PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 306, 20 May 1911, Page 4

PERSONAL.

A London cable announces the death of Mr. J. 0. Weir, Ijlierul member for Rosa and Cromarty,' a constituency lie has represented for nine years. He was 72 years of age and a retired manufacturer. Mrs. Fisher, wife of Mr. T. W. Fisher, Under-Secretary for .Native Affairs, who early in the year was injured in a motorear accident on the Waitara-Xew Plymouth road, is at present seriously indisposed and an inmate of a hospital at Wellington. Among well-known cricketers at Murdoch's funeral were R. 0. Schwartz, ol the South African team, 11. T. Hewitt, Major Wardell, of Melbourne, and H. J. Hornsby. Wreaths were sent by many persons, including W. C. Grace, Spofforth, and Sir A. Bailey, also from the Marylebone, Surrey, Melbourne, Tasmanian and Sussex cricket clubs. Play was suspended on all grounds during the funeral. A fine illustration of grace, gift, and gumption is furnished by the Rev. Alex. Porter, who was inducted into the Mftrton Presbyterian Church last week. Ho was born on his father's farm, near Milton (Otago), and early acquired a good knowledge of fanning. Later, he studied for engineering, and, becoming qualified, was employed on the Union S.S. Co.'s boats on several trips to San Francisco and Sydney. Tiring of the nomadic life, he with a brother secured a threshing plant and did good business in the country. An unfortunate accident deprived him of his right arm. Mr. Porter then decided to study for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, and went through the full six years' course prescribed. Although he writes with his left hand, he managed the difficult characters of Hebrew and Creek. He was ordained over six years ago to Roxburgh (Otago), and did excellent work in a scattered country parish.—Feilding Star.