PERSONAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVII, Issue 12850, 24 June 1902, Page 6

PERSONAL.

The "Hawera Star" announces the death of Mr Hawkins, ' Railway Inspector of Permanent Way. Mr Hawkins had been ill for some weeks, and tried change of air in the south, without success. The Directors of the Bank of New Zealand, at their meeting on Friday, appointed Mr Frederick Lubbock, a brother of Lord Avebury (better known in the commercial world as Sir John Lubbock), a member of the London Board. Rumour is still busy with the names of probable candidates for the Wellington seats at the next election (says the "Post"). Among those who have lately been mentioned are Messrs D. M'Laren (City Councillor and Secretary of the Wharf Labourers' Union), Allan Orr (Secretary of the Drivers' Union), W. Naughton (ex-President of the Trades and Labour Council), and W. M'Lean, who" has already represented Wellington in Parliament. Mr P. J. O'Regan, another exM.H.R., and Mr H. O. Jones, President of the Trades Council, are also mentioned. Mr A. H. Cooper, Secretary of the Trades Council, states that he has no intention of standing. It. is probable, also, that an effort will be made to induce Mr J. Hutcheson, senior, member for the city, to contest the seat again. Mr A. R. Atkinson and Mr George Fisher, the other two members, have already . definitely announced their intention of again seeking the suffrages of the electors, i Mr J. Gilruth, Chief Government Veterinarian, Professor Kirk, Government biologist ; Messrs J. A. Kinsella, C. Way and A. A. Thornton, of the Government Dairy Department ; Dr Levinge, Messrs H. Overton, J. G. Wilson, G. W. Wheeler, J. Stevenson, W. C. Buchanan, J. Stuckey and J. H. Williams, delegates to the Agricultural Conference; and Messrs D. D. Macfarlane, D. Rutherford, T. Kincaid, E. Hardcastle and G. Bisset left by the express yesterday j morning, to attend the Dunedin Winter ! Show. I Dr Hamilton, of Wellington, left for j Dunedin by yesterday morning's express , train. ' I Mr G. Fisher, M.H.R., waxed reminiscent while addressing the settlers of Mangaweka recently, and amongst other interesting facts, he mentioned that he, '■ whilst acting as a reporter on the "Lyttelton Times," was present at the opening of the Lyttelton tunnel in the sixties, and that he was, the second man, after Mr William' Sefton Moorhouse, then. Provincial Superintendent, to pass through the 'tunnel after its official opening, j The death is announced of Mr Lawrence Arthur Levy, aged fifty-one, a member of the Auckland Stock Exchange, i ' Sunday was Mr Seddon s fifty-seventh birthday, and his colleagues cabled congratulations to him. A very successful "social" and dance took place at the Stoke Schoolroom on Friday evening, it being the occasion of a farewell gathering in connection, with the, departure- from > the district of the Misses Lorimer. On, behalf of the scholars attending the school, -, Miss Lorimer was presented with a gold brooch and necklet, and the parents gave her a, lady's travelling case. Miss-Jessie Lorimer was also the recipient of a handsome work-box." Reference was made to the excellent work done by Miss Lorimer as mistress of the Stoke School. The Dunedin correspondent of this paper writes that Dr Smith,' of Balclutha, well- • known in sporting circles, died yesterday. He had two sons in New Zealand Contingents at the front. The oldest Congregational minister, in Victoria, the Rev Thomas Fullagar, who has attainted the age of over 90 years, died a few days ago. , Mr Fullagar, who arrived in Viotoria in- the stirring times of 1853, was stationed at Little River from 1856 until 1881. In the latter year he retired) from the ministry, and went to Melbourne. He leaves a family of two sons and three) daughters. / News has been received in, Melbourne of the death of Mr James Wyllie, the celebraited draughts player, who was perhapls better known as the Herd Laddie. He died ini Glasgow in April, leaving an estate valued at £854, and lie had also interests in, Victoria to 'the extent of about £450. Mr Wyllie did hot make a will, and his estate is being claimed by his brother and sister a'si the next of kin.

