MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1247, 23 January 1896, Page 20

MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

The Rev Father Le Rennetel, who came from Sydney to preach the annual retreat of the Marist Brothers' in Wellington, left by the Penguin last week for Nelson.- He is to conduct cfther retreats in various parts of the Colony. ' ; -

We understand that Mr. Sidney Philips, of the firm of Philips and Pike, purposes taking a business trip ,tq the Old Country. Mr Philips leaves here about the end of this month, and expects to be absent about six months.

Mr J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Works and Railways, left for the South by the Tak’apuna yesterday week.

Mr J. S. Bruce has been re-appointed secretary to the Fitzherbert Road Board.

A party comprising Professor Kirk (of Wellington), Misses T. and E, McMahon, and Mr A. D. Vannini, of Blenheim, under the guidance of Mr Joseph McMahon, made the ascent of Mount Stokes .successfully on January 7th, and were camped. near the summit during the spyere tffunderstorm experienced that-nightf “'

MrH. B. Vogel has wound up his labours in connection with Hood’s Annual, and can, I imagine, congratulate himself on a financial as well an ;artistic success. —Our London correspondent, December 6th.

Mr H. F. Christie, of Patea (writes our London correspondent on December 6th), leaves England to-day by the ilassilia. Ho has had such a good time here that he talks of leaving the colonies and settling at Home, or at least paying us another visit soon.

A genuine, and at the same time pleasant, surprise was sprung upon Mr W. Ferguson, engineer and secretary to the Harbour Board, at the meeting of the Board on Thursday. Shortly after the Board had gone into committee, Mr Ferguson was respectfully asked to retire, and on the Board resuming a few minutes after, he was agreeably astonished to learn that the Roard had decided that his salary should be increased to <£looo per annum as from the Ist January. Mr Ferguson’s previous salary was <£Boo P er annum.

Mr George Fannin, of the District Land and Survey Office, who has been promoted to the position of chief clerk in the Invercargill branch of the department, has been presented by his late follow-officers with a handsome gold chain. The presentation was made by Mr Mackenzie, the chief draftsman, in the absence -of- the--- Assistant - Surveyor General.

Mr George Hutchison, M.H.R., left on Saturday for Sydney, en route for England. In Melbourne he will be joined by Mrs Hutchison and their son and daughter, who left by the Tarawera during last week.

Dr MacGregor, Inspector of Hospitals and Asylums, is at present on the West Coast of the South Island. He is expected to return to Wellington about the end of this week.

I A handsome silver pencil - case was on Thursday evening presented to Mr Carwell Cooke by Mrs Roscoe on behalf of the * Church choir, and accompanying resent was the following memorandum : January 16tli, 1806. Prom, the members

m the Wadestown Church choir, with their /best thanks for your patient instruction during 1895,. and many good wishes for your happiness during 1896.”

Mr Mumford, late second officer of the ehip Taranaki, is now chief officer of the Weathersfield, Mr Farmar, late of the Haloione, taking His place on the Taranaki.

The Very Rev Father Devoy and the Very Rev Dr Watters, Rector of St. Patrick’s College, returned from the South by the Mararoa on Sunday.

Mr C. Hudson, Assistant-General Manager of Railways, who has been on a tour of inspection on the Napier-Taranaki section of the Government railways, returned to Wellington on Saturday night.

It is expected that the Queon will make a short stay at Paris Dn her way to Nice. /Mr Ronayne, General Manager of Railways, left by Tuesday morning’s train en route to Auckland. There he will meet the Hon. Mr Cadman and accompany him on an exhaustive inspection of the Auckland railways.

Mr J. D. Ritchie, Chief Inspector of Stock and Secretary of the Agricultural Department, left on Monday for Blenheim for the purpose of inspecting the country between there and Christchurch to note how the rabbit pest is being coped with. The trip will extend over a fortnight.

Miss Sheffield, who was drowned at Gisborne on Wednesday, was grand-daughter of Mr Haselden, coroner at the Thames. Her father lives at Pokeno, near Auckland.

Mr A. D. Willis., M.H.R. for Wanganui, addressed the electors at Aromoho on Friday night, and received a vote of thanks and continued confidence.

Our Featherston correspondent writes : On Friday evening Mr and Mrs W- O. Williams were entertained at a farewell “ social ” at the Public Hall, Kaiwaiwai, as they are leaving that district after residing there many years. About 150 persons were present. Mr W. F. Bid will, on behalf of the residents, presented Mr Williams with a gold ring, and M r s Williams with a gold brooch, as souvenirs of their stay amongst them. A very pleasant evening was spent, and dancing was kept up till the small hours of the morning.