PERSONAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11129, 31 July 1899, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr. D. B. McDonald returned from Sydney by the Mararoa yesterday. Captain Harrison Douglas, who lias been on a visit to England and Australia, returned by the Mararoa yesterday. Captain Todd. New Zealand representative for the 'l'yser Line (Limited), arrived from Napier by the Waihora yesterday. Captain Colin McDonald is at present in :ommand of the Mararoa, Captain Phillips having remained behind at Sydney on holiday leave. .Mr. James Kirker, general manager of the South British Insurance Company, who has been on a visit to Australia, returned yesterday by the Mararoa. ' Maliuta, the Maori King, is at present on i visit to Te Kuiti, and natives are gathered from far and near, feasting and dancing being the order of the day. Our Ngaruawahia correspondent writes : —On Wednesday evening last a farewell social was tendered to the Misses Butcher, who are about to remove from the township of their birth to Auckland. Friends were present from Hamilton, Huntly, laupiri, and other parts of the district The new Town Hall was utilised on the occasion. During the evening the guests were presented with a purse of sovereigns. The presentation was made by Mi. E. Fitzpatrick. Mr. W. Paterson responded on behalf of the Misses Butcher.

Mr. P.obt, .fames, who, for the past three years has filled the position of attorney and genera] superintendent of the New Alburnia Gold Mining Company, but whose term of engagement having expired, is leaving for England by the outgoing 'Frisco mail steamer on Monday next, was on Saturday evening entertained at a champagne luncheon in the Royal Hotel, bv his numerous friends it the lhames. There was a good attendance of all the leading mining and business men, and His Worship the Mayor (Mr. H. J. Grconslade) presided. All present testified to the manliness and good fellowship displayed by Mr. James during his residence at the Thames, and to the very active and intelligent interest he had displayed in the mining industry of the Peninsula generally. It was mentioned that Mr. James had been a most energetic member of the Thames School of Mines Council for the past three years, and that it was greatly due to his influence that the Council are at present erecting a most substantial building for the purpose of providing a mineral museum for that institution.