PERSONAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4207, 16 November 1900, Page 5

PERSONAL.

Colonel Pole Penton, Commandant or the Forces of New Zealand, is at present making an inspection of the defences of - Otago.

A presentation to Mr S. Percy Smith, formerly Surveyor-General, from the staffs of the ten District Lands Offices in the colony, is expected to be made in Wellington next week.

Inspector H. G. J. Hull, of Palmerston North, has been transferred to Timaru, and will take charge of the Stock Office there. Inspector J. Duncan. of Palmerston South, is to take Mr Hull’s place at Palmerston North. Captain Edwaru Williams, formerly in command of the harquentino Kongsbyrd, in the intercolonial trade* died at his residence, Balmain, Sydney, on the Oth rnstv He was fifty-nine years of age.

A well-deserved holiday has been granted to the Town Clerk, Mr J. E. Page, who is about to visit England. Mr Page has been in the service of the City Council for twenty-four years. Councillors at last night’s meeting of the Council recognised that Mr Pago had been rushed with work lately, and granted him the leave of absence on the understanding that it can be extended to nine months if desired. During his absence Mr Chappie will act-as Town Clerk.

The flags of the vessels iu port, and on various mercantile houses, were flown at half-mast yesterday out of respect to the memory of the late Mr I?.. Nancarrow, of the firm of Messrs Nancarrow and: Go., Grcymouth, who died there on Wednesday. Mr Nancarrow had acted as representative for the Union Company at Greymoutli for many years. Mis ' son, who has just been transferred from the Wellington to the Grcymouth office of the company, left for the West Coast, in company with his sister, by the Taviuni, as late ns Monday last. Deceased was widely respected by all who know him. At St. James’s Church, Newtown, yesterday afternoon, Miss Annie Maud Wilkinson, step-daughter of Mr David Spring, a well-known resident of Greylown, was married to Mr A. D. Allen, son of the late Mr G. A. Allen, of this ■city. The bride wore white corded silk and picture hat to match, and her only bridesmaid was Miss Clara Coffey, who was dressed in Japanese silk, with pearl trimmings, and hat to match. The bridegroom’s girt to the bride was a goid ring, and to the bridesmaid he gave a gold brooch. Mr A. G. Priest supported the bridegroom. The service was conducted by the Rev Janies Shirer. A reception was subsequently held at Mr Godber’s rooms, Cuba street. Thc iici. U ' married couple will take up their residence in Wellington.

Mr George Sumpter, of Oamaru, whose death was recorded the other day. was. savs the “North Otago Times,” one of the hardy band of pioneers, whose j anl;s are being depleted so fast by the hand of death. Horn in Middlesex in IB3P, Mr Sumpter loft, for Adelaide in 1851, and‘ after about ten years’ residence there, came to Oamaru with his wife and daughter in the early part or 186‘h the place at that time being a wilderness of tussock and unfenced land. Since his arrival in Oamaru Mr bumpter has taken a very keen interest in practically evervthing concerning the welfare of the “town, in 1864 ho took an • ctive part in forming the first rifle company and in 1865 joined the comnanv himself, his promotion therein being‘so rapid that in, 1870 ho became :: lieutenant-colonel. Me was the first ♦■own clerk of Oamaru, and subsequent!.! was elected mayor of the city. Hotc elected to represent Waitaki in the 1 roviucinl Council in 1871, _ winch seat hr retained until the abolition or the ptcvinces. He also held a seat for a oriel period in the Provincial Executive iu 1875.

Quito a large contingent of prominent. Wellington citizens arrived from Svduey bv the steamer. Waikavc. which was berthed at the Queens Wharf yesmorning. Some of jiod returned from European and America;; tours, taking in, of course, the _ Pam Exhibition, "and others from visits to Australia. Among the former werr Me-srs G. E. Toluurst (tmon bank c: Australia), Alex. Veitch (Veitch ami \llan) F. W. Haybittle (George Thomas and Co.), James Godber, Thomm Oman, sen.. J. H. Otto Schwartz (E'lU'tablo Building Company), and G. Sneddon. In the course of his tour Mr Tulhurst made a trip up the Njlo ami h“ also spent some time in Ireland. Messrs Veitch and Haybittle made an extended cycling tour in Scotland and England, 'in addition to travelling over England and Scotland, Mr Godbci spent a month in the United States anc five weeks on the Continent of Europe, Mr Divan saw a good deal of America.

which he was re-visiting, and of Italy. Miss Estelle Beere, another Wellington resident, who returned by the Waikare, and who is well-known as a teacher of dancing, studied under the best teachers of trie art in London, in order to make herself acquainted with the latest styles and dances. Messrs T. J. AV. Gale ana John Blundell came back from visits to Australia. The friend.-, of Air Gale will be glad to hear that ills health has undergone a marked improvement as a result of his stay on the other side.