Yale is, doubtless, justified in describing. I Lord Kelvin, whom it .recently delighted'to | honour, as the greatest living scientist, bub in the matter of age h'-e is by no means the ' oldest. Sir Joseph DaltoU Hooker is his senior by seven years,, having been born in 1817,; Mr Alfred Russell Wallase is a, year-older;'.while Professor Virchow, at the age of eighty-one, is his elder by three years*. Great as Lord Kelvin's performances in the scientific world have been, common mortals may find consolation foitheir intellectual meanness in the reflection that .this' "thinker in millions" has frequently been baffled by a simple 'arithmetical problem on a blackboard. Mr T. M. Wilford, M.H.R. for Wellington Suburbs, celebrated the thirty-second anniversary of his birth:'on Friday. Asi ai young New Zealander who has rapidly forged ahead in political and professional life, Mr Wilford received many congratulations from friends. To mark the event, some of his admirers in the electorate which ho represents made a present of a valuable service of plate to Mr£ Wilford. Mr Gilbert, R.A., whose recent financial embarrassments have been made sufficiently' public, has (says the " Chronicle") received manly-solicitous offers of - sympathy, coupled with the hope that no accidental ciroiimstamces may be permitted to interfere with hlisi work as a sculptor. One &uch overture has at once exceeded all others in its grace and its effectiveness. Mr Gilbert, who (has had to dispose of his own: household gods, is now installed in Windsor Castle, where five rooms have been placed at Ms servicei till such time as he shall, be able to complete his statue of the ' Queen —in, other* words, till such time as the Queen may be at Windsor and able to give himi sittings. Among the many memories of Robert Louis Stevenson which have- been called! ! forth by Mr Balfour's biography is a personal reminiscence by a South Sea trader who knew Stevenson in San Francisco and Honolulu. " Stevenson," he says, " was as simple as a lad and wholly fearless. One afternoon we were strolling by a saloon ini Sari Francisco much frequented by mon-o'-war's men. Just as we got by the place ai plate glass window dropped in pieces on the pavement. The saloon was filled with a fighting crowd of men on shore liberty after ai three years' cruise. It occurred to me that the greatest possible distance 'away froan l the place would be the best for us. I plucked at Stevenson's arm, and to'ldi Mm/ as much. But he would not have it."/ "The

I knives will be out presently," said I, "-we'd I better get away." "No,, no," 'he replied, I shaking 1 himself loose from my somewhat nervous grasp. " This is something' I've been waiting for a long- time to see,'" and he walked right up to the door. The bluejackets were rolling'' round the sawdustcovered floor, and the, air was filled with bottles, mugs and chairs.' Stevenson leaned' against the door jarab watching it all as if it had been an exhibition of pets 'cats. Soon the sailors scrambled to their feet, and a truce was established. Stevenson _ waited for peace, then he came away with me. "Those," he said, nodding his head in thedirection of the saloon, 1 "are lovable fellows, even though they are militant." On, June 19 the Christehurch City Guards entertained the Rev H. Airay Watson, chaplain W the corps, at a social gathering, on the eve of his departure from the colony. During the evening Lieutenant Bishop, on behalf of the social club, presented the guest with a handsome wafeigstick of New Zealand woods, mounted in silver and suitably engraved. Thei presentation of a Kaiapoi travelling-rug, bearing the initials of the recipient worked 1 in the comipany's colours, black and red, was made by Captain Sandford on behalf of the company. i At Wamer'si Hotel last night, the medical profession of Canterbury tendered a complimientory dinner to Dr Graham Campbell on the eve of his departure from New Zealand. Dr C. M. Anderson-presided, and 1 proposed the toasts of " The King" and' " Our Guest." The other toasts honoured were"" The New Zealand! Branch of •the British Medical Association," "The Army, Navy and Volunteers," and "The Chairman." During the evening several songs were sung. The death of Dr J. Gibson Smith, of Bal-ohith-a, is announced. Sir Hairy Rawson is quickly becoming popular in New South Wales. As the new Governor walked on> to the platform at the Sydney Town Hall to address the meeting held in honour of the returned soldiers, someone shouted " Buck up, 'Arry." His Majesty's representative at once put his hands into his trousers pockets, and comported himself in such a free and easy way generally as to quite amuse those present. Sir Harry is (says the Adelaide " Advertiser") described 1 as possessing a blunt and sincere, but, nevertheless!, a imost taking style of oratory.