PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2665, 12 April 1905, Page 54

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Captain W. Jackson Barry is at present on a visit to Dunedin to distribute his latest published work, " AdventttreSx_iind Experiences of a Pioneer Colonist," a handsomely got-up work dedicated to Sir Robert Stout, and with an introduction by the late Mr Thos. Bracken. The veteran, though only recovering from the effects of an accident, and despite his 87 years of age, is as cheery as ever. Old residents will no doubt be delighted to meet th© captain again. How youthful he must feel may bo imagined from the fact that he looks forward to getting another book or two through £h« press.

Three- randidates are now definitely announced for the Patea, seat — Messrs Symes, Boddie, and King. Mr Symes declares himeelf for the Liberal Government, Mr Boddie. for the Opposition and Farmers' Union, and Mr King contents himself with a special reference* to the- condition of back-block settlers. Mr W. H. Hillier, who has filled the position of stationmaster at Temuka for a number of years, retired on the sth from tho railway service after a continuous career of 33 years. The Rev. Father Hays returned to Melbourne on March 22, after completing his provincial tour. During his visit of two months to Viotoria he has made over 21,235 converts to temperance. Mr J. Stewart, of Athenree, intends to contest the -Bay of Plenty seat. The other candidates are Messrs Herries. Foster, and Rosser. " , , _ Mr Sydney Johnston, of Hawke s Bay, _ has contributed £100 to the Wellington Consumptive Hospital Fund. King George of Tonga intends to return to the island in all probability about the , beginning of May. He has not decided 1 what he will do in the meantime. He was re- , commended by his medical officer after a j serious illness last year to take a change, . and this was partly his reason for visiting New Zealand. Already there are several candidates tor parliamentary honours for the Kaipara electorate. Messrs Thomas Bassett (Te Kopuru), J. Stalworthy (Aratapu), B. E. Williams lAranga), and W. H. Buroh (Rehia), all Government supporters, have announced themselves. .„ . Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R., representing the Taranaki constituency, will again be i a candidate for - the seat at the general election. Mr W. B. Davies will also conSMr Arthur H. Adams, formerly of the • literary staff of the Evening x Post, Wellington, who has been residing in London ior , some time, is about to pay a lengthened visit to New Zealand. He has arranged to leave England this month. The induction services in connection with the settlement of the T^ev. W. T. Cunie in Kaitangata have been fixed for Wednesday Mr Schofield, of Morrinsville, Auckland, will be the new stationmaster at Kaiapoi. Dr M'Hroy, of Central Otago, has accepted the position of resident doctor at Raetihi.

Rupihana Hawaikirangi, of Paki Paki, intends to contest the Maori seat against the present member, Wi Pere, at the general election. The elections for councillors a.nd the mayoralty of Quieenstown passed off very quietly on Monday last. Mr L. Hotop was re-elected Mayor, and the same councillors who sat for the last term were re-elected.

Since the Maori Conference at Rotorua j a number of chiefs have asked Mr Pokiha. j of Matapu, who represented the Taranaki , Maori Council, to contest the Western Maori seat at the' general election. He would probably be a supporter of the Government. A recent picture of Madame Stoessel, acting as nurs c in the Port Arthur Hos- j pital. witaich appeared in the Illustrated London News, was drawn by an old Napier boy, Mr Begg, whose exceHent Black-and-white work is a prominent feature of that journal. Speaking at a social last week. the Rev. F. W. Boys mentioned, as illustrating the work required of a minister in the Otautau circuit, that he was well within the mark ia stating that his average travelling on horseback and by buggy had exceeded 5000 miles per annum, ' >*

Mr John Roberts, Mr T. A. Maitland, and Mr P. G. Pryde, of this city, will all be passengers for Great Britain by the steamer Corinthic, leaving Wellington on the 27th inst.

