PERSONAL.

The Hon. Dr. Pomare and R. McKenzic were passengers by the express from New Plymouth yesterday afternoon. A cable to the Sydney Sun from London states that Sir Joseph Ward is credited with a desire to secure nomination for a seat in the House of Commons. Mr J. G. H. Moore, honorary representative of New Zealand in the Argentine, is at present on a visit to Now Zealand. Mr R. McKenzic, M.P. for Motueka, and formerly Minister for Public Works, intends returning to the occupation' of a bridge con tractor. Mr T. Crosse, chairman of the Hawkc's Bay Rabbit Board, and Mr S. Bolton, wellknown Hawke's Bay residents, are taking a trip to the Old Country shortly. At All Saints' Church last week Constablo Watters, of the Palmerston police force, was married to Miss Baker, of Auckland. The honeymoon is being spent in ihe Canterbury district. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, Minister of Customs, is not yet fully restored to health, and, acting upon the advic c of his doctor, has abandoned his projected southern journey. Instead of leaving Bluff for Australia Mr Fisher will leave from Auckland by the Maheno on March 24th. A Press Association from Dunedin records the death of Captain McCallum, of Port Chalmers, aged 90. Deceased was an ex-captain of the Union Company's service, and was late harbour-master at Dunedin. He arrived in New Zealand in 1861, and becamo harbourmaster in 1893. Mr* F. D. Opie, Director of the Technical School, reported to the High School Board of Governors last night that he had arranged with Mr do Spong, of Dunedin, to judge the forthcoming elocutionary competitions of the school. Mr de Spong has splendid credentials, and is instructor to the students of the Dunedin University. The books, with the test selections will be" printed as soon as the pieces are 6ent. Mr J. D. Vernon, assistant master at the local High School, and son of Mr J. E. Vernon, who is at present en route lor England, has received word that he has passed his LL.B. examination. Mr E. Waldegrave, of Raetihi, son of Mr C. E. Waldegrave, of Broad street, has also secured the same degree. Both are ex-pupils of the Palmerston High School. The following native interpreters have been appointed: Messrs John Atirau Aslier, of Wellington; Oka Heketa, of Lower Hutt; Florence Eva Heron, of Kaikohe; Turn Hiroti, of Gisborne; Hohia Manuera, of Wellington; Louis Wellington Parore, of Dargaville; Roore Rangiheuea, of Foxton; Hemi Kirika Rapaea. of Dannevirke; and Paid Arthur Stubbing, of Rotorua, all of the first: grade; Mita Karaka, of Onehunga. and George Moore, of Tauranga, interpreters of the second grade. Mr Leonard Lancaster, son of Mr T. Lancaster, has been selected from a number of applicants for th e position of Demonstrator of Botany and Geology at Auckland University College, where "he has alrcady commenced his new duties. Mr Lancaster was formerly on the staff of Campbell street school, a position he relinquished to undergo two years' training at the Teachers' Training College, Wellington, and also to take lectures at Victoria College, where he succeeded in winning the Sir George Grey scholarship for science tenable for one year at the college. At the expiration of'the scholarship, he accepted a position on the staff of Mount Cook Boys' School in Wellington, still continuing to take lectures at Victoria College in the evenings. A pleasing little function took place on Saturday evening at Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame's establishment, when MLsa J. Dalziell, who has been in the employ of that firm for the last six years, wae " the recipient of three presentations in connection with her approaching marriage. From the office staff, with whom she has been chiefly associated, she received a silvermounted cut crystal dressing table ornament, while the general staff presented her with a silver tea-pot suitably engraved. The above presentations were made by Miss Cunninghame and Mr C. Brown respectively. On behalf of the firm. Mr Collinson presented Miss Dalziell with a handsome 400-day clock and a cheque. Mr Bee re responded on behalf of Miss Dalzioll, acknowledging the many kind wishes for prosperity and happiness in her future life. Miss Dalziell has been one of the firm's most valued assistants, and has been in its employ practically since- the establishment of the business. The death occurred in Palmerston North yesterday of Mr William McKay George, who. in the course of a long life of some 85 years, saw much of the stirring times associated with the early days in Australia and New Zealand. He. was born in Caithness, Scotland, in 1828. At an early age. he decided to go abroad, and accordingly he set sail iov Australia in the ship Blue Jacket. Arriving there, he became aide-de-camp to Governor Le Trobe. Later he occupied a responsible position as a member of the gold escort from the diggings to the coast, when much apprehension was felt as to bushrangers. Mr George was a mounted police officer at one time, and one of his adventures was the arrest, single-handed, of a notorious outlaw named Fitzgerald, and another bushranger, who were causing much anxiety by their exploits. Mr George devoted much attention to mining, and l>ecame a mining expert. He came to New Zealand some thirty years ago, and had been a resident of Palmerston for 12 or 14 years. His wife died some years ago, and there was no family. Mr Sinclair George, of Rotorua, and formerly of Palmerston, is a brother of deceased, and his sisters are Mrs J. Beale, of Rangiotu, Mrs A. Owen, of Alfredton, and Mrs A. F. Robertson, of Palmerston.