PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 January 1921, Page 4

PERSONAL.

The death of Mr. John Hunter, the widely-known boot manufacturer, is reported in a cable from Sydney. Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public Works), who has been in the Waitomo electorate, continued the journey from Awakino yesterday to Te Kuiti, where he left by the expless for Auckland. At a meeting of the Taranaki Agricultural Society on Saturday afternoon a vote of sympathy was passed to Mr. Frank Coward, of Hillsborough, in his. recent bereavement. The death occurred at Palmerston on Wednesday, after a severe and sudden illness, of Mr. Duncan Fraser, eldest and only surviving son of the late Donald Fraser, of Pukehou, Bulls. A new member of the Ministry will be appointed when Sir William Kerries, Minister for Native Affairs, hands in his resignation in about one month’s time, The appointment will be settled in Cabinet.

There died in Auckland last week, in her 86th year, an old resident of New Plymouth in the person of Mrs. Emma Pheney, whose husband was an artist, son of a former editor of both the Taranaki Daily News and the IJerald in the early sixties of last century. The death occurred at Wellington Yecently of Mr. Harry Monk, a wellknown singer, and son of the late Judge Monk, of Mauritius. The deceased gentleman had travelled extensively and was a member of the relief party of the Scott Antarctic expedition. He was .also a passenger on the Penguin when that steamer was wrecked. • « •Dr. Philip I. Jory, ,of Birkenhead. Auckland, has accepted the position of house surgeon in the East London Children’s Hospital at Shadwell, one of the leading institutions of its kind. Dr. Jory is bettor known as Lieut.-Colonel Jory, D. 5.0., formerly of King George Hospital, Rotorua. He is only 26 years of age. Another old and respected early resident passed away at Auckland last week, in the person of Mr. Richard Porter. Born in Wellington in 184'8, his parents removed to Auckland when he was six months old, and he resided there ever since, with the exception of a short period at the Thames. In hjs earlier manhood he took an active part in the Labor movement. Mr. Will Hutchens, Muc. Bae., of’ Hawera, who arrived in October from New Zealand by the Ruahine, accompanied by his wife and two young children, intends to get into touch with the latest musical ideas, atid to visit relatives in Kent and Cornwall (writes a London correspondent). He will probably return to New Zealand about the middle of next year.

Mr. Herbert Ramsay, M.A., who has been appointed Professor of English Language and Literature at Otago University, is about thirty-four years of age, and is at present assistant to the ] Professor of English at the University of West Australia. He holds the office of university librarian, and the pos'fcion of examiner to the boy’s schools of the Church of England in that State. In this post he was the successor of Mr. E. J. Wilson, now Professor of Modern Languages at Vivtoria University College Wellington. The new Public Trustee wijl probably be Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, Secretary to the Treasury, who is at present on a visit to England. He has either b-en offered or will be offered the position He is 62 years of age, and received his education at Nelson College. He enter- - ed the Civil Service in 1874. In 1894 he was appointed deputy-commissioner of taxes, and in 1896 deputy-valuer-gen-eral, and deputy-superintendent of advances to settlers. In 1904 he received the appointment of Valuer-General. He has taken a keen interest in defence matters, and was well-known as a Rugby footballer in his younger days. Another old colonist and New Zealand war veteran passed away on December 29 in the person of Mr. John Stephenson, Boston Road, Auckland, at the age of 78. He'joined the 18th Royal Irish Regiment on May 27, 1858, and came to New Zealand, afterwards becoming sergeant in the 50th Foot and serving through the Maori war. In January, 1871, after the war, he joined the Armed Constabulary Force and remained in the force till October 31, 1874, and then entered the Civil Service, and carried on duties in the Defence Department, for over 30 years, eventually retiring in 1904. He had been in indifferent health for some little time prior to his death.

The Otago Daily Times, in its reference to the N*v Year Honors, says: Sir George Hunter is reported to be the most popular member of the present Parliament and of the Parliaments which have preceded it, and oi which he formed a part since he was first elected in 1896, although- he has not sat con tinuously since that date. It has been rumored that on more than one occasion Sir George Hunter has been offered and has declined Ministerial preferment; he has always been actively -in sympathy with racing, and he took a prominent part last session in tlie setting up of a Gaming Commission to readjust the issue of totalizator licenses. No one of these reasons, however, gives ground for the honor just conferred upon him; for the motive which prompted the King’s advisers to so single him out reference must be made to his patriotic services during the war ppriqdi . Sir George Hunter may, without fear of contradiction, be dubbed a very patriotic gentleman. He was extremely generous in his giving while the war lasted, and since the cessation of hostrlltics h ( * has deeded to the Government, free of cost. £40,600 worth of land for returned, soli tiers’ settlement puxnoaea.