PERSONAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19350, 10 December 1924, Page 8

PERSONAL.

Ministerial. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Minister of Customs), accompanied by his private secretary. Mr L.' E. Johnson, arrived from the north by the express yesterday. Mr Stewart will conduct departmental business at the old Police Station buildings this morning, and will confer with the directors of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Company at 11 o’clock. This afternoon Mr Stewart will perform the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the assembly hall at Columba College, and to-morrow afternoon ho will formally open the recently completed “G. M. Thomson” wing of the King Edward Technical College.

Mr L. D. Ritchie went to Timaru by yesterday’s express on a business visit. Mr N. Patterson was a passenger for Timaru by yesterday’s express. Mr P. L. Halsted was a passenger by yesterday’s express for Christchurch. Mr W. Easton left yesterday morning on a short business visit to Christchurch. Cabled advice has been received that Dr 0. M. Greenslade, who qualified at the Otago Medical School, has been admitted to the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, London. Mr T. H. Cahill, who has been spending a holiday in the thermal districts of the North Island, returned to Dunedin by yesterday’s express. Mr James Nimmo was a passenger by yesterday's express for the north, cn route to Blenheim and Wellington. Mr J. F. Robieson travelled north by the express yesterday bound for Wellington and Auckland.

On the recommendation of Drs Gowland and Poster, the University Council yesterday agreed to award the Scott Memorial medal for anatomy to Mr A. B. Cook. The award is subject to the approval of the faculty. At the monthly meeting of the executive of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association last evening, motions of sympathy were passed with the widow of the late Mr R. M*Naroy, and with the relatives of the late Mr A. F. Maokay. At the meeting of the Education Board yesterday the chairman (Mr J. Wallace) said that as some of the members might not be able to be present at the meeting next dav, he would take that opportunity of extending the season’s greetings to them. The board had worked harmoniously and industriously together during the year, and he was sure that after the vacation they would enter on the New Year’s work with renewed vigour. Sir John Ross recently celebrated his ninetieth birthday, and the Rev. Dr Cameron, as Chancellor of Otago University, conveyed to Sir John the congratulations of the council, of which he was for a number of years a member. The council yesterday received a reply from Sir John expressing his heartiest thanks for the council’s message. His connection with the council, he 'said, had been a source of great pleasure to him, and he greatly appreciated its remembrance of him now that he was no longer a member. It was reported by the Finance Committee at the meeting of the University Council yesterday afternoon that a letter had been received from Dr Lynch, resigning ins position as clinical pathologist, and asking to ho relieved 1 as soon as possible. A letter was also received from the Subdean of the Medical Faculty, recommending that Dr D‘Ath he appointed in Dr Lynch’s place. It had been resolved by the committee that a letter bo sent to the Hospital Board, asking that Dr D‘Ath bo released from his appointment there as soon as' possible, and that from that date Dr Lynch’s resignation be’’accepted, and Dr D‘Ath be appointed as clinical pathologist till March, 31, 1925, his salary to be at the rate of £3CO per annum. Mr Wallace objected to such positions not being advertised and moved, as a matter of principle, that the matter he referred back to the committee with instructions that the position be advertised. After the motion had been seconded, and Mr Wallace had voiced his protest, it was withdrawn, and the report of the Finance Committee was adopted. On Sunday there passed away another of the fast diminishing band of Otago’s early pioneers in the person of Mrs James Leighton. She landed, with her husband, at Po rtChalmers, on August 31, 1860, from Dundee on the ship “Pladda,” and for about two years resided in Poliohot Bay, where their iirst home was destroyed by tire. Mr and Mrs Leighton then settled at the corner of Dundas street’ and Castle street, where they carried on a very successful business, from which they retired 20 years ago. After her husband's death, Mrs Leighton continued to live in the same locality, completing a period of 63 years’ residence in North Dunedin. The deceased ladv was highly respected by a wide circle of friends. A family of two sons and two daughters remain to mourn their loss.