PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1921, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Mr. E. P. Webster leaves New Plymouth this morning on a six to eight weeks’ visit to Australia.

Owing to the outbreak of plague Lord Northcliffe has cancelled his proposed visit to Queenr.'and. Mr. J. S. Connett, chairman of the Taranaki County Council, left for Wellington yesterday morning to attend the Counties’ Conference.

Mr. IL P. Ward, who is to take up duty as Registrar of the Auckland Supreme Court on Mr. A. Stubbs’ retirement, was farewelled by members of the Dunedin Law Society last week, The death occurred on Saturday of Mr. Mareo Fosella. an old settler of Levin. He arrived in Wellington in the ship Gottenburg, and settled at Levin in 18913. Prior to this he served throughout the Franco-Prussian War, in IWO-71.

A London cable states that Lord Dawson, the King’s phywician, declares Mr. Lloyd George is etfnra lose ent, but must be careful if a renewed breakdown is to be avoided. It is not expected that any Ministerial conference will be held during the Premier’s present holidays.

The funeral of the late Mr. A. Piper, a victim of the New Plymouth boating fatality, took place at Wellington on Saturday afternoon, when there was a large gathering. Representatives of the firm of Gannaway and Co., and his fellow worker.* on the waterfront were present. The principal mourners were Mrs. A. Piper (wife of the deceased), and Mrs. Croft, of Alicetown (sister); the bearers were his fellow colleagues. There were many beautiful wreaths, amongst which were .those from the agency of Ganna way and Co., of New Plymouth, the firm in Wellington, and his friends. How a man’s instinctive liking for a study will persevere in spite of most I serious handicaps is well exemplified by the life of Mr. Frank H. Hitchitigs, known as “The astronomical chimney sweep,” whose death at the age of 77 years occurred at Christchurch last week. While voyaging to New Zealand in the ship Silina in ISdt), Mr. Hitchings became interested in astronomy through the good offices of the captain of the vessel, and after his arrival in New Zealand he pursued a life-long study of the fascinating subject. For a number of years -he lectured on his hobby, and was the possessor of the largest telescope in the Dominion. He /became a member of the Royal Astronomical Society, the Canterbury Philosophical Institute, and the Canterbury Microscopical Society. further De became a valuable contributor of records of sunspots to the Royal Geographical Society.

Says a Welsh paper of recent date ‘ — An interesting personality at present on a visit to his native country is Mr. John Jones, of Wanganui, New Zealand. Mr. Jones left Llandiloes, his native place, about 36 years ago. After many vicissitudes he succeeded in building up a prosperous business as builder r.nd contractor at Wanganui. He has a large family, and his sons control stations on the fertile reaches of the wonderfully beautiful river that gave the name to his adopted town. Ml*. Jones occupied the mayoral chair at Wanganui for some years, and when the Prince of Wales recently visited New Zealand his Royal Highness complimented him on the fact that lie had five sons and a son-in-law who saw service in the war. Although Mr. Jones has had few opportunities of speaking his native language, his conversatidn in the old tongue is still fluent. About eleven years ago a Welsh clergyman was appointed to a benefice in the town. Mr. Jones, though a. prominent deacon amongst the Wesleyans, approached him and initiated the idea of holding a Welsh service. The clergyman not only accepted the proposal but offered hie parish church and his own service on the condition that the mayor would provide the congregation. Mr. Jones at once acquainted all the Welsh people within the radius of the North Island of the forthcoming service. The church was crowded, the vicar officiated, and Mr. Jones read the lessons. It was the first and only Welsh service held in that far-off Maoriland. That 'Welsh clergyman is now a vicar in the Rhondda. Although 73 years of age Mr. Jones has travelled as far as Scotland on his bicycle. After attending the National Eisteddfod he returns to his adopted country.