PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 26

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The younger members and adherents of Chalmers Church, Timaru, have decided to perpetuate the men.ory of their late pastor (the Rev. Robert Jackson) by completing the Sunday school, at a cost of about £700. There are about 400 young people interested, and the plan suggested is th.it each one shall contribute 2s 6d a month for 32 months. Mr A. Rankin and Miss Bankin, who are members of a family which settled at South Wyndham about 40 years ago, having decided to leave the district, were met by their neighbours on Friday, 3rd inst., and amid many eulogies were made the recipients of a handsome purse of sovereigns each. Our Auckland correspondent states that Mr George Felix Evelyn Hindmarsh died on the 7th at his residence in Mercer road, Ponsonby. He was ence mentioned as a candidate for the Manukau seat, but withdrew from the contest Mr Hindmarsh was ■\ man of independent means, having made money in land at Tokoroaru Bay. A few ■\ears ago h© retired and came to live in Auckland. During hi* residenco in Ponsonby he had~ been an active member of the Literary and Debating Society that meets in the Leys' Institute. He was a grandson of the- first Governor of South Australia, and a brother i 3 a solicitor and member of the Wellington City Council. Mr Hindmarsh wes a man of most generous nature, and gave freely to many objects. He was a staunch Liberal, and keenly intemVw 1 ;i; i political question. A Wellington message states that the National Dairy Association has appointed Mr W. Ellieon secretary of the Central Cooperative Dairy Company, of Ch/ristchurph, as its London representative in succession to Mr Charles Mackie, v.ho initiated the scheme. The Wakatipu Mail intimates the projected early departure of Mr and Mrs H. N. Firth from Queenstown. During a residence of 26 years they have ahvava taken a very great interest in all public and social institutions, and will be much missed from the district. It is their intention to mako Wellington th-eir future home. The death is recorded in the Tuapeka Times of Mr Wiliam Johnston, of Gabriel's Gully. Mj Johnston was among the earliest miners on the field, and v\es one of the bhareholders in the Neteon Company's claim, afterwards absorbed by the Consolidated G.M. Company. He leaves on^ son and two unmarried daughters. By the death of Mrs Martha Goc'eo the Dominion loses one of ite sturdy pioneers and Kevensbourne its . oldest resident but on** Deceased came out to Sydn-ey in the „ i,.- ,:. • . 1 a a centiuv ago, and arrived in Dunedin 47 years 0.%0. She resided with her family at the top of Stafford street for a few years, and whe-11 the tonn*hip of Ravensbourn" wj-« first lain out and sold 32 years ago Mrs Godso removed down the harbour, where she has resided ever since. Of a very kindly and amiable, disposition, and a skilful nurse, she ministered to the sick folk in the neighbourhood for many years, until increasing age confined her to her home. Mre. Godso "as predeceair^l b\ nei .ius baiwi many years ago, and the letter being I a member of the firm Anderson and Godso, i building contractors, was very widely \ known in this district. Mrs God&o was 89 years of age, and was a remarkably healthy ! woman, and never had a serious illness* until quits recently. She leaves one son and four daughters to mourn her decease. x.vts ,1011 (_.. i'owkls, who is in Aucklar.d, , celebrated his silver wedding on the 7th, ' a fact on which he received numerous congratulatory messages. j A Wellington message states that at the i annual meeting of the 'Incorporated Ini &tirute of Accountants of New Zealand tho 1 retiring members of the council— Messrs W. B. Hudson, W. W. Bruce, R. O. Du-ncan, P. Barr. and W. B. Sea ndretit,— were reelected. The council subsequently elected Mr James Brown (Dunedin) president, and Mr W. W. Bruce (Auckland, vice-presi-dent. A presentation and social were given I to Miss S. J. Hogg, late of the Brighton School. Tho Rev. D. K. Fi«her presided, and d\u-ing the evening presented Mhs Hogg (on behalf of the School Committee, the Sunday school teachers, and other friends) with a set of voumes of poetical works, handsomely boun-d Amo-n,g thoso present was Mr James Barron, an early settler in the district, and a former member of the committee. Miss Hogg also received a, gold brooch from tho young people. Some seven weeks ago Mrs Thomson, wife of Mr J. D. Thomson, of Alexandra, slipped and fell on a stone. She seemed to have recovered from the accident, but afterwards caught a chill, which developed into pleurisy, and she died on the sth inst. The deceased lady was much esteemed. Before proceeding with the ordinary business at last wook's meeting of the Alexandra Borough Council (says the Herald), Cr Spencer rose and said he had a duty to perform that was a very pleasant one indeed. It wa6 to make a presentation to his Worship the Mayor as a memento of the opening of the Alexandra waterworks. The speaker eulogised Mr Schaumann's efforts, and presented him with a gold key. The Rev. T. Tait, of St. Paul's Church, has been aeked if he will allow himself to be called to the pastorate of the leadingPreebyterian Church in Brisbane, Queensland. The stipend offered is (says a Christchurch messagf) £750. There 16 a fine new building-, which wes erected four >ears a.?o at a cost of £22,000. and it is practically fiee of debt. Ihe church hall is as large as tlie church itsalf, and lias a suite of smaller rooms attached. There is also a splendid organ, which cost about £2000. Ilie offiee-beaiers have informed Mr Tait that no sleps will be taken wfth regard to the vacancy until he gives his decision. Th<a-e are fewer positions of greater influence in the Commonwealth than that occiupied by the minister of St. Andrew's in Brisbane, and this is at 1-east the fifth time that an effort hae been ma-d« to in ditce Mr Tait to leave his present charge. On t.he 7th iust. Mr Al«.van-der Walker, a resident of Milton lor close on half a century, passed away at his residence there after a paralytic seizure. Ho was a native of Perth, Scotland, and, with his wife, I came to Australia in 1858, per Greyhound, ; and thence by the Orient to Dunedin in 1661. Along" with his young wife and ' child he made for the Tuapeka diggings, I but returned after a short sojourn there to Tokomairho, where he started as a miller for the late Mr Peter M'Gill, and

