PERSONAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3102, 27 January 1909, Page 5

PERSONAL.

Otaki possesses a record-breaker in the person of Mr H. F. Eager, who has held the position of hon. secretary and treasurer to the Otaki Public Library ev(.r since its inauguration in 1873.

Mr C. J. Kent-Johnston, secretary to the Anglican Church Vestry, Featherston, has received word from Bishop Wfllis. ot Wellington, that rhe new Vicar, Mr Page, will not arrive until February 23rd.-

On Friday evening next a valedictcry social is to be tendered Mr W. Mason, an old settler of Niresha. Mr Mason intends taking a hcliday in Wellington and Duredin, ai.d tray eventually settle in tne Auckland district.

Constable Doyle is to be succeeded at Masterton by Constable McGregor, of Wellington, the transfer occurring at the end of the present week. Constable McGregor is vvtll-known in Masterton, in Caledonian circh s particularly, as he has competed at the New Year's Day sports n various Highland events.

Ths Hon. A. W. Hogg 1 , Member for Masterton and Minister for Labour and Cjstuma, is to be entertained at a garden partv in the Masterton Bowling Green on Thursday, i-ary-llth, and at a banquet in tha Empire Hotel in the evening. TfiP two functions are being he.lu in honour of Mr Hogg's elevation to Ministerial rank, and strong committees of his supporters —both ladies and men —have been set. up.

Mrs Harrison Lee (Mrs Cowie), the well-known Australian temperance worker and writer, left Australia a few days ago for England. Mrs Lee intends to conduct a month's mission for the Good Templars in Ceylon, and a similar mis sion at Port Said and in the Holy Land, afterwards proceeding to Italy and Switzerland prior to visiting the United Kingdom. She will probably return in September, and then settJe in New Zealand.

Dr and Mrs W. S. Ross, of Mastertor., who are leaving shortly for England,where they intend to reside, weie entertained at afternoon tea at the residence of Mrs Hirscbberg, of Lansdowne, on Monday. They wers made a very handsome presentation in the form of a solid silver entree dish, hot water jag, and pepper and salt castors in ca*e, Mrs Bunny, of Lansdowne, making the presentation, and Dr Ross suitably replying. The hostesses were Mesdames Hirschberg, W. H. Cruickshanlc and Bunny, the function, at which a large number were present, being a very pleasant affair. Ac SI. Patrick's Church yesterday, the wedding was solemnised of Mr F. J. Lewin, of Masterton, and Miss Mary Williams, daughter of Mr E. G. Williams, a well-known and respected settler of River Road, Masterton. The ceremony was witnessed by a considerabld number of friends and relatives of the bride and bridegroom, and was performed by the Rev. Father Kelly. The bridj was given away by her father, thi Misses Williams (sisters of the bride) acting as bridesmaids, and Mr W. E. Williams as best man. A reception was held later at the residence of the bride's parents. Mrs John W. M'Lean, an early settler in Wellington district, died at the family residence in Abel Smith street, on Sunday, aged 65. The deceased lady was born in London, arrived in Wellington by the ship Gleamer when she was 16 years of age, and shortly afterwards she became the wife of Captain Clements. The latter was drowned when on the voyage to the Chathams in the schooner Sea Serpent. In ISG7 she married Captain Short, who died in Wellington in May, 1906. She afterwards became the wife of Mr J. W. M'Lean, of Wellington. The deceased lady, who was much respected, has suffered from asthma from girlhood, but the immediate cause of daath was hiart failure. A son by her first marriage is living in Hawke's Bay.

After an illness extending over some months. Dr. George Mackay Macdonald died on Friday at his residence in Chrristehurch. The late Dr. Macdonald w&a the second sou of the late Mr George Macdonald, the famous novelist. He was born in England in 1863, and was educaced at Cambridge University and King's College, London, After he qualified he practised as a throat specialist for ten years with his brother, Dr. Greviile Macdonald, the famous specialist, in Harley street, and in 1906 he came out to New Zealand with the hope that the climate would improve his health. Although he had only been in Christchureh about two years. Dr. Macdonald made many friends, and his generosity and readiness to assist those in need of help, both privately and professionally, gained him much esteem. He was regarded as an exceptionally brilliant specialist in diseases of the eye and throat.