Intimation has been received from Trinity College, London, that JMiss Violet Fraser, pupil of St. Dominic's College, Dunedin, has secured a senior exhibition in singing. Miss Pearl Evans, pupil of Dominican Convent, Queenstown, has secured a junior exhibition in pianoforte. Mr Laidlaw, conductor of the Kaikorai Band, has been appointed judge at the band contest to be held at Greymouth on May 23 and 24. Mr J. Gordon, of New Plymouth, has been appointed bandmaster of the Cromwell Band. Mr W. Sarginson, letter-carrier at the ±Salciutha Post Office, has been transferred to Gisborne. His successor is Mr Lyons, from Dunedin.

Mr Kerr, stationmaster at Balfour, who has been transferred to Winton, was entertained by his friends at the former place before his departure, and was presented with a travelling bag and a case of pipes The Owaka correspondent of the Clutha Leader states that Dr Wheeler has been compelled to give up the practice of his profession in that district owing to the state of his health. It is understood that he intends to proceed to Hanmer in the meantime to recruit. Dr M'Kibbin, who has lately been acting as assistant to Dr Butement in Masterton, arrived at Owaka on Saturday night as Dr Wheeler's successor.

Miss Shand, daughter of Professor Shand. of the Otago University, has been appointed to the matronship of the Wanganui Girls' College, vice Mrs Wood, who retires at the end of this term. There were over 80 applications for the position.

Professor G. S. Curtis, geologist and artist, of Harvard University, is at present visiting Milford Sound and its vicinity. Professor Curtis is a pupil of Dr Heim, the Swiss geologist, who visited New Zealand in 1903. Both gentlemen are members of a small cult of artists who, in transferring Nature to canvas, do so from a strictly geological point of view, and so give to their pictures an instructive value to the students.

Commissioner Dinnie, who has been here for the past two weeks in connection with the police scandal, left for the north on Wednesday afternoon.

At a meeting of the directors of the Mataura Dairy Factory on the 3rd, Mr Milne son of Mr James Milne, Wyndharn, was selected for the position of cheesemaker at the factory, in succession to Mr James Dumbleion, who has purchased the Otama factory. There were 29 applicants for the position.

Mr J. Hislop, stationmaster at Woodlands, has received notice of his transfer to Temuka. Mr F. Truman, stationmaster at Pleasant Point, will fill the vacancy at Woodlands. Prior to his departure from Pleasant Point Mr Truman was presented with a silver hunting watch for himself, and a handsome marble clock for Mrs Truman.

The Railway Department having decided to appoint a permanent stationmaster at Nightcaps, Mr H. Green, formerly of the Traffic Inspector's office, Invercargill, took up the duties of stationmaster there on Saturdaylast.

Mr and Mrs James Walker, who are very old and popular residents of the Island Block, celebrated their silver wedding on Saturday last (says the Tuapeka Times), when a large number of friends from all parts of the district gathered at their residence to congratulate them on the consummation of so happy an event, and to express the hope that they might be spared to celebrate their golden wedding. During the proceedings an opportunity was taken by Mr Alex. M'Pherson, an old and esteemed friend, to present Mr and Mrs Walker, on behalf of those present and others who were unable to fee present, with a handsome marble clock.

Mr A. L. Herdman, M.H.R., proposes to address his constituency in about three. weeks, speaking at Livingstone, Kokoamo, Tokaraki, Hyde, Ida Valley, and Ophir. Due dates will be advertised later on.

The Rev. G. W. Christian, vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Port Chalmers, has been appointed regimental chaplain of the First Regiment of Otago Mounted Rifles. Captaincbaplain Christian is an old member of the Volunteer force, and his appointment is » popular one.

The Hon. Mr Sutherland, Colonial Secretary for Fiji, is at present spending a lengthened furlough in New Zealand. He is accompanied by Mrs Sutherland, and during their stay in Dunedin they are the guests of Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., at Allan ..Grange.

Mr H. A. Salmon, of Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co., left on Thursday on a sixmonths' visit to the Home Country.

Advice has been received by cable to the effect that the Rev. G. Hervey/ pastor of the Gore Congregational Church, is laid aside in Sydney with dengue fever. He will (says the Ensign) be unable to- leave Sydney for another week at least.