retired from that service only a few years ago. He was 71 at the time of his death, and leaves a widow, five daughters, ono son, and 14 grandchildren to mourn their loss. He was for a time a member of the Milton Eorough Council., and took an active part in his . time in church and social matters. There passed away on August 31, at her residence, Castle street north, an old colonist in the person of Mrs James Pattillo, who {u-rived by the fehip Sevilla on the 2nd December, j.859, with her husband and eldest child — a boy of 18 months, — their second 6on being born 11 days after their arrival. The first cottage was a small houee in George street, on the ground at present occupied by Dt Ritchie, where Mr and Mrs Pattillo resided for about 12 months, thence removing to their own house in Upper Regent road, abutting on the Town Belt. The timber for this house was carried from George street, near to Dunda6 street, up a rough track through the scrub, this being the first house on that part of the hill facing the then village of Dunedin. Mr Pattillo (who is now in his seventy-ninth year) states that when they arrived in Dunedin the present Octagon was covered with flax bushes, and George etieet from the Octagon to Frederick 6tre&t had only a dray road in the. centre, the rest of the roadway being in its natural state The late Mrs Pattillo, with her husband and child, were amongst the first passengers carried from Port Chalmers by the p.e Geelong, which anchored about 100 yards off the old jetty at Jetty street, the passengers thaai having to go ashore in small bca>ts. Mr and Mrs Pattillo celebrated theii.- golden wedding on the 12th June, 1907. The deceased lady is survived by her husband, four eons, and three daughters, and had ehe been spared for another three months hex period of residonoo in Dunedin would have reached the halt-century. A unique gathering took place in Gore on the Bth (says the Standard), when the members ot the Mac Gibbon family assembled to celebrate the centenary of the labo Mr John Mac Gibbon. There were present some 40 members of the family, including Messrs Colin Mac Gibbon (Oamaru). T. Mac Gibbon and family (Dunedin), and j Mr and Mrs Copland (Invecagill). Apologies were leceived from various members of the family in England, Australia, and the North Island. Mr T. Mac Gibbon presided over the gathering, and briefly referred to the life of the late Mr John MacGibbon, who, with his wife and four chllilren, arrived by the Mooltan in Dunedin in 1849, settling in Caversham, but transferring to Mafciura about 10 yeare later. The 111 embers of the family, with their children and grand-children, now number 81. Three brothers of this family occupy prominent public positions in Southland — Air Thomas Mac Gibbon that of chairman of tlv} Education Board, Mr John Mac Gibbon that of chairman of the Charitable Aid Board, and Mr A. A. Mac Gibbon that of Mayor of Gore. A Sydney message advises that Mr Mark Coh.tn, who has returned from the Imperial Press Conference, was welcomed at the Town Hall by the Lord Mayor and alderm?n. Our Naseby correspondent reports the death of Mr W. C. Parker, which occurred on Thursday. Mr Parker was a very old identity, being one of five who opened the Naseby goldfields. Of a retiring disposition, he was much respected by all who knew him For several years he was a great sufferer from rheumatism and "other troubles. He was taken to the Hospital about. three \ eeks ago, and died there. He leaves three nephews resident \n the district. Reports to hand concerning the health of Dr Nisbet are of a somewhat negative character. In a communication dated September 2. the doctor stated that he and Mrs Nisbet were to leave Sydney for the Blue Mountains for a stay of 10 days, after which there would bs a further consultation with his medical advisers. We have to record the death of another old identity — Mr H. W. Dawson — who arrived a mere boy, with his parents, in the ship Rajah, in th« early fifties. For a number of years Mr Dawson was connected with the public service, and for a time he occupied the nosition of postmaster at Mosgiel. Of late years he has identified himself with the mining industry in the North Island. Mr Dawson was of a. very quiet and retiring disposition, but. very much respected by his friends and those with whom he came in contact, and who no doubt will regret to hear of his unexpected death Mr J. F. M. Fraser and Mrs Fraser returned to Dunedin on Saturday by the Manuka after a holiday trip to Australia. The Prime Minister and Lady Ward were to leave Vancou.