MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1264, 21 May 1896, Page 20

MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

Mr Hughes, of Westport, whose death is announced this week, was well known in Wellington and other parts of the Colony. He was a brother-in-law of Mr J. S. Cross of this city.

Mr Gladstone has given =£loo to tlio Armenian Relief Fund. Mr W. A. Mercer, of the well-known firm of mining engineers, Messrs Bewick, Moreing and Co., says the Loudon Citizen, travels out to Australia by the Orient liner Ormuz on April 3rd. He will first visit Western Australia, proceed thence to Sydney, and afterwards to New Zealand, where he will report upon certain properties. It is evident that we shall hear a good deal more about New Zealand mining in the near future. 'J'ho installation of Bro. W. Moore as W.M. of the Carterton Lodge of Masons took place on Tuesday week. Bro. N. Grace acted as installing master. A number of brethren from Masterton were present. Mr Jas. Wilson, who is well known in local

rowing and football circles, has been promoted to the Forth branch of the Union Bank oi Australia, and leaves for his new home by the Tarawora on Friday next. Smce his residence in Wellington, Mr Wilson has been a prominent member of the Wellington Football Club and Star Boating Club, and occupied No. 2 seat in the latter club’s senior four during the season. He was also for some years prominently connected with the Napier Football Club and Napier Bowing Club. Mr Wilson carries with him the best wishes of a host of friends in New Zealand. Mr E. Cohen, formerly of Messrs Barraud and Sons’, who loft Wellington about six months ago to study for the medical profession, has passed his first examination at Guy’s Hospital with credit. The many friends of the Bov Father Goggan will regret to hear that ho has left Wellington for Blenheim, where lie is to succeed the Rev Father McNamara in charge of that parish. Father Goggan has been" connected with To Aro parish about four years, during which time he has endeared himself not alone to his own people, but to all others who know him. Ho took a special interest in the schools, and will bo sadly missed by the children, with whom lie was a groat favourite. Prior to being engaged in parochial duties, he spent seven years at St. Patrick’s College as professor of mathematics, where he did excellent work. Although general regret is expressed at his departure, still it is tempered by the knowledge that he has received well-deserved promotion, and also that the country will suit his health, which has not boon of tlio most robust of lato, much bettor than town life. Ho loaves by the Grafton, and will be succeeded by the Rev Father Aubry. Mr H. D. Bell, M.H.K., has made up his mind to leave England for the on April 25th, in company with Mr Hutchison (writes our London correspondent, under date March 2lith). They will spend about three weeks in America, and should arrive in the Colony on or about June 18th. During his stay at Homo, adds our correspondent, Mr Bell has been doing Ins best to bring about tlio muoh-to-bc-dosired peace between the Grand Lodge of Now Zealand and that of England. His efforts to obtain recognition for the colonial Lodge from that of tho Old Country have been warmly seconded by your late Governor, Lord Onslow, and also by Sir John Gorst. Lord Onslow has accompanied Mr Bell and supported him at several interviews with tho Masonic “ powors that bo boro. How far Mr Bell’s mission has been successful I must leave him to divulge him-

self , , , . . Mr G. G. Stead, who is a delegate to tlio Brunner Conference, arrived last week by the Takapuna from Lyttelton. Mr David C. Aikon, tho popular accountant in the local ofiiee of tho Union Steamship Company, with which he has been connected for very many years, proceeded to Westport by tlio Grafton to relieve Mr C. J. Liggins, who, bis friends will regret to hoar, ss'suffering from an acute attack of pleurisy. Mr Aikon will be much missod in shipping and commercial circles, but it is hoped that his absenco will be only temporary Tho Agent-General dined with Sir John Gorst at tho House of Commons on Tuosday evening. Mr H. D. Bell, of Wellington, was of the party. On Wednesday Mr Reeves was tlio guest of tho Canada Club at a dinner in honour of the Socrotary of Stato for tho Colonies.—Our London correspondent, Marcli 27 th. Bishop Wallis, who is staying at the rectory at Wanganui with tho Rev T. B. Maclean, incutnb nt of Christ Church, lias for some days been seriously indisposed. Mr Palmer, the receiver appointed on behalf of tho debenture-holders of the Midland Railway Company, has arrived in Wellington. He interviewed tho Premier, and has now gone to tho West Coast to inspect the properties and to obtain information relating thereto. Mr Palmer sat in the House of Representatives as member for Timaru in 1870, and left'the Colony about 15 years ago. Mr V. Willoston, formerly of tlio Labour Department, lias been appointed private secretary to tne lion J. Carroll. Sir John Hall and Colonel Fox were amongst the passengers by the lakapunu from S'iuU: lust week. Mr E. McKenna, statioinnaster at Palmer- i istou, who has been tr mslei red to vVaiiganui, | was present d lasi week by the t aimer- | jjtou stall with a h urUniiio piush chair, a. pipe and a silver niat.elihox. Mr \V. I). B. iMurrny, who for th- past 22 yours lias occupied the position ol a Government Surveyor, the last five years of which ho Las spent in the Rangi' ikei district, has been appointed assistant draughtsman in the Napier Survey Office. Judge Ward, of the Native Land Court, has recovered from his illness. Mr C. A. E ven has resigned tho position of manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Now Plymouth in order to take up the positi m <u manager of the Wollirgton brunch of tho New Zealand Insurance Company, rice Mr J. C- Haunt, who has been appointed inspo t>r of tho Company. _ ,

Mr VV. lh Card, foreman at tho Eeil llng Star, is leaving for South Africa. On Kii Uiy the Star employees pre-cub d him with an appropriate souvenir. Mr G. H. Scales, secretary of the Agiicnltural and Pastoral Association, who has been on a visit to tho south, has returned to Wellington. „ , Sergeant W. Morley, of tho Horetaunga Mounted Rifles, was married on Friaay to Miss Helen Bridson, daughter of Mr W. Bridson, Adelaide road, at the resulonco of tho bride’s parents, Misses A. Morley and A. Gordon being tbc bridesmaids, and Mr Corrio Bridson, best man. , r The well-known and genial journalist, Mr J. H. Kirby, bas purchased tho Marton Mercury. His many friends will wish Mr Kirby every success in his new venture.

