PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 95, 12 October 1911, Page 4

PERSONAL.

A London cable states that Mr. Wickham has been appointed Board of Trade Commissioner for New Zealand.

*t is officially stated in London that the decoration of the Grand Cross of the Bath has been bestowed on Lord Dudley, formerly Governor-General oi the Commonwealth.

A man mimed Thomas Sykes Maynaril, a native of Yorkshire and nn old identity of Inglewood, whore he was known "is "Yorkie," died at the Old Men's- Ilom« ,y<!Bterda3 r . Ilia funeral will leave tlifl hospital at l 1! o'clock to-morrow.

Mr. and Mrs, Herbert Collier, of Wanganui, accompanied by their (laughter, Miss Irene Collier, arrived in their motor-car last night, and are paving a short visit to their son, Mr. Herbert: C. Collier, who is in-charge of the Xcw Plymouth, branch of Messrs. H. ("oilier and Co.

The following weird reference to si well-known New Zealander is taken from New York Life:—"Maggie Papakura, the Maoni chief, while ljesdeging a British regiment in a native-New Zealand fortification, learned that the foe had ru». out of ammunition. He at once sent rn. a supply, so as to make the fight a fair one. Maggie has since been civilised." The Rev. J. and Mrs. McArthnr, of Qpunnke, were entertained at a complimentary luncheon on Thursday at the Presbyterian Hall, Hawera, to mark the Kemi-jubi'lee of Mr. McArtlnir's ministry. The Rev. W. H. Howes, Moderator, o» behalf of the Presbytery, presented Mr. McArthur with several books as a memento of the occasion. Congratulatory speeches were made by several members off the Presbytery, and the Rev. Mr. MoArthur suitably replied.

A cable message from Xondoh announces the death of Miss Hesba. Streitton, the author of "Jessica's First Prayer" and other well-known- books. She wrote first for Charles Dickens, from 185!) until his death, and afterwards turned her attention to religious or philanthropic stories, which lias been translated 'into all the European and' several Asiatic languages. Her books inclmte "The Doctor's Dilemma," "Hester Morley's Promise," "Half-Brothers," "Carol®," "Bede's Charity," "Soul of Honor," and "The Highway of Charity."

The death is announced at Dunedin of Mr. S. 11. Mira/ms, ex-city surveyor, at the age of seventy-live years. He '\vas born at Sheerness, Kent (Eng.), and at the age of twenty sailed for Melbourne, where for some years he was employed by a Arm of architests and engineers. In 1562 he arrived in Dunedin and became assistant engineer under the Provincial ijOveninKmt of Otago, retiring two years Inter to commence practice as an architect and engineer. He became city surveyor for Dunedin in 1863, a position he resigned in 11)01, when he became secretary to the Dunedin Drainage and Sewerage Board. In 1003 he retired owing to ill-health.

A cable message from London states that Captain F. S. Reeves, of the East Kent Regiment, has been selected for servicei in New Zealand. He took part in the campaign in Chitral in 1890, and served on the North-West Frontier of India in 1807-98. He also served in the South African war from 1899 to 1902, being part of the time u special service officer and part of the time on the staff. He was present at the relief of Ladysntith, including th-o action at Colenso, and in the operations on Tugela heights; also in Natal (including the action at La Neck), and tin the Transvaal. He was mentioned in despatches, and received the Queen's medal with clasps, and the King's medal with two clasps. Mr. li. R. Morrisi, who has been actingChief Postmaster in Christchureh since January, succeeds to the position, vice Mr. S. P. Stevens, retired. Mr. Morris lias been in the postal service for the past thirty-five years, joining in Timaru in 1875. He practically served his apprenticeship in Christchureh, and was transferred to Auckland in 1889, and from there to Wellington three years later. He was transferred- to OhristI'hurch in ,1904 to take the position of chief clerk. In 1908 he was appointed assistant-Postmaster at Wellington., and in the following year lie was made Inspector of Savings Banks. Mr. Morris lias gone through all branches of the postal service, in which he has always been one of the most popular officers. Press Association.

The death was recently announced of the Dowager Countess of Son field, and that she niside a settlement, whereby her estates will now revert to the earldom. This probably refers to Caroline, Countess of Seafield, widow of the .seventh earl and mother of the eighth, who has for many years resided in the north of Scotland, on the family estates in Banffshire, Invernessshire, and Morayshire. The Earls of Seafield were for several generations prior to 1884 earls of the United Kingdom. In 1884 the eighth earl died unmarried, and the Scottish honors with the title of Earl of Seafield then devolved on his uncle, whose descendants have had a long connection with New Zealand. The tenth earl married a daughter of Major George Evans, of Otago, in 1574, and died in 1888, anil his widow and family have until quite recently resided in New Zealand, for many years in Oamaru and more recently in Auckland and Rotorua, Hoison, the present Earl, was horn in 1870, nnd succeeded to the title in 1888 on the death of his father. Ten years later he married Nina, daughter of Dr. J, T. Townend, of Christchurch. He was for a considerable time connected with the Sew Zealand Defence Force, being a lieutenant in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles. The cable indicates that the estates hitherto held by the widow of the seventh <wl will now go with the titlo to the New Zealand branch of tho Seafield family.