PERSONAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20101, 18 May 1927, Page 10

PERSONAL.

Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., returned to Christchurch by the express yesterday. Mr Charles Grcar, of Messrs C. S. Grear and Co., Wellington, went north by the express yesterday. Mr H. P. West, district railway traffic manager, travelled to Geraldine yesterday bv the express. Mr T. Somerville and Mr G. J. Jeffrey left yesterday for Wellington. Mr J. Stark went to Christchurch yesterday by the express. Mr A. S. Cookson. secretary of the Otago Employers’ Association, left yesterday for Wellington. , „ Mr W. Black (chairman of the Central Otago Power Board) and Mr S. T. Spain, a member of the board, wore passengers by the express yesterday for Wellington, where they will discuss matters connected with power boards. Mr W W. Batchelor and Mr i. O’Byrne (Invercargill) left for Wellington yesterday morning to attend a sitting of the Conciliation Council in regard to the ap; plication for a Dominion shop assistants award. . . Mr Frank B. Spencer, manager tor Australasia of the Nestle and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Co. (Ltd.), is at present on a visit to Dunedin. _ Mr and Mrs John Bagne, West Gore, celebrated their golden wedding on Sunday last (reports our correspondent), when there was a large attendance of relatives. The members of the family present were Messrs John (Bovin), Thomas (Christchurch), Robert (Brydone), John (Hinds). Joseph (Lower Shotover), William (Seaward Downs), Mrs A. APDonald (Otakarama), and Mrs 11. 13. Melvin (Goro). Congratulations were extended to the aged couple, and the family presented them with a wireless set in the hope that it might add to the pleasure of their declining years. At yesterday’s meeting of the Otago Electric Power Board Mr H. M. Driver was elected chairman for the ensuing berm, and received the congratulations of the retiring chairman (Mr P. Briscoe) and the members of the board. On assuming office Mr Driver paid a tribute to the Work lone by Mr Briscoe during the past year, and expressed the hope that he could worthily follow in his footsteps. Mr H. L. Benjamin has been appointed resident engineer to the Hawke s ay Electric Bower Board, with headquarters in Napier. He was educated at tlle A U f C ) £ ' land Grammar Schoo . graduated at the Canterbury College School of Engineering, and subsequently had experience in America and France. Returning to Now Zealand, he joined the Public Works Department, and later linked up with a firm of consulting engineers. He has had considerable experience in construction work on njdroelectric schemes with several power boards % N esrrs Z AE n< Ansel! and A. I Wood (of the Otago Motor Club). Dr S. Brown (Southland Motor Association), Mr J. Ritchie (chairman of the Vincent County Council). Messrs Walter Blackio and J. Logan (Taion County Council) Mr D. K. Jack (I’alehitha), Mr E M. -Morgan (Maniototo County Council), and Mr W S. Koid (Lake County) were passengers for Christchurch by the express yesterday. ihey are to attend to-day the very >mpo=tan conference called by the Highways Board at the instigation of the South Llano Motor Union to discuss the question of roads and the disposal of the large sum held bv the hoard. Mr J. R(district nu/blio works engineer) and Mr F. J. Williams left by motor ca r to attend the conference. Death has removed another wcU-anown citizen of Wanganui (reports our special correspondent) in the person of Mr "U----liam Ashwell, of the Mutual Life and Citizens’ Assurance Company, at the ago of 65 years. Ho arrived from the Old Country in 1902, and he immediately became associated with activities having for their object the beautification of the town. As a matter of fact, he was one of toe Beautifying Society’s best workers. iho Virginia Lake was one of his pet hobbies, and ho took a very deep interest in the bird life within its boundaries. Mr Ashwell was one of the most prominent and enthusiastic workers in support _ of the soldiers’ war memorial at Queens taut He leaves a widow, but no family. . The passing of Mrs Barbara Blackie, of East Taieri, on Saturday last, at the ago of 89 vears, has removed one more member of the sturdy band of early settlers on the Taieri Plain. Mrs Blackio was a*"daughtei' of Mr Neil MacLeod and Mrs Isabella Henderson MacLeod, of Caithness, Scotland. Miss Barbara MacLeod as she then was, came out to New Zealand m the ship Jam in the year 1862. For some time she was a governess in the house ot the lato Mr Peter Grant of West laiori. Lat"r on she married Mr John Blackie, a brother of Mr Walter Blackie of East Taieri. Mr and Mrs John Blackie resided, at first, on a. farm m the neighbourhood of what is now the Momona Settlement in South Linen. About 50 vears nvo they removed to East taieii, where they lived the remainder of their clavs, Mr Blackie predeceasing his wife by a good many years. Mrs Blackie was highly respected and esteemed for her sterling qualities of mind and heart. _ Her s was a life of self-sacrificing devotion to the welfare of other people. . Her warm welcome and generous hospitality were widely known and highly appreciated by all who came into touch with her. She always took a deep interest m the work of the church of her fathers-the Presbyterian Church—and especially m its foreign and homo missions. Mr Victor Maurice Braund died on Sunday after a long illness (says our special correspondent in \\ ellington). Xlie lute Mr Braund, who for many years was a well-known accountant in Wellington, was born in I ranee, but was descended from a Devonshire family. In 1887 he joined the staff of the Union Bank of Australia in London, and three years later was transferred to the Melbourne branch. In 1892 he was transferred. to Wellington, and was subsequently promoted to a responsible position on the inspectors’ staff, and finally became inspecting and auditing officer. In 1894 Mr Braund left the service oi the bank, and established himself as an auditor' accountant, and sharebroker. Some years ago his health failed, and he had to discontinue active business. Air Braund was in his seventieth year at the time of his death. , The death occurred at his residence, Railway esplanade, East Gore, on Saturday of Mr Samuel Kogerson, at the ad vancccl age of 82 years. He had not on joyed good health for some time, and for the last fortnight was confined to bed. The deceased was born at Moffat, Dumfriesshire. Scotland, and spent the early years of his life there. In 1870 he married, and immediately afterwards do parted for Now Zealand, arriving at Port Chalmers in the ship Robert Henderson in the same year. The late Mr Rogerson’s first situation was as a shepherd on the Islay Station, and at later periods he worked on the Vcnlavv and Trumhle’s stations. Subsequently ho undertook farming on his own account, acquiring the Graigdalc property at Otaraia. Here Air Rogcrfion carried on successfully until he retired in 1914. On his retirement lie visited his birthplace, and was at Moffat on the declaration of war in 1914. On returning tn New Zealand Air Rogcrson settled at East Gore. His wife predeceased him a month ago. Air ilngersou’B eldest son (Thomafl) was chief engineer on the Aparima when i' was torpedoed and sunk in the Afediter vanenn during the war, and is now in ihe service of the British India Steamship Company, trading to Oriental ports. The other members of the family are Aiessrs John (Wnitalninn), Samuel (Hamilton), Robert and Henry (Otaraiaj, Mcsdamcs Knight (East Corel, J. I