PERSONAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 135, 9 June 1898, Page 6

PERSONAL.

The Rev. George Burgess, F.R.A.S., left Auckland by the s.s. Westralia on May 15 to take charge of the Congregational Church at Timaru.

Lieut. Pilkington, of Auckland, andLieut. Wall, of the West Coast, both Permanent Artillery officers, will proceed to England by the outgoing San Francisco nmd to undergo a complete course of military training at the expense of the colony.

Mr Margoliouth, who came out on behalf of English capitalists to collect information re ironsand, has now completed his inspection, and returns to London almost immediately. He has visited Mokau, to assure himself with regard to coal lime anid timber, and is more than satisfied. He intends to recommend his principals to take up a lease of the foreshore at New Plymouth and Mokau. Probably 1,000 tons sand will be shipped Home for trial on a large scale.

On June Ist in Ryan's Hall, Karangahake, the principal mining and representative men of Ohinemuri met together to tender Mr J. McCombie a valedictory banquet on his severing his connection with tho W Toodstock Goldmining Company as mine manager and with this district. Mr E. G. 13. Moss occupied the chair, and amongst those present were: Messrs McGruer (Crown Mines), Taylor (Talisman), 11. W. Moore (Waihi-Silver-. ton), Stone (Waitekauri United), McComiell, It. H. Adams, Stackpole (Talisman Extended), Morgan (Ohinemuri Syndicate), Harvey (Imperial), Fenn (J. Chambers and Son), Moresby (Mining Registrar), Hutchinson, Cootc, Burgess, W. Phillips, Sullivan, Monti gotnery, McGoghry, Dalston, Comes, J. Law, Lawlor, Hope, McAndrew (Ohinemuri County Council), Kitching, Bush, Eraser (Waihi Company). W. M. Jackson, Pennell, Mitchell, and others, totalling some SO in all, while apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Messrs G. Wilson (Government Mining Inspector), Gilmour (Waihi Company), Barry (Waihi Company), Daw (Crown Mines), Goldsworthy (Talisman), J. W. Shaw, J. O'Meagher, etc. The gathering was the most representative ever seen in Ohinemuri, and was remarkable for its enthusiastic laudation of the guest of the evening. Mr McCombie, in replying to his health, stated that he had resided in this district for the past 23 years as prospector, miner and mine manager, and was now leaving it very reluctantly. It would always have a warm corner in his heart.' As for Ohinemuri, ho was satisfied it had a great future before it when depth was attained on the lodes. Mr Burgess, on behalf of a few of Mr McConibie's intimate friends, presented him with a handsome travelling bag, which,.he said, though apparently empty, was filled with good wishes for Mr McCombie, his wife and family. The employees of the Woodstock mine also presented him with a beautiful and very costly gold watch as a memento. Messrs 'Morgan, 11. 11. Adams, MeLoghry, Stone, \Y. Phillips, McAndrew, and Sullivan spoke to their knowledge of Mr McCombie and his many estimable qualities. Various toasts were proposed, including " The Mining Industry, responded to by Messrs 11. W. Moore and Eraser ; " Local Bodies," responded to by Messrs McGruer, Stackpole, and McAndrew. Songs were contributed by Messrs Knight, R. Jones, Burgess, Hinks, Jackson, Dalston, and Bryers "(violin solo), and the proceedings were'fittingly brought to a conclusion by the singing of " Auld Lang Syne " and the giving ~of three'cheera for Mr and Mrs McCombie.