PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2791, 2 October 1907, Page 27

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr William Barclay, of Abbotsford, has been appointed underviewer at the Nightcaps mine in the place lately filled by Mr Joseph Frame. • v

'Private advice has been received in Dunedin afating that Mr .Robert Hay, C.E., expects to leave London on October ll en route for Dunedin. -

An Association telegram states that the death of Mr John J. Williams occurred at Holritik* on September 24. The deceased, who was a prominent Mason, was for many years licensee of the Cafe de Paris Hotel. He was 75 years of age, and. a native of Merthyr-Tydfil, South Wales.

Ob Friday, September 20, a surprise party of Foresters from Court Bruce waited upon Mr John Murray at his residence, Milton, and presented Mr* Murray and himself with a cotiple of rocker armchairs. Bro. M'Faul made the presentation. At Kaihiku on Friday, September 20. a valedictory soeiftT-wos «ivetf to Mr and .Mrs. P. A. Walt. To Mts Ty*ft woe presented' a silver tea,, set and to Mi W*tt, a gojd, albert chain. , The Gore* St*ndai£ announces the "death of ' Mrs Andrew Martin at {he age 0f .74 yean. -The deceased lady wa!s born at Stirling, and was married in Victoria in 1868. Four years ago Mrs, Martin celebrated her golden wedding. ! Dr, Lillie, *t s on.c time locum tenena at Wyndhsm -for Dr Rogers, hu disposed of bis practice 'at Riversdale to'Dr "Walt, who has been practising in the Clutha district. James Keith, aged 76, broke his leg in two places a fortnight- ago, at Clyde, rendering amputation necessary. Notwithstanding his j advanced age, Keith is reported by the Dun- ! stan Times as " getting on splendidly." The Rev.' F. Nichol, who was _ until recently pastor of .the Bavensbourrie Congre- | gational Church, has received anq accepted a hearty and. unanimous invitation to the 1 pastorate of tli« Beeohworth ' Church (Vie). , Mfc.By the- death of Mrs. Sewell, which oc-1 curred.on September 23 at Oimaxu, the hand j of Time h»» removed one of tfihe earliest residents of the town. Mrs Sewell was the | widow of the late Captain Sewell, and arrived wjth her husband in the colony in 1858, and after residing for about three years at Portobelio. near Port Chalmers, came to Oamaru in 186r. Mrs Sewell has therefore resided in the town during the past 46 years — from the date of its 'infancy, for Oamaru at that far back date was not even a town. The deceased lady had the misfortune a few weeks ago to slip and break her leg, and th© ultimate result of this was her death. The family — two daughters and two sons — are residents of Oamaru. An Association message says that an old identity of Auckland, Mr Thomas Cbee-eman, father "of the curator of the local Museum, died- a.t his residence, Remuera, on September 28rd^ at the advanced age of 92 yeaars. He arrived in New Zealand in 1854. "the Rev. J. M. Howie, a, passenger by the "Wimniera for Australia, was found dead in his cabin during the voyage. Death was due to natural causes. He joined the Wimmera at Dunedin."" The- rev. gentleman, who was an M.A. of Aberdeen, "and 79 years of age, recently came from Adelaide on a visit to his danighter, Mra J. Dalmores M'Donald, of Dunedin, and died while on his return journey. Mr "William Jardine. late deputy oversman at the Nightcaps Coal Company's mine, lenves shortly to ta&e employment at the Huntly Colliery, in the Nortli Island. It is the intention of the Nightcaps residents, with whom he is very popular, to make him a presentation in recognition of the bravery displayed by him at the recent ruining disaster.

A gloom has been cast over the Cvomwe'.l district by -the uutiinelj- death of Mis Grcodger, wife of Mr James Goodgsri The deceased lady, who was only 39 years of age. was born at Poit Chalmers, but resided at Cromwell from her youth. Being of a quiet and unassuming nature, she was greatly admired a«d respected by a wide circle of friends throughout the district. Dearest amongst 'hear numerous relations who are left to mourn her loss is a young family of three. The funeral, a private interment, took place in the old cemetery on September 20, the Rev. Father Hunt officiating at the

grave. A visitor to Rotorua at present is Mr W. B. Maxwell, who claims to have been the first guide in Rotorua away back in 1869. He is over 70 years of age and has seen much active service in the navy, having been present in the Crimea ?nd the Indian Mutiny and in New Zealand iv 1860, serving on both the west and east coasts.

Two ex-New Zealanders were among the defeated candidates at the recent New South Wales election. Mr Eden George, at one time Mayor of Christ-church, was defeated for Aphburham, a seat he represented in the last Parliament. The other was Mr Walter Bennett, a Wairarapa man.

