PERSONAL

Mrs Bufton, formerly a .resident of this town, aoid now of Ohristchurch arrived by' the overland express last evening on a 'short visit. Master George Mcllroy,. son. of Mr and Mrs -W. J. Mcllroy, of this 'town, left :by -the Axahirra far Nelson to further pursue his studies at the College. Miss Constance Morice, daughter of Dr iand. Mrs Morice-left for Wellington by "the Acrah'ura to attend College. . • Miss. Sadie Ken l,".who .has been on a holiday "trip Y6 Auckland, 'has re"turried horrie. " Mr T. Absalom, left by the overland express on Monday yen route for Oamaxu where he'-.'3 to be maimed to Miss Clark. - The deaith occurred on ■Sunday of Mr Frederick, Cross,, who had- been a resident in Christchurch for many years. . Mr' Gross was born •at Airdrde, and had an eariy training in the Glasgow Bank. He landed an ■Dunedin, and after "living for some years in that city he settled in Christchurch some .thirty-six yeaxs. ago. Some time .afterwards Ke entered into business as a. wine, and. spirit merchant. He has left.a widow,' two .sons, Messrs C E. Cross and E. Cross, who were with him in busines'ss; and -two married daughter^. The late Mr Cross was wellrknown on the West Coast. Messrs C. 'Greek and R. Colvin, of Buller, arrived in town last .evening and proceed overland to Ghristchurch by ithi-s rnoxning'.s express to take part in thie interrlsland: football ; fixture, which takes place in Christchuircli'^an Saturday next. '.' " " ! ' , At the. Gas Works last evening Mr Frank McGirr, who is to be. married to-day to Miss Willis, was presented by the employees of the .Gas Departmen-i: with. a valuable clock., In., making the presentation Mr Kennedy said Mr McGirr was. a .manly young- fellow. Some might think .that Frank was too young to enter into miarried life. He however, held a contrary opinion, believing that it would be better foir the young- people themselves, and for the Dominion a:s .a whole, if more followed the example of their guest. ■ The rarity of marriages, and its' consequent evils to the Statte, was becoming a ;serious problem sand it was evident that the young colbnials were losing- that desire for a fireside of ,their own. That was fully a -marked characteristic of their forefathers, a trait that not even the direct poverty could eliminate from their, character, and that .had materially asserted the British race to carve out homes for themselves in the forests and wastes in this iand other outposts of civilisation. Frank had been a dutiful son, and Mr Kennedy .hoped the old saying "A good son maketh a glad father" would be fully realised in him. Messrs Heinz, Jamaeson, and others .spoke, all wishing Mr McGirr" and his bride long life and happiness.