PERSONAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3409, 16 April 1898, Page 2

PERSONAL.

The Hon Mr Cadman left Dunedin for the North yesterday. The Minister of Railways will return to Wellington on Tuesday next.

Mr J. V. Ansin, of the Moeraki lighthouse, is to sUooood the late Mr Soiasoia as first assistant lightkoeper at Portland Island. Mr L. Th.mpson, lightkoeper at the Brothers, is to be transferred to Moeraki.

Mr Lachlan McGowan, one of the oldest colonial actors—having been identified with the Australian stage since the early fifties—was lying dangerously ill at the Charters TowSra Hospital when the lost mail left, and was abont to undergo an operation which the surgeons feared would prove fatal. Mr George Cook, about the only survivor of the band of brilliant legal practitioners who practised in Dunedin about 30 years ago, died the other day at the age of 82 years. Mrs F. R. Chapman is his daughter, and Mr G. L. Cook (Government engineer), Mr J. A. Cook (who was a partner with his father), Mr Spenoer Cook (of the Bank of Now Zealand), Mr M. Cook (of Dalgety and Co.), and Mr R. F. Cook (who is also associated with the legal profession, being connected with a leading firm of solicitors in Sydney) are sons of the deceased gentleman. Mr Boreham, the winner of the New Zealand Draughts Championship, has been before the public as a prominent player for many years, After taking a prominent part in local matches in the North Otago district, ho played MrWarnock, champion of New South Wales in 1890, but suffered defeat, and was also beaten by Mr D. Brodie for the championship of New Zealand about five years ago. He subsequently defeated the latter on two occasions, and has now won the championship of the colony under the auspices of the Draughts Association for three years running, namely, at Wanganui, Oamarn and in Wellington.

The members of the respective staffs of the New Zealand Times and the New Zealand Mail assembled round “ the stone ” in the composing room of the latter yesterday afternoon for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr R. Wright, foreman of the Mail, in connection with his recent marriage. In making the presentation, Mr C. Wilson, M.H.R., editor of the Mail, alluded to the groat esteem in which Mr Wright was held throughout the office, and also mentioned that be had been employed there for 16 yeare, a fact which spoke for itself. On behalf of the employees he wished Mr and Mrs Wright long life and happiness. Mr Wright, in responding, referred to the good feeling that had always existed between himself and those with whom he was associated. The presentation consisted of a handsome breakfast set, a tea set, cutlery and other articles.

As a mark of the esteem in which he was held during his 13 years of service as stationmaster to the Wellington and Manawstn Railway Company at Thorndon, Mr J. B. Gould has been preseu'ed by his old comrades with a leather travelling case, together with a bread tray for Mrs Gould. Mr W. M. Hannay, general manager of the company, made the presentation. During the 13 years that Mr Gould occupied his position in the service of the company, the merchants in the city and the passengers on the line bore witness to the marked ability and courtesy which, as stationmaster, he invariably displayed. His readiness to assist them in expediting the delivery of goods, baggage, Ac., were proverbial; nothing seemed a trouble to him where advice and assistance were necessary, and such assistance was accorded with the greatest of good humour. As a certificated member of the St. John ambulance corps, Mr Gould was able on not a few occasions to afford that valuable " first aid ” which is of such great importance in cases of accident. In this, as in other respects, Mr Gould secured for himself the goodwill and gratitude of all classes in the city and of travellers along the line. Mr Goald has had varied experience on railways abroad as well as on the New Zealand lines, and this enabled him from the opening of the Manawatn Una to the present time, by bis personality and example, to instil into the staff a tone of cheerful alacrity to serve the pubUc, for which ths company’s service has been so well noted. Mr Gould will be long missed from his post by many friends and well-wishers.