PERSONAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 294, 7 December 1908, Page 3

PERSONAL

Dr. Chappie, who was defeated for the Tuapeka seat, contemplates another visit to the Old Country. Mr. John Martin, who lived for fifteen years in Opunake, uied in Eltham on Wednesday evening, lie cm;se of death being iiright's diarf is?. Mrs. Pember Beeves, wife of the late High Commissioner of New Zealand, who is a prominent member of the Fabian Society, was principal speaker at a publie meeting neld at the Town Hall, Leamington, England, by the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies on October 29. Mr. Cyril Ward, eldest son of the Premier, was married on Saturday to Miss Elinor Davidson, niece of the late Mr. Aloysius Mac Donald, at the Hillstreet Basilica. A large number of guests afterwards repaired to the Premier's residence, where the wedding and , the silver wedding of Sir Joseph and lady. Ward were celebrated. Press wire.

Professor W. Lowrie, retiring director of Lincoln Agricultural College, is to be presented with an illuminated address by the Farmers' Union at a picnic to be held on Thursday next (says a (Press Association wire from Christchurch). Miss L. W. Kelland, teacher of the Hurimoana and Tahora half-time schools, and Miss V. Rutherford, teacher ai Tarata, have forwarded their resignations to the Education Board. Miss McCarty, of the Cardiff school, is absent on sick leave, as the result of an accident.

Mr. George T. Fannin, late clerk to the Hawke's Bay County Council, died at Napier on Thursday last, aged 78 years. Deceased was a native of Ireland, and came to New Zealand in 1831, settling in Napier. He held the position of clerk of the Hawke's Bay Provincial Council from its formation until the provinces were, abolished. He was then appointed clerk and treasurer to the Hawke's Bay County Council, which office he filled for about thirty years. He was also secretary of the Hawke's Bay Education Board for'a very long period. During the old provincial days ilr. Fannin acted as secretary to Sir Donald McLean and the Hon. J. D. Ormond, who represented the General Government during the progress of the Maori war. He leaves a widow, four sons, and two daughters. A very old colonist has passed away in the person of .Mrs. Gammaek, of Christchurch. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Gardner, arrived in Nelson in 1841. Mr. Gardner came from Scotland and was a founder of. the Presbyterian Church ia Nelson. Oil their arrival their daughter, Annie lleid, was in her sixth year. She preserved a lively memory of early struggles—the terrors of the M'airau massacre and so fortli. She married at an early age Mr. Robert Aiken, and went with* him to Canterbury about fifty years ago. They ultimately settled at lSroodlield, and here Mrs. Aiken was for many years widely known for hospitality and good works and for her devotion to the Wesleyan Church. About seventeen years ago she was married to the late Mr. James Gamniaek, of Springstou. Since his decease she had resided mostly in Christchurcli. The deceased lady thrice visited the Old Country, and also toured the Continent and ttie United States. Her surviving children arc Mrs. Fairclough (wife of the Rev. I*. W. iairclougli) and Mis. George Scarlett. One of the most interesting survivors among the few who still remain of the noble band of women who nursed with 31iss Florence Nightingale in the Crimea has passed away in Mother Mary Aloysius Doyle, at the Convent.of Mercy Gort, County Galwav. The venerable lady; had reached the age of 94 years, but her faculties were unimpaired, and only last July she wrote a beautiful letter of sympathy and good wishes on hearing of the fete of the veterans destined to help the declining days of the survivors of the Crimea and the Mutiny. The great value of the services rendered by the first party of nurses who went out with Miss Nightingale led Mr. Sidney Herbert to request Miss Stanley, sister of the former Dean of Westminster, to select further reinforcements for her; and letters were written to all the convents in Ireland for trained volunteers. It may be recalled that two other Boinan Catholic sisters who accompanied Miss Nightingale are happily still with us as Sister Mary Stanilaus, RJI.C., and Sister Mary Anastasius, K.R.C.—of St. John and St. Elizabeth—the former of whom, it is pleasant to record, is in good health, and has many interesting memories to tell of those stirring days. | Pu-yi, the new Emperor of China, is a child of two years and nine months, having been born on February 11, I'JOG. He is the son of Prince Cli'un, who was younger brother of the late Emperor Kwang Hsu. Prince Cli'un is now Regent. Though bom the son of Prince Ch'ua, Pu-yi js the adopted son of the late Emperor Kwang Hsu. The new Empress Dowager is Yeli-ho-ua-la, widow of the late Emperor. She is a niece ot the late Empress Dowager. As Pu-yi is the adopted son of the late Emperor, the Empress Dowager recognises him as her son too. The Sydney Morning Herald, to whom we are indebted for the above information, says I'u-yi is 70th in descent. The llerald adds: '•ilanehus are known only bv their family name, hence the new Empress Dowager bears the same name (\eli-ho-na-la) as the old Empress Dowager Tfci Hsi did before being elevateu u rank. Both are of the same Maiu;.:u family, the new Empress Dowager being a daughter of a brother of Tzi Hsl. Yeh-ho-na-la, as principal wife of the late Emperor Kwang Hsu, is now the first lady in the land, and is in the only position in China where a woman can exercise recognised power and influence. Her enemctic action in summoning the Grand Council of State prevented an opportunity for intrigue to arise, and she lias proved herself a worthy successor to her kinswoman, whose role she enjoys. No doubt precedent will be followed, and Yeh-ho-na-la as Emprc« Dowager will be proclaimed co-regent with Prince Cli'un."