PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 54

PERSONAL ITEMS.

-«• Mr J. M'Gosh Smith, who has been ledger-keeper in the Bank of New Zealand at Balolutha for the past two years, has been promoted to a position in ihe Palmerston branch. Prio^ to his departure from Balclutha he -was presented with a set of pipes. Nurses O. Clapcott and E. Clare, of the Southland Hospital, have been appointed matrons at the Naseby and Frankton Hospitals respectively. Sir Joseph Ward has advised Sir "W. J. Steward that he will pay a visit to Waimato before the session. The Rev. Mr "Walls, who has been in charge of the Te Aroha Presbyterian Church for over seven years, has left to take up work at Gore. He was presented with a -pViVse of sovereigns (£3B) and a travelling bag, prior to his departure. Captain J. H. Baleh, who commando the American barque Mary L. Cushin#, now at Auckland, has just celebrated the forty- i ninth anniversary of l.is first command. In April, 1856, he sailed out of Boston with his first ship. Father Hays has addressed 27.000 people during his New Zealand tour, and h.as> taken 10,125 pledges. His medical adviser urges him to rest for a fortnight at Rotorua, but he does not think he can do so. He wants to leave for England in the- second week of July, via San Francisco. Mr" C. H. Osmond, who lately left Dunedin to take up the position in Wellington of superintendent for New Zealand of the New Zealand Investment Funds, has purchased Judge Batham's well-known residence, off Wellington terrace. Mr Leslie H. Eeynolds has been appointed engineer to the Wanganui Harbour Board, where extensive works are to ba undertaken. Mr A. Jolly, accountant in the Wellington office of the National Bank of New Zealand, has been appointed manager of the bank's Tapa-nui branch. Mr E. Marshall, of the Cromwell Pos£ Office, has received notice of his transfer to Cliristchurch, his place being filled by Mr J. Ward, of that city. The Tahakopa correspondent of the Free Press, Balclutha, reports that Mr H. C. Sution, road inspector, of Owaka, who was in charge of Tahakopa district for many years, has been promoted to Hawke's Bay. Mr Robt. Grieve, who has for some time past performed the duties of an acting inspector for the Public Health Department \mdex Dr Ogston in Dunedin, left on Friday for : Auckland, whoie he will take up a position as inspector for the same department. Mr Grieve is one of the well-known fa-mily of that name at Branxholme. Southland. He was for 15 year 9an South Africa, and served in the Volunteer force throughout the last Boer war, taking part in the defence of Kimberky and afterwards^ in the relief of Mafeking. At the close of the wax he retired with the rank of sergeant-majoi. Mr Jnines Gray, jun., who has joined the ranks of the Benedicts, was presented by the employees of "Reid snd Gray .with a handsome marble clock and two bronze ornaments, all suitably inscribed, as & memento of the occasion. Mr J. Garratt made the presentation, and conveyed to Mr Gray, jun., the congratulations and well wishes of all his friends. Mr Gray feelingly responded, and the gathering separated to the strains of "For he's a jolly good fellow." I .Amongst many telegrams of sympathy received by the family of the Jate Mrs Hatton is the following from the Piemier actdiessed to Mr Hatton: — "Learn with deep regret of the death of your dear wife, and hasten to convey to yqa my heartfelt sympathy in the sad and irreparable loss you have sustained. Her work will remain after her. Her Bex in this colony owe her much, and will ever revera her memory. — E, J. Seddof." Mr -W. Gardiner, of the well-known firm of Gardiner and Co., Mataiira, was the victim of ft nasty accident on Tuesday. In knocking a steel share on to a. ploiigh with a hammer, a piece of steel flew off and cut bis eye severely. Mr Gardiner went to Dunedin to consult Dr Lindo Ferguson, who found it impossible to remove the steel, and had to take out the eye. We aa - o assured by Mr Robert Logan that the paragraph published by the Palmerston Times that he was likely to be a candidate for the Waikouaiti seat is incorrect. He has no such intention. The Rev. R. A. Woodthorpe, vicar of St. John's amd chaplain to the Bishop of Christchurch, has been appointed by the Primate as warden of Selwyn College and to a position on the clerical staff of St. Paul's Cathedral, Dunedin. A correspondent has sent us a somewhat belated account of an enjoyable evening spent at Keith Hall, East Taieri, on tlie 26th ult., to celebrate the silver wedding of Mr and Mrs William Shand, both of whom are old and respected residents in the district. The company assembled consisted mainly of early settlers or their descendants. The accommodation, although, .not small, was taxed to its utmost limits, friends beins: pr-esent from far and near in honour of the event. Songs, duets, recitations, etc., were rendered arid yearly sill present contributed an item towards the evening's enjoyment. Tha Maxor oi MojsgieL £% £. A;lkcni

proposed the health of Mr and Mrs Shand in a. happy speech. The toast was received with much enthusiasm. Mr Shand replied and warmly thanked the visitors for their expressions of- goodwill, at the same time expressing regret at tbe unavoidable absence of Mr Kirkland, their nearest neighbour. He also regretted the absence of the Rev. Mr Kinmont, who waa slightly indisposd, but was gratified at the presence of his good lady. A happy evening was brought to a close by the singing of " Auld lang syne," and all went home regretting such pleasant gatherings were not more numerous.

At the last meeting of the Mataura Presbytery a call from "Waikaka to tho Eev. G. &. Howes, M.A., signed by 35 members and 28 adherents, was laid on* the table. After discussior the Presbytery sustained the call, which was accepted by Mr Howes. The induction was fixed for Wednesday, 28th inst. 1 : at North Chatton.