PERSONAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10970, 26 January 1899, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Captain' East, of the Tyser line, arrived from Napier yesterday. Judge Butler arrived from New Plymouth yesterday, by the s.s. Takupima. Wi Parera, a well-known old chief of the Tauranga district, is seriously ill.

Captain D. Shaw, of the Linda Weber, arrived from Wellington by the Takapuna yesterday.

Inspector McGovern received a hearty Scnd-oH from New Plymouth, on his leaving there lately to take up the inspectorship of the Hawke's Bay police district.

It is stated that Major Pitt lias been appioaciied with the object of inducing him to contest the Waiapu seat against the Hon. J. Carroll, and that there is every probability of Major Pitt contesting the election.

"Hillcoat," the pigeon-shot, who figured So prominently in Tuesday's contest at l'etone, is Mr. Gorrick. of Sydney. He is here on an angling excursion, and is at present fishing in the Forty-Mile Hush streams.

Mr. G. E. Alderton, who founded the Northern Advocate, Whangarei, nearly a quarter of a, century ago, has sold out to his partner, Mr. K. H. Wvatt, who succeeds to the business. Mr. Alderton, however, continues the publication of the " Illustrated Resources of Sew Zealand." Mr. Alderton was presented by the employees with a handsome dressing case, in severing his connection with tile office.

At Wellington yesterday morning Dr. W. H. Parkes, of Auckland, was married to Miss Maud Ross, eldest danghtei ot Mr. Ross, the New Zealand partner of Sargood, Son, and Ewen. The ceremony was performed in St. Peter's Church by the Bishop of Wellington. A full choral sen-ice was held. Miss Brett was one of the bridesmaids. There were about 200 presents, including handsome gifts from all branches of the firm, and one from the choir, of which the brido was a member.

The Rev. H. D. A. Major, M.A.. who las for the past three years so successfully fulfilled the position of curate to St. Mark's Church, Remuera, has recently been appointed to take charge of the Waitotara district, in the diocese of Wellington. He will proceed to his new sphere of labour about the end of March or the beginning of April. During Mr. Major's residence in this city, as a scholar of St. John's College, as'a student of the University College, and in his professional capacity, lie lias made many friends, who will view his approaching departure with sincere regret.

On Tuesday afternoon the capacity of St. Peter's parsonage was taxed to its utmost. The occasion was an afternoon tea for the purpose of enabling Mrs. Wliitaker's friends to bid her good-bye, previous to her departure for Auckland, where she purposes reading in future. The vicar, the Rev. R. O'C. Briggs, addressing Mrs. Whitaker. spoke in eulogistic terms of the great service she had rendered to the church for many years. Her services as a member and conductor of the choir have been very great; in fact, it Would be a very difficult matter to fill the gap which her departure would leave. He had to ask her acceptance of a purse of sovereigns, subscribed by her friends. Her friends had thought it better to present her with a purse rather than to purchase a present. He asked her on their behalf, to purchase some article of furniture which would be of use on removing to her new home. Mrs. Whitaker, in a few well-chosen words, returned thanks for the kindness shown to her. Mr. R. F. Sandes, the oldest member of the choir, then expressed on behalf of his fellow members the great regret they felt at Mrs. Whitaker's departure. Mr. R. W. Dyer, a member of the vestry, also thanked ■Mrs. Whitaker for the ready sen-ices she had rendered to tie church. Mrs. Whitaker again replied in feeling terms, and the asiemblage dispersed.