PERSONAL ITEMS

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 25

PERSONAL ITEMS

The following are mentioned as probable candidates for the Pahiatua seat at the general election: — Messrs Ross (sitting member), J. O. Cooper, W. H. Hawkins, S. Bolton, and D. Crewe. An Association message from Invercargill Bays that Mr J. E. Watson has been elected ■unopposed for a third term as chairman of the Bluff Harbour Board. Uean Fitchett returned to Dunedin on the 25th after a prolonged tour in England and the Continent. He was given /& very cordial reception by his parishioners of All Saints' last night. His Lordship the Primate was present, and, in graceful terms, voiced the pleasure with which the congregation viewed the Teturn of its pastor. A Hastings telegram states that Mr Charles Smith, part owner of the Olrig Station, died suddenly on February 26, it is supposed from hemorrhage of the lungs. He was a. eon of the late Hector Pope Smith, who arrived in Hawka's Bay in 1861. and took up the land known as the Aorangi Station. Mr F. O. Joynt, who is about to comjnence practice as a solicitor in Chrietchurch, ■was presented with a case of silver-mounted pipes by the Invercargill Cycling Olub on Saturday evening. Mr J. M^Namai* (president of the club), in making (the presentation, ■mid that Mr Joynt had been an enthusiastic member for a number of years, and an ener- j getic member of the committee. The club j •wae very sorry to lose him. Mr Joynt, in & few words, thanked his fellow-members for •their valued expression of esteem. Members ©f the legal profession, representatives of the Cycling CTuh, and others assembled on the ■railway station on Monday to give their popular fellow a parting cheer. A Stratford telegram states that Mr J. B. Eine, who contested the Patea seat at the last general election, has been selected as I the Opposition candidate for Stratford seat art the next election. To the list of names of those who won ] success in the recent teachers' examinations < should be added that of Mr W. J. Rogers, of Moeraki, who gained a partial pass in " C." Mr Rogers sat for his examination in Christchurch, hence the absence of his name from the Otago lists. The golden wedding of Mr and Mrs Francoiß St. Omer was celebrated at Queenstown on February 95. The couple were married at Albury, Australia, on February 25, 1856. Mr and Mrs St. Omer set sail for New Zealand in 1862, and the same year arrived in Queenstown. They have resided in the place continuously since that date, so that nearly the, whole of their married life has been spent there. Th Wakatipu Mail records the death of Mrs Prior, relict of the late Edwin Prior, at the age of 78 years. The late Mrs Prior ■was a fine type of woman, and was the embodiment of kindness and gentleness. She therefore commanded the greatest respect of all who knew her. She is survived by her sister, Mts Archer, and by three daughtersMrs W. Mulholland, Mrs J. T. Bryant <owaka). and Mrs J. M'Neil — and one son (Mr W. Prior, Glenorchy)The Tapanui Courier states that the Rev. !Mx Jupp is to leave the Kelso parish. Mr Jupp i« highly 'esteemed by and popular with the old and young throughout the pastorate, where he has laboured with so much acceptance for the last two years, and his place will be difficult to fill. Mt Jupp will ba lrauing in the course- of a month, when lie will take tip the position of travelling organising secretary for th« N.Z. Presbyterian* Bible Class Union. In the divowning fatality at the Bluff recently two firemen of the Orari distinguished themselves by their gallantry in saving the lad who waa drowning and in recovering the body of Spencer, who attempted to rescue hini. Their names are James Price and D«vid Johnson, and they- are both natives of London. The Prime Minister (Sir J. G. Ward) has forwarded to each of them a telegram in the following terms: — "Mr James | Price. — In the regretted loss of life through drowning at Bluff hist week I was more tnan pleased to'' hear of the able assistance rendered by you "In diving for the body of the unfortunate victim. lour action is worthy of every commendation." — (Signed) J. G. Ward.— Mr Daniel Johnson.— l was gratified to hear of th© part that you took in, rescuing n boy from drowning at the Bluff last week. It is a 'noble deed to save life, and I desire to express my sincere admiration of your gallant action."— (Signed) J. G. Ward. The parishioners of St. Luke's Church, Oamaru, extended a very hearty welcome to their new vicar, the Rev. J. G- S. Eartlelt, on Tuesday evening. Our Oamaru correspondent writea the chair was occupied by Mr W. C M'Oonall, vicars' churchwarden, and there was a very large gathering of parishioners. Several cordial letters of recommendation were read from various ladies and gentlemen, including some who were old parishioners of St. Luke's, while fr,om members of the congregation there were hearty congratulations on what was unaniBiouely regarded 'as a fortunate settlement. During the evening a motion was passed confirming the resolution adopted at a previous ■meeting authorising the vestry to have a vicarage erected on the section owned by I the church at the corner of Itchen and Wharf streets. The situation is regarded c» an excellent one, though the Venerable Archdeacon Gould preferred the vicarage which was recently sold by the vestry to Mr .Hutchison, S.M-. The whole proceedings, "were marked by heartiness and confidence for the future of the ohurch. We understand that Mr G. H. Oalway, who iias -been absent from the colony for some years exploiting the May-Oatway automatic fire alarm, arrived at Hobart by the Rimutaka yesterday, and that after spending some time in Australia in connection with the flre alarm business he will come on to New Zealand. *■ A private cable was received in Auckland from London on Feb. 27 announcing the death in London of Mr John Brinsmead. of ithe firm of John Brinsmead and Sons (Ltd.), piano manufacturers, in his ninety-fifth year. •^-(Association) . An Auckland message reports the death on the 26th February of Mr Edward Lake, who tor several years sat in Parliament as the representative of Waipa, later merged into the Waikato electorate. Mr Lake, who was born in Kent, England, in 1847, came to New Zealand in 1876, and took up farming at Fernaide, an «atate of over 1000 acres near Ohaupo. He took an immediate interest in Jooal politics, and was shortly after elected •to the chair of the Waipa County Council. In 1884 he was elected fox the Waipa seat as an opponent of the Stout-Vogel Administration, and in 1892-3 sat as an opponent of ithe late Mt Ballance. He then retired, and ■was succeeded by Mr F. W. Lang. Mr John Reid, of Elderslis, Oamaru, intends to make a lengthened visit to the Old Country, leaving at a not distant date. Mr John Stevens, M.P. for Manowatu, despite his misfortune — he has been smitten with blindness since his election, — has formally intimated his. intention of again con- { testing the seat against all-comers. An Invercargill message eaye that, owing to the growth of the Southland postal business, $& Xnvercargill £oj»t OJlce- has been

