PERSONAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3327, 7 January 1898, Page 2

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Hr James Mason has been appointed public vaccinator at Otaki. Madam© Merz has returned to Wellington from her visit to Pliramerton. Mr Justice Batham left for th© North by the Weatralia yesterday afternoon. The majority of the passengers by the Gothic yesterday were returning tourists. We regret that Mrs Inglis, wife of Mr Inglia, chemist, of Petono, is seriously ill. 1 Mr R, T. Turnbull, electrical engineer, of this city, left yesterday by the Gothic for a visit to England. The Bishop of Melanesia, who has been visiting Hawke’s Cay, will spend Sunday at 1 Palmerston North, . . Mr Tunbridge, Chief Commissioner of t Police, left fer the Auckland district by train , yesterday morning. Major-General Hogg© was a passenger by > the Penguin, which left forPioton and Nelson yesterday afternoon. . Mr Robert Witteford, of New Zealand, has been elected a Fellow of tbe Royal Colonial Institute, London. Mr W. G, Nicholson has returned to Wanganui after a residence of nearly three years in Western Australia. Mr H. C. Riddell has been appointed to be Assistant Laud Registrar and DeputyRogistrar of Deeds at Napier, Mr H, Fell, of Nelson, who goes to Edinburgh to continue his studies, was among the. passengers by the Gothic yesterday. Letters of naturalisation have been issued to Hans Peter Hansen, Maurioeville, and Louis Thompson, Brothers Lighthouse, Wellington. Mr James Allen, M.H.R. for Bruce, who was a passenger by the Gothic for London yesterday, expects to be hack in New Zealand by about the 22nd June. Mr J. W. A. Marchant, Commissioner of Crown Lands, has recovered sufficiently from his illness to bo able to take up his official duties again. The Hon Hugh Mossman, M.L.C., of Charters Towers, who is well known in Dunedin, made a driving tour from London to the English Lakes in August. The latest volume of Stone’s directory contains a portrait of the late Mr John Stone, founder of the firm, together with an obituary of the deceased gentleman. The Inman Dramatic Company arrived from the South by the Weatralia yesterday morning, and proceeded on to New Plymouth by the lakapuna late in the afternoon. Mr A. R. Bloxam, Registrar of the Supreme Court, Christchurch, Mrs Bloxam and members of their family, left yesterday in th© Gothic for a trip to the Old Country, Lord £ ampden and party return to Australia by the Talune, joining that vessel at Dunedin on Monday next, on which day she leaves 'or Melbourne via Bluff and Hobart. Hr J, A. Wilson, who has been for some time Resident Engineer in Wellington, will leave on Saturday to take up the position of Resident Engineer on the Otira section of the Midland Railway. Mias F'lorrie Spurdle, who has been connected with the Wanganui corps of the Salvation Army for several years, has left for Sydney, where she completes her training for Army work. Mr and Mrs G. J. Grapes and Miss Grapes, of Paraparaumu, left by the Gothic yesterday on a trip to England, They go first to the Isle of Wight, and subsequently to Corn, wall. Mr Grapes is father of Mr G. H, Grapes, th© well-known fruitgrower. Messrs G. Petersen, F. B. Wilkins, A. J. Pooook, J. H. Edmundson and W. R. Jourdaia hive been appointed by the Wanderers Bicycle Club, Napier, to go into training in view of tbe New Zealand Championship Meeting at Wanganui next month. Mr J. Grattan Grey, chief of the Hansard staff, and Mr F. H. Campbell, M.A , Dunedin High School, arrived in Wanganui on Monday on a bicycle tour from Wellington. They report tb© roads very rough, especially between Palmerston and Wanganui, but good between Featherston and Masterton and from MatmcevUle to within a couple of miles of ISketahuna. During the final performance cf “ DjinDjin ** at the Opera House last night, Mr W.. Percy, who has so ably acted the part of Tom Wallaby in the clever pantomime, was presented with a handsome wreath of laurels, inscribed with appropriate wishes from the giver, Mr John Wallace, the popular stage manager, by whom it was presented, as a graceful souvenir of the season and a tribute to Mr Percy’s ability. Mr Ben Tillett has gone to Nelson for a fewdiys. According to the L jttelton Times Mr Tillett will next proceed to the King Country for a week. He will return through Christchurch en route for Australia. If possible he will proceed Home by way of america, and arrive in England about the middle of the year. Mr Tillett states that he has no intention of standing for re-election to the London County Council, and jn auy case, as the elections take place in April next, he would arrive in England too late. The many friends of Captain Rose, the popular manager of tbe New Zealand Ship? ping Company, Limited, will, we feel sure, regret to learn that he intends resigning bis appointment, and proceeding at an early date to England with Mrs Rose and his daughters, to reside there. This means that Captain Rjso will not seek re-election as a member of the Wellington Harbour Board, in which capacity he has represented the payers of dnes ever since the inception of the Board, and has proved one of its most able and useful members. For some time he filled the important position of chairman. We join with Captain Rose’s friends in hoping that he may long be spared to enjoy a life of pleasant retirement in the Mother Country. Messrs E. Tregear and G. J. Mueller have been gazetted a Commission:-!. To report on the condition of tbe gum trade, industrially and commercially. 2 To report on the condition ot those engaged and occupied in digging the gum, and the remuneration received by them, and as to sale, whether there freedom of contract or not. 3. To ascertain if there has been a large influx of labourers from outside the colony to the gumdiggings ; and, if so, whether tbe same are free labourers, or under contract. 4. To enquire whether those engaged in gumdigging on Crown lands hold licenses therefor, and as to what payments are made for the use and occupation of tbe said Crown lands. 5. To advise as to the best and most effectual mean* to enserve the interests of the colony and the well-being of those engaged in the gum industry.