PERSONAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 3, 28 December 1912, Page 5

PERSONAL.

The Governor-General (Lord Denman) has received a reply from the Vicerine thanking him on behalf of Lord Hardiuge, and stating that he is progressing w ell.—Melbourne cablegram. The Venerable Archdeacon Brodie, V.G. has been appointed as a Domestic Prelate of his Holiness the Pope with the title of “Rev. Monsignore.” President Taft has deckled to accept the Kent Professorship of Law at Yale University,, and will commence his duties in the spring. Rev. Father Nicholas, Provincial of the Society of Mary in Australia and the South Sea Islands, was a passenger to Auckland by the Tofua, and is staying with Bishop Cleary. John William. Merrick, for many years one of the leading business men in Cambridge, died on Monday aged 85. He went to Cambridge about 1876, and carried 011 business as a draper. Mr Massey lias taken up bis. Wellington abode in the Ministerial residence so long occupied by Sir Joseph Ward. One of the signs of change is that the residence is not now known as “Awarua.” Mr Neville Thornton died at Wanganui on Thursday, aged 77. Lately a theatrical scenic artist, ho had, in earlier life, had a more strenuous career, for he was, when quite a boy, a soldier of France in the Crimean War. Deceased received the decoration of the Legion of Honour (a silver star). 1

Mr Arthur Appleby, an old and much-esteemed resident of Christchurch, died on Thursday. Mr Appleby attended the annual picnic of the Christchurch Liedertafel last Saturday afternoon, and on arriving at Lyttelton from Governor’s Bay he was seized with a sudden illness. Mr Appleby was born at Burton on Trent in 1849, and arrived in Christchurch forty-five years ago. On Thursday afternoon, between a couple of events, the stewards of the Taranaki, Jockey Club assembled in the Stewards’ Room and requested the attendance of Mr A. W. Budge, President of the Stratford Racing Club. A very pleasing ceremony then took place, the Hon. Oliver Samuel, on behalf of the stewards of the Club, presenting Mr Budge wit'h a very handsome silver tea and coffee service, suitably inscribed, -in recognition of the valuable service rendered to the Taranaki Jockey Club by Mr Budge, who has on many occasions acted as the Club’s honorary Judge and honorary Starter. In making the' presentation the Hon. Mr Samuel said Mr Budge was one of the oldest! and best friends the Taranaki Club! possessed. He had been associated; with it in leading and responsible! positions for many years, and had! always discharged his duties admirably—to the absolute satisfaction of the public and the benefit of the Club. 1 Mr Budge had rendered valuable ser-, vice willingly and gratuitously for! many years, and it was due in a great measure to his efforts that the Club was in such a flourishing condition. Mr Budge in reply very heartily thanked Mr Samuel and his fellowstewards, and said it had been a sincere pleasure to him to have been of ( any service, first because of his love for the sport, and secondly because of his desire to help a club which at one time was not in too flourishing a condition. He had seen the club grow Until to-day it occupied a prominent position among the provincial clubs of New Zealand. Its appointments were perfect and its management most satisfactory. He again 1 thanked the club most heartily for its 1 handsome present, which was quite unlooked for, but very much appreciated.