PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 38

PERSONAL ITEMS.

♦ | Miss Daisy R Robertson has received j notice that she has obtained the M.A. degree with first doss honours in English and French. > Oxir esteemed fellow-oitiKen Mr William Brown, of the firm of William Brown and Co his xetumed -to Dunedin after an 18 I rmontha' tout of the Old World. Mrs Brown and Miss Brown have also returned. At a meeting of the Deacons' Court of First Church on the 2nd inst. it was unani- • mously agreed to .forward to Mx Jesse Timson, organist of the Jjhurch, a letter expressing appreciation of hia services in promoting the fund for the new oxgan, and heartily oomeraiulating him on the oom/plete success that j had attended the movement. On the ocoasion of her approaching ' departure from the Balclutha District High School to the Normal Training College, Miss H. H. Cuxrie was on Friday, February 28, presented with a tennis racquet from the teaching staff, and a ailver-backed brush and como : and a. cut glass hair-pin box from the scholar*. — Clutha Leader. On Saturday, February 29 (says the Southland News) a very old railway servant in the person of Mr Henry Gibb, the leading blacksmith in the Way and Works Department at Invorcargill, laid down his tools for the last time in that capacity to retire on superannuation. His fellow-woikmen presented him with a handsome inscribed marble clock. ' which was accompanied by a silver-mounted >iand mirror, comb, brush, and scent bottle fbr Mrs Gibb. I The Dunstan Times records the death of Mr John Hamilton, another of the old pioneers, who passed away at Lauder on February 22 at the ag« of 71 years. Mr , Hamilton was born in Shisken, Isle of Arran, ' and was married in Lanarkshire, Scotland. He ceme to New Zealand with Mrs Hamilton in the sailing ship City of Dunedin in the year 1863, landing at Port Chalmers. Amancr stock-breeders the deceased gentleman will be much missed, as he was a keen judge of live stock, and a breeder of some note. He was always a large pries-taker at the Blacks and Ranfurly shows, having gained most points for horses, cattle, and sheep on several occasions. _ i It is interesting (says the Dominion) to note that Captain E. G-. Shonland, R.N., j late in command of H.M. battleship New Zea- j land, and who has just assumed command of j the Royal Naval College, in succession to i Captain A. C. Galloway, -is a New Zealander. He is a son of Dr Shortland, formerly well known in Auckland, and a nephew of Lieu- 1 tenant (afterwards Admiral) Shortland, first , Colonial Secretary of the colony, and for some time Acting-Governor after Captain j Hobson's death. Captain Shortland is believed to have been born in New Zealand. I He is regarded as a very promising officer, \ as is practically certain to attain flag rank, j On Friday, February 28, at Waikaka, a public | farewell was given to Mr and Mrs M. L. < Spratt, who are leaving the district to take possession of the Lowburn Ferry Hotel. The Public Hall was crowded to the doora. Mr I W. F. Icder, on behalf of a large number of . friends, presented Mr Spratt with an illu- ' min-tted address and Mrs Spratt with a go*d ; bangle In making the presentation, Mr j Inoer testified to the appreciation with which ' all in the district held the character of Mr • and Mrs Spr&tt, who have during a long- resi- ' dence gained widespread esteem. These sen- J timente were echoed, by Messrs D. Lamb, H. ' Ranldn, D, Corcoran. John Milne, sen., Max- j tin Curran, D. M'Kensie, and W. Gee. The j encomiums bestowed on the guests of the ( evening were of such a nature as to make ' it evident that in Mr and Mrs Spratt the Lowburn Ferry district was gaining a great ' acquisition. I At a recent meeting of the Vostry of St. Michael's Church, Anderson's Bay, the ' appointment of organist and choirmaster was conferred upon Mr Ernest Lilly. I Mr Win. T. Foster has been advised un- ! officially that he has parsed tis examination ' for thw final section o ( . the B.A. degree, ' and has been awarded the Tinline scholarship. Mr William Brownlie has received intimation that he has secured the M.A. degree with first class honours in physical science. The Westport Borough Council on the 4th appointed Mr Douglas Dobson, A.M.1.C.E., of Masterton, to the position of town olerk and borough engineer. There were 15 applications. — Press Association. Mr J S. Smart, l»te of the Otago Boys' Hish School has been offered, and has ftc-