raised to the first grade status, as from April 1, consequently Mr Capper, chief postmaster, will be transferred to Timaru, and Mr W. M'Hutcheson, et that town, who is Benior officer, will go to InvercaTgill. Miss Marion G-. Farquharson, Mornington, has received cable advice to the effect that she has passed the first section of the B.A. degree. Mr E. K. Lomas M.A., house master, Selwyn Collegiate School, has received unofficial information that he has passed the final section of the B.Sc. degree. The London eorrespandent of the Pastoralists' Review states that Mr W. ActonAdams has Teoently undargone a ssvere operation, and is shortly going to the Pyrenees to recuperate. Mr W. Heatley. M.A., has received intimation that he has received the M.Sc. degree of the New Zealand University, and also of his appointment as second assistant at the Port Chalmers District High School. -* Our Wellington correspondent wired on_ Feb. 28: — "It is understood that Mr James Ashcroft, for 15 years Official Assignee in Bankruptcy and District Coroner, who has been in poor health lately, has sent in his resignation." An Association message from Auckland says* that the Atua, which arrived from the Islands yesterday, brought news of the death of Mr R. B. Leefe, formerly British Consul at Tonga, in his sixty-fourth year. Mr Bain, first assistant of the Oamaru Middle School, who has been appointed first assistant at an Invercargill School, left for his new sphere on Friday evening. Before his departure he was presented with a pair of field glasses from the teachers and senior scholars, very appreciative references to Mr B-ain's work in the school being at the same time made by the head master And members of the committee. In connection with the results of the University examinations, it is understood that Mt A. M. Finlayson (Dunedin) and Mr D. E. Hanßen (Auckland) are placed equal for the 1851 Science Exhibition.

