PERSONAL ITEMS

Otago Witness, Issue 2647, 7 December 1904, Page 27

PERSONAL ITEMS

llr and Mrs By«r3. of Hunt's road, Catlins district, who are taking their departure for Edendale. were waited upon at their residence on Monday evening by a surprise party and presented with a purse of sovereigns.

Mr H. W. Hilton, who has been accountant in the Bank of New Zealand, Lawrence, for the past 10 years or more, has been appointed manager of the Xaseby branch of the bank. Mr D. Corrigan has been appointed to succeed Mr Hilton as accountant. Mr T. T. Grant, who has been lodger-keeper at the Gore branch of the Bank of New Zealand for some years past, and who has been a member of the staff for about 10 years, has received notice of removal to Queenstown.

On Tuesday evening, at Gore, Sergeant E. MacKay (who is leaving for the Chatham Islands) and Private T. T. Grant (who has been transferred to Queenstown) were farewelled by the Gore Rifles, and were each presented with a Gladstone- bag, suitably inscribed. During the evening the Chairman (Captain Domigan) presented Sergeant Kelly with a handsome inscribed gold medal for winning the Yule Cup in the soason 1901-2.

The Wanganui Harbour Board on Friday appointed J. M'Harg, of Westland, engineer and dredgemaster.

Mr Stuart Craig, second son of Mr James Craig, who recently left Riye-rsdale for Hawera, has recently apprenticed himself to a Hawcra dentist. After spending a brief holiday with his brother at Kel^o manse he proceeds north to commence work on January 2. On Thursday, Ist inst., at the Druids' Lodgeroom. Lawrence, Bro. Dr Sutherland was presented by his fellow Druids with a handsome cut-glass silver-mounted inscribed inkstand, on the occasion of his approaching marriage and as a mark of the esteem of the members of the lodge. The presentation was made by Bro. S. Matthews, -as president of the district.

Mr C. Richardson, son of the Hon. E. Richardson,' lias been appointed resident shipping surveyor at Wellington for the British Corporation.

In our report of the presentation made by "the Mosgiel Preebyterian Ghureh to Mr and Mrs J. C. Hodges, prior to their departure, it should have been mentioned that in addition to the silver tea and coffee service they were the recipients of a beautiful Mosgiel travelling vug.

The Primate (Bishop Nevill) has just lately returned from a week's visit to Riverton and district, where he consecr&teu two churches and held three confirmations.

Mr John Hay (Chief Commissioner) and Mr Duncan King represent the Southland Land Board at the Conference of Land Boards with the Premier and the Minister of Lands at Wellington this week. A London cable advises the death of Viscount Ridley, in his sixty-third year. .The deceased nobleman, when Sir M. \f. Ridley, was- Home Secretary from 1895-1900, under Lord Salisbury's Administration.

Mr A. L. Herdman, M.H.R. for Mount Ida, intends to pay the district a visit in four- weeks time, when he will address bis constituents m different parts of the electorate.

A Wellington message advises that the Minister of Mines has received a cablegram from Mr J. M. Bell, of Canada, accepting the position of Government geologist for New Zealand at a salary of £600. Mr Bell will leave for the colony about the middle of January.

Constable Rutledge, who was at one time stationed »n Dunedin, and subsequently on th.» Ota-go golclfields, has been promoted to the rank •«>! sergeant. It is now 18 years since Sergeant Rutledge joined the force. In 1900 he was awarded his long-service decoration. He has the distinction of being the youngest sergeant yet appointed. „*, Mr Jam pa Wallace, who was for some years manager for the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company, died somewhat suddenly at Shannon on Wednesday morning. Mr and 1 Mrs Stewart, who have resided in the Tomahawk district for over 40 years, were on Wednesday waited upon by a. number of their neighbours and presented with a very fiandsoine- china tea set and a travelling rug. Mr John Maithieson, who acted as spokesman, expressed sincere regret at losing such good aadi honourable neighbours, who had been only too willing to assist person or caiiss within, the district. He 'wished them long lite and happiness in the locality where they intend taking up their residence. Both Mr and Mrs -Stewart, who were deeply affected, thanked Mr Mathieson for his kind words, and ] also the donors of the gifts for their great kindness, and expressed their deep sorrow at leaving the district they had helped to make. Mr Stewart has handed over his farm to his two sons, who will continue, the business of dairy farming.

M.v Herbert Warren Hilton, of Lawrence, has been appointed manager of the Bank of New Zealand at iSTaseby.

Mr Geo. Applegarth, stationmaster at Ranfurly, who has been transferred to Caversham, was entertained at a smoke concert at Morrison's Ranftirly Hotel on WecJnesday evening last, ancl during the evening Mr Hansen, in a complimentary speech, presented him with a case of pipes and a silver matchbox from his numerous Ranfurly friends. The spread was a liberal one, and the toast list included "Commercial Industries,' "Mining," "Aew Zealand Parliament," " New Zealand Railways and Sir J. G. Ward," " Farming," etc. Songs were contributed by Messrs G. Applegarth, Pavitt, Hart, Law, Dart, Barrett, and Malone, and recitations were given by Messrs W. Dowliug. Hansen, and Law, the last-named contributing " The Cottar's Saturdlay Night" and " Tarn o' Shanter" in a manner that evoked hearty applaiise. During the proceeding's frequent mention was made of the courtesy and consideration always shown by the guest in carrying out his official duties, and also to his popularity as a resident of the district, and general regret was expressed at his departure. — Correspondent.

