MORE OR LESS PERSONAL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 283, 27 November 1905, Page 2

MORE OR LESS PERSONAL.

The mortal remains of the late J. M. Skerrett were, interred at the Omaka Cemetery yesterday, the funeral being largely attended. The yen. Archdeacon Grace officiated at the grave.

Mr George Turner, who was last Friday nominated as a candidate for the Wairau seat,caine to this district 23 years ago. In Hamilton (Scotland), his native town, Mr Turner, following in the footsteps of his father, carried oh a progressive business as builder-architect, and erected a number of residences qn his own account. The unsatisfactory conclusion of this enterprise was the principal factor in determining him to "seek the Happy Isles." Arrived in the Wairau, Mr Turner for some years worked as a carpenter, undertaking the drawing of plans on occasion; ana latterly he has retired to St. Andrew's, his home at Riverlands. Mr Turner, who never married, was a leading promoter and member of the Blenheim Literary and Debating Society, now unfortunately defunct; and, as is well known, has always been a strong champion of the temperance movement.

A farewell social was arranged on Friday evening for Archdeacon and Mrs Wright, who are leaving Pictoft next week for Nelson. The Archdeacon, who has been acting as locum tenens for the Rev: A. H. Sedgwick, was presented with a silver entree dish by the parishioners, as a mark of esteem and their appreciation of his services during his term of office. Miss Writrht was also presented with a silver-mounted purse, Mrs Wright having already received a souvenir of her stay from the ladies' guild. Speeches, musical items, and refreshments, made up an excellent programme, and nearly two hundred people, including children, were present. The Archdeacon, during his stay in Picton, has interesteeF himself greatly in the young people, and started a club for young men, and also the Christian Endeavor movement, both of which institutions have been well attended. The Rev. A. H. Sedgwick is expected to arrive in Picton. early next month.

There died at the Wairau Hospital yesterday afternoon a highly esteemed pensioner colonist and Marlborough settler in the person of Mr John Howard Nicholls, of Springlands. The ■deceased, who had attained the ripe age of 76 years, had latterly resided ! alone, and on Saturday, was found to be in failing health, and conveyed to to hospital, where he gradually .Bank and died. Mr Nicholls was born at Tqoley Street, London, and when a boy—in the yar 1829—left England to seek new fields for his energies. He had been in New Zealand altogether 46 years, about 40 years of which period was spent in Marlborough. Before Mr Nicholls. came to live afc Sprinslands, about 8 years ago, he had resided at Ocean Bay. Rather late in life deceased married a Marlborough lady, and a sturdy family, of which there are five sons—John, George,and three younger ones—residing in the district, and one daughter, now in the North Island, were reared by them. A man with a splendid record of health, Mr Nicbolls's relaxation of active work soon began to tell on him* but he was in fairly even condition until Friday last, and his demise was therefore unexpected.