-er by the Makura on Friday. Honolulu is to be reached on the 17th, "and Suva on the 25th. At the latter port. the .Prime Minister will tranship H.M.B. Challenger, which is expected to make Auckland about September 30. A deputation of leading citizens of Auckland waited on the Mayor on Saturday morning, and asked him to call a public meeting- with a view to arranging- a suitable reception to Sir Joseph Ward on his arrival at Auckland on September 30. The Mayor agreed to call a meeting on Wednesday next, when repiesentativea from all the looal bodies will be invited to attend. Mr Henry Hawson, some years ago one of the best-known merchants in Invercargi!l, died at Oamaru on Thursday at the age of 83 years. In his early days in Southland the deceased was a member of the teaching profession, but he abandoned his pcholastic duties to enter upon a commercial career. He was a member of the firm of Hawson, Petohell, Wragge, and Co., wholesale merchants, Tay street, eventually blooming sole proprietor. The late Mr Hawson had been in failing health for many years. Mr Alec Verne, -who was well known throughout the Dominion as a theatrical manager, died of typhoid fever in Perth recently. Mr Verne was in Dunedin a few months ago in charge of Messrs Meynell and Gunn's Dramatic Company, and then complained of being in bad health. The continfual travelling evidently gave him no chance for recuperation, and he had not sufficient strength to resist the- attack of fever. Mr Verne was born in England, and was educated at a largo public 6chool, where he distinguished himself on the cricket field. The death is announced at Invercargill of Mr John Young-, a resident of 49 years' standing. Mr Young, who born in Stirling, Scotland, came out with the Storm Cloud on her first trip, landing in Dunedin. He was attracted to the goldfields almost immediately, but soon went to

Invercargill, where he was with Mr Alex. Hay, grocer, for 20 years. The deceased then commenced business on his own account as a, grocer in South Invercargill. Seven years ago he retired, and took to farming at Seaward Bush. The illness which ultimately proved fatal seized him five months ago. Keen regret was expressed by miners ana others when news readied Orepuki on Fru day (says ths Advocate) that an old comrade had met with a tragic end a few days, previously, while working m his claim at Nokomai. Mr Harry Ferguson was identified with mining at Orepuki for many years, and nas early on the field. His genial manner won for him many friends. A few years ago Mr Ferguson's son, a young man of fine promise, was killed by, falling over a cliff on the West Coast. The -death is announced at Cnnstcburch of Mr John Gibb, who has been termed the "Father of Painting" hi Canterbury. The deceased gentleman was born in Scotland in 1831 and studied art under Mr John Mackenzie, of jjreenock. He came to New Zealand in 1», and immediately turned his attention to the characteristic scenes to be found in the bush. He was particularly successful in his delineation of the gran, deur and magnificence of the West Coast Sounds, and his many visits to the Otira Gorge and other notable scenery in the Southern Alps made the main features of the district widely known. Mr Gibb was a versatile painter, and among his best pictures were some very realistic seascapes, and his treatment of wave effects and details of shipping was always remarkable. When Mr Gibb landed in New Zealand oil painting was little thought of, and he had a. long uphill battle against adverse conditions. In the midst of a busy career he found time for many hobbies, and as a bowler he was a great enthusiast, being one of the best "known members of the l^nristchurch Club. The deceased gentleman leaves three sons— Mr W. Menzies Gibb, an. artist of no mean ability ; Mr J. W. Gribb, who has an extensive business in church as an art dealer; and Mr tt. B. Gibb, who is in business in Geelong. Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P.. returned north by the second express on Monday morning, breaking- his journey at Timaru. A Napier message states that Mr and Mrs W. Bannerman, of Auckland, have beeA appointed master and matron of the Hawke's Bay United Charitable Aid Board's Old Poople's Home at Parke Island, near Napier. Mr Bannerman is at present master of the Costley Home, AuckThe death occurred at Gore on Saturdaymorning of Mrs Inder, wife of Mr S. G. Inder The deceased lady came from Central Otago, her maiden name being Healey, and her father is well known in that district as an overseer on the Kyeburn. Station. She was married m 1889 at Naseby, and leaves a family of five — three daughters and two sons, one of whom is assistant clerk of the court at Gore. The late Mrs Inder was extremely popular in Gore. n a . The death occurred at Oamaru on Sunday of Mr Frank Scoon, in his seventysecond year. Mr Scoon joined the staff of the Oamaru Woollen Company some 24 years ago, and did excellent service as working manager and patternmaker, doing much .in those capacities towards the transformation of the venture into a success. He leaves three sons and a daughter. Mrs Peter Barra, a native of Germany, and a resident at Waihola since 1874, died ! at Milton on Thursday last ; aged 81. Two sons (who are farming in the Milton district) and three daughters, who are all married, with 14 giandchildren, survive. ! The friends of Mr B. Flannery entertained him at a social at Ophir, the occasion being his retirement from business as proprietor of Blacks Hotel. Mr A. Kinney referred to Mr Flannery's sterling qualities and his work in the County Council. On behalf of the residents of the distri3t, he presented Mr Flannery with a Mosjdel travelling rug-, with suitablyinscribed mountings, and also a cheque for a substantial sum. Mrs Flannery was also the recipiont of a set of silver toilet appliances. Mr Flannery duly returned thanks.