PERSONAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16239, 24 November 1914, Page 3

PERSONAL

A Press Association message from Wellington. mentions tuat is it stated tftat Mr Uumund Ciiltan, director of the tieicb division oi the .Department erf Agriculture, will retire on superannuation on completion ot his present appointment m charge of tho New Zealand exnibit at the .Panama Kxoibition.

Mr D. M. Robertson, of Dunedin, has been notified that he has passed the section A division oi tho pharmaceutical examination.

Mr James Mackenzie, Under-secretary of Lands, returned on Saturday to Dunedin lrom Southland, where he had been inspecting runs, with a view to subdivision, in company with Mr M'Clure, Commissioner of Crown Lands (Invercaxgill). With Mr Phillips-Turner, F.R.G.S., Inspector ot Science, Reserves, and Forests, he also made an examination of the Tapanui State nurseries and the Dusky Hill and Conical Hills plantations!. To-day he will attend to departmental matters in Dunedin, and will leave for Chrietchurch by Tuesday's first express lor similar duties in the Canterbury district. He will reach Wellington again about the end of the week.

At the opening of the Supreme Court at Palmerston North yesterday morning Mr Justice Hosking was welcomed by members of the Bar (telegraphs our correspondent). Mr H. Gilford spoke on their benalf, and eaid that they felt sure from the knowledge they had of nis Honor, and from what tftey had heard of him, that he would be a painstaking judge, and not only that, but they ieit sure that the cordial relations usually existing between Bench and Bar there, would be continued. His Honor suitably acknowledged the welcome.

The late Mr John Tennant, whose death was intimated in yesterday's issue, was for a long time a prominent figure in the Customs Department of Dunedin, having held the position of chief clerk for many years. The deceased was born in Scotland in 1835, and one of the early settlers of Otago. He joined the Customs Department in May of 1859, and was promoted six years later to be chief cleric, a position which he held up to the time of nis retirement on superannuation in 1900. Mr Tennant made two trips Home after his retirement from the public service, and on the last occasion married again, -but on the death, of his wife, some three years ago, he returned to Dunedin, -where he afterwards resided. The members of his family who survive him are Mrs James Park and Mr J. S. Tennant (Wellington). There died on Tuesday in Nelson a man who had served his country well—Mr James Thomas M'Auley, a member of the first New Zealand contingent for South Africa. Mr M'Auley was a gunner in the Permanent Artillery, and was one of the first men in Auckland to volunteer for service in South Africa, He had a good record while with the colours, and to his medal were attached clasps for Diamond Hill, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Paardeburg, and relief of Kimberley. At Doornspruit he was the hero of a sensational escape from the Boers while on convoy work. He escaped across open country under a very heavy fire, and rejoined his comrades unscathed, though bullets had passed through his clothing, no fewer than three going through his hat. A letter written only last month by one of his comrades in South Africa refers to hie miraculous escape when he ran a zig-zag race with death at Doornspruit, and mentions him as a man who had often given his last biscuit, his last pipe of tobacco, and his last drop of water to his mate, even denying himself and giving his last drop of water to his horse when on a hard trek. The hard campaigning affected Mr M'Auley's health, but he was not seriously indisposed until a few months ago.

A very pleasant function took place at the conclusion of the ordinary business of the Port- Chalmers Borough Council last evening. A handsome presentation of a silver salver, with a silver afternoon tea service, was made to the Mayor (Mr T. Scollay) to mark the ocoasion of Ins recent marriage. Cr Powell, .who was voted to the cliair, made the presentation, and each of the members of the council also added a few words, which showed the good feeling and harmony that exists in that body. After his health had been drunk with great enthusiasm Mr Scollay made a suitable reply, in the course of which he expressed his sincere thanks to the councillors for their remarks regarding himself and his wife, and for the presentation they had given him. A toast list was then entered upon, and a most enjoyable social hour was spent.