PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 132, 22 October 1912, Page 4

PERSONAL.

The Public Trustee, Dr. Fitchett, is recovering from his indisposition, and he will be able to take over control of his department again in a few weeks. . The marriage at Auckland is reported' ,bf the Rev. R. B. Blackmore, late »f tb« Methodist Church, of Otaki, to Miss Wirth, daughter of Mr. Wirth, the wellknown circus proprietor. News has hec-n received that Mr. Reynolds Dennieton, of the theatrical firm of Hamilton, Plimmer and Dennlston, is very ill again at Melbourne. His heart is said to be seriously affected by his recent long illness. The partnership mentioned is to terminate on November 8 next, when the company will return to Sydney. Messrs. Plimmer and Hamilton are to organise again about Easter next.

The late Mr. Horace Romana Baker, who died at New Plymouth a few days ago, was a talented musician. .Whe» a young man he was a member of two of the crack military bands of the English Army, being an excellent cornet player. In the early seventies he was bandmaster of a band in Wanganui, which band, however, droped out of existence a little later, being succeeded in 1875 by one formed by Mr. W. F. Gordon, now of New Plymouth,

Another of Taranaki's early settlers passed away at Egmont Road yesterday jn the person of Mr. Alexander Colson at the advanced .age of 84 years. Deceased, who was an old militia man arrived in the colony considerably over half a century ago, and has been in Taranaki ever since. He leaves a widow and a family of six, viz., Messrs. T. Colson (Stratford), G. A. Colson (Fitwi.y), C. Colson (Egmont Road), Mrs. J. HoneyfteW (Moturoa), Mrs. McDonnell (Wellington), and Mrs. Barr (Sydney). Mr. William James Wills Smart who died at Tikorangi on Saturday evening at the age of 74, was one of the earliest settlers of Taranaki. He came out with his parents in the barque William Bryan, the first vessel to bring immigrants to New Plymouth under the auspices of tht Plymouth Company, arriving at New Plymouth on March 31, 1841, at the age of 3 years. With his parent* he went to live at Smart Road. About 17 years ago. he and his family icmoved to Tikorangi where he has since resided. He took part in the Maori War, being engaged at the Battle of Waireka and also at Mahoeta'hi. He leaves a widow and son, also two sisters, Mre. Hardington, and Miss. Smart, of Onehunga.