Mr V. R. Moss, who has been appointed, managei of the Bank of New Zealand at Westuort, was on Wednesday night presented by his Naseby friendte with two very handsome silver entree di&hes as a token of goodwill. The presentation was made in the County Chambers, Naseby, by the Mayor (Mr Cutten), who referred to the interest Mr Moss had evinced in local affairs of a public and social nature during his stay there. Mr Moss was prebident of the Maniototo Jockey Club, the Fanciers' Ghib, and a curling club, and) as a trustee of the Naseby Hospital had rendered valuable service. In musical and dramatic affairs in Naseby both Mr and -Mrs Moss wouTd be much missed, whale the Debating Society was losing good) friends. The best wishes of the community went with Mr and Mrs Moss and the other members of the household. The Mayor, on behalf of the friends of Mt Moss in Naseby, then presented amidst applause the articles mentioned, ea-ch of which wa3 inscribed as follows: — "Presented to V. R. Moss, Esq., by his friends on has leaving Naseby, 30th November, 1904." Me -T, R,

Smith (chairman Hospital Trustees), the Rev. J. M'Cosh Smitli, and Messrs Malcolm, Kirk, Ginsberg, Kirby, Flower, and Dr Macknight also paid a tribute to Mr Moss's good qualities, after which Mr Mos= briefly and appropriately returned thankb. 3dr iloss left Naseby on Thursday. Mr CriMckshank, S.M., presided, at the St. Bathans Court on Friday in place of Mr M'Enniss, S.M , whe is relieving in the south. On "Wednesday evening last Mr and Mrs W. R. F Fraser were farewelied at Zealandia Hal], Wynclliam, prior, to their departure foi Mosgiel, where Mr Fraser assumes ths managership of the local branch of the Banfe of New Zealand. Mr Fraser was presented with a haudlsoine gold chronometer (suitably di 1 scribed) as a parting gift for himself; and Mrs Fraser received a gold bangle, set with rubies, pearls, and opals. Mr Fraser was manager of the Wyndliam branch of the bank for nearly 24 years Nordrach Sanatorium presented a very bright and pleasing appearance on Thursday afternoon. The choir of the Moemiti Bible circle visited the institution and delighted all with their excellent singing. The opportunity was also taken to present Miss Ewing, the late matron, with some acknowledgments oi her long and faithful services. Mr D. Macpherson, on behalf of a few (about 20) of the okl and some present patients, presented! her with a set of silver-mounted brushes and mirror, saying how little he could express all that they owed to her kindness and faithful attendance at all times. Mr E. H. Reid thanked all on behalf of Miss Ewing. Dr and" Mrs Stephenson gave Miss Ewing a gold chain and medallion. Dr Stephenson remarked that the old patients were now becoming widely scattered ancJ somewhat numerous. He Jcnew of between 60 and 70 who tvere keeping in excellent health, and read letters lately received from some few. Some amusement was caused by one writer, who said that he was keeping fairly well- He had just finished a job of fencing, and was next takirg on ». contract to hoe turnips. He thanked all thos who had assisted and contributed to ttie hat Imony of the Httle gathering. The death is announced at Invercargill last week of Mrs M. Brown, wife of Mr William Brown, one of the earliest settlers m Invercargill. Her husband was either the first or second man to start a blacksmith's shop in Invercargill. Mr and Mrs Brown came to New Zealand in the ship Nourmahal, arriving at O*ago Heads on May 7, 1858. After a short residence about Dunedin they proceeded to Invercargill, where Mrs Brown resided with her husband and family up to the time of her death. Among the passengers by the 'Nourmahal who settled in Southland may b-3 mentioned the-- late Hon. W. H. Nurse and Mx W. B. Scandrett (the present Mayer of Invereargill). The Tuapeka Times records the death of Mr Michael O'Gorman, one of the early settler* in the district. Mr O'Gorman was at the time of his death, 7-5 years of age, and had been a- well-known resident of the district since 1861. He took a considerable interest in party politics, and was often in evidence at political gatherings* Mr T. Y. Widdowson, S.M y will commence his magisterial dxities in Dunedin after the Christmas vacation. Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., who has been temporarily stationed at Invercargill, went south on Monday morning-. , The Lyfctolton Times «*y« that after Mr Seddon's return to Wellington from the- south he was slightly indisposed, and hi* medic*! advisers are again urging upon him the necessity of a complete rest. - - ' Mr R. B. Twelftree, who died at his residence, Berwick, on -the_-2nd inst., arrived in Otago from Epping, Jinglaad, in the ship Mariner on August 12, 1850. Shortly after his arrival he settled in the Berwick district, where he remained up to the time of his death. Mr Twelftree took an active interest in local matters, and was for 13 years- cflairman of the -Berwick Domain Board, and for eight years he performed the duties of clerk of the Waipori Road Beard. In addition to the offices* mentioned, he held what is probably a colonial record as a school committee chairman, having been for over 30 years chairman of the Waipori Lake School Committee. Ha was married to Miss Elizabeth Dempster, and leaves a large family and numerous friends to mourn the loss of one whose ripened judgment and aptitude for work enabled him to attend nofc only to his own business, but also to th« business of the community in which he resided. Mr Twelftree was 76 years of age at the time of his death, and his removal severs one more link in the chain of Otago's early pioneers.