PERSONAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9720, 16 January 1895, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The Rev. Father Kehoe arrived from (iisborne by the Manapouri yesterday. The Rev. Tan Stavera has been re-elected chairman of tke Wellington Benevolent institution.

Mr. G. A. Hodson joins the Union Company's steamer Ovalaa as purser this trip to the Inlands.

Kis Excellency the Governor has been amusing himself by rabbit shooting at Messrs. Beetham Brothers' Brancepeth station, Wairarapa. The Rev. R_ Bavin, of Sydney, but formerly of Auckland, who arrived by the 8.8- Talune on a holiday trip, leaves for the Lake Country to-morrow. Mr. J. H. Taylor, of Rotorua, who has been on a visit to the mother country, returned to Auckland by the Talune on Monday. He returns to Rotorua tomorrow.

A marble bust of the late Dr. Hearn, Professor of Law at the Melbourne University, has been completed by Mr. Percival BalL It will be unveiled in the Wilson Hall of the University. Mr. H. C. Humphreys, who has been parser of the Union Company's steamer Tarawera for a number of years, has joined the Canadian mail steamer Warrimoo in a similar position. Dr. Beattie, of the Avondale Asylum, has presented Mr. Thomas Nightingale with a gold pencil and case as an acknowledgement of services rendered to him on the night of the fire when injured and disabled.

Dr. Mayo, an Adelaide celebrity who died recently, was a bicjpte enthusiast of an uncommon kind. He was nearly ninety, and yet, up to within a short time of his demise, he trundled a machine about the Holy City. The Imperial "Volunteer Officers' Decoration has been awarded to Major W. H. Skinner, Unattached List; Major Arthur Morrow, Unattached List; and SurgeonMajor F. W. E. Dawson, New Zealand Volunteers.

The Wellington Post says: " Amongst recent settlers in Wellington who will be acquisitions to the musical resources of the city are Mr. Horace Stebbing, well-known in Auckland as a vocalist, and Mrs. Stebbing, who will be remembered as Miss Clarice Brabazon, solo pianist to the fine Italian concert company that visited us two or three years ago. Mr. Stebbing is an official of the Assets Company, and has been transferred to Wellington with the rest of the head office staff."

The Auckland friends of Mr. W. H. Jade, the musician, will be pleased to learn that much success is attending him in England. He is Principal of the Liverpool Organ School and College of Music, of which the Bishop of Liverpool is patron. Since his return from Australia he has been exceedingly busy composing new tunes to old familiar hymns. Some of his compositions, which are issued in pamphlet form, have run into the eightieth thousand. One of the latest of them is dedicated to His Honor Judge Paul, of Brisbane. A letter received from Mr. Jude's mother refers to his successful song services at Hope Hall, in Liverpool. Mr. Jude was then conducting his third series of entertainments, and many were unable to obtain admission. Shortly after his return from the colonies Mr. Jude played at St. George's Hall. His mother, writing, says : —" The crowds here were enormous, and the cheering was wonderful. Hundreds were turned away, and money rolling in any way had to be taken as best it could in such crowds."

Mr. G. A. Syme, a veteran Melbourne journalist, died the other day. Mr. Syme began his career as a preacher in England, but in consequence of failing health he resigned his ministry, and in 1862 proceeded to Melbourne, where his two younger brothers were already settled. Seeking change of occupation as well as of scene, he soon became connected with The Age, and for several years did useful work for that journal. Having gained a thorough experience of journalism and colonial affairs, he was appointed editor of The Leader, and for more 20 years conducted that journal with conspicuous success, both in a literary and commercial sense. In consequence of advancing years and physical inability to continue such an active journalistic life he retired from the editorship in 1885. His connection with Melbourne journalism, however, did not cease then. He frequently contributed reviews both to The Age and The Leader, and as recently as a fortnight before his death his work was represented in the columns of the former journal. Deceased was a brother of Mr. David Syme, the present proprietor of the Melbourne Age.