PERSONAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14684, 18 November 1909, Page 8

PERSONAL.

Mi James Black, who loft the Waikouaiti district to sfttlo in the Argentine soma 16 years ago. and, who is well known to the older members of the community, paid a visit to m old home last week, ami has been kept bus? looking up and chatting with his old-time irienils. Mr Black (says uir correspondent) looks wonderfully fresh and vigorous, despite his 86 years, and so far as can be judged seems good f or another 10 years

At a meeting on Sunday evening of the committee entrusted with the. makm*- of arrangement for a fitting farewell to" the Rev. Dr Olcary on his departure on a holiday trip to Europe, a draft address was approved of. The address is to be presented (says tho N.Z. Tablet) at .a social gathering in St. Joseph's Hall on the evening of November 29.

'ilio Wakalipu Mail reports that Mr W. Collins diei'i in the local hospital on Sunday after a painful illness of some months, arising originally from typhoid fever. He went to the Lako district from Lawrence, and took a position, under the Stock 'Department shortly after tho beginning of this year. Decerned was of-a genial disposition, aii<l had earned tho respect of all those with whom he came m contact. He leaves a wife and family of three young children.

Dr W. L. Ledingham Christie, who is a native of South Otago and is well-known us a practitioner in the Dominion, organised a large outing at the seaside recently for ■ths very poor people of Bristol, where lie is now practising. He had the co-opera-tion of most of the public of tho city, and the result was that nearly a thousand poor children were enabled to spend an enjoy able day at Weston-supor-Mare. Dr Christie has been a leading philanthropist amongst the poor ever sines lie mad? Bristol his home.

Two well-known local residents (Mr and Mrs Robert Pearson) left recently for Wellington (save our correspondent), after a residence in AYaikouaiti extending over 48 years. Mr and Mrs Pearson commenced and carried on a successful business in Beach street in the early days, the premises being widely known in the sixties as tho Kilmarnock Store. Prior to thjir departure a farewell social was tender«l to thorn in the Railway Temperance Hotel, his Worship the Mayor (Mr B. Irwin) presiding over a large gathering. An excellent musical programme was rendered, and a number of speeches were made by those present expressing the general regret felt at Mr and Mrs Pearson's departure, and wishing them muoh happiness in their declining years. Reference was also made to tho sympathy and liberality always shown by the Pearson family towards all deserving objects. During the evening the Rev. J. Foathereton asked the elderly couple to accept a handsome illuminated address, as a parting gift from their many Waikouaiti friends. Mr Pearson acknowledged the gift in suitable terms. As a closing item all present joined in singing "God be with you till wc meet again."