PERSONAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11788, 18 October 1901, Page 4 (Supplement)

PERSONAL.

' Colonel Webb was presented with a purse ' of sovereigns on Sept. 27 by the members of Otago Club, on the eve of his departure to take up the command of the Canterbury district. A pleasing ceremony was performed at the factory of Mr. J. H. Love, wholesale saddler, in presenting to Mr. E. O'Meara, one of the employees, a few trophies and an address on the occasion of his approaching marriage. The cycle trade of Auckland bade farewell to Mr. W. M. Service, who is leaving for Palmerston, at a social gathering in the Central Hotel, on October 11. Mr. Crozier was in the chair. Mr. Service was presented with an illuminated address, and all wished him every success in his new home. A few friends of Mr. W. J. Courtney (ex-member of the City Council) met on Sept 27 at his residence, " Courtney Place," Ponsouby, and as a surprise presented him With a very handsome silver-mounted pipe, on the occasion of his 66th birthday. About 20 were present, and a very enjoyable night was spent in songs, parlour games, etc. A verv pleasing ceremony took place at Onehunga on October 9. the occasion being the presentation to Mr. Daniel Neilson, an associate of the Institute of Marine Engineers, with a handsome armchair, as a small token of the respect and appreciation of the engineers of the colony for his many kindnesses to them during their visits to OnehungaIn acknowledgment of the valuable services rendered to Dunedin by Mr. B. Chisholm during his 16 months in office as Mayor, Mr. Chisholm was on Sept. 30 presented with a massive silver tea and coffee Bervic&, and an order has been given for a portrait of Mr. Chisholm for the Town Hall. The money was raised by public subscription in a few days.

Mr J. E. Coney, who for the past 25 years has filled the position of chief postmaster at Thames, but who is now retiring from that position with a well-earned pension, was on October 12 presented by the Thames post office and telegraph staffs, as a token of their esteem, with a handsome illuminated address and a valuable sideboard.

A social was given in the Druid's lodgeroom, St. George's Hall, on October 9. in honour of Mr. John Currie, late town clerk »f the Grey Lynn Borough Council, who has retired from office. He was presented with a framed illuminated address, as a mark of respect and esteem. The address bore the signatures of six Mayors and 27 Councillors, and was executed by Mr. Gulliver.

An effort is to be made in Devonport to collect £100 for the erection of a memorial to perpetuate the memory of John P. Mays and Harold Frankham, two Devonport lads who lost then- lives in the South African campaign. The form the memorial is to take has not yet been decided upon and will to a considerable extent depend on the sum raised.

The ceremony of unveiling the bust of the late Sir Harry Atkinson, presented to Parliament by the former constituents of the deceased statesman in the Hawera district, was performed on October 16 in the Parliamentary Library. Several relatives of deceased, all the Cabinet Ministers, and many members of both Houses were present. Captain Russell performed the ceremony, and a short speech -was also made by the Premier.

On the Ist of October Messrs. Anirew Geddes and Arch. Wilson presented Mr. D. MacNicol with a purse of 20 guineas, subscribed by the residents of Mayfield. The presentation was made at Mr. MacNicol's house. The purse was accompanied by a beautifully-prepared address, the work of Mrs. J. M. Warn, recognising his services as superintendent of the Sunday-school. The Baden-Powell casket, the gift of the citizens of Auckland to General BadenPowell, in recognition of his braverv in defence of Mafeking, was despatched to England on October 12, under the charge of Captain Nicol, of the Rangatira. The escritoire of New Zealand woods, which the committee resolved to present along with the casket, is being finished by Mr. Seuffert, and will be sent to General Baden-Powell about Christmas.

Miss Mary Morton, tin well-known animal painter, has been busily employed in the South. She has painted hunters for Mr. Keiller, and Mr. Pharazyn, of Rangitikei, and is now in Wellington, painting Advance for Mr. Douglas Gordon. She has finished one portrait of him, and has been commissioned to do two more. The one she has finished is thought to be a great success by sporting men. Advance's jet black shiny coat lends itself to the painter.

With reference to the cable message in last week's issue announcing that a journalist belonging to Auckland had been run over by a van in London and killed, Ave are informed that the unfortunate man is believed to be Mr. John D. Pope, who was formerly connected with a paper published at Onekunga, and who left for England recently. Mr. Pope, whose wife and family are residing at Onehunga, was, it is stated. a well-known lecturer in Australia some years ago.

The officers of the Postal Department met together in the large mailroom, at Wellington, on Sept. 30, to bid good-bye to Mr. E. T. Morshead, who is retiring on pension after 37 years' service, the larger portion of which time has been spent in Wellington. On behalf of the staff, Mr. Jago, postmaster, presented Mr. Morshead with a handsome gold watch and chain, suitably engraved, and in a few appropriate words assured the recipient of the good wishes that would go with him into his well-earned retirement.

A gold brooch was presented to Miss Daisy Glover by the townspeople of Waimangaroa lately in recognition of her coolness and pluck on the occasion of a landslip in Boulcott-street, Wellington. Nome few weeks ago. The fall of earth partly buried Mr. J. Glover's residence, the only occupants of which at the time were Daisy Glover (ageu 12) and an infant. The little girl was partly covered with debris, and unable to move, but from where she lay she directed those who arrived to give assistance as to how to effect an entrance, and on this being done, said to the rescuers: " Never mind me, save the baby." Eventually oath children were taken out, the girl suffering from a severe crushingfrom which she has now quite recovered.

Mr. and Mrs. William Singer, of " Rosebank," St. George's Bay Road, Parnell, celebrated their " golden wedding" on October 2. There was a reception of friends at three p.m. In the evening at six o'clock, another reception, took place, for friends who could not come in the afternoon. After tea, Mr. Thos. Buddie and Mr. Alex. Thome Bnade interesting speeches in connection with the " good old times," and the High-street school. During the evening a pleasant surprise took place. The Rev. J. T. Pinfold, Ph.B-, on behalf of a number of Wesleyan friends, presented, in appropriate terms, a parse of sovereigns to Mr. and Mrs. Singer, the former responding suitably on behalf of himself and wife. Some presents and beautiful bouquets were also presented. Among the guests in the afternoon was the Rev. H. Bull. Mr. Singer is now in his 80th year, and Mrs. Singer in her 73rd year, and both are hale and hearty.

Reference has occasionally been made to the Grace Darling of New" Zealand. This heroine performed her exploit over 40 years since, and it has been almost forgotten in our early history. Mrs. James Martin, nee Julia Ngurongoa, of Wakapuaka, Nelson, assisted by her lover, now her husband, swam with a line through the Burf to the wrecked British ship Delamere, and by her heroic action was instrumental in saving the lives of the passengers and crew of the vessel. The captain had mistaken the entrance of Croixelles Harbour for that of Nelson. She had on board a large number of immigrants, h-oon after they were landed the vessel broke up, and it is unlikely that anyone would have been saved but for the opportune aid of the Maori maiden. After effecting the landing of the whole of those on board, the iarge-bearted natives housed, fed, and clothed the shipwrecked people, there •feeing no overland communication in those Bays;, until they trere able-.to wake their fPTOS"t* kelson*