PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 March 1917, Page 4

PERSONAL.

At Mangatoki, on Monday evening, Privates R. K. Rae, D. 0. llenry, and l'\ A, Catiey were farewelled by the residents, and were presented with a luminous dial wristlet watch each. Rev. Dr. O'C'allaghan, who will be in charge of St. Mary's parish, New Plymouth, for a few weeks, arrived by the Rarawa from north this morning. Mr A. J. Morton, chief inspector of schools in the Taranaki Education District, who has been seriously ill for a considerable time, was sufficiently well yesterday to attend a meeting of the Taranaki Education Board. Mr V. Duff, accountant, who has recently been "practicing his profession on his own account, has joined Mr 11. Baily in partnership. Mr IJull' was previously a member of Mr H. Baily's stall'. It is with much regret that we have to record the death of Mrs t/ornwall, widow of Captain Cornwall. The family is so well known in the district that it will have the sympathy of a very large circle of residents. Mr. S. B. Houghton, superintendent of the Napier electric mains, who has been accepted for active service, was. at the meeting of the Napier City Council on Friday night, granted leave of absence, and the Council agreed to pay him the difference between his civil and military pay. The Rev. W. A. Sinclair, the newlyelected president of the Methodist Conference, began his ministry in Hastings. In the year 181)1, after a term of training in the .Methodist Theological College, he took charge of the interests of local Methodism, and then gave evidence of the fine gifts that have distinguished his whole ministry. At tho meeting of the committee of the New Plymouth Defence Riile Club last night, 011 the motion of President Hill, seconded by Rifleman J. Ransom, votes of sympathy with the relatives of the late Col. Okey, Rifleman H. Stocker, and Rifleman G. S. White were carried, the members silently standing. The Rev. F. G. Harvie, M.A., of Terrace End, Palmerston North, has accepted the appointment of vicar of St Mary's, New Plymouth. Rev. Harvie is " man of considerable scholastic attainment, having secured his degree at Oxford University, lie has the reputation of being an able preacher and a good parish man. It will probably lie some little time before he takes up his work here. [ Mr. Joseph Isherwood Buekton, aged S.>. died in Auckland on Friday hist. Mr. Buekton arrived in Auckland in KSfii by the Matilda Whattenbach, the first ship to arrive in New Zealand with Albert land settlers. He, his wife, and famly of three clddren were among the first people to arrive at Port Albert. Mr. Buekton took a kec-n interest in local affairs, and was a member of the Rodney County Council for 21 years. He left four sons, five daughters, 41 snmdchiidren, and 20 great-grandchildren. | Mr 11. Dempsey has resigned his position as headmaster of the Central School, after 34 years' service. He w... hold the position of inspector until he retires 011 superannuation in June next. In moving at yesterday's meeting of the Education Board that the Board place 011 record their appreciation of Mr Dempsey's services, the chairman (Mr R Masters) said that the fact that Mr Dempsey had retained the confidence and respect of the Board, the school committees, and the pupils for so long spoke volumes as to his ability as a teacher. Mr H. Trimble, who seconded wiid there was no doubt Mr Dempsey had done excellent work. The hope was expressed that die would live long to enjoy his retirement. The motion was carried. / The wife of one of New Zealand's pioneers, Mr. Frederick Atkinson, has passed away at Waimate North, Bay of Islands, this month. Mrs. Ilariret Atkinson was S3 years old at the time of her death, and arrived here from Yorkshire. in June, 1535. She was married in Auckland to Air. Atkinson soon afterwards, and the couple made their first home in Opotiki, removing eighteen months later to Whitianga, where Mi. Atkinson was engaged in trading. All through these stages of their life they were in t'lose touch with the missionaries. and knew well most of these gentlemen. The next shift took place after tho Taranaki war, when Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson moved to Kennedy's Bay, Coromandel, and were concerned in the erection of one of tho first sawmills there. There they had many exciting adventures during the native uprisings, and, following these, Mr. Atkinson and his wife returned to Auckland. Some time later the family moved to Waimate North, and Mr. Atkinson recently retired from active affairs as a storekeeper there. The survivors include Mr. Fred Atkinson, four sons, and three daughters, and numerous descendants.