cepted, a senior national scholarship, tenable at the New Zealand University. Mr Smart was placed thirty-third in the recent junior university scholarship examination. Mr J. H. Edgar, who has been engaged in mission work in China since 1898, returned to New Zealand by the Maxama on the 3rd, and proceeded from the Bluff tc his home at Tapanui. Mr , Edgar, with Mrs Edgar, worked under the auspices of the China Inland Mission. Some of his duties carried him into Thibet. The Rev T. Toit, who has been in charge of the Nightcaps-Wairio district for the last four years, has given his congregation notice that he intends to place his resignation in the hands of the Southland Presbytery at its next meeting. Mr Tait has never fully recovered from injuries he received about two 3 ears ago, from a fall from his horse, and his medical adviser has strongly recommended him to take at least one year's complete rest. There passed away at his residence, Temuka, on the Ist. inst.. another of those, veterans who sought this country in the early seventies in the person of Mx Stephen Spillane, at the age of 80 years. Born in Ireland in 1828, he enlisted in the 47th Regiment at the age of 19 and served his full time of 21 years, during which he saw many stirring events. He was through the Indian mutiny, and on its conclusion returned home to Ireland. He came to South Canterbury in 1874, and made his home in Temuka, where he resided ever since. On the occasion of his departure for Wellington as inspecting engineer of the New Zealand Government railways, Mr P. W. Mac Lean, who . has been District Engineer in Dunedin for the past 10 years, was presented by Mr Burnett, on behalf of his fellow-officers, with a gold watch suitably inscribed. Messrs J. Bevin (Traffic) and W. Owen (Locomotive), on behalf of their respective branches, made a few remarks, and referred to the cordial relations that had always existed between Mr Mac Lean, as head «of the maintenance branch in Dunedin, and the other branches of the servioe. Messrs T. Miller (inspector of permanent way), J. Kane (foreman of works), and A. Duncan (stationmaster), also spoke. Mr Mac Lean in suitable terms responded, and in doing so referred to the happy relations that had always obtained with his staff, and expressed hie regret at leaving Dunedin. He also took the opportunity of introducing his successor, Mr H. Maoandrew, who has taken charge of the Dunedin district. i Mr William Alexander has been notified that he has passed the final section of the B.A. examination, and ham been awarded I the senior scholarship in Latin. Mr A. D. Spenoe, who for several years has been chief clerk in the local (till lately head) office of the Royal Exchange Assurance CorpoTaitaon, haa been appointed district manager for Otago and Southland, in conjunction with Mx P. Walton, a son of Mr W. A. Welton, the general manager for Australasia. An Auckland message says that Mx John Sutcliffe, of Whitford, will be a candidate for the Parnell seat at next election in opposition to Mr F. Lawry, the sitting member. The Press reports that Mr R. Moore, at the request of several of the electors of the new portion of the Kaiapod electorate, haa decided to offer himself as a candidate at the general election. The some journal states that it is leported that Mr John. M'Lachlon, of Waikari, son of Mr J. M'Lachlan, M.P., will be a candidate for the Hurunui seat. The Rev. Father Lynch, who has been assistant to the Very Ray. Monsignor O'Leary at Lawrence for the past two years otr more, has been transferred to Palmerston South, for whioh place he left on Wednesday. On Tuesday night, prior to his departure, he was entertained at a farewell social in St. Patrick's schoolroom, when, an opportunity was taken of presenting him with a purse of sovereigns as a token of the high esteem in which he is held by the Catholics throughout the Tu&peka district. Mr H. Ha-rt presided, and, in making the presentation, spoke in high terms of the many excellent qualities of Father Lynch, and expressed regret gt his removal from the district in which his ministrations had proved of a very acceptable character. — Tuapeka, Times. • | Mr Owen J. Hodge has received notice that he has passed the final section of the B.A. degree. Mirs Willis, wife of the Bishop of Tonga, is at present a visitor to Dunedin and the guest of the Primate and Mrs Nevill. A Wanganui message states that at a meeting of the Harbour Board on the 6th Mr T. H. Haworth, of Wellington, was appointed resident engineer. Miss Janet M'Leod has received intimation that she has passed the M.A. degree, with double second class honours in mental Science, English, and Latin. I . Miss Mary Dale, who has been on the staff of the Clinton School for the past 12 months, was (prior to her departure to enter the training college) presented by some of her pupils with a beautiful gold brooch and handsome silver-mounted photo-frame. Mx James M. Paterson has been notified that he has passed the final section of the B.A. examination, and has been