Our London correspondent writes on January 17:— Mr Colin Gih-ay (New Zealand Rhodes scholar) has been one of the chosen to represent the " R«st of Scotland "—the " Rest " including Scots resident in England. The trial series at Inverleith was concluded on Saturday, and in the lust of these trial football matches Mr Gilray was a prominent pl«yer. his side beating the cities (Edinburgh and Glasgow) by 15 points to 6. " The feature of the three-quarter back play," says one critic, " was the very fine appearance made by Colin Gilray as an inside to A. L. Purves. The pair were the best on the field, and got on together capitally. Mr E. H. Davis, who, after nearly 31 years connection with the Oamaru Post Office, has been transferred to Gore in the capacity of postmaster, was on Thursday afternoon presented with a silver-mounted oak tray and fet ot silver afternoon teaspoons from the st«ff at the Oamaru office. The presentation was made by Mr W. W. iJeswick, chief postmaster, who referred to Mr Davis as a thorough and faithful servant. Other members of the staff made similar remarks regarding Mr Davie, and a cordial letter was read from Mr iiutton, the previous chief postmaster at Oamaru. Mr Davis left on Friday mornirg for Gore. — (Own correspondent.) Mr Stead Ellis, secretary of the Nelson Education Board since 1880, died yesterday after i, short illness. He was taken ill on the Bth inst, had a stroke of paralysis on Wednesday, and never recovered. He hed been ailing for a long time, but (says a Pres* Association telegram) was not incapacitated till a few days ago. when he was granted three months' leave of absence. Mr John Mackay. Government printer, is on a visit to Dunedin, renewing old acquaintances and revisiting old scenes. Mr H. D. Johnson,^ judge of the Native Land Court, will (says our Wellington correspondent) shortly retire from the public service. He joined the Native Department in 1879. Mi Gilbert Mair, M.L.C.; who has already retired from the service, served with distinction in the Maori war as a native interpreter and judge of the Native- Land; Court. He has done good work in recent years. The Rev. P. W. Fairclough, F.R.A.S., of Wesley Church, Taraneki street, is (says our Wellington correspondent) bedng transferred from Wellington, probably to the Christchurch Methodisrt Central Mission, in April next. This engagement, it is thought, aays the Post, will be for a year only, so as to enable him to accept an invitation to the Danedin Methodist Church. Mr Fairclough is a man of considerable literacy and scientific attainments. He has been connected with the ministry of the Methodist Church both in Australia and New Zealand for a considerable number of years. Mr Harcourt, president of the Wellington Racing Club, was entertained at luncheon (says our correspondent) in the racecourse dining hajl at Trenthani on Saturday, on the eve of his departure for a trip to the Old? World. There was a large and representative gathering of Wellington citizens, men and wemen. Motor car races were held during the afternoon.

