PERSONAL.

Mr S. J. Fiirness left Blenheim yesterday afternoon on a holiday visit ibo Melbourne and Sydney.

Mr and Mrs J. H. Scott left yesterday afternoon on a holiday visit to Australia.

Bishop Averill, of Waiapu, and Mrs Averill are returning to New Zealand by the Malwa from England. A cablegram from London to-day states that General Booth is weaker. A later message states that there is increased anxiety concerning General Booth's health.

Mr W. McKenzie, of Wellington, popularly known as "Off-side Mac," leaves New Zealand at the end of the month for Sydney, where, he has received an appointment on the staff of the Sydney Daily Telegraph.

The death of Mr C. S. Nixon, Collector of Customs, occurred at Wellington last night. The deceased, who was 57 years of age, had been in illhealth for some time. He joined the Customs Department in 1872, and retired from the service a few days ago.

Mr J. E. Thomas, of Otaki, who has purchased Mr McFarlane's drapery business in Blenheim, ( was the recipient of a presentation from the Ladies' Hockey Club before leaving Otaki. During his residence there he was a prominent figure in social and sporting circles.

New Zealand is shortly to receive as a settler an English baronet, Sir Cecil Moon, and his wife. Sir Cecil, who is 45 years of age, and is the second baronet, has spent many years in Colorado. He expects to leave for-his new. home in the course of a few months.

Mr R. Nicholls, editor of the Hobart Mercury, died last week. Mr Nicholls was eighty-two years of age, and hadi been editor of the Mercury since 1883. He wa»s formerly editor of the Ballarat Star, was present at tthe Eureka riot, and subsequently drew up the petition for amnesty. His wife predeceased him, and he leaves a large family, the best known of whom is Mr Justice Nicholls, of the Tasmanian Bench.

The death occurred at the Havelock Cottage Hospital on Monday evening of Captain Reginald Courtnay Willis, after a, lingering . illness following upon an operation a few days ago for appendicitis. The deceased was 34 years of age and single, and had been a resident of Nor'-west Bay, Pelorus Sound, only a few weeks, where he was erecting a sawmill. Mrs E. J. Tosswill, of Port Ligar, was a sister, and he was the eldest son of Captain .8. H. Willis.