PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2437, 28 November 1900, Page 44

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The Free Press reports the death 'of another old identity, in the person of Mr John Napier Harvie, who died at Balclutha on the 11th, at the age of 66 years. Born near Dumbarton, Mr Harvie learned the trade of a ship joiner. On June 8, 1859, he left Greenock in the ship Alpine for New Zealand. Port Chalmers was reached on September 9, 1859, and three days later Mr Harvie, in company with some others, began their tramp to the Clutha, the journey taking three days. Mr Harvie is survived by a widow, two sons, and three daughters. The immigrant ship in which Mr Harvie came to this country •was rendered somewhat notorious owing to the treatment^ the passengers were subjected to, and for whioh the captain was fined £500 at Port Chalmers. Mr R. Thompson, who has been a resident of Maheno from the very early days of settlement in that district, was tendered a farewell tea and a concert on the Bth inst., prior to his departure for Dunedin. Duriiig the" comae of the evening Mr D. M'Lennan, in a complimentary speech, presented Mr Thompson with an illuminated and framed address, signed, on behalf of the subscribers, by 12 of the oldest settlers round Maheno, setting forth the recipient's many good qualities, and expressing good wishes for his future. Mrs Thompson was also presented with _ a handsome silver tea and coffee service, suitably inscribed. The Southland News states that Miss Jessie Ewat, of Ohristohurch, has been appointed matron of the Invercargill Hospital. , Mrs Francis Shiel, the principal legatee under the will of the late James Tyson, has handed £1500 over to.the Picton R.C. Church for the rrarpose of erecting a new church. Mr George Pinckney, a very old resident of the Tapanui district, left last week for South Africa in search of green fields and pastures new. Mr Crawley, at one time stationed at Milburn, has, we understand, been appointed to the charge of Ravensbourne railway station, in place of Mr Duff. The Outlook states that Messrs Don and Macneur intend starting to-day for a complete tour among the Chinese in Otago and Southland. The tour is expected to take three months. Mr Carlyle Smythe (says the Argus) was the j guest of the council of the Institute of Journalists at the annual banquet at the Cecil Hotel, in London, as well as at the conversazione given by the Lord Mayor at the Guild Hall. Mr Smythe, who is a son of the much-travelled impresario, is gradually recovering from his accident, and has corrected the final proofs of his " Story of Belgium." which is announced- for publication in October. Air James Chase, an old resident of Hawke's Bay, passed away a few days ago (says the Telegraph). Chase followed the occupation of a whaler in the early days, and was one of the pioneers of that industry in this bay. He arrived at the Bay of Isla~ads from Rarotonga on the Bth June, 1838, being then 41 years of age. He was at the Bay of Islands dtiring the 'isit there of the Antarctic discovery ships Erebus and Terror, under the command of Sit J Clark Ross,' in 184-1. Chase settled at the Mahia' whaling station in 1842. In 184-3 he was married by *he Rev, Mr Hamlin to Naomi, a Native woman, by whom he had a family of '8. He first came to Ahuriri (now Napier) from Wairoa 'n 1852, in the Wairoabuilt eiaft Scair.peidown. Though an uneducated man, Oha&e had a good memory, and when in the "humour could give most interestins a'xxrunts of »arlv New Zealand life. The Rev. John Watt, of Hunterville, has accepted che call to Waitaki (says the Waimate Times), and his induction is fixed to take place at Glenavy on January 8, 1901. "Very general sympathy will be felt for Mr and Mrs George Crosbie and family (sayß the

