PERSONAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9806, 23 May 1914, Page 5

PERSONAL.

The death is announced from London of Sir Francis Laking, the noted surgeon, who was Physician in Ordinary and Surgeon Apothecary to King Edward. The Governor and the Countess of Liverpool left late last night for Rarotonga. There they will join Dr. Pomare and party on the Tutanekai for a cruise among the islands, returning to Wellington about June 18th. Mr F. de Ridder, of Foxton, lias received the sad news of the death of his sister. Miss Caroline de Ridder, which occurred at Redland, England. The deceased lady was a great grand-daughter of Sieur Jean Bartholomy de Ridder, who was killed at the rotreat of Neville, while defending iiie Dauphin of France. The death of Mrs Ivy E. Porritt, wife <•* Dr. E. E. Porritt, of Wanganui. took phut in Auckland on Wednesday. Mrs Porritt had been in poor health for some time past, and went to Rotorua and Auckland for a beneficial chaEge. Dr. Porritt loft Mrs Porritt in Auckland a few days ago. The end came suddenly and unexpectedly. A social evening was held by the slrff of Dustin's, Ltd., on Wednesday, in the form of a dining room tea, the occasion being the entertainment of Miss Jensen, one of the staff, who is shortly to be married. During the evening Mr Dustin, on behalf of the employees and several friends, made a presentation to Miss Jensen, and several others of those present spoke felicitating her, to which she suitably replied. Mr Dustin said that this was the fourth occasion on which they had met for a similar purpose in four months. A very pleasant evening was spent by all present. Says the Naval and Military Record of April Ist: —"There is world-wide interest in the fact that last Thursday Miss Agnes Weston, who has devoted so many years of her active and useful life to promoting the well-being of the British bluejacket, celebrated her 74th birthday. Of the innumerable greetings which she received on that happy occasion, none could have beer; more hearty than those from her friends at Devonport. The value of the homes which she has established can hardly ho over-estimated, and it is an interesting fact that the Sailors' Rests at Devonport and at Portsmouth cost no less than £200,000, and house about 300.000 sailors annually. Yesterday Mr Robert Leo presided for the last time as chairman of the Wellington Education Board, a position he has held for several years. It is forty years since Mr Lee was first associated with education in Wellington as inspector of district schools. The members made eulogistic references to Mr Lee's services, and he was presented with an illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns. Mr J. G. W. Aitken was duly elected to the jwsition of chairman. It was the latter gentleman's first appearance at a Board meeting since his recent serious illness, and hands were outstretched from every angle of the tablo to greet the convalescent as he took his seat. The funeral of the late Mr P. H. Kelly was one of the most impressive that has taken place in Napier for manv years. Writing of the funeral a local newspaper says: —"Almost everywhere along the routo there were signs to indicate that the man who was 50 suddenly cut. off in the veryprime of his life —a life which gave such unmistakable signs of increasing usefulness —will not soon Ixj forgotten. The scene at the graveside was pathetic in the extreme, and the most noblo traits in human nature —love and genuine sympathy for one's fellow-creatures —were shown in the faces of the strongest men present as the bqrial service proceeded. Thus, surrounded by those who had loved him, and others who had known him but slightly, he was buried as he lived, honoured, and revered by all." Captain James Andrew Fergusson, who was recently appointed to the new battleship Benbow, was 43 on April 16th. He is the second son of the late Right, Hon. Sir James Fergusson, 6th Baronet of Kilkerran, grandson of .the first Marquis of Dalhousie, and younger brother of MajorGeneral Sir Charles Fergusson, Bart. Captain Ferguson's career is a notable one. During the South African war, 1899-1900, he greatly distinguished himself with the section of the naval brigade known as "Grant's guns" (after its senior officer, Commander, now Rear-Admiral. W. L. Grant), and was mentioned in despatches, and promoted to commander with seniority on November 9th, 1900, besides receiving the medal, etc. He \ "rnied an excellent • account of the share of "Grants guns' in the campaign for Fleet-Surgeon Jeans compilation, "Naval Brigades in the South African War" (pp. 153-176'. In 1901 he was married to the daughter of the late Mr T. C. Williams, of Wellington (New Zealand). At. the time of his promotion he was the third youngest captain on the list, and should have no difficulty in reaching the rank of Admiral of the Fleet, as far as can at present be seen. 24s 6d is a reasonable price for a padded silk dressing gown. Made of a nice soft milk, finished with girdle. In navy, lined •with pink; saxe. lined pale blue; dark green, lined reseda; cardinal, lined pink: grey, lined creme; ereme, lined gold. Collinson and Cunninghame. Pyrenees flannel dressing gowns are 21s.—Advt.