A number of the friends of Mr E. L. Commin, who is leaving Dunedin for Invercargill, met in the Orphans' Club Room on Friday evening for the purpose of entertaining him at a farewell social and of presenting him with a farewell address signed by all present. News has reached Dunedin of the death of Mr William Inglis, missionary of th« Presbyterian Church at Nauango, Queensland. Mr Inglis of late years served the church both of New South Wales and: Queensland in that capacity. He will be remembered by many in Dunedin as the secretary in the seventies of the then V.M.C.A., and later as connected with the Bible Tract and Book Society. He was prominent in the religious work of the city in those days, and was a devoted, self-deny-ing worker in many good causes. He left Dunedin to engage in business in Autralia, but his heart was always in religion* work, and he gradually gravitated to the work of the ministry in outlying districts. He leaves behind a widow, but no family. Prior to the departure of" the Warrimoo for Melbourne on Sunday afternoon, the usual throng on the wharf to witness the departure of the Sunday steamer was substantially increased by friends and well-wishers who had assembled to bid good-bye to Professor Sale and family, who were amongst the passengers by the outward-bound steamer. Quite a number of members of the Professorial Board of the Otago University were also present to _ take leave of their colleague, who departed amidst a chorus of good wishes from those present. Mr and Mrs Finlay Munro, of Tuapefea Flat, celebrated their golden wedding on Sunday week. An interesting feature in connection with the event was (says the Tuapeka Times) that Mr Mxmro wore the coat in which he was married 50 years ago. It is in a wonderful state of preservation, and but for the fact that it is a little Ancient in ttyle, might have been taken as of recent manufacture. It was mentioned that the bridesmaid at the original ceremony (Mrs Alexander Robertson, of Lawrence), a Bister of Mr Mubio'Ej would have been, present on

this occasion but for illness. The ceremony over, and Mr and Mrs Munio having received the congratulations of all present, tho company retired to the open air, wheTe a number of photographs were obtained by Mr Wurr. A liberal supply of refreshments was then served in a Urge marquee, and full justice was done to the good things provided. Mr and Mrs Munro (after whom Miinro's Gully is named) -\vere residents when the diggings were in full 9wing. Mr Munro came to New Zealand in flic Jura in 1862. His first employment in New Zealand was shepherding with Cargill and Musgrove on the Teviot Station, wh«re he remained for four years. He then went to Tuapeka district, where he took up the land he at present occupies, and engaged in butchering end farming. -•>" Miss H. P. Kerse, Gore, has received intimation that she has passed the final section of the B.A. degree. Dean Burk, after a 12 months' trip to the Old Country, returned to Invercargill on the 3rd, and was welcomed by the Mayor. Mr J. M. Brown has intima-ted to his friends (says our Oamaru correspondent) that, owing to Mrs Brown's health not being as good as could be desired, he has decided to retire froni the contest for the mayoralty.

Mr James Curran (cadet}, who has been stationed at Wartahum for the last two years, has been transferred to Middlernarch, and; left for his new quarters on Monday. On Saturday evening a few friends presented him with an umbrella, silv«r-ruounted, as a. slight token, of their esteem. Mt Curran, being of a very obliging disposition, commanded the respect of all whose business brought them in contact with him. k An Auckland message states that one of New Zealand's earliest colonists, Mrs W. Bellingham, died at the residence of her daughter-in-law, Mrs G-. BeHingham, at East Taranaki. on Sunday. Deceased arrived with her husband in the Coronnajidel in 1838, landing at Hokianga. She was a great-great-grandmother, and was in her ninety-thirdl year at the time of her dearth. The induction of the Rev. G. O. Blathwayt as vicar of St. Paul's Anglican Chuxch, Kaitangata, took place on Wednesday, 26th Feb. The induction ceremony was performed by the Yen. Archdeacon Neild on behalf of Bishop Nevill. The Archdeacon read the license authorising the Rev. G. C. Blathwayt to the position of vicar, and presented the newly-installed vicar with a oopy. The Archdeacon gave an eloquent and vigorous exhortation to t't& congregation from Samuel: " Thou are the Man." There was a large congregation, and the service was a fully choral one, Miss E. Kirby presiding in her usual able manner at the organ. At the termination of the Middlemaich picnic a presentation was mode to Mr and Sirs N. M'Fadyen just aa the worthy couple were preparing to leave the ground. Mr A. Thompson presented each with a Mosgiel rug. Mr M'Fadven, who is bard of the Gaelic Society, with Mrs M'Fadyen. is leaving early next month for a trip to the Home I/and. They are early settlers in the district, and are held in high esteem throughout the district. The residents wish them a pleasant voyage and safe return. Mr M'Fadyen, in his usual happy vein, suitably thanked the donors for their present.