PERSONAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16663, 7 April 1916, Page 96

PERSONAL

Mr E. Clifton, formerly Director of the ■Fields Division of tho Agricultural Department, who noted as New Zealand Commissioner at tho Panama Exposition in San Francisco, returned to Auckland by tho Niagara from Yanoouver. Mr W. J. Culvor, formerly secretary of tho Liberal and Labour Federation, and latterly Inspector of Factories, Palmerston North, died on Sunday night The lato Mr Culver was a prominent Freemason. Mr E, J. Graveatock, manager for Messrs J and N. Tait, arrived from Wellington yesterday to mako arrangements for Mr Axh mead Bartlett's visit.

Mr Frederic Shipman arrived in Dunedin last night to make arrangements for tho series of concerts to be given by Mr Paul Dufault.

At a largely attended meeting of tho Mosgiel Presbyterian oongregation last evening it was unanimously agreed to extend a call to the Rev. D. D. Scott, of Onehunga, to succeed the Rov. Jas. Aitken, who recently went to St. Andrew's Church, Gis borne.

At Tuesday's meeting of the Mataura Presbytery the Rev. J. M. Simpson, of Gore, was unanimously nominated as a candidate for tho position of Moderator of tho Synod of Otago and Southland (says tho Mataura Ensign). The Moderator (tho Rev. D. Campbell) said that Mr Simpson would celebrate his semi-jubilee this year, and the honour would bo a. worthy one. Prior to his departure for Timaru from Clyde, where he has been stationed for throe years as guard on tho Otago Central railway, Mr \V. Gardner was the recipient of a number of lir.ndsomo tokens of esteem, including one. from Ihe Clyde Fire Brigade, of which he was an enthusiastic member.

Mv Harry Dickson, who has for nearly four years been assistant guard on the Kurow train, left on Saturday for Dunedin on promotion (says '.he North Otago Times). During his stay in Kurow he had become very popular with tho people of every disrtriet along the line from Kurow to Oamaru. Miss Noeline Parker, who has severed her connection with the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association, was the recipient of a handsome secretaire from her fellow employees (says the Christchurch Press). Miss Parker intends leaving shortly for Dunedin to take up elocution as a profession.

Tho advent as a clergyman of the Rev. E. B. Wethey, who lias just been created vicar of Warrington, is somewhat extraordinary, inasmuch, as he was 60 years of ago beloro ho took up church work (says tho IVianawatu Times). For many years, until ho reached that age, ho was manager in tho Bank of Now Zealand. In February, 1913, he was ordained a deacon, and on March 19 he was made a vioar.

An inmate of the Old Men's Home at Gisborne, Mr- Charles Hillman, on Monday celebrated his 101 st birthday (says the Poverty Bay Herald). It is stated that he was born on board the Rainbow while his parents woro travelling from Liverpool to New York. His mother was a negress and a slave, and! his father (an Englishman) redeemed her, and married her. That he comes from a long-lived race is shown by the fact that his father lrved to the age of 111 years. He is fctill hale and hearty, as the fact of his rising at 3.30 on Monday morning goes to show. Up to a short time ago Mr Hillman was employed on the station of Mr K. S. Williams, who is now paying all his expenses while oil inmate of the Old Men's Home. A number of congratulatory messages have been received by the old) man. The Timaru Herald reports the deatk of Mr Archibald Peacock Grant, in his seventyfilth year. He came to New Zealand about 1862, and first settled in Blenheim. After some time he went to Hakataramea, and finally - settled in Duntroon, most of hit time being devoted to the pastoral industry. He was a well-built, robust man, and was a typical stamp of the early pioneer. His "son, the late Major Grant, was one of the first New Zealanders killed at the war. Mr Grant leaves a widow and three sons (Messrs W. S. Grant, Timaru; Archie Grant, of Melbourne; P. E. Grant, now in Egypt) and five daughters, including Mis EC Donn (Port Chalmers) and Mrs C. Henchcliff (Duntroon). Hale, hearty, and in full possession of her mental faculties, Mrs Margaret Jackson, of JVanklin road, Freeman's Bay, on Monday proudly celebrated her 100 th birthday (says the Auckland Star). She came from Belfast,. "Ireland, to New Zealand about 50 years ago) accompanying her husband, then a. military pensioner, who wished to spend his last days ( peacefully in the colonies. Mr Jackson died over 30 years ago. As an instance of Mrs Jackson's capability to look after herself, it might be mentioned! that only a fortnight ago she boarded a tram, and by herself paid a visit, to Queen street, returning home safe and well.