The New York Daily Tribune says that when Hdme. Melba wa3 in Washington recently she met Speaker Reed in the Capitol. “ Why don’t you have a fight here r” she said to him in laughing protest. “ I would much rather see a fight than hoar a speech.” “ Then why didn’t you let me know you were coming?” said Speaker Reed gallantly. “ I would have had a fight for your especial delight, and if you will only wait I will go on the floor and start a row this minute.” But Mdmo. Melba couldn’t wait, and the Speaker’s offer came to naught. Mr Percy Butler, local manager of the Phcenix Insurance Company, is at present in a serious condition, suffering from typhoid fever. The prayers of the congregation were asked for him in St. Mark’s Church on Sunday morning. Mr W. G. Garrard, lion secretary of the Canterbury Rugby Union, has been appointed to represent the Canterbury Referees’ Association at the Conference of Referees to .jo held here next Monday. Mr Torrance is to represent the Otago Association. Mr W. Durnett has been appointed librarian of the Wellington Working Men s Club. Mr James Wilson, who had been transferred from Wellington to the Perth branch of tho Union Bank, received on Saturday a small token of the regard in which he is held by members of the Wellington Football Club, with which club ho bas been associated for above twelve months. The token took the form of a gold band ring. Mr Arthur A. Martin, formerly of the

Civil Service in Wellington, has obtained second class honours in chemistry, second class honours in practical chemistry, and first class honours in lectures on anatomy (junior students) at the Edinburgh University. MiMartin resigned from the Civil Service to study for a medical degree, lie is the son of a well-known guard on the Luinsdcu-luver-cargill railway. Mr E. B. Brown, of the firm of Brown and Dean, solicitors, has returned to Wellington after nearly a year’s sojourn in England and the Continent of Europe. I heard in confidence, rather more than three weeks ago (writes our London correspondent) that Sir JohnGorst would succeed Sir Hercules Robinson at the Cape. The latter is most anxious to quit his post as early as possible, Lady Robinson having become a chronic invalid.

Mr Herbert Jones, who is lecturing in England about New Zealand, is, perhaps, the most successful lecturer on the road at the present time (our London correspondent writes). He can boast what few dioramic lecturers can —namely, that he li is booked sufficient engagements to keep him employed for the next 12 months. Inspector McGovern arrived in Wellington on Tuesday, en route to New Plymouth, whero he expects to commence his duties by the end of this week. Mr W. H. Gualter, who has been accountant, formerly of the Colonial Bank and latterly, since the amalgamation, of the Bank of Now Zealand, at Cromwell, is to bo transferred immediately to Napier. It is believed that Mr F. Grey, one of the Rand reformers, who committed suicide, is identical with a brother of Mr Gray, of the Napier Grammar School. Constable Norward, police clerk at Napier, has received an intimation from the Royal Humane Society that he has been awarded the certificate of the society for his bravery in January last in swimming oat in his clothes to attempt to rescue the unfortunate man Marr, who was mysteriously drowned while bathing off tho Marine-parade. Mr McPherson, second officer of the Wainui, has been promoted to first, and Mr Baldwin will in the meantime fill the place of second officer.

Tho Hon E. Blake, M.P., caught a bad cold soon after his arrival in London from New Zealand, and was laid up for some days at tho Hotel Windsor. Ho recovered sufficiently, however, to attend tho McCarthy banquet, and made tho best speech of tho evening. Mr S. M. Robbins, Government Dairy Instructor, leaves for his home in the United States by noxt mail steamer. Ho intends to visit the chief dairying districts in America and Europe and gather the latest information on dairying practice that is to be obtained. Mr Robbins bas dono really good work in New Zealand, and ho will receive a warm wolcomo on his return.

Mr S. Holt, mate of tho schoonor Marmion, has passed his examination as second officer of a sea-going vessel, and Mr R. Andorson, at present second officer of tho barque Alcestis, has passod also as second officer.

Mr J. Ovorend lias boon promoted to take charge of tho Foxtou branch of Levin and Co.’s business.

Captain Bono is still in command of tho RuahineJMr T. S. Weston being chief officer, Mr Smith second, Mr Barnes third, and Mr Pipe fourth. Mr Waring is chief engineer, and Dr O’Gorinan surgeon.

Tho Christchurch Liodortafel gnvo a Herron Abend on Friday night, when Mr Laureneo F. Watkins, the Society’s accompanist, who is about to leave Christchurch to take up a position as organist of SI. Mark’s ( hundi, Wellington, was pre-ented by ihe m.miliers with a silver matchbox.

Mr Marcus, stationmaster nt Wanganui, who has been promoted to I'inium, received three valedictory presentations on Saturday. Tho members of the Cosmojioiitaii Club gave him a handsomely - framed illuminated address, tho carters and ox pressmen a silver teapot and address, and tlio merchants and business people a valuable gold watch and chain, which woro presented by the Mayor. On Saturday night tho Railway Servants entertained him and made a presentation. No public servant lias ever made more friends in Wanganui. Mr Marcus left for Tiinaru on Monday.