PERSONAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3084, 5 January 1909, Page 5

PERSONAL.

The death occurred at Martinborough on Friday night last of Mrs Leslie Gaskin. The deceased had resided about twelve months in Martinborough. The Misses Amy and Dulcie Murphy, of the "Blue Moon" Company, have completed their engagements with Mr J. C. Williamson, and intend to return to Dunedin shortly. \Mr J. Ayres, the well-known trainer, of Featberston, has purchased a property with training stables attached at Trentbam. Mr Ayres will leave for Trentham tomorrow. Judge H. Dunbar Johnson, of the Native Land Court, who has been spending a short holiday in Wellington, is about to return to Taranaki, where he will resume the sittings of the Court which has been holding in that district for several weeks past.

Dr Thomas Hodgkin, D.C.L., Litt.D., author of "Italy and her Invaders" and other historical works, and a prominent member of the Society of Friends, will probably visit New Zealand within the next few months. It is his intention to arrive in April and spend about three months in the Dominion. Professor R. C. Maclaurin, who about a year ago left Wellington to take charge of the Department of Physics at Columbia University, New York, has been appointed President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Boston. This institution is one of the leading technical universities in the world. The students number 1,400 and the instructors 250. At the advanced age of nearly 97 years, Mr Joseph Whatton, a wellknown and respected settler in this district, died on Sunday last, at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr G. E. Chamberlain, of Upper Plain. The deceased was a native of Staffordshire, and came to New Zealand fifty years ago. He was remarkably hale and hearty for his advanced years, and was able to get about until comparatively recently. The deceased gentleman leaves four daughters and other descendants, who will have the sympathy of a •large circle of friends in their bereavement.