PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 138, 29 October 1912, Page 4

PERSONAL.

We regret to learn that the condition of Mr. Henry Brown at a late hour last evening was critical.

The death is announced at Palmerston of Mr. J. Ayres, one of Palmerston's, oldest residents, aged 71 years.

Mr. W. 11. Sitmnonds, editor of the Ashburton Guardian, has been offered and has accepted the editorship of the Hobart Mercury, says a press wire from Ashburton.

Dr. W. A. Chappie, M.P. for Stirlingshire in the House of Commons, and formerly of Wellington, is investing heavily in Vancouver property (says the Vancouver Daily Province). In all he has purchased city sites to the value of £120,000. William Gustavus Fischer, the composer of ''l love to tell the story," "Whiter than the snow," and more than •200 other hymns, has just died in "Philadelphia. He took a prominent part in the Moody and Sanlcey revival meetings. The wedding took place on Monday last, at St. Matthew's Church, Auckland of Colonel J. 1?. Purdy, Director o-l Medical Services for the New Zealand Army, to Mrs. Arthur Tighe, of Pymble, Sydney. The Rev. W. S. Gillam officiated, and the only guests were Mr. Bob Purdy and Dr. and Mrs. Parkes.

Mrs. Staples-Browne, bettor known in New Zealand as Maggie Papakura, has quite settled down to English country life at her home in Oxfordshire. She was in London last month and called at the High Commissioner's office with her husband. Those of the Maori troupe who remained in England gave a successful performance at Bristol recently.

Ilari Rorc, a chief of the Ngatiraruu. tribe, died somewhat suddenly at the Wairau Pa yesterday, aged 5!) years. He was a man of exceedingly obeee proportions, and had been for several years unable to walk. He leaves a widow, but no children. His brother, A. Rore, is a well-known racing man. His grandfather on his mother's side was Captain Blenkinsopp, a well-known old whaler, who it is recorded, purchased the Wairau Plain for an old cannon. A big tanci will be held. ° M

Sir William and Lady llall-Jones, who have been spending the summer months at Bournemouth since Sir William's retirement from the High Commissionership at the end of May, have now returned to town, and have taken a flat in the West End (says a London correspondent, writing recently). So far they haTC not made any definite plans as to their future, but it is probable tliey will spend the winter at Bournemouth. They are not likely to return to New Zealand before February.