PERSONALIA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6870, 14 July 1909, Page 7

PERSONALIA

The Rev. T. K. Sprott was appointed a governor of the Hadfield College and Hostel at .yesterday's meeting of the Wellington Diocesan Synod.

Major Hislop. of Napier, has been appointed acting-lieuteuant-colonel ot the 3rd (East Coast) Battalion Wellington Rifle Volunteers as from June Jird last. The Bov. D. D. Scott, of Onehunga (says a Press Association telegram), has declined tho call to the Kelburne Presbyterian Church, Wellington. " The death is announced of Professor Simon Newcomb, president of the Astronomical Society of America, at the ago of seventy-five. The Minister of Public Works (Hon. B. McKenzie) leaves Motneka to-day for Nelson, and will probably return to Wellington on Sunday. Mr Aleock, who- was 'first officer on the last vovr.ge of tho Athenic to New Zealand, left'the vessel'at London, in order to serve his time with the Royal Navy. Messrs A. J. R. Isherwood (ten years’ service} and W. J. Jamieson (six years service), of tho Labour Department, Wellington, retire under tho Government’s retrenchment scheme. Mr P. J. Doyle, who recently joined the Athenic as first officer, has just completed his time on the third-class cruiser Philomel, which is stationed In the Red Sea to keep a look out for slave dhows in order to suppress the slave-trade. The Hon. D. Buddo (Minister of Internal Affairs) leaves for the South this evening to keep on appointment with a deputation representing the Dunedin Hospital Board, which will meet him at Christchurch, He returns on Thursday night. The Hon, D. Buddo, acting-Minister of Lands, and the Hon. Thos. Mackenzie, Minister of Agriculture, will be present at a demonstration, of tree-spraying whicli is to bo given by members of the Fniit■'rowars’ Association at Papanui on the Ifith instant.

Mr J. Farrell, Mr J. C. 'Williamson, arrived by the Victoria at Auckland to make arrangements for the appearance there of Miss Nellie Stewart on July 26th. During a twelve-nights’ season "Sweet Kitty Bcllairs,” "Sweet Nell of Old Drury,” and "As You Like ■lt” will be staged. The Revs, J. A. Jacob (Hnwera), C. C. Harper (Palmerston), and T. H. Sprott (Wellington) were last night appointed without opposition as the clerical representatives of the '"Wellington diocese at tho forthcoming meetings of the General Synod. On a ballot the following were appointed as the lay representatives on' the same occasion-. ; Messrs R. Wilberfoss (Wellington), W. J. Birch (Marton), T. F. Martin (Wellington), and J. Martin (Mortinborongh). A very flattering tribute to the popularity of Mr S. C. J, Preeman-Matthews, purser of the Athenic, which arrived Lorn London yesterday, was paid him on the last voyage Homeward. Headed by Mr H. D. Bell, ICC., of Wellington, a number of the saloon passengers presented Mr Freeman-Matthews with an elaborate leather th-essing-casp, mounted with ivory and silver, for hie kindness and courtesy. Another handsome l gift to the purser waa a pair of Goertz binoculars.

Complimentary references were made by the chairman ot the Wellington' Hospital Trustees yesterday to the fact that Horses Laura James and E. A. Hawken, of Wellington Hospital, head- ■ ed the list for the Dominion in- the recent State examination for nurses. It was mentioned that the State examination was less difficult than that at. Wellington Hospital, but Mr Luke had. the ’satisfactory explanation to make that ; the some nurses had also headed the ■Wellington list. Mr E. G. Loten, -who was' appointed by the Hawke's Bay Education Board as instructor in agriculture and dairying, holds high riualifications for the position. He is at present specialist in nature study, agriculture and ■ elementary science in the Practical School, Blackfriars, Sydney, and is in charge of all the primary classes at that instituiion. As- a pn-jjil teacher he won a scholirship at the Sydney Teachers' College, ind there won a scholarship fn the llawkestmry Agricultural College, He was then appointed assistant and demonstrator to the lecturer on . botany and nature study at the Sydney Teachers’ College. His practical experience (says the "Herald”) dates back to his early years, which lie spent on a dairy farm. The series of complimentary concerts tendered to Miss Eri Thomson by the people of , Otago and Southland —at Oamaru. Dunedin, Balelutlia, Gore, Invercargill. Kelso and Bluff—is now concluded’. They have all been a brilliant success. She will begin her musical studies at the University of Melbourne Conservatoriuffl at the beginning of next month (says the "Otago- Daily Times")’. As there have been misstatements as to Miss Erl’s birthplaee, Pro- ; fessor Black informs us she a native of Stewart Island. Her parents came from Shetland in 1874. They were induced ’to emigrate to the island by reading a report by Black for, the Provincial Government in 1872. Dr Black knew her father’s family at Stewart Island marty years before Miss Thomson - was boim.

Mi' R. D. Dagg, an' old Mosterton settler, died oii, Monday night. aged eightytliree yeax-s. Tho late Mr Dai?.? was one of those strenuous and- capable settlers .who performed real pioneer work (says .the “Age"). Some fifty years ago ho ■ arrived in New Zealand from the -Old Country, and .was one of the earliest settlers irt the Wairarapa, who literally ■carved their Way over the Rimutaka and up tho Wairarapa Valley, Fanning in those days was not the pleasant occupation that-it is nowadays in most cases, hut the deceased gentleman, who had been educated at art agricultural college in England, and . was generally well read, toiled on bravely, and successfully. A good many years'ago the late Mr Dagg took a great deal of interest in public, matters, and was One of the Originators of the Sfasterton Small Farms Settlement scheme.