Mr G. W. Coutts Moon, local agent of the Government Tourist Department, has returned to duty. During his trip with the Minister of Public Works in North Canterbury he acted as whip, and was presented by the Ministerial party -with a memento of the trip. Dr C. Aickin, M.8., of Otago University, who has been appointed to the resident medical staff at the Auckland Hospital, took up his duties on the 3rd. In of the retirement of Mr A. G. B^Rner, stationmaster at Gore, the following changes have been made in the railway service: — Mr T. J. Brownell, stationmaster at Mosgiel, promoted to Gore ; Mr H. Mooney, Penrose, promoted to Clinton ; Mr J. Kerr, transferred from Clinton to Mosgiel ; Mr J. P. Hardwick, promoted from Remuera to Penrose ; Mr R. Davidson, transferred from Seacliff to Pleasant Point; Mr H. A. Stevens to be stationmaster at Seacliff.

The Bruce Herald understands that Mr Nolan, of the Milton railway office staff, has received notice of his transference shortly to Pelichet Bay, Dunedin. His place at Milton will be taken by Mr Livingstone.

A London message states that Canon Lyttelton, head master of Haileybury College, succeeds Dr Warre as head master of Eton. The latter resigned. On Tuesday evening Mr Francis J. Morton, formerly of Dunedin, and now manager of Day's Bay House, Wellington, was made the recipient of a sovereign cas,e containing gold coin, from various gentlemen who have passed the summer months at the hotel, and wished to express their appreciation of Mr Morton's capable control.

Mr C. W. Stuart, dredgemaster of the Garden Gully dredge, was on Friday last, on the occasion of his leaving, presented by the crew with a handsome travelling case. Mr Wylie, who made the presentation, said he- had much pleasure, on behalf of the crew, in handing the present to Mr Stuart, and hoped that he would accept it as a token to remind him of the good feeling that always existeS "between them. Mr Stuart suitably responded.

The parlour of the Retreat at Orokonui Home. Waitati, was the scene of an interesting and pleasant little function a few evenings ago, when the remaining members of the staff and a few friends met to say good-bye to Dr Gault, who is severing his connection with the institution. Mr Legal, who acted as chairlnaii. >n a neat, eulogistic^ and appropriate

speech, referred to the cordial relations that had always existed bet-ween the medical superintendent and the staff, under very unfavourable conditions and trying circumstances, and in the name of those present asked Dr Gault to accept at their hands the gift of a handsome travelling rug as a slight out tangible token of their respect and esteem, at the same time expressing their best wishes for his future success and prosperity. Dr Gault in feeling terms thanked the donors for their useful present, and expressed much gratification at the kindly feelings which had prompted it, assuring them that he wotild always regard it as a valued and interesting memento. Later in the proceedings Mr Smith referred briefly to the uniform urbanity of manner, the courtesy, and kindness which had always characterised i)r G-ault's intercourse with the staff under him; and, while wishing him all manner of success in the future, hoped that wherever he might be located he might always find himself surrounded with friends as true and loyal as those present. Afterwards refreshments, provided by the female members of the staff, were handed round, and an enjoyable hour was spent in song and social intercourse. Songs were rendered by Messrs Legal, Bambery, Hawker, Yates, and Smith, Mr Jones most ably presiding at the piano. Dr Gault, who as a medical man has been extremely useful and popular during his brief sojourn in the district, will be greatly missed by the residents.

The Registrar-general of Land will be in Dunedin about Thursday next.

At the Otago University Miss May Newman has been awarded a Richardson scholarship of £25 a year for three years ; and Miss Alice May Bentham a women's scholarship of £15 a year for three years.

Dr F. R. Hotop is (says the Wakatipu Mail) at present paying a visit to Queenstown prior to taking his departure for the Home Country, where it is his intention to further pursue his medical studies.

Mr J. C. Thomson, M.H.R. for Wallace, left by the s.s. Moeraki on Monday on a visit to Australia, intending to include Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney in his tour. He will be absent about six weeks.

At Springburn on Thursday Mr W. E. Kelley, who has been in charge of the Presbyterian Church, was presented with, a purse of sovereigns on the occasion of his leaving to enter on a theological course at Otago University.

