PERSONAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19301, 13 October 1924, Page 8

PERSONAL.

Ministerial. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Minister of Trade and Customs) arrived in Dunedin by the express from the north on Saturday. He will participate m the ceremony of laying the foundation stone at the Exhibition to-day, and will leave for Welling* ton to-morrow. Mr J. C. Cowie-Nicholls returned north by the express on Saturday. The Fisk Jubilee Singers were through passengers on Saturday’s express for the north. Mr D. Colquhoun, of the Department of Industries and Commerce, returned north to Christchurch by the express on Saturday. Mr A. Jolly, general manager of the National Bank, arrived from the north on Saturday afternoon. Mr T. A. Hunter, Director of Dental Services, is in Dunedin, having come south to attend the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone of the Dental School building. Messrs J. W. Dove and A. S. Qnelch, who have been attending the Hospital Board’s Conference in Wellington, were passengers from Christchurch on Saturday's express. Mr Mervyn Horton, of the head office staff of the Union Steam Ship Company, has been appointed the company’s representative in -New York. Mr S. Holm, of the shipping firm of Holm and Co., Wanganui, arrived in Dunedin on Saturday morning on a brief business visit. He will leave for the north by to-day’s express. Mr H. E. Nioholls, who recently retired' from the secretaryship of the Wellington Harbour Board, has received from the chairman, on behalf of the board, an appreciation of the value of his services during a period of over 40 years. The appreciation. which is on vellum, is signed by all the members of the board. One of Auckland’s oldest pioneers, Mrs Ann Watson, was singled out for high honour at Saturday’s reunion of old colonists. Our Auckland correspondent reports {hat this aged lady, who is in her 99th vear, was taken to the Town Hall in the mayoral motor car, and she occupied the place of honour at the Mayor’s right hand. Sir James Gunson told those present that it was nearly 90 years since Mrs Watson came to New Zealand. She was present at the landing of Captain Hobson at the Bay of Islands, and recalled many memories of stirring days. “I have had a talk with Mrs Watson before coming to the reunion,” added the Mayor, “ana she tells me she does all her own housework, runs her own messages, reads all the newspapers, and gets up at 7 o’clock every morning. I don’t know how she does it, but her great grandson tells me it is quite correct. lam proud to join hands with on© whose life’s history goes so far back into the days of the foundation of this young country.”