Wyndham Herald) in the afflictions which have beset them of late. Two deaths of eons whose lives were full of promise occurred in a little over a week, and a third was ill. The last-named is, however, getting better. Mr James B. Fergusson, M.T.S.C, well' known for his connection with the Mornington Presbyterian, Burns Club, and other choirs, has accepted the position of musical director at Columba Church, Oamaru. Mr Fergusson, as an enthusiastic teacher of vocal music, will no doubt be considered a welcome addition to the ranks of musicians in the White City. The Timaru Post states that Mr Eustace King, second master of the Temuka- High School, has been appointed first assistant in the Gore School. Mr King has successfully passed his third year examination at Canterbury College in mechanics, economics, jurisprudence, and constitutional history. The Bruce Herald reports that Mr John Chisholm, son of the Rev. James Chisholm, late of Milton, is to take charge of the Presbyterian services at Levin and Shannon, about 60 miles out of W-ellington. On his arrival at Levin a social was tendered in "his honour. Warder Cook, of the Dunedin Gaol, hasbeen transferred to Auckland, and Warder Tracey, of Auckland, replaces him at the local station. An interesting service was held in the Baptist Church, Gill street, New Plymo\\th, on the 13th insl, when the Rev. J. Ings was ordained as the pastor of the church. The Taieri pupils of Miss Davy, artist, tendered her a social at Mosgiel on Thursday evening (says the Advocate). During the evening Mr George M'Leod,- one of Miss Davy's pupils, on behalf . f the other pupils, presented her with a very pretty gold bangle, in complimentary terms expressing to her the high esteem in which she ij held. Lieutenant Bowler, of the Mataura. Mounted Rifles, has been promoted to the position of captain, and Mr J. B. Nichol has been appointed lieutenant. Lord Lamington has announced his intention of resigning the Governorship of Queensland after the meeting of the Federal Parliament. Mr W. T. Glasgow, secretary of the Customs department, was the recipient of a silver entree dish, afternoon tea set, lamp and kettle ,-fi'om the officers of the department last weelc on the occasion of his marriage. A large gathering was held at Sydney a few weeks ago, when the wages staff of the interlocking branch of the Railway department presented a gold watch, suitably inscribed, to Inspector John Cheeseman, who has been connected with the interlocking branch for 15 years, prior to his departure to take up a position in the New Zealand Railway department. Captain P. Hoskyns, lately appointed to the command of H.M.S. Tau&mga, newly commissioned for service in the Australian squadron, commanded the cruiser, Blenheim during the recent naval manoeuvres. He will find his new command rather a small ship after the Blenheim, which- is a first-class cruiser of 9000 tons, with a nominal speed of 22 knots. . Word has reached Auckland from Tauranga of the death of Mr John Thomson, at the age of 59 years. Mr Thomson came to New Zealand from Melbourne about 1663, joined the Armed Constabulary, and fouprht under Colonel Roberts in the East and West Coast campaigns. He subsequently joined the R.M. department, and served at Opotiki, Timaru, Waikato, Auckland, and Tauranga. He resigned the civil service in 1899, on a retiring allowance. Dr Ogston and family have reached Fremantle in the Barbarossa. Mr Leys, editor of the Auckland Star, and family are fellowpassengers. A valedictory social was tendered to Mr John Nash at Mataura on the 17th inst., when he was presented with a purse of sovereigns as a, mark of the esteem in which he and his wife are held. According to the Marlborough Daily Times. Troopers M. M'Donnell and A. Gane have been picked from the Marlborough Mounted Rifles to proceed to Sydney in connection with the Federal demonstration. Dr Buck, .of New York, travelled from the. Hot Lakes to Pipiriki a short time ago. He stated that the road between Raetihi and Pipiriki was the worst he ever experienced, and was a. disgrace to the colony. Miss Rodgers, a member of the teaching staff at the Gore School for the past eight years,' was tendered a farewell social on Wednesday, when a very enjoyable time was spent. Miss Rodgers was presented with a handsome gold chain bangle as a mark of respect from her lady friends. Mr J. Nash, late_ proprietor of the Matau^a Hotel, was entertained at. a valedictory smoke concert on Saturday prior to his departure from the district. About 50 friends were present, and Mr Walton, manaerer of the Mataura Paper Mills, oceupipd the chair. The chairman, after stating the object of the meeting, eulogised Mr Nash's -tact as a host, and expressed great pleasure in presenting him with a purse of sovereigns and a handsome tobacco pouch as a reminder of his stay in the Mataura district He concluded by wishing Mr and Mrs Nash health, happiness, and prosperity in the future. Other complimentary speeches were also made. In responding, Mr Nash referred to the goodwill he had experienced clurinsr his residence in Mataura, and hoped it would not be necessary for him to remove from Southland. He expressed his heartiest thanks for the handsome present and good wishes. He also thanked Mr J. M'Cubbin, who was chiefly responsible for the affair being so successful. Among other toasts honoured was that of the incoming licensee. Mr P. E. Nolan, of Dunedin, a member of the railway service, and representative of No. 2 division on the Appeal Board for the South Island, and also delesrate for Otago for the A.S.R.S., who was at Invercargill for his holidays, was entertained by the Invercargill branch on the 17th inst., when he was presented with a gold-mounted albert and pendant, suitably inscribed, and a sovereign case beautifully chased, in aporeciation of the way he had carried out his duties mentioned above. Several toasts were honoured during thp evening. The "Very Rev. Dean Martin, who had been stationed in Hokitika for 30 years, has been appointed Provincial of the Marist Order, and will reside permanently in Wellington. A pleasant function took place at Invercarefill on Saturday afternoon, when the pair of handsome horses recently purchased from Messrs Bacon Bros, were presented to Sirs Ward as a mark of the esteem and regard in which her friends held her. Mr James Gardner made the presentation, and the Hon. J. G. Ward reolied on behalf of his wife. - Mrs Kathleen Crottv, widow of the late Mr James Crotty, of Mount Lvell fame, was married on October 4- at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, London, to Mr John Watt, the manager of the Bank of South Africa at Durban. Mr J. M. Bruce, of Melboxirne, gave away the bride, who was attended by Miss Gertie Cooper. Mr W. Rhodes was the best man. The newly-married oo\mle Bpent their honey-

moon at Eastbourne, and thence they were to proceed to Scotland to visit the family of the bridegroom, in Fifeshire, prior to returning to South Africa, via America,, China, and Japan. At the last monthly meeting of the Oamaru Hospital Trustees the following resolution was unanimously passed: — "As representatives of the Oamaru Hospital contributors and the public of North Otago in the -management of the hospital, and as guardians of the rights and privileges in its reserves, wisely set aside as an endowment by the Provincial Council of Otago many years ago, the trustees, recognising the eminent services of the Hon. S. E. Shrimski, M.L.C., in protecting the finances of the council, have resolved to insert in the minutes — ' That their heartfelt thanks be tendered to him for his continuous and courageous zeal and tact in opposing the passage of the Endowment Resumption Bill, with its unsatisfactory conditions, which might materially injure and impede the prosperity of the Oamaru Hospital.' "