awarded the senior scholarship in~ English. A farewell social was tendered to Mrs and Miss Waters by the St. James Congregation, Roxburgh, on Tuesday, Brd inst., when the Rev. A. R. Fitchett presented them with a well-filled purse of sovereigns in token of appreciation of their work in connection with the church, ohoir, and Sunday school. Miss O'Shea, who has been appointed assistant at the Anderson's Bay School, was on the; occasion of hex leaving the Kelso School, where she had been for four years, presented with a gold watch and chain by the residents in the district. At last week's meeting of the Southland Presbytery a letter was received from the Rev. T. Tait tendering his resignation of Wairio charge on account of his health. A medical certificate, recommending complete rest, was also given in with the letter. The congregation of Wairio, through a representative to Presbytery, and motions from each part of the district, expressed deep regret at the step required to be taken by Mr Tait. It wae agreed that the Presbytery accept Mr Tait's resignation, and express the hope that a long rest would lead to a permanent cure,, and that Mr Tait will be able to return to full service. Among Otago residents who have looked their passages tor England by the Ruapehu, which leaves Wellington next week, are Mr and Mxs R. O. Campbell and family (Otakeike), Mr Hull, and Mx Harold Teschemaker. The late Mrs D. Ross, -who passed away a few daye ago. was (says the Southland Times) one of Invercargill's very oldest residents, having arrived at the Bluff by the ship Robert Henderson in September, 1862. Three months later she was married to Mr Donald Ross, the well-known photographer, who survives her, there being also two grownup sons tot mourn their loss. For nearly 40 year? the deceased lady lived in the same old home in Tay street, and had m«ny interesting reminiscences to relate of early InveroaxgHl. She endeared herself to a.ll with whom she became associated, and in her own quiet way she was ever willing to lend, a helping hand to those in need.

The Gore Standard reports the death, which occurred on Thursday, sth inst., of Mr! Alexander Stewart, of Otama. Mr Slewara was engaged about 5 o'clock in assisting with* tho loading of grain, and was in the act ofi carrying a sack, wnen he dropped it and complained of feeling sick- He went and! lay down, but gradually grew weaker, ant] died about 7.30. Dr iirugh arrived shortly after 8 o'clock, but could only pronouncd life extinct, death being due to heart) disease. The deceased gentleman was born in Blair Drummond, Stirling, Scotland, i& 1843, and at the «ge of 20 oaine out to ib« colony. He resided here only briefly, how* ever, and went Home again, engaging ixt farming fox several years in Stirlingshire^ About nine years after his first visit he again came to New Zealand, and almost imm«di« ately visited Otarn*. He secured a farm at Otama at the time the Mock was &rt# settled, and has resided there ever since, 80 odd years. Mr Stewart -was a brother of the late Mr W. Downie Stewart. Some time after settling at Otama he married Mis* Sin« clair, of Tapanui, and she, with a lamiljt of four, are left to maurn the departure of one at whose passing there will be wida and genuine regret. I A pleasant gathering, arranged for the purpose of enabling a number of personal friends of Mr and 1 Mrs James Shiel, who will leav^ Dunedin shortly to take up their residence in Ireland, was held in the Art Gallery on tho; 6th inst. Over 120 ladies and gentlemen wcto present, and the evening was devoted to progressive euohre, followed by a programme of music and dancing. Expression was given to the regret felt by their friendß at th« coming departure of Mr and Mrs Shiel, and to the hope that prosperity and happiness woul<j attend them in their new home, and that they -would see their way to return to New Zealand at some future time, and renew theif acquaintance with those here who had en« joyed their hospitality and had learned t<H appreciate their worth. The Rev. Arthur C. W. Standage, M.A., was inducted into the charge o£ the Mount Ida Presbyterian Church at Naseby onl Friday, 6th inst. There was a large congregaZion, the service being conducted by th«f Revs. A. Wwtson, of Alexandra (moderator), A. Porter (Roxburgh), J. G. M'Leod (Oromwell), and J. G. Harkness (Weddexburo). la the evening a social to welcome Mr and Mr* Standage was held, and very largely at ten* ded, and during toe evening Mx H. Wilson,, on behalf of the Ladies of the congregation^ presented Mr Standage with the induction cushion, having his initials, the date, an<J Naseby worked on it in gold letters. At the social to welcome Mr and Mr* Sifl/ndage, held at Naseby on Friday last, Mr Hugh Wilson (session clerk), am behalf of the Mount Ida congregation,- presented the Rev. A. Watson (Alexandra), who hai for the past few months acted as moderator of the charge, with a valuable driving rufl in token of the congregation's appreciation ' of his services in effecting a settlement of the charge. We regret to record the death of Mrs T«, J. Ramsay, which occurred suddenly at Olyd* on Saturday. Details of -the occurrence or* 1 meagre, but i<t will be remembered that juav recently Mx Ramaay wae entertained aY Naseby prior to his departure fox the NoxibJ Island to take up fresh work, and he left! Dunedin for Wellington just a day ox two ago, having left hia wife, to all appearance',, enjoying good health. Mrs Ramsay was * daughter of the late Mr Robert Mtsrray, of Puerua, and is survived by her huawuwl and three children, to whom the sympatti|| of a targe circle of friends throughout Otagaj will be extended. > Mr Delorgey, aooountant in the brmcU of the Bank of Ney Zealand «t Arrowtownv has been granted three months' leave of absence on account of ill health. Mr Nichols, of the Dunedin office, takes Mr Delargey'a place. Mr Frank J. Donohue, who for the pfts* 20 years had been attached to the editorial! staff of the Sydney Morning Herald, died si few days ago, after a somewhat protracted illness. The deceased gentleman, who ww 60 years of age, was a cultured writer, ana could, when wished, impart in<to his efforts « pungent sarcasm which w*s very effective. In the earlier part of his career he edited several country newspapers in New SoutH Wales. As a later date he became indentifieol with the "Picturesque Atlas of Australia, 1 * under the editorship of the late DrGarxaxr. Subsequently he become * leader-writer on the Sydney Morning Herald, and continue* in that position till about six weeks agoy when his health broke down, and hopaid f short visit to New Zealand. Mr Donohu*. leaves a widow and three children. Mr E. P. Burbury, the Oamaru manage* for the New Zealand Loan and MetoantaH Agency Company, who is about to take ■ trip Home for his health, was (say. oun Oamaru correspondent) on Saturday met to* a representative gathering o* *w«f«a» *»» of Oamaru and farmers of the district, «n« presented with a handsome gold watch, whihj a gold bangle for Mrs Burbury was als* handed to him. The presentation was mod* by the Hon. T. T. Duncan and numerous ! testimonies were given of the estimation itf which Mr Burbury' s abilities as a J^ff* 8 * I man are held, and of hi» vmaowl uaetohxm i £ many public matters, The Mayor (Mr B« Milligan). who presided, mode special referf ence *o this last feature In the course .of • very appreciative reply Mr Burbury took th« oSorffiy to emphatically axumou» that he was being retired from comply « service. This he did expressly on the author rity of his general manager, who had jrHtert recording his appreciation of Mr B™™** ■ Sr WUofDm^' will be in charge id Mg- «** f.«J Auckland lost evening on their way to th* Lakes. They were Btaying at the Grand last Mr Thomas W. .M^ri* of Ghuznee street, completed his sixty-oightM £*r of residence in Wellington. He reached the port in 1840, when he was » of UT, Ind^was immediately apprenticed to M* Samuel Revans, proprietor of the New /*** land Gazette and Britannia SP***"* 0 ?: *M "city" of Wellington was then td Britannia, subsequently known as Petone. Afterwar3f (soya the Post) Mr M'Kenrie becom* identified with the Wellington Independent which was merged into the New Zealand Times. Mr M'Eenzie Justifiably clafma thai he is the oldest journalist in New Zealand. Mr Cyril Towsey, the young Wellington! pianist, who went to London a couple of years ago, seems to be feeling his feet vfr the bigger world of music. When he laatf wrote to his father, Mr Arthur Towsey, o| Wanganjui, he was (the Dominion says) en* gaged on a tour with Franz Yon Vecsejj (pronounced Vay-tschai), a violinist, whons Mr Tawsey describes as a great artist with • colossal technique. Mx T,ovsey appeared a*

fltfioist at Albert Hall, London, on January x / and was to appear again there on I r*bru»ry 15. On February 5 he was sssoci- ! ,led with Marie Brema, Plunket Greene, jen Da-vies, and Johanes Wolf, at Chester, 4t Liverpool with Marches!, and at Bolton • Hiix Baokhaua and Madame Ella Rustell. As the outcome of his recent success ac JMWkune Melba's accompanist, Mr Harold LWblttle has (says the Dominion) received 4 handsome offer from the great singer to become her permanent accompanist in her future concert tours of the Old World. Mr •■Whittle, who is a son of Mr T. H. Whittle, of the Wellington staff of the Bank of $Tew Zealand, and a member of the Wellington Bowling Club, leaves for London shortly in Melba's wake to take up his new duties.