SOCIAL AND GENERAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5896, 31 December 1880, Page 2

SOCIAL AND GENERAL.

PERSONA!/,

Mr David Murdoch, who for soma time nast ha' 3 held the position of corref^"ri:"if H re , ? Messrs Gufchri"_«—J-»afnach a New Zealand _Timt—- unaW oodware Factories Company, was recently the recipient of a handsome 1 present from Lis fellow employ^ on the occasion of his departure for Christchurch, where he will enter tbe employment of the N.Z.L. and M.A. Company. The present took the form of 10 handsomely-bound volumes of " Chambers' Eucyclopceiia/'and was handed to Mr Murdoch by Mr C. B. Braid, who mads a few appropriate remarks. Mr Murdoch feelingly acknowledged the gift. Mr John Batbgate will take his seat on the Land Board (vice Mr H. Bastings, resigned), as soon as the presence of a Judge in Dunedin will enable him to take the required oaths.

The following appointments of "Volunteer officers are gazetted : —Southland Hussar Volunteers : William Cotterill to be honorary assistant surgeon.g Osmaru Rifle Volunteers : Lieutenant Alfred Headland to be captain, vice Captain Sumpter, promoted ; Sub-lieuten-ant Alfred Clark to be lieutenant; Richard Bennett to ba sub-lieutanant.

Many of our readers will regret to learn by our obituary notice of the death of Mr Alfred Jone?, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Nelson. Mr Jones arrived here with Mr Larkworthy and Mr G. M'Lsan in 1861 to start the Danedin Branch of the Bank of New Zealand, and for some time had charga of the Bank's operations in Gabriel's Gully on the breaking-out of the goldfielda. He was subsequently t-tationed for mauy years in Tokomairiro as manager. About two years ago he wag transferred to Nelson. Ho came down to Dunedin about thiea weeks ago, and wag seized with the illness which caused his death. He was endeared to a large circle of friends by his sterling character, his kindly, genial manner, and hid many amiable qualities. As major of the Bruce Volunteers for many years ho was well known as a most efficient and affablo officer.

Mr J. P. Armstrong, dentist, an old and well-respected resident of this city, was on the 24ch inst. presented with a purse of 100 sov3. by a number of l>is friends. The presentation was made by Mr Robert Stout.

At the meeting of the St. Kilda Borough Council on December 7th, an illuminated address was presented to Mr J. P. Jones on his retirement from the Mayoralty, which office he has occupied for the last four years. The Governor has dismissed from the Volunteer force Corporal Benjamin Rogers, Skippers contingent of M Battery (Queenstown) of Artillery, for insubordination and disrespectful conduct towards his superior officers. The Native and Defence Minister, the Hon. J. Bryce, accompanied by Mr Parris, the Native Commissioner for the West Coast, arrived in Dunedin from Christchurch on Tuesday evening, and the next day Mr Watt, R.M., and Mr Parris visited the Danedin Gaol, and, acting under the authority of the Native Minister, made arrangements for tbe release of 29 of the Maori prisoners, so that the number of Maoris in custody at Dunedin will be reduced to SI.