PERSONAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17504, 21 December 1918, Page 7

PERSONAL

The Hon. J. T. Paul, -who has been assisting the Labour Party a± tho Palmess ston and Wellington South by-elections, roturned to Duncdin on Thursday night. H° rl - T. M. Wilford arrived ip 11X1111 the on Thursday, and he left laier for "Kmaru, on bia way to -mvercargill. He intends to spend some time m South Canterbury, fishing rivers, i M' s3 , Virginia Dobio, B.A. (from Aucbland), Mr A. J. Gilhnan (now at Napier, but formerly of Dtmedin), and Mr G. E Robertson have been appointed temporary teachers at t-ho Ota go Boys* High

k". V- Emg, of Otautau, has beea' ; appomted -postmaster at Lyfcteltoa, in susocession to Mr J. T. Cameron. Mr "King has been about 40 yeais in the postal service, and previous to being stationed &fi Utautau was at Blenheim and Dunedin. ; Messrs Reid and- Gray's staff met lasS evening to bid farewell to Mi<g j. B. Mercet who is leaving tho firm's employ after many years of service. Mr Dawe, in making a presentation on behalf of the firm and employees, spoke in praiseworthy terms of the long and faithful service rendered by Mis Mercer, wliq had always been cm good terms ■ with them all, and wished her, on behalf of the staff, a prosperous and happy future. Captain F. ,T. B, Earl, M.C., who was sniped" at Welsh Ridge on September <29, is reported to be making' satisfactory progress at Brockenhurst from a shattered Captain Earl had an arm shattered at Messines. He is a brother-in-law of the late Colonel Bauchop, who fell at Gallipoli. j"*_A. Clothier, _ who retired some weeks ago from tho position of officer in ohargß of the Government Valuation Department, was met by members of tho Commercial Travellers' Club yesterday, and was. presented with a purse of sovereigns, a hands<?ax> pocket wallet, and a pipe, in recognition of the many kindnesses he had showal to tho commercial community. The presentation was made by Mr George whoso remarks were supplemented by Messrs E. C. Reynolds and T. Chalmer. Mr Clothier responded in suitable and feeling teriU3.

The Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister of Justice, states that tho transfers of stipendiary magistrates, _ consequent on the demobilisation of military service boards, hava been settled. Mir J. S. Evans, who "was ohairman of the No. 1 Canterbury Military Sen-ice Board, takes up the magisterial work in the Nelson district again, with. Marlborough included in his area. The Wast Coast has two magistrates—Messrs E. C. Lewey (with headquarters at Grojv'V mouth), and J. I*. Stout (with headquartera at Wcstport). Mr J. E. Wilson, who was appointed as a relieving magistrate, goes from Greymouth to one of the Auckland suburban districts. At his own request, Mr J- W. Poynton takes another Auckland! suburban distnot. Mr F. H. Levien goes to North Auckland, and Mr E. W. Burton takes up the now magisterial district in and near the King Country, with headquarters at l&umaxunui. Mr E. Page is permanently stationed at Palmerston North. Mr Edward Dowd, who died at tfaa Wairau Old People's Home on' Sunday, had • reached tho venerable ago of 100 years &nd six months. Tlio deceased was born at Glasgow, Scotland, on June 24, 1818. His , parents 'were Irish, and hk father was a horse dealer whose operations involved extensive travelling over the United Kingdom- The centenarian came out to Australia as a lad. and was for many years engaged in gold mining there. He arrived in New Zealand 57 years ago, and took part in the Gabriel's Gaily gold rush. Subsequently he applied himself to stock droving throughout tho South Island, and experienced a full share of the hardships associated with the pioneer days when roads were practically non-existent over the greater extent of _ the country. For about 40 years, comprising tho latter portion of his long life, he worked as a station hand for tho Goulter family, in the Marlborough, district, and he was so employed until about ' a year and a-half ago, when ho entered the Old People's Home. Throughout his hundred years he enjoyed splendid health and up till a fortnight ago, when sheer old age brought him to bed, he retained his physical and mental faculties in a remarkable degree. Mr Dowd never married.