PERSONAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 118, 19 May 1892, Page 8

PERSONAL.

On Lord Onslow's nomination, a son of Mr J. M. Ritchie, of Dunedin, has gone Home to rocoivo a naval cadetship. Mr H. S. Mclvellar, Secretary of Customs, Wellington, has retired from the Civil Service on his pension, aged 57. Ho has boen nearly 40 years in the Government service. Mr W. T. Glasgow succeeds him. On April 30th the employees of the D.I.C (Limited) preseutod Mr Donald W. Jack wiLh a very protty writing desk, suitably inscribod, on the occasion of his severing hi 3 connection with the firm, to devote his attention to hia business at North fehoro.

The membovs of the Auckland Draught Club presented a handsome gold breastpin to one of their members, Mr W. JenUinson, who left on May 2 to commenco business ab Taranaki. Tho pin was a valuable onethe centre piece being an emerald surrounded by eight pearls. Mr Alex. Alison, managing, director of the Dovcnport Steam Ferry Company, lias sent his eldest son, lately engineer on the p.s. Eagle, homo to Scotland to receive a thorough training as engineer in the works of McLaughlin and Co., at Paisley, where the Eagle and other ferry boats were constructed.

A very sociablo and agreeable evening was spent at a tea meeting and social on May 9th in tho Christians' Meeting llouso (corner of Cook and Hobson streets), celebrating the silver wedding of Mr and Mrs Wm. Johnstone, of Franklin Road, Ponsonby. Tho gue3ts numbered about 300.

Mr Thomas 8011, who has been for eomo twonty years in the service, has been promoted to tho ofiiee of principal warder in tho Lyttclton Gaol. Mr Bell was for many years connected witli the Auckland Gaol, and during the period of his residence horo he took great interest in volunteering and was a prominent marksman. Mr T. B. Fleming, who has filled the position of station-master at tho Hamilton West Station, on the Waikato railway, with credit to himself and tho Department, has been ordered to Pukckohc. On April 26th Mr Fleming was entertained at a banquet, when an address was presented to him, signed by all tho principal people in the district.

A large numbor of friends and scholars of tho Newton Congregational Sundayechool mot on May tho 11th to witness the marriage ceremony oE Mr Harrison Rotherhnm to Mi. js Mary Caroline Buchanan. Tho ceremony was performed by the Hey. H. W. J. Miller, of Onehunga. Mr Enoch Wood played tho Wedding March. Mr and Mrs Rothorham left for Melbourne in the evening.

Tho social gathering held ab the Liberal Association Rooms on i\lay 6th to " farewoll" Mr Arthur Withy, prior to his leaving for England, was woll attended, and passed off very pleasantly. Mr W. J. Beohan occupied tho chair. Addros?es wcro presented to Mr Withy by Mr W. Jennings, on behalf of tho Liberal Association, by Mr Platt, from tho Anti-Poverty Society, and by Mr Bright, from tho Knights of Labour. Mr 'Withy suitably responded, highly reciprocating the kind remarks to which expression had been given.

Mr Dugakl Mackellar, tho well-known landing surveyor of H.M. Customs at this port, is under orders from the Government to leave for Lyttclton in August next in order to ussutno the duties ot Collector of Customs afc that port, until lately performed by Mr C. Rose, now Collector at Auckland. Tho chango is a well-deserved promotion for Mr Mackollar, though hi 3 many friends in Auckland will bo very sorry to loso him. Mr Mackollar has been .'»."> yoara in the Government service tho last cloven of which ho has spent in tho Auckland Customs, and this long record is a highly honourablo one. On sevoral occasions ho has tilled fcho oilico of Acting-Collector dur ing tho temporary ab3enco of the local oSliccr in charge.

