PERSONAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1715, 11 January 1905, Page 23

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Air Charles Allan Bro-ugh, F.R.C.S., barrister at law at the Canadian Bar, has been appointed an Assistant Native Commissioner for Fiji. The Countess of Onslow, accompanied by her son and daughter, the Hon Huia and Lady Dorothy, left for the South by the Wimmera on Thursday.

Al;r J. G. Hankins, who has been connected with Alessns Swainson and Revan for the past seven years, has been appointed auctioneer for the firm at Levin, vice Air E. J. Graham, who has severed his connection with the firm.

Air Harry Peck, of London, a cheese merchant, who recently arrived in New Zealand for the benefit cf his health, returning by the last homeward trip of the lonic, died in London on November 28th, aged forty-five years.

Mr James Edmond, editor of the Syemev •’Bulletin,” has written to Wellington that health reasons necessitate him taking a four months’ holiday. Mr Frank Fox will have charge of the paper in the absence of Air Edmond.

A Press Association telegram from Wanganui states that Air Charles Gordon. a well-known stable-keeper, and a resident of Wanganui for over thirty years, dropped dead on Sunday afternoon.

A well-known Avellington resident, Air J. S. Cross, died in the hospital on Sunday from paralysis. He was an old 1 Nelson identity, who- possessed considerable interests in that town some years ago, and owned the steamer Lady Barkley a former trader on this coast.

Air Walter Knott Graham, of Eastbourne, England, and of the London firm of W. K. Graham and Son, New Zealand merchants, who died at Eastbourne on October 4th. last, aged . seventy-three years, left estate of the gross value of £52,739 13s Bd, with net personalty sworn at £51,840 10s sd.

Air F. W. Alansfield, Registrar of Electors, prior to his departure on a tour through the colony’s electorates, was presented with a memento of regard by the staff at the Wellington head office. The presentation was made by Air James Barr," senior on the staff, and to the good wishes -expressed Air Alansfield made suitable reply.

The death is reported from Wanganui of Airs John Alorgan, of Durietown, at the age of seventy-two. Deceased had spent over half a century in the colony, being a passenger by the first vessel which arrived at New Plymouth. A few years after, she removed to Wanganui, where she had resided since. Air and Airs Alorgan celebrated their golden wedding about a year ago. Although the Professorial Board has not dealt with the applications from Victoria College students, it is understood that Air P. W. Robertson, 8.A., will he again put forward as the candidate of Victoria College for the Rhodes Scholarship. Air Robertson, it will be remembered, was the candidate last year. The Canterbury College candidate has not yet been namad, Jbut it is highly probable that Air Archibald E. Currie, 13. A., who last year stood down in favour of Air Cook, will he nominated.

The death of Mr W. H, Gaw, formerly chief traffic manager of railways, was (according to the Auckland “Herald”) the result, of an accident. Accompanied by his daughter, Mr Caw, v r ho lived at Hawick, was on his way to the house of Captain Smith, about noon, when he suddenly fell forward on the roadway, striking the ground with such force as to cause concussion of the brain. He was immediately removed to his home, and Dr.s Savage and Bowes were called in, but the patient was beyond the aid of medical skill, and expired shortly afterwards without regaining consciousness.

An old Alaori chief of note, named pehi Hitaua Turca, died a few days ago. at Raetihi. Pehi ’was the highest in rank of all the Upper Wanganui natives, and in the Alaori wars, from 1864 to 1870, was a prominent man amongst the Hauhaus. His elder the venerable Topia Turoa, died at Wanganui a few months ago. Physically, Pehi was a fine specimen of the old-school Alaori—tall, soldierly-looking, and welltattooed. He was present at the battle of Aloutoa, on the- Wanganui river, in 1864, when he and his fellow-Hauhaus, who- meditated a descent upon \Vanganui town, were defeated by the friendly natives. For many years after the war ho isolated himself from all Europeans, and lived chiefly at a remote little settlement in the Waimarino forest. This earned for him from the Lower Wanganui natives tlie soubriquet of “te ruru nolio-mciu” —the owl which abides in the depths of the bush. It was not often that he cared to emerge from his seclusion, but in later years lie occasionally visited Wellington, and lie was one oi the chiefs who presented valuable gifts to the Duke and Duchess of A'ork oil the occasion of then* visit to Rotorua. Pehi was in Wellington for some time to wan Is l lie end of last session of Parliament, m connection with tribal Lillcl matters. He was an old friend of the. Hon d . Carroll, Native Al mister.