PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 276, 30 December 1909, Page 2

PERSONAL.

Mrs. Catherine Brickell, wife of Mr. R. B. Brickell, one of the earliest settlers of Tututawa, Stratford, died on Tuesday. Air. W. C. Kensington, Under-Secre-tary for Lands, is in Taranaki on a visit of inspection. He will probably remain here until the end of the present week.

Air. Gordon Alare, touring manager for Pollard's Merry Alidget Co., arrived in New Plymouth yesterday to make arrangements for the first appearance here of these talented juvenile entertainers now on their initial tour of the Dominion.

Dr. J. C. Purdie, chief health officer of the Auckland district, has been appointed chief health officer of Tasmania, in succession to Dr. Klkington, who has been appointed Commissioner of Health to Queensland. Prior to coming to New Zealand Dr. Purdy practised in the Far East.

At the conclusion of business on Christmas Eve, Air. Herbert, proprietor of the "l'p-to-Date" Drapery Store, was presented by his staff with a handsome silver-mounted spirit flask. After the presentation the employees were entertained at stopper at the Burlington Tea Rooms. Mr. H. P. Lyons, "the veteran of the road," who has just completed 54 years' connection with theatrical enterprise, was' in town yesterday looking as hale and hearty as ever. Since his last visit to New Plymouth a little over two years ago, Mr. Lyons has once again circled the globe, and still heralds the coming of "Carter, the Great Magician." "Carter" is billed for a short season at the Theatre Royal, commencing Thursday 4th prox.

Captain Richard Grombridge Butt, whose death occurred on Boxing Day, may be regarded as one of the "ancient mariners" of the Dominion, as he had been at" sea here for approximately 55 years. Born in the Isle of Wight, deceased came to ftew Zealand nearly 79 years afo, landing at Lyttelton from the schooner Lucy Ann, from Brisbane. S'lifeequcntly he canie to Wellington, and, after serving to and from Ward Island, became a partner in the Napier, trading up the West Coast. He wis also connected with the paddle steamer Lyttelton, which took six weeks on one occasion to reach Foxton. He held other commands which were responsible for many exciting experiences at sea. Captain * Butt afterwards became a coastal pilot, which position he retired from some six years ago. On one occasion while sailing file Rona down from Auckland he encountered bail weather and ran under hare poles from Napier to Gisborne. On another occasion lie was on the yacht'Tarifa when she sank fn Wellington harbor. His knowledge of New Zealand waters was a very extensive one and hTs experience just as varied. He leaves a widow seventy-six years of age anil a family of five sons and a daughter. Three years, ago Captain and Airs. Butt celebrated their golden wedding, on which day Airs. Butt's sister, who is now also a' widow, celebrated her fifty vcars of married life.