PERSONAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 68, 24 June 1916, Page 2

PERSONAL.

The death is announced from Sydney of Mr Alexander Kethel, member of the Legislative Council.

The Rev. R. Welsh, late of Opunake, was on Thursday inducted to the charge of the Pahiatua Presbyterian Church.

Mrs C, Levin, of Bulls, wife of Major Levin, who was killed in the evacuation of Callipoli, died yesterday morning, reports the Press Association.

The induction of the Rev. E. Cnlliford to the pastorate of the Knox Presbyterian Church, Eltham, took place on Wednesday night. The Rev'. I). M elvor, Waverley, officiated.

Mr R. P. (“Dick”) Evans, law clerk. Pacca, who is well-known in Stratford, being the son of Mrs E. Evans, Stratford, has enlisted. His name appears among recent Patea enlistments.

Mr Chas. E. Brundell, a well-known member of the Dunedin Builders’ Association, a Past Grand Master of the 1.0.0. K., and also well known in sporting circles as president of the Grange Cricket Club and a member of the Dunedin Bowling Club, died suddenly

Mr James Christie, a former resident of Stratford, has just received notice that he is to go into camp on Monday with the Medical Corps at Awaptmi. Mr Christie, who had made three unsuccessful attempts at enlistment, was for three years in the Royal Navy sick-herth reserve in England.

A letter received on Monday from Sir Thomas Mackenzie contains the following reference to his blinded son. Trooper Clutlia Mackenzie:—“Clutha is getting along splendidly, 1 am glad to say. He underwent a very trying operation about a month ago, and was under chloroform for about an hour and a-half. The result was most satisfactory, and ho is now much more comfortable. Ho is in Scotland, as he says, ‘seeing the country.’ Although he does not see, he appears to realise the influence of his surroundings. His knowledge of locality is simply remarkable. Upon one or two Occasions, when going through streets ho has never seen, he has been able to correct ray mistakes if I overstepped my disance.” on Sarurdav morning. , I If*': -i ‘I . : • 1 ■ .; s

Captain |W. F; Wilson, Stratford, of the Mounted Corps, 1 whose application for enlistment in the Mounteds has been in the bands’ of the Defence Department for six months past, has ’now withdrawn the reservation, and is expecting to be called up at any time for such branch of the service* as is decided upon by the authorities. This sacrifice on the part of Captain Wilson is .worthy of notice, as for years he has taken a whole-hearted interest in the work of the mounteds, and there is no doubt whatever that the decision is the outcome of the promptings of high-mind-edness and undeniable loyalty. The Wilson family are putting up a line record. Four out of five members have enlisted,' the fifth being physically unfit.

'The Hamilton correspondent of the “New Zealand Herald” reports that Mr. G. S. Barker ! died on Monday night, iijfed 100 years and 5 months. He vva&Hjorn at Calcutta on January 48th, l|f6, a’hd was a son of Sergeant Barker, ;of the Bengali Native Company. When twelve years of age he 'entered'a riding school, and two years later joined his father’s company. He had exciting experiences in the native troubles, and served fifteen years in the army. "When'discharged, Mr Barker "went to England, and came to New Zealand in 1861. The Maori was in progress, and he was drafted into the Jrd (Waikato) Militia, serving till the end of the war. He participated in the Thames gold rush, but lost all his money. Mr Barker went to Hamilton in 1877, and resided there ever since. He celebrated his 100th birthday in January, with a large gathering of friends from all parts of the Dominion, and received felicitations from the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers. Mr Barker retained his faculties, and had a wonderfully clear mind. He was a hie to read and take an intelligent interest in passing events to the end. Up to a couple of months ago Mr Barker was able to potter about the garden and perform little tasks, but gradually failed. For the past few weeks lie had been confined to his room.

The Waitara Mail records the death of Mr John Richards, which occurred at his residence, Tikorangi, on Tuesday evening, at the advanced age of 80 years. Born in Cornwall, he left there with his parents at the age of five years, and landed in New Zealand from ,ihc ship Blenheim in the year 1842. As a youth lie spent a considerable time with Sir Harry Atkinson, and afterwards joined the volunteers under Captain Watt. When the Maori war broke 0U;» he was called up for active service, and was present at the Waireka light. He was driving an ambulance during a light at Waitara. As a civilian he was engaged with the surf' boats at New Plymouth, and then when land was available for military settlers he removed to Tikorangi, being stationed on what is known as Blockhouse Hill, where he resided up to the time of his death. Deceased endured many hardships in the old pioneering days, and probably these told, for in his latter days he had been in indifferent health. Finally, however, his death came unexpectedly. Deceased leaves a widow, five daughters and three sons, viz., Mrs C. Jones (Tikorangi), Mrs Plowright (Strafford), Mrs Peppered (Carrington Road), Mrs Smith (Tututawa), Miss Richards (Tikorangi), Ernest (Hnirangi), Arthur and Frank (Waitara).