PERSONAL ITEMS.

■ Mr d H. Chapman, of Wellington, has been asked to accept nomination in the Labour interests for the Patea seat, but he has declined the invitation owing tp the fact that the elecorate is so distant from Wellington. Mr Colin Mac Donald Gilray, of the legal firm of Messrs Reid,* Rutherford and Gilray, has been appointed principal of the John McGlashan Presbyterian Boys' College (says a telegram from Dunedin). Mr Gilray is a Rhodes Scholar, and served for three years in the war. Mrs Louisa Wadham, who died at Northcote (Auckland) on Monday, in her 85th year, was the widow of., ike late Mr H. J. Wadham, a' well-known old Aucklander in. the stevedoring business. The family 65 years ago resided in Queen Street West, now known as Swaneon Street. Dr Newman, M.P. for Wellington East, has decided not to stand again owing to failing health. He first en*tered the House nearly 40 years ago. Mr T. Forsyth, chairman of the Education Board, will be the Government candidate for the seat.—Press Association. The death occurred at Motonui, near Waitara on Wednesday, of Mr R. J. Ovenden, a settler of 34 years' standing. He had only been ill for a. short time, penumpnia being the cause of death. He/leaves a widow and two daughters. For some time he was chairfeian of the Waihi School Committee, and was highly respected throughout the district. \ Yesterday morning the Justices of th© Peace assembled in the Magistrate'^ room in the Courthouse and officially welcomed Mr J, S. Barton, S.M. Mr W. Cowern, the senior J.P., was the first speaker, and he was followed by most of the other J.P.s present. Mr Barton, in replying, thanked the Justices for their courteous remarks, and /xiade helpful suggestions in connection with the Work of Justices and its relation to the Magistrate. Mr Frank. Scrivener, of New Plymouth, received word yesterday morniug that'his brother. Mr W. R. A. Herivener, died in Auckland last night. The deceased was a native of New Plymouth, and was brought up to the printing trade.. For many years he was employed as a ««ompositor in tji» Herald Office, but left some years ago and has since been employed in the Railway Department. An old and (respected resident of Auckland, "Mr Alfred Cueksey, died on Tuesday in his 79th year. Mr Cueksey was born in Greenwich,-England, in 1843 J and went to Auckland at the age of 23. Shortly afterwards he spent some time on the Thames goldfield,/and on returning to Auckland went into business as a grocer in Wakefield Street. In 1880 Mr Cueksey • went to Mount Eden and established the business that resulted in its location being known far and wide as "Cuckey:s Corner." Mr Cueksey, who wSs known in the district as "the father of Mount Jiden,',' retired from active life 14 years ago. Mr L. T. Bayfield, chief Government tourist agent, will arrive in New Plymouth this evening. In the evening he will meet the executive of the local Tourist and Expansion League. Tomorrow morning he will be. shown around the town, and in the afternoon will visit Waitara, where he will meet the Waitara Chamber of Commerce. On Tuesday morning he will proceed to Eltham, where he will be met by Mr P. B. Crump, chairman of the Dawson's Falls Committee, and taken to the hostelry, and afterwards motored through South Taranaki. x