PERSONAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17113, 19 September 1917, Page 6

PERSONAL.

Mr J. Hay, postmaster, Dcvonport, registrar of electors, and returning officer for the Waitemata electorate, is retiring on superannuation owing to Hi-health, after 39 years' service. Owing to failing health, Mr James W. Witty, a veteran chess player, has tendered his resignation as president of the Gisborne Chess Club, an office he has so capably filled ■ for many years. He has been a chess player for over 70 years. Dr Rogers, who has for many years been in charge of the Gore Hospital, has been accepted for active service by the Defence Department. Dr M'llroy will occupy the vacant position during the term of Dr Rogers's Absence. Mr W. D. Hunt, who has resigned from his position of Otago district commissioner of the Efficiency Board, with headquarters at Dunedin, proposes to again take up his residence at Invercargill. The death occurred at her residence, Wellington yesterday morning, of Mrs Campbell, wife of Mr G. F. C. Campbell (Secretary <of the Treasury), after a short illness. The deceased lady, who was much respected, was a daughter of Mr Pike, of Dunedin. She leaves a son, Lieut. Alan Campbell, now in Palestine. Another of the early settlers of Otago passed away at her residence, Balohitha. North, on Friday morning, in the person of Mrs Alexander Johnston. The : deceased, who was 87 years of ago, was _ quite hale and hearty right up till the time of her death (says the Free Press), and was only ill for about three hours. Mrs Johnston was bom at Crichton, near Edinburgh, in 1830, and came to New Zealand with her husband in the Jura in 1858. After they arrived at Dunedin her husband worked for a while for the lato Mr A. Anderson. Mr Johnston later purchased a farm at Puerua, and lived there for many years, being' among the earliest settlers there. On her husband's death Mrs Johnston sold the farm, and removed to Momona, where she and her family lived for about two years. From there she went to live at Balclutha North, and for the past 11 years had resided there. There were five of a family—two sons ajid three daughters. Another of Otago's pioneers passed away at Port Molyneux on Sunday in the person of Mr James Paterson, ageA 92 years. Deceased was born in Edinburgh, and at an early age was apprenticed to the bakery trade. After working in the north of Scotland for some time he returned to Edinburgh, where in 1853 he married Miss Sophia Aitkenhead. In 1858 the couple left Scotland for New Zealand, with their three ohildren, in the ship Jura. Shortly after reaching Port Chalmers Mr Paterson commenced business as a baker in Walker street. In 1864 he purchased 200 acres at Port Molyneux. He re-entered business after a few years, when he purchased the store and business of the lato Robert Miller at Port Molyneux. He carried on successfully until 1906, when failing health forced him to relinquish it in favour of his son, Mr A. Paterson. Most of the remaining years of his life weroi spent in his garden at the "Pleasance." Mr Paterson was confined to his bed for only three weeks prior to his death, and retained all his faculties to the end. Mrs Paterson predeceased bim by 17 years, and his sister, Miss Jessie Paterson, passed away eight weeks since at the advanced age of 94 years. He is survived .by a family of four—Mr William Paterson (secretary of the Early Settlers' Association, Dunedin), Adam A. Paterson (storekeeper, Port Molynimx), James Paterson (farmer. To P'iki, Auckland), and Miss Paterson (the "Pl.asance"). Mr Paterson was for 42 years senior trustee of the Loyal Alexandra Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F. For many years the lato Mr Paterson took a very active part in connection with the Presbyterian Church, School Committee, and tho Road Board, until that body was merged into the County Council.