An Auckland telegram states that Mr Murdoch M'Lean, contractor, is announced as a candidate for Grey Lynn in the Opposition interest against Mr Fowlds.

The Right Hon. A. Graham Murray, M.A., K.C., M.P., late Secretary for Scotland, who has recently been appointed Lord Justicegeneral and Lord President of the Supreme Courts of Scotland, and raised to the peerage, will assume the title of Baron Dunedin of Stenton.

Captain Jackson Barry will be pleased to see any old Otagans at the Law Courts Hotel. 111-health prevents his moving about at present. Captain Ramsay, oi the Winimera, ha* been appointed assistant marine superintendent of the Tyser Company. The Right Hon. Mr Seddon, Mr Justice Williams, and Mr Justice Denniston were passengers by the Mararoa, which left "Wellington for Lyttelton oil Monday evening. A year's leave of absence has been granted to Mr L. Reichel, chief eleotriciau of the Public Works Department, in order that he may make a thorough inspection of the large electrical works in Europe.

Mr W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, went south by the express on Monday morning, visiting Clinton and Gore. He returned to Balclutha on Tuesday, and came on to Dunedin in the evening. On Wednesday morning he will leave for Invercargill, after visiting which he will journey to Queenstown, returning to Dunedin via Central Otag-o. Mr Massey will in all probability de-liver a speech at Alexandra on his way through, and it is hoped that he will also speak m Dunedin re-xt week. During his stay in Wellington — from the 28th inst. to the 4th prox. — General Booth, of the Salvation Army, will be the guest of Sir Robert and Lady Stout. Commissioner Nichol, who is travelling with the General, and is the editor-m-chief of the Army publications, will probably be the gai.est of the incoming Mayor of Wellington. The other officers travelling with the General, and who compose his staff, will be Commissioner M"Kie (the chief officer of the Army in Australasia), Colonels Lawley and Hoskin. Lieu-tenant-colonels Gilmour and.^Eyle, Brigadier Cain, and Major Cos. During the General's stay in Wellington there will ba present in the city 130 officers, representing every town in the North Island where the Army is working.

A very pleasing function took place at Mr R. Stewart's, Island Bltfck, last Thursday evening, when the employees of the Island Block Hydraulic Sluicing and Dredging Company met to say " Good-bye" to Mr A. C. Perkins on the occasion of his retirement from ths position of manager for the company. MiBates, who acted as spokesman, in a neat and Appropriate speech referred to the esteem and appreciation in which Mr Perkins was held by the men, and said it gave him very much pleasure, on behalf of the employees, to present Mr Perkins with a hariSsome travelling bag, suitably inscribed. The speaker expressed the best wishes for the recipient's future success and prosperity. Mr Perkins, in responding, expressed gratification at the feeling which had prompted them to present him with such a handsome gift, and assured 1 them that he would always look upon the memento in the remembrance of the days he had spent at the Island Block. Having intimated that Mr David Weir had been chosen as his successor, he said he only hoped that the success attained from recent operations would long continue under that gentleman's capable management. Vocal selections were given by some of those present, Mr Perkins contributing a recitation, after which each in turn bade Mr Perkins " Grcod-bye," wishing him a safe journey in his travels.

The Alexandra Herald understands that word has been received that the railway bridge to be erected over trie Manuherikia, near Alexandra, is to be a combined railway and traffic bridge. This matter was brought before the Minister of Public Works on his recent visit to Alexandra.

The abridged prospectus a.ppears in another part of this paper of the M'Leod Patent Fire Brand Company, which is now being floated with a capital of £12,000, in £1 shares. The object of the company is to acquire and take over the patent rights of M'Leod's patent brand and improved burner, to manufacture and sell such brands and burners, and to dispose of the patent rights in various parts of the world. The brand has already been extensively used in this country, and numerous testimonials in its favour have been received. It is anticipated that the sale of the patent rights in different countries will yield about £87,000, which would ensure a handsome profit for investors. Applications for shares will be received up to 30th June next. Mr George Ross, of Hunter street, Wellington, is secretary pro tern.. a.nd tho brokers are Messrs Harcourt and Co., O. R. Bengali, and L. H. B. Wilson.