A pleasing incident took plnco on April 25 at St. Patrick's Hall. Tho members of tho Sb. Patrick's brunch of the League of tho Cro.-.s and several friends assembled and prosonbod Father U'ackett with a handsomely-framed address, drawn out and embellished by the Marist Brothers. The address expressed thanks to Fathor Hnckobb for tho interest manifested in tho wolfaro and work of the Loaguo in spreading the principles of temperance ; tho great interest manifested by him in tho welfare of the branch, and the zeal with which he had fulfilled the duties of President, assisting ah tho weekly meetings at considerable personal inconvenience, and by his labour and self-sacrifice earning the gratitude of all who had the interests of tho League at heart. Regret was oxpressed at the death of Cardinal Manning, whose life was unreservedly devoted to the cauao of temperance. The address was signed by J. O'Brien (vice-president), F. Buckley (secrotary), B. lic.Cormick (treasurer), and a number of ladies. In thanking the members of tho League for tho address, Father Hackett assured the members that it would ever remind him of tho friendly relations that existed amongst them, and said ib would be a new impulse to make him earn in tho future their esteem and gratitude. A banquet subsequently took place. Sir William Fox, who has boon very prominently identified with tho histoiy of New Zealand for the past half century, celebrated the anniversary of his fiftieth year of wedded life on May 3rd. The event happened almost coincidentally with two other important events in his career, tho jubilee of his arrival in the colony and tho celebration of his eightieth year, and the occasion has very fittingly been taken advantage of by numerous friends and admirers to present Sir William with a congratulatory address. At noon a large and representative deputation waited upon Sir Wm, and Lady Fox afc their residence, Symonds-sbreet, and ■ wero received by the venerable couple in the sitting room, which, though large, was rather crowded with tho large number gathered together. .Mrs Daldy, on behalf of those present, handed to Lady Fox ' a very handsome bouquet of flowers, ftt the same time express ing very great pleasure in having this honour, and hoping that both Sir William and Lady Fox would be spared for many years to come, and that the remaining years of their life might be the happiest they had ever spent. Mr E. Withy presented to Sir Wm. Fox the following address :— To tho Hon. Sir William Fox, M.A., K.C.M.G. -Dear Sir William,—God having been pleased to preserve you beyond your eightieth birthday, and to permit of you this day attaining your golden wedding, a number of your friends desiro respectfully to tender Lady Fox and yourself their heartiest congratulations. Muny of the signatures attached are of those who have been identified with you in the greab temperance work which has been for many years so noar to your heart. The reading of these may in future days call to mind some of your companions-in-arms during the many conflicts in which you have been engaged, and the many victories you have won over thab greab enemy of the people-

intoxicating drink. Other signatures art those of colonists, many of them of old , standing, who, though not actually asso ciated with you in your beneiicenb designs connected with moral reforms, have known and respected you as an able and accomplished statesman, whose lengthened public career, dating back for half a century, was governed by the highest public principles and adorned by most splendid privato virtues. Both theso classes of your friend^, on this auspicious day, wisli for you and tho devoted partner of your lifo tho highest blessing God can bestow, and many future yoars ot health and strength in which still to Pervo your fellow men. With the kindliest of feelings,—We remain, yours sincerely, . Auckland, New Zealand, May 3,1892. Congratulatory remarks were inado by Captain Daldy, Dr. Kidd, and Messrs J. C. Firth, Woon, R. B. Shalders, Jamoa Baber, J. T. Garlick, and W. J. Speight. Sir William Fox, in reply, said ha was really at a loss to find t6rms in which to express his sentimonts on this occasion, in reference to the kindness and expressions of such great amity and friendship towards himself. This wars a clay ho would not forget during tho shoib remainder of his life. Ho trusted that for the few remaining years which God might please to spare his life, ho might nob be altogether usoless in promoting bho welfare and prosperity of this colony. (Applause.) If his work tended less to political lifo and moro to social and religious movements perhaps ib would be better for himself and for all of them. Ho thanked all their friends on his own behalf and on bohalf of his wife for tho great exhibition of kindness shown them. (Applause.) Lady Fox also said a few words ot acknowledgment. Tho Lily of tho Valloy Female Orange Lodge held a very successful concert on May 4th in tho Protestant Hall, Newton, the object of which was to augment the benevolent fund. Tho twelfth anniversary of Court Nil Despcrandum, 0,405 (Ancient Order of Foresters), was celobrared on April 22 at the Foresters' Hall, Karangahape Road, and proved a thorough success. The celebration took the form of a plain and fancy dross ball, and there was a large and gay assemblage. On Mny U> tho Ponsonby " At Homes" wero inaugurated for the winter season. About 40. couples were present. MrJ. IT. Upton mario a courteous M.C., and the dance music was excellent, being supplied by Adams' string band. Mr T. C. Boale is hon. secrotary of bho " Ab Homes." and the Management Committee consist of Messrs Buchanan, Cotter, Cruicksbank, Devore, Kirker, Mnsofield, Upton, Mesdames Buchanan, Cobber, Cruickshank, Devore, Kirker, Masefield and Upton.