PERSONAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19976, 18 December 1926, Page 14

PERSONAL.

Ministerial. The Hon. O. J. Hawken (Minister of Agriculture) arrived in Dunedin last evening from the south. He will leave for Wellington this morning. Mr A. R. Elder left for Auckland yesterday by the second express. Mr J. Goodger returned to Dunedin from Christchurch by the first express yesterday. Mr Alfred Ibbotson was a passenger to Dunedin by the first express yesterday. Mr Richard Hudson returned to Dunedin from Christchurch by the first express yesterday. Mr Leslie D. Coombs was a passenger by the second express yesterday, en route to Auckland.

Dr A. S. Moody, who has been spending some weeks in the North Island, returned to Dunedin last evening. A Tokio Press Association cable message indicates that the Emperor’s condition is worse, and that all the Ministers of State have been summoned.

A very pleasant function took place at the local Telegraph Office on Thursday afternoon, when a presentation of a handsome dinner service and afternoon tea set was made to Miss Violet Stewart, who has resigned her position in the clerical branch owing to her approaching marriage. Mr E. H. Marriott, superintendent, made the presentation. Mr J. Hislop (Under-secretary of the Department of Internal Affairs), who is completing detailed arrangements in connection with the forthcoming visit of the Duke and Duchess of York, arrived in Auckland yesterday morning (reports our special correspondent). He will leave today for Rotorua to arrange for accommodation for the Royal visitors and suite at the Grand Hotel. Yesterday morning Mr Hislop received a call from Captain J. Decoux, commander of the French war sloop Cassiopee, at present in Auckland.

A Dannevirke Pres? Association message announces the death of Mr Charles A. Mears, town clerk since 1913, following an operation for acute appendicitis. He was Immediate Past District Provincial Grand Master of the 1.0.0. F., and secretary of Ihe local Masonic Lodge. The death occurred at Wellington yesterday of Mr James S. Holmes, who was for many years a well-known figure in North Otago, where he possessed the Awamoa estate, which had been previously ac quired by his father, the Hon. M. Holmes. Upon his retirement from pastoral pursuits Mr Holmes took up his residence in Wellington. Hi had lately failed in health, and his death was not unexpected. He was in the eightieth years of his life. At Moray Place School on Wednesday, Miss Shaw was presented by the pupils with a clock and a pair of gloves, and Mr Beattie with two handsome copies of poetical works. The staff presented Miss Shaw with a handbag and Mr Beattie with a handsome inscribed walking stick. In making these presentations, the head master and chairman of the committee expressed their regret that they were losing the services of two such capable teachers. At the break-up on Thursday Mr A. A. Paape, on behalf of the school committee, presented the head master (Mr J. Moir) with a gold-mounted fountain pen, suitably inscribed, in recognition of bis services for the school since he took, charge. News has just been receied that Mr L. A, Stanton will return to Dunedin on Wednesdav next, after a tour of the United States. China. Japan, and Korea. Mr Stanton, who is the Australasian secretary of the Oriental Missionary Society, felt «t was imperative to visit the neld ot lapour in order adequately to represent the society in these parts. Owing to the unsettled state of China, Mr. Stanton will be able to tell of the hardships of all missionaries at Shanghai, as he visited headquarters Of the society m this town, just prior to the rebellion. ' It is Mr Stanton intention to tour New Zealand on behalf of the *°Mrf’ Henry Kirby, who died at Balclutha on Wednesday at the advanced age of 73, was entitled to rank with the early settlers having arrived in Otago 54 years ago. She was married in the year of her arrival, and bore a family of 1L 15 of whom, together with the husband, are left to mourn the passing of a very ' ovabl f P sonalitv. Deceased, who was a native o Knni Eneiaml* had a largo cjrolo of friends in Balclutha and district and m Kaitangata, vyhere her hu ® ba "f a ® arne | a bakery business for many y .incoming to Balclutha they conducted the Ccffee°Palace for some yearsbefore retiring ni The Pr pioton Railway station was the scene of an informal gathering the other day when Mr W. Highett. who recently arrived from Port Chalmers to take up the position of wharf foreman at that port, woe the recipient of a handsome crular railway travellers on the. uunemn Port Chalmers line. The Presentation which took the shape of a sih’er k etda a.nd s p mt lamp .uitablv inscribed, was made by JVir \V P J. Foote, statiomnaster in charge of the Picton section, in the presence of the full staff of officials. The accompanying testimonial made ouloeistic refevenccsto Mr Highett’s unfailing M letter of appreciation, signed by Mr Thomas An derson (Mayor of Port Chalmers), Mr H. E Moller (Mayor of West Harbour) and Mr W. J. Bardsley (treasurer fo the fundi wn«* road bv Mr Foote. Wanganui residents learned with regret yesterday afternoon (reports our cmre pondent) of the. sudden death of Mr W J. Mahoney, district manager of the Aus traHan Provincial Assurance and one M the city’s most popular citizens. He had been in indiffernt health for some time past, but he always presented a cheerful front When he reached the office yesterdav morning he did. not appear Wbetoo well and he was advised to go home. However "o said ho would clear up all his work first. This he did and then went homo where he lay down and passed quietly away. The deceased was 58 years of age and ' was for 35 years. in the and Telegraph Service, principally in " an, canui and Hnwera. Retiring from the service some three years ago Mr Mahoney was appoined district manager of the Australian Provincial Assurance, a position he filled with credit to himself and .satisfaction to the company. He was n most enthusiastic swimmer and he taught thousand- to swim. On Wednesday afternoon he performed his last public act by attendin" a children’s swimming carnival and officiating as judge. , Mr J. F. Nnrthey. who has long don© work of the greatest permanent value as physical instructor at the Girls and Bovs Hteh Schools, dividing his time equally between the two is. undei a new arrangement which takes effect next year, to devote the Whole of his tame to .the bovs school He is thus severing hts connection with the girls’ school: and teachers ,ud pupils took advantage of the opportunity given by the closing ceremony last evening to express their friendship foi Mr »rthev and their keen appreciation of his work among them.. The mention of his name bv the lady principal. Miss M. H. M Kill" M.A. at the close of tho evening was" the signal for an outburst of applause She said that Mr Nor they had not onlv been a most efficient and enthusiastic instructor hut at all times he was williim to do more than his dutv in anything for the benefit of the school. She asked Mr Nortlmv to accept a solid leather suit, case with their best wishes and than fas for his past services. Mr Northev fittingly acknowledged the gift.