. J (fyunott. J Mr and Mrs Malcolm Maclean, of I Paraparaumu,- who have been detained I in Britain since Sept ember last. ■ through hot being able to get passages. J have cabled that they are returning by | the Tainui, which is now reported as I sailing on tho lflth inst., and is due in | New Zealand about Ist April. J Mr Dugald Fergusou. the well-known author and poet, of Tapanui, died at Caversham a few days ago, at the advanced ago of SO. His "Bush Life" had a wide sale in the colonies and at Home, also it number of otiter books, including a historical romance, "The King’s Friend," which ran into five editions. It was his habit to tramp tho roads selling his publications, and 'in (his way he was well known in New Zealand from Auckland to Bluff, and he also travelled Australia and paid a visit to the Old County. During the past few years (states the "Tapanui Courier") he was engaged on another novel. "Komance of the Maori War." The deceased was engaged in various pursuits earning a. j livelihood shearing, following the I threshing mills, or doing general labouring work. With advancing years his eyesight failed and he toiled laboriously with the aid of a powerful magnifying glass, ami his powers of perseverance were unlimited. Some live months ago he decided to go to Dunedin. and was in lodgings awaiting admission into Boss Home, in connection with the Presbyterian Church, when he died.