PERSONAL MATTERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 32, 7 February 1907, Page 4

PERSONAL MATTERS.

The Hon. A. Baldey arrived from tho South this morning by the Rotomahana. The Yen. Archdeacon Calder, of Auckland, was a passenger from the South thi» morning by the steamer Rotomahana. Mr. G. H. Scales, who has been on a visit to the South Island, returned to Wellington this morning. < Mr. P. Selig, manager of the Christchurch Press Company, was in Wellington to-day on his way to Auckland. The Minister for Lands, who has been on a visit to th Momohaki Experimental Station, will return to Wellington this evening. Dr. Valintine, Colonel Stevenson, C.8., and Captain Meikelham, were passengers from the South this morning by tho Victoria. Lieut. W. G. Bentley, A.R.0.M., Brigade Bandmaster of N.S.W., who is to judge the selections at the Exhibition Band Contest, arrived from Sydney yesterday, and "went on to Chrktchurch last night. Mr. John Thomas Oakley, a former rosident of Wellington, died atLeichart, New South Wal es i a few days ago. The deceased arrived in Wellington from tho Old Country by one of the Blackball liners in the early fifties, and served an apprenticeship with tho late Mr. George Blaker, bootmaker, Lamb-ton-quay. The trade did not agreo with his health, and he became a carpenter. About 22 years ago he removed to Leichardt, and remained in that suburb of Sydney up to his death. For the last five years of his life he was » chronic invalid. Mr, Oakley was an ardent Oddfellow. He became a membor of the Brittania Lodge, M.U., of Wellington, when a young man, and ho retained his interest in the order until his death. Mr. Frederick Oakley, o£ ' Palmerston North, is a brother of tl» deceased. The death is announced at New Plymouth of Mr. W. H. Roberts, an old resident of the town. During the early stages of the hostilities with the natives, deceased, according to the Herald, was called oufc in the volunteers, and served in No. 2 company under Major Atkinson, later joining Captain Mace's mounted troop. At tho cessation of hostilities he joined the armed ' constabulary. Ha served for a long term, and held the war and long f-ervico and good conduct medals. Soon after- joining the A.C. he was sent to Pukeaxnhe under Colonel Messenger, being for a, long time in charge of a party in the Kaipikiri bash. While here his party sawed by hand tho timber required for tho Urenui biidgft and the other bridges oa the main north road. The nativce even then were hostile, and it woe practically necessary to bo fully armed whUe working. After that he was in a road party near Payihaka just before Te Whiti occupied that position, and he remained theTe until Te Whiti waa subdued by tho Hon. John Btj-cc Mr. Roberts next went to Auckland, and helped in the construction of defence works, later doing some road work in the Wadknto. From there lie went to Wellington, and rendered great help in the construction of the harbour defence works at Point Halswell. During his stay in Wellington ho was for several «ssions Gergeant in charge of tho orderlies at tho Parliamentary Buildings.