PERSONAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2561, 6 May 1903, Page 30

PERSONAL NOTES .

Sir Jam^s Hec'or, whose retirement on a pension is now announced, is another of tho valuable band of officers introduced by the Provincial Government of Otago and afterrvsirc 7*7 * transferred to the colonial service. Sir Jtiir.cs, who was born in Edinburgh in 1834, took iiis degree of M.D. at Edinburgh University in. 1856. He was for a time assistant to the celebrated Sir James Simpson. He was selected by Sir Roderick Murchison to acconrpany tho Palliser expedition to the Rocky Mountains as doctor and geo'ogist. Many hardships were, endured in the four years spent in a then unknown region Dr Hector discovered the pass by which the Canadian Pacific rsilwoy now crosses the Rocky Mountains, and for his eminent services he received thi gold medal of tha Royal Geographical Society. In 1861 he accepted the position of geologist to the Provincial Govenuneit of Otago, and on his arrival here he explored the Lakes district, and afterwards the West Coast and Sounds. It was from. Sir James (then Dr) Hector that the first authentic news reached Dunedin of the rich •discoveries by Pox and others on the Shotoverand Arrow Rlvsrs. To his energy also was largely due the success of the first exhibition, held in Dunedin in the present Hospital bui'dings, specia'ly erected for the purpose. He wa<? chief founder of the New Zealand Institute. Ha has been honoured in many ways by scientific societies, and in 1874 received the Order of the Go'den Cro3s from the Emperor of Germany. He was creatad C.M.G. in 1875, and K.C.M.G. in 1887. The many friends of Mr James L. Blakie, eon of Mr Peter Bla-kie. Ryal Bush. Southland, will be pleased to hear that a cable has been received conveying the information that he has passed his final examination in medicine. Dr Blakie studied for some time at the Otago I T niversity. and completed his course at the Medical School in connection with the London Hospital. He purposes gaining larger experience before embarking on the pia-ctice of his profession. Mr James Hislop, architect, has returnecl (with Mrs Ifislop) from a holiday tour of Australia. Mr Hislop found there vas a good deal of disappointment among Australians at th» result of federation and had the vote to be taken over again it is doubtful if a majority could be obtained.