PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 60

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr J. Somerville, architect to the Otago Education Board, has resigned his office, which he has occupied for upwards of a quarter of a century. The board yesterday accepted his resignation with regret, and unanimously passed a resolution expressing their best thanks to Mr Somerville for his long and faithful services.

We understand that the Rev. Dr WaddellV. health has become seriously impaired of late from overwork, and his medical adviser has ordered him to take three months' complete rest.

Messrs Charters and Gow will represent the Taieri Agricultural Society at the Agricultural- Conference this week.

The Rev. D. M'Kee Wright has been appointed to the pastorate of the Congregational Church, Nelson, and was accorded a welcome meeting on Friday last. A number of the friends of Mr and Mrs Riddell met at Tapanui last week 6ays the Courier) to bid farewell to them prior to their departure for Dunedin. Mrs Riddell was presented with a splendid travelling rug, and Miss Kate Riddell with a neat work basket.

Mr R. Gall, secretary of the Taieri Poultry Society, wa3 presented on behalf of the members last Saturday evening with a silver teapot on the occasion of his approaching marriage. The Mataura Ensign states that the Rev. E. J. Carter has tendered his resignation of the position ~of minister of the church extension charge of Waikaia owing to the climate being unsuited to his health. The MatauTa Ensign says: — Miss Blanche Gibbs has received the following letter: — '■ Potchefstroom, May 5, 1901. Dear Miss Gibbs, — Many thanks for so kindly sending me the pretty Maori basket, and the photograph of your brother and yourself. I have been in the same column with the fourth and fifth New Zealand regiments during most of the war, and for a time they were under my command, and they have done really splendid work. Some of them are now going home on relief for a little rest, which they richly deserve. — Most sincerely, R. G. Kkeewich."

Dr J. G. Smith, of Balclutha, who recently ceased his visits to Catlins, which extended over a period of 37 years, was met by a deputation representing the settlers of that district on Wednesday (says the Free Press), when he was presented with a travelling rug, a brief bag, and a purse of sovereigns as a token of respect and esteem. The latest news from Lieutesiant Jickell, of Nelson, who left New Zealand with the Southland portion of the fourth contingent, is that he lias taken up his duties with the Royal Garrison Artillery, Western division. Lieutenant Jickell had previously applied for and been granted a commission in the seventh New Zealand contingent, but" could not obtain the necessary leave from the Imperial force, which was short of officers. The nature of the service is very different to the scouting and loose work with the New Zealand contingents. The force to which Lieutenant Jickell is attached has two +.7in guns and one 9.4-5 howitzer, the two 4- .7* being under his own particular care ; and on the 16th April he had his first experience of using them on the enemy, firing several shots at from 7000 to SBOO yards at some onipers who were interfering with a convoy for Rustenburg. The shots were very successful, the shrapnel bursting well. Lieutenant Jickell finds the Imperial officers a splendid lot of fellows. What the wnr has cost New Zealand is brought homo in forcible manner by a sentence in Lieutenantr Jickell's letter, where he says that in going through the cemetery in Pretoria lie was surprised to find the graves of 17 Nt.w Zealanders, most of them victims of enteric, and among the number that of J. P. Roberts, of Nelson.

The induction of the Rev. Mr Jolly to the pastorate of the Palmerston North Presbyterian Church has been fixed for July 3. A number of friends paid a surprise visit to Mr and Mrs Arthur A. Adams at their residence on Friday night, for the purpose of congratulating them upon the 25th anniversary of their marrriage. A number of valuable presents were received. A pleasant evening was passed with nongs, games, etc., and brought to a close by the singing of " Auld lang syne."

The Oamaru Mail states that Miss Isabel Mackellar, 8.A., has been chosen out of six applicants for the position of second assistant in the Waitaki Girls' High School.

Mr James Harrison, chairman of the Taieri County Council who has left the Strath-Taieri district to settle in Dunedin, was on Monday night tendered a smoke concert at Middlemarch, when an opportunity was taken of presenting Mr Harrison with a handsome travelling rug as a token of the high esteem in which he is held by his friends in the district. — Advocate.

Mr Alexander Marshall, who han severed his connection with the Mosgiel School after being associated with it for several years, was presented with a Mosgiel rug. a travelling bag, and a silver-mounted walking stick, on behalf of the teaching staff and pupils, on Friday last.