PERSONAL

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4312, 22 March 1901, Page 5

PERSONAL

Mr A. J, Park, the well-known Dunedin solicitor, returned yesterday by the Mokoia from a trip to Sydney-. Dr Self, Goveirnor of Samoa, is at present in Wellington. He will proceed Sydney on Saturday. Dr Solf is cm a holiday trip. Mr James Moore, of the Missions to Seamen, who has been spending a welt earned holiday in Australia, returned by the Mokoia, to his labours among the seamen of this port. The Rev Wm., Simpson (Presbyterian Church of New Zealand) and the Rev Wm- F. Findlay (Presbyterian Church of Otago, and Southland) are gazetted officiating ministers under the Marriage Act. Mr J. J. Reich, confidential clerk in the firm of Messrs Joseph Nathan and Co.( merchants, of Wellington, who is about to pay a visit to the Old Country, will be entertained at a dinner by the firm oh Monday night. fl - Mr Arthur H. Adams, who, did excellent v/ork in China as a war correspondent, returned to Wellington- by the Mokoia yesterday. Mr Adams, while at Ohefoo, was attacked by enteric fever, and has not yet entirely shaken ott its effects. He is to spend a holiday in New Zealand,'and w3l; probably leave for Blenheim in a few days. The marriage of Mr Bert Ralph and Miss How© tdokl placsi on nesday; Mr Ralph, is th© son of Mi -J\ Ralph, of this city/andl Miss Howe a granddaughter of Mr and Mrs John Pattinson; old and respected! residents o. ■\yellington'. The bride, who wore a dress of* ; cream figured lustre, was attended by the Misses G. Ralph, Esma,Howc and Esma Russell. Messrs H. Ralph and T. McDowell .acted as best men.

His Honor Judge Backhouse, who is a Commissioner appointed by the New South Wales Government to_ inquire into the working of the Industrial Conciliation and; Arbitration Act in New Zealand, arrived from Sydney by the Mothe steamer and welcomed to New Zealand by the Premier, and Minister of Labour (Right Horn R. J. Seddon) and-: the Secretary for Labour (Mr E- Tregear). Judge Backhouse is to visit every part of the colony, and interview the Labour Department authorities, the employers, 1 the members 1 of unions, and all who can give him information ohj the subject of his mission. His stay In New Zealand will ; extend over’ six weeks.- This is the Judge’s first visit to the colony. He i» to go to the South Island from Wellington, and will then return here, and travel through the. North Island. Judge Backhouse is accompanied by Mr J. N. A. Bonthorne, Registrar of the Sydney District. Court. When Mr Wise recently introduced -his Industrial Arbitration Bill in the New South Wales Parliament, contradictory. opinions were expressed by members as_ to the working of the Act in New m.-aland, some declaring that it had been a success, and others asserting the contrary view: Finally, Sir" William Lyno decided to send a Commissioner here.’to make ■inquiries -on the: subject: and report to the Government,: ana Judge Backhouse was chosen.