PERSONAL ITEMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 16 June 1925, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

A London cable message states that Canon Woodward has declined the offer of the bishopric of Christchurch. The Rev. Henry B. Gray, formerly of Hawera, has resigned the ministry of St. James’s Presbyterian Church, Waihi, for health reasons. Mr J. Stewart, a well-known resident of Eltham and Hawera, was tendered a farewell social in tlie Oddfellows’ Hall last night. He intends leaving for Australia in a few days, where he has decided to reside in future. He was presented by the members of the Orange Lodge with a gold watch as a token of the esteem in which he is held by members. Mr. W, Boride, formerly for many, years in business- in Manaia and now of One.hunga, is. paying la brief visit to Manama. on account of business, reasons. Mr. Borrie, when resident of Manaia, took a keen interest in the welfare of the town and local functions.

The death has aecurred at Ashburton of Mrs. Jim Jennins in her 97th year. Mrs. Jennins came to Canterbury in 1859 in the ship Clontarf. She was the first headmistress of the Church School, Papanui, Christchurch, a position she occupied for many years, and was headmistress of the Papanui State school for twenty years. Then for a quarter of a century she taught in a school conducted by her daughter, retiring to Tinwald 25 years ago. Deceased leaves a. son, two daughters, nine grand-children and sixteen great-grand-children. Her husband died shortly after arrival in New Zealand.

TKe Governor-General (Sir Char'es Ferguson), who is at Christchurch, is a little better,''hut is still confined to his bed with an attack of lumbago. His medical advisers state -that il wil] be impossible for engagements this week, and in consequence the Governor-Gen-eral has been obliged to cancel the remainder of his programme engagements at Christchurch,-aS well as his proposed visit to Palmerston North oil Friday next. If sufficiently recovered His Excellency, together with He.r Excellency and suite, will return to Wellington on Thursday’ morning afe originally arranged.

One of Wanganui’s oldest settlers died at an early hour on Monday morning. when there passed, away at his residence , in Nelson Street, Mr, John P. Watt at the advanced age of 78 years. The deceased gentleman was born in Wanganui in 1847, and received his early schooling there. He subsequently journeyed to England, where he completed his education. Mr. Watt was the eldest son of Mr. W. H. Watt, who was associated with the late Captain Taylor in one of Wanganui’s earliest and biggest commercial ventures —a general wholesale and retail business. On returning from abroad, Mr. John P. Watt entered business with his father’s firm ip about tlie year 1866, and in 1871 he and the '■ate Mr. T. C. Taylor (soil of , Captain Taylor), took over the business and conducted it with success for a period of ten years, when the patnership was severed. Of more recent years the deceased occupied the position of Borough Valuer, which position he ultimately relinquished when the amalgamation of Gonville and Castlec’iff with the borough took effect about a year ago.