PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1921, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Dr. Kelly, editor of the Tablet, who has been on a visit to Hawera, left yesterday morning for the south. A Greymouth telegram reports the death of Mr. Clement Parfitt, aged S 3, a pioneef, and a prominent gold-mining investor. He was a member of various local bodies, and father of Mr. Wrn. Deputy-Mayor. The report of the Carnegie Institute Committee, which was received at last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council, contained a resolution congratulating Mr. W. H. Skinner on his recovery from a recent operation and expressing the hope that he would soon be restored to perfect health.

It was recently announced that Mr. T. Morgan, of Reefton, had been appointed clerk of the court at Eltham and Stratford, but Mr. Ching, who has held this position for the past two years, received notice yesterday that the proposed transfer has been* cancelled, says the Argus. At last night’s meeting of the New Plymouth High Schools Board of Governors it was resolved that Messrs. S. G. Smith and F. W. Atkinson, whose term of office expires shortly, be recommended for re-appointment for a further term.

The Presbyterian General Assembly, now sitting at Dunedin, resolved to offer the position of secretary to Foreign Missions, vacated by the Rev. A. Don, to the Rev. H. H. Barton, of Maori Hill. The Rev. Mr. Barton has accepted the appointment and will visit India and China next year.

Another old identity passed away last week in the person of Mrs. Louisa Empson % widow of Mr. Charles Empson) an early owner of Meadowbrook Run, Blenheim. Mrs. Empson, who was 87 years old, came to New Zealand at the age of seven years with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Howard. They were wrecked at the Cape before they reached New Zealand, losing all their possessions. They remained six months in Capetown, and then took ship for New Zealand, arriving finally at Kororareka (Russell), where they settled. Two years later the historical, capture of Kororareka by the Maoris took, place, and Mrfa Empson had vivid recollections of all that happened. After this the Howard family went South, and finally settled in Nelson. At the age of 18 Mrs. Empson was married to Mr. Charles Empson, youngest son of Mr. Richard Empson, barrister, of Bath and Leamington. He died in 1874. For about 25 years after this Mrs. Empson lived in seclusion in Blenheim with her widowed mother. On the latter’s death at the age of 94 Mrs. Empson left Blenheim and resided with the members of her family in different parts of New Zealand. She leaves three sons, Mr. C. C. Empson, ex-stock inspector, Mr. G. H. Empson, ex-chief postmaster, Mr- S. H. Empson; also a daughter and a number of grandchildren.