PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 264, 17 March 1911, Page 4

PERSONAL.

A Sydney message reports the death of the ReV. Dr. Fraser, a prominent Congregationalist, who was principal of Camden College. Mr. H. H. Whitehead was yesterday elected secretary of the Fitzroy Bowling Club, Mr. Lovegrove having resigned the position. Mr. H. Stocker, of New Plymouth, has been appointed by the Underwriters' Association to succeed Mr. Tcwsley on the Hawera Fire Board.

Rev. J. D. Russell, vicar of Petone, who recently declined the appointment of the Masterton cure, has accepted the position of Vicar of Oamaru. The Waimate Witness gives currency to a rumor that, Mr. William Brewer, of Waitotara, will contest the Patea seat at the nest election as an Oppositionist.

A London cablegram reports that the Parliamentary whips entertained Sir John Fuller at luncheon, and membersof the House of Commons presented! him with a. vase.

A well-known auctioneer informed a Hawera Star reporter that about 1000 sheep from the Napier district had recently been brought into South Taranaki.

Wanganui has been having bad luck with its champions of late, and is now finding some consolation in the discovery that Rifleman Roots, the champion rifle shot, is a native of that place. Mrs. J. R. Hill, of Egmont road, is at present seriously ill in the New Plymouth hospital. At a late hour last night she showed some improvement, but she is not yet out of danger. Mr. Frank Poland, who has been "minehost" at the Breakwater Hotel for • few months past, was "farewelled" last night by patrons, and a welcome tendered to Mr. Whiteford, the new licensee.

The death is recorded at Wentworth Falls, Xew South Wales, of Mr. Lionel Edward Kiddiford, of the Lower Hutt. MK Riddiford, who was only 24 years of age, had been in ill-health for some time past.

A London cablegram states that Truth says that Dr. Wallis, until recently Bishop of Wellington, will probably be appointed Arthdcacon of Wiltshire, and will assist the Bishop of Salisbury in routine work.

Among the passengers by the Arawa is Mr. Samuel Turner, F.R.G.S., who is en route for New Zealand, where he • proposes to engage in mounaineering. During the voyage, while taking exercise to keep himself in climbing trim, lie put up a world's skipping record. An accident befel Mr. X. Peppcrill and a sij-horse waggon team he was driving on Monday. He was ascending the hill on the Ok'oke road, just off the main road, with a big load of timber. « To make the pull easier for the horses lie worked them on to the soft, nnmetalled portion, close-in to the cutting, and, when the brow of the hill was reached, essayed to turn the team on to the /metal. Just at the critical time, when the horses were turned, the brake, failed to act, and horses and waggon went over the side. Fortunately, in * their fall, they struck a terrace, and, the waggon was caught there, while Mr. Pepperill fell clear. The vehicle was turned completely upside down, and the horses were held together. They struggled, naturally, but assistance was soon forthcoming, and they were released. Little damage was done, and there, says the Waitara Mail, the remarkable part of the incident comes in. Had the terrace, previously mentioned, been missed, the s team, waggon, and driver would have fallen a considerable distance, and something serious have resulted. Mr. Orton Stevens has been asked by a number of electors in the Hutt constituency to become a candidate for ft seat at the general election. He ha» promised to announce his intentions in a week or two. Mr. Stevens is a manof unusual capacity and ability, and has done a great deal to make l»wer Hutt what it is to-day—Wellington's most attractive suburb. Prior to his arrival, the valley was subjected to periodical floods, and the town was shunned as if it were a plague spot. Tic took in hand the conservation of the river, which the old identities regarded as sheer madness and waste of money. He was backed up by the enterprising men of the district, a scheme was formulated and carried out. and the Hutt was soon immune from the inundations to which it had been subieetcd since the advent of the pakeha. Mr. Stevens was also instrumental, as Mayor of the place, in earryiin.' out one municipal improvement al'ler a::<il!i>''\ until trm' it is as prosIhwiis ;i l-,,.:>"h i.s I- :,, l;r foam] in t'v p ■•■:! •;. "■. , ;. iiv.mn^ly