PERSONAL MATTERS

VICE-REGAL.

Their Excellencies the Governor-General and the Countess of Liverpool, who have been in Christchurch for some days, will leave Lyttelton 'for 7 Wellington by the Manuka to-night. ' Mr. James Jones, late chief officer of the Raranga, died in London on 6th September, from rheumatic fever. Paymaster W. J. A. Brown, R.N., loft Wellington by the Tofua this morning on his way to England. Mr. Constable, naval architect for the Union Steam Ship Company, is on his way from Dunedin to Auckland to meet tha Leitrim. "■ The Rev. H. T. Stealey, Vicar of Pe~ tonej hopes to leave for England before the end of the year. His successor will bu the Rev. H. A. Walke, at present Vicar of Shannon. Lieut.-Colonel R. E. Courtney, C.8., V.D., who gave the name to Courtney's Post on Gallipoli, died suddenly in Melbourne on 22nd October, from hemorrhage of the brain, at the age of 49. It was at Courtney's Post that the late officer recommended Captain Albert Jacka for his V.C. , Owing to. the difficulty in arranging for a homeward passage, Mr. W H. Morton, City Engineer, has been. detained in England for a longer period than he expected. According to a recent letter, he expected to leave for America about the middle of November, and to join the Malcura at Vancouver, lie should, therefore, be in Wellington towards the end of December. The death occurred suddenly at Palmcrston North this morning of Mr. John Randall Forster-Pratt, the well-known sheep farmer of the Manawatu district. The deceased, who was about 60 years of age, came out to New Zealand in the early 'eighties, and engaged in sheep fanning pursuits in tho Manawatu district until two or three years ago, when he retired and took up his. residence in Palmerston North. He took a prominent part in the affairs of his district, and was well liked and admired by a wide circle of friends, who will greatly regret his death. Mr. Forster-Pratt married a daughter of the late Mr. G. S. Cooper, of Wellington, and is a brother-in-law of Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., and of Mr. Harold Cooper, of Palmerston North. He leaves a widow and two sons, one of whom resides in Palmerston North. The death occurred in Wellington last night of Mrs. Baillie, wife of the Hon. Colonel W. D. H. Baillie, M.L.C., in her 89th year She had been seriously ill for some weeks, and anxiety had been felt concerning Her condition. Mrs. Baillie, who had a particularly charming, bright personality, will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends, and much sympathy will Be felt with her husband and her surviving son and daughter—Mr. Baillie, of Wellington, and Mrs. E. Balcombe Brown. Mrs. Baillie arrived in New Zealand with her husband in 1857. They settled first of all at "lirina," Wairau, and later, for many years, their home was at "Para," near i'icton. At both of these homes the hospitality and kindness shown was well known and appreciated, and many early settlers had cause to thank Mrs. Baillie for help and sympathy. A very accomplished musician, Mrs. Baillie, in the old days, gave instruction to girls who wonld have had no opportunity of learning had it not been for her kindly and efficient help. Up till a few weeks ago, Mrs. Baillie played brilliantly, having been one of those who never allowed her talent to be idle. Of late years Colonel and Mrs. Baillie have resided in Wellington. One of their two sons was killed during the late war.