PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 25

PERSONAL ITEMS.

A Balfour correspondent writes to the Southern Standard: — "There was a l-ather unique incident in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday week, when there were four generations of the family present at the christening- of the infant son of Mr Herbert Mears The great-grandfather (the venerable Mr- Edward Mears, of Ardlussa) and grandfather (Mr W. W. Mears) were present, in addition to the father and son. The Rev. J. Lymburn was the officiating clergyman."

Mr John Grant has been appointed registrar of births, marriages, and deaths for the West Taieri district.

Dr M'Kibbin has been appointed public vaccinator for the Catlins district.

The Tablet states that the following clerical changes in he dioceso of Druiedin tako effect this week: — Eov. Father Howard, from Poit Chalmers to the administratorship of South Dunedin; Ilev. Father Hearu, irom Gore to the pastoral charge oi» Port Chalmers ; Key. Father O'Neill (Invercargill) repiaC'S9 Ee-v. Father Hearn aa assistant priest in Gore. At the Greymouth Borough Council meeting test week it was resolveß to forward a. letter to Mi' Kenrick, S.M., and Inspector Wilson, congratulating them on the brave stand they took at the Murehkon tragedy, and expreesing the pleasure of the people of Greymoiuith that they had by their cool and courageous behaviour prevented a greater calamity and loss of life. Mr Edward E. Hardoastle, a native of Dunedin, is now assistant actuary of the Union Central Life Association of Cincinnati, U.S.A. He was for come time on the staff of the New Zealand Government Life Insurance Department. Ten years ago he went to America, where he has made rapid progress in the life insurance world. A few weeks ago fife was married to the daughter of one of Cincinnati's prominent residents.

The presentation to be made by citizens of Wellington to Mr J. <i. W. Ailken, M.H.Jt., in recognition of his services to the city as Mayor, will take Hi? form of a gold watch and albert, to cost about £150. The order for the watch has been forwarded to England.

Mr E. Buna is steadily recovering from the injuries he received at Mnrchison recently, and he is expected to be at home again in the course of a week or two.

Mr John Sawers, of Wellington, has been appointed manager of the Edendale Dairy Factory, in succession to "his brother, Mr James Sawers, who is rejoining the Government service. i

Dr Bell arrived in Hokitika last week, and immediately made arrangements for the continuation of his research in the Arahura Valley. The Bruce Herald states that Mr William Turner was seized with a stroke of paralysis on Monday night. He has been unconscious ever since, and no improvement has taken place. Although his condition is very critical, his medical attendant (Dr Sutherland) has still hopes that Mr Turner will recover.

Mr M. M. Rosingrave, the famous Irish athlete, has now left the activity of the athletic world for the business counter, and has opened a hairdressing and tobacconist's shop in Timaru. Mr W. Houghton, who arrived at Wellington from England by the Athenic last week, is from the London branch of the National Bank of New Zealand, and comes to the colony as one of the bank's inspectors. He is accompanied by Mr Houghton and their three daughters. Mr TV". J. Foote, for some time past assistant relieving officer in the Dunedin district of this Government railways, has been appointed, stationmaster at Fordeli, in the "Wanganm district. He leaves Dunedin on the. 21st imsit. to take up his new duties. Thie Taiftri Advocate states that Mrs John Eenton, who died at Mosgiel on Monday, 14th, came to the colony in the Palmyra, m ISSB, and settled iv the Taieri on {.he property now known as the Mossbtirn estate. She was highly respected, by everyone. Her husband pre-deceased her six years ago. A larg« number of relatives sure left to mourn their loss.

Mr T. A. Mac Gibbon, son of Mr T. MacGibbon, Matau^ra, has (says' the Ensign) passed (wit'a honors) his final medical examination at thie Edinburgh University, being one of the six highest graduates who had the privilege ■of competing for the Allen scholarship. Mr MaoGibhon has taken special honors in clinical surgery and' medicine, and holds the B.A. and B.Sc. degrees oi Oiago University and M.B. and Ch.M. of Edinburgh. He does not purpose* returning to the colony in th© meantime, having bsen offered the position as eecond assistant in thie Dundee Infirmary, which he will accept -with a view to obtaining larger practical experience. Mr John Stewart, stationmaster at Stratford, has bean transferred to the charge of the Mosgiel Railway Station, vice Mr KeTr recently deceased. Mr Stewart, whose unfailing ccautesy to the publio has made him very popular, is vc-11 known on the Otago section gi .railways He occ'AßieJ. th« nositipn of

slationraasier at "Waikouaiti for many years, after which he was promoted to Waimate, being again promoted and u-ansferrecl to Stratford three and a-half years ago. Mr J. B. Campbsll, who succeeded Mr Stewart at Waimate, has beeu appointed $o fill the vacancy at Stratford, and Mr J. 0. Croft, at present at Fordeli, near Wangauui, will take charge of the Waimate Siation. > Miss Gertie Campion, who contratced coil- } sumption in ''South Africa, and for a couple of years Jbtis beeu incapacitated in Johannesburg, was (says the Wellington correspondent of the Cliristchurch Press) a passenger from Caretown to Hobart by the Athenic, transhipping at the latier port for Melbourne. Mis 3 Campion is very ill indeed. She spent on an average 16 hours a day on deck in all kinds of weather, and lutl her meals served on deck every day. She appeared slightly better towards the end of the voyage, and was able to walk about a little. Miss Campion was accompanied by hsr mother and sister. Mr Samuel Young, of Owaka, who has been a resident of the district for 29 years, during 20 years of which time he occupied the position of elder of the local Presbyterian Church, was tendered a farewell social on Tuesday evening prior to his departure for the Tuapeka "West district. The function, which, was of a representative nature, was well attended, and was decidealy successful. The speakers, of whom there- were several, spoke eloquently in praise of Mr Young's valuable services to" the church and to every good cause in tne district. During the evening Mr Young was presented with an illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns, Mr and Mrs Young with a silver tea and coffee service, Mrs Young with a lady's companion, a purse, and a card-case, and Mr and Miss Young with a Bible and . New Testament respectively. [' After evensong on Sunday evening, " St. Matthew's Chapter of the Brother- • hood of St. Andrew met in the vestry, and presented Mr H. Gill (their director) with a gold-mounted fountain l>en on his leaving Dunedin to take up duties nt Invercargill. The Rev. "W. CurzoivSiggers, in making the presentation, referred to the inanv good services done by Mr Gill in conrcrhoi. with the- brotherhood. Mr Gill very ;' ft'eKng'.y responded. 1