PERSONAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18871, 25 May 1923, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Mr J. A. Macpherson, M.P. for Camara, arrived in the city by the express yesterday. Sir Joseph Ward was a guest of the Dunedin Rotary Club, and was the speaker at its weekly luncheon yesterday. Dr Gilmour, of Auckland, is at present on a visit to Dunedin. • Mr S. Spragg, chief of the Hansard staff, is visiting Dunedin. Dr Battie, of Wellington, is a visitor to this city at, the present time. Mr W. H. Faulkner (of Messrs J. and W. Faulkner), who is at present residing in Auckland, is visiting the city. • Mr R. H. Watson, secretary of the Woollen Mills Union, left by the express yesterday on a business visit to Oamaru. Dr Brodie, Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, arrived by the express yesterday on a short visit to the city. A Sydney Press Association message records the sudden death of Sir Herbert Maitland, a .well-known surgeon. Mr Edward J. Michaolis, accompanied by his wife, arrived by the express yesterday from the north, and. will remain for a ■>hort visit nrior to returning to England. Mr G. Mitchell, ex-M.P., has been elected chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board, P.nd Mr H: D. Bennett deputy-chairman. A Reuter cable message from London announces the death of Mr John Cairns, Labour member for Morpeth in the House of Commons. Mr A. Aubrey, general manager for Australasia of the Southern Cross- Assurance Co. (Ltd.), and Mr W. Cahill, general manager of the company in New Zealand, who have been on a business visit to the city, return north by the express this morning. Opportunity was taken during the afternoon call on the Dunedin Stock Exchange yesterday to make a presentation to Mr O. C .Fenwick on the occasion of his approaching marriage.' The chairman _ (Mr W. Vivian), in presenting Mr Fenwick with a silver hot-water kettle, -congratulated him on behalf of the members, and wished him every happiness in the future. An Auckland Press Association telegram announces the death of Mr Graves Aickm, aged 81 years. He took a prominent part ,iu local bodies’ affairs, and was a staunch supporter of the Reform Party, though he never aspired to political honours. Mr Henry Lilly, on leaving the firm of Messrs N. and E. S. Paterson, with whom he has served his apprenticeship in their survey department, to take up a position on the Public Works Department on the Central Otago irrigation works, was yesterday presented by the firm with an Abney level'and by the staff with a silver-mounted walking-stick, us tokens of the esteem m which no is hold and of the good-will of all for his future success. Mr Duncan M’Phee, who was a very old settler in New Zealand, died m Dunedin last week at the age of 88 years. He was born in Argyllshire, Scotland, in 18,55, and was a typical Highlander of the sturdy type, who faced the hardships of the early days in the true pioneering spirit and overcame obstacles which are practically unheard of in these days. He came out to New Zealand when he was a young ipau, and began work in Canterbury, but soon found his way to Otago. Prior to 1873 he lived at what is now known as M'Phee’s Point, near Hindon, whore he was employed ns a shepherd for Messrs Gellibrand and Smith, and also at Three o’CTock, which is situated in the mountains, opposite Hindon. In 1873 ho took up his abode at Bald Hill, now known as Attadalo, eight miles from Middlcnmrch, where he resided for five or six years. He then, lived at Merton at a time, still serving Gellibrand and Smith. In 1883, when the (Jotlosbrook Estate was subdivided, Mr M’Phoe took up land there, and resided in that district until a few years ago, when ho retired and came to Dunedin. Mr M’Phee was a widower, his wife having died some six or seven years ago. He is survived by one son and live daughters, four of whom are married. As an indication of the difficulties which the early settlers had to face it may be mentioned that when Mr M’Phee desired to remove his family from Three o'Clock they had to bo shifted by means of pack' horses. Members of the local Labour Department met on Tuesday afternoon to bid farewell to Mr L. D. Browett, tho' officer in charge, who is retiring on superannuation. Mr P. H. Kinsman was tho chief spokesman. Ho referred to the pleasant relations which had always existed . between Mr Browett and his staff, and said they all regretted that tho time had come for Mr Browett to sever his connection with the department. Ho read a message from the Secretary of Labour conveying his best wishes to Mr Browett, and expressing the hope that, he would be long spared to enjoy the leisure of retirement. Mr Kinsman then presented Mr Browett, on behalf of tho Labour Departments throughout New Zealand, with a wallet well filled with bank notes. Mr Browett suitably returned thanks for tho kindly remarks made concerning his service with the department and for the handsome presentation they had made him. Mr Browett has boon with the department for (he past 28 years, and has the second longest service of any man in (lie department. He has been stationed at Napier, Invercargill, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and while in charge hero he was instructed to proceed to Wellington to temporarily fill tho position of acting deputy chief inspector. Mr G. H. Lightfoot. officer in charge in Auckland, who has been appointed to fill the position vacated by Mr Browett, took over his new duties on Wednesday.