PERSONAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16668, 13 April 1916, Page 6

PERSONAL

Mr E. D." D.-;M%ean,has, beenappointed to represent the Hawke's Bay A. and P. Society at the Sheep Breeders' Conference at Manchester in June. The Rev. E.. Evan Da-vies, who has been suffering from indisposition, leaves this morning for Queenstown for a change .and rest . - ihe Oamaru Presbytery on Tuesday (says the North Otago; Times) unanimously decided to nominate the Eev. A.. Gray, . of Eavensbourne, as Moderator of the Assembly for 1917 Miss Edith Acheson, for many years first assistant at the Riyerton Sohocl, has accepted a similar .position in the Island Bay School, Wellington, and (says the Southland Times) will be leaving about the end of the month to take up her now duties. At the Caversham Methodist Church on Tuesday evening the congregation met and extended a hearty welcome to its ministerelect (the Rev. A. Allen, of Waikouaiti)., The Rev. S. Griffith (chairman: of the district), on behalf of the sister churches and Methodist ministers of Dunedin, endorsed the welcome, and wished the .Eev*. Mr Allen, prosperity and happiness in his new charge. Prior to his retirement, after 28 gears' service, the _ directors of the Taien and Peninsula Milk Supply Company presented Mr A. J. Gall (secretary) with a silver tea and coffee service as a token of esteem and appreciation of his faithful work. Mr Gail, who was relinquishing the position' owing to ill-health, feelingly acknowledged the gifts and remarks. V Advice has been received that Dγ Portoous, one of the medical missionaries of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, who left Dunedin s early in January; and who arrived in London on February 18; has joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, hay- ■ ing been accepted for service for a year. Out of six medical missionaries sent out by tho church only two ara now engaged in, the duties which they originally took up, the other four having erhher . taken the places of doctors elsewhere or joined the Royal Army Medical Corps. Mr Edward Smith, one of the best-known residents of Christchurch, who had been in very bad health lately, died at his residence Linwood, early on Monday night (says the Press). Mr Smith, who was formerly super- ' ■ intendent of the Christchuroh. Fire Brigade, was born at Birmingham in 1846. He had had an exciting career. He narrowly escaped death by fire when a little boy, his mother only saving him by dragging him downstairs. 'Coming out to New Zealand in 1864, Mr Smith served for three years in the Volunteers, when an attack from the (Maoris was no empty tale to be put aside. In 1867 he went to Melbourne, and ' later became a resident of the South Sea Islands, and in Fiji formed one of an expedition that set out to punish some Fijian mutineers, and in the fray that ensued was wounded in two places in the right- leg. Altogether Mr Smith spent nine years m the Islands. He returned to Chrisfcohuroh in 1&77, end joined the local Fire Brigade the following year, and, sfop by step, he rose to be, superintendent. Fire ' brigade work was reallyi<;hL3 life's hobby, and he devoted practically : all his time and energies to - the advancement of the Christchuroh Brigade. He was recognised as one of the leading authorities on fire; prevention and suppression, and was appointed the representative of New Zealand at an international conference of Fire Brigades held at Paris.. He invented a fire escape which took high awards wherever exhibited, and he imported on his own' account the first motor engine to be introduced to New Zealand. He took a particular interest in the development of automatic alarm systems, and was the pioneer in some of the most successful devices in uso to-day. He held high office in the Fire Brigades' Association, and was the holder of the gold medal granted by the association for signal services rendered. Mr Smith was also prominent in other spheres of public activity. Ho was a member of the Christchurch Citv Council for a number of years, was associated with the Canterbury Industrial Association, was a leading member of the old Canterbury Liberal Association, and was a former member of the Christchurch Licensing Committee and the St. John Ambulance Association. He was a justice of the peace of long standing, and was at the time of his death secretary of tho Royal Humane Society of New. Zealand. Ho loaves a widow and a family of four daughters and qne son, the latter now being at Trenthnm. '' ;.

For chronic chest complaints Woods' Great PeDoermint Gurc.—Advt. ..•■..'>■!.;