A very old colonist in the person of Mr James M'Lean, passed away at his residence, Waikaia, on the 16th ult. Deceased wa-s 71 years of age and came from Scotland over 40 years ago. He settled in Waikaia. -where he pursued his calling, that of a carpenter. Death was due to that terrible malady, cancer, and it came as a happy release, for deceased endured much suffering. The late

Mr M'Lean possessed many good qualitiei and was very popular, having the utmos Tes-pect of all with whem he came in contact The remains were interred in the Waikaii cemetery, a Highland funeral being -eccordec to deceased. Four sons and two daughter: (all grown up) tire left to mourn their loss. - Captain Foster, of Christ-church, who wa: to have commanded the team of riflemen tha will represent New Zealand in the Erapin Match, to be fixed at Sydney next month has found it impossible to make the trip Lieut-colonel Creswell, of the North Canter bury Rifle Battalion, who has been a promi nent range officer of the New Zealand xßifl<x Rifl< Association for several years past, has beei given the command. The team will leavi 'Wellington on October 4, and the meetini 'will begin on October 18, and extend "U October 28. / The death is announced at Nelson of Mri Hammerich, relict of the late Charle; Hammerich, at the age of 90. Deceased came out with her husband to Nelson in th< year 1842, and passed through ail the perils and hardships that the early settlers had tc contend with. « She leaves one son, Theodore at Onehunga, and two daughters (Mrs Egers of Upper Moutere, and Mrs George Stout of Palmerston North), thirty-three grandchildren and thirty-five great-grandchildren. A. Waaganui. telegram siatea that- an <AA resident named William Hogg, aged 70 years, was. found dead in his room on Septembei 27. He had been living by himself for souk time. A very old resident of Owaka,. in the person of Mr. John Hctran, at one time, a pioneer of the Tokomairiro Plain, died suddenly at Owaka- on September -22 in his -eeventy-thirc year. Mr Horan at one time resided neai Akatore. and used to drive bullocks to Milton- with timber. " i The death of one of the oldest pioneers, in ths person of Mar William Gardiner, of Galloway Flat, occurred last we«vk in the Dun-sta-n Hospital. He was an old-age pensioner, being 70 years of age. Arriving in the early goddnelds days, deceased followed the occupation of a miner until old age compelled him to retire from work. The Otago Harbour Board has appointed Captain Maxwell, master of the Whangape. to be pilot at- Port Chalmers. A Wellington telegram states .that Mx Nicholas Alarchant, a former .city engineer oi Wellington, died on September 27, aged 71 years. The deceased came to New Zealand [ under engagement to Messrs Brogden and Sons, who built some of the railways 'under tha Vogel public works policy. ' The death at Christchurch of Mr George Lumeden is announced. Born in Edinburgh, he arrived in Invercargill from Geelong (Victoria) on December 16, 1861, by the < steamer Oscar, wrecked at the New River Heads. Mr Lumsden was in business in Dunedin some years ago. He/ had been for many years in business in Christchurch, and was managing ' the business of the late Mr George Lumsden in Invercargill during his father's illness, but after his death be returned . to Christchurch. fio 'leaves a widow, two sons, and one daughter. Mr I/umsden was 61 .yeajrs ofyage. - J - - . , A Chxistchurch telegram states that Ladgr Plunicet; hooorazy colonel of- T&Oi A Rftgixneni North Canterbury Mounted Hides, will inspect her regiment at Gulverden on October 11. The march past will take iplace at noon, and the- luncheon at 1 o'clock.' There, will be sports in the afternoon. T&e. death, is announced by tbe Press Association of the Rey..D- "Durrien, many years pastov of- St. Thomas's Anglican Church, Auckland. Deceased had been- in, failing health fox some months past Lieutenant-general H. L. Dorrien-Smith, C.8., D.5.0., commander of the '4th (Quetta) Division of the Southern Army of India, was among the saloon passengers for Wellington by the Ruapehu (says the Dominion). He is engaged in a t°ur of the world, and intends to visit the principal places of interest in the Dominion. -^E V»Mis George Jones> sen., a very old colonise/ passed away on Thursday last at Oamaru in her 87th year, after a short illness. She arrived in Wellington in the ship Arab in 1841. with her husband, who died 10 yeaxs ago. These two pioneers settled at the Hutt, where the conditions of life w^ere, however, at that time, trying in the extreme. Later they proceeded, with two children, -to Tasmania, in a small sailing craft, which went ashore at Nelson en route. They subsequently went to Melbourne and Geelong, which they made their abiding-place for 15 years during the frenzied- golden days. After settling in Queens* land for two years the family came to Canterbury. The deceased lady had been the mother of 10 children, and leaves six who will remember her life and her name with the profoundest respect. These are, in the order of their ages : The Hon. George Jones. M.L.C. ; Mr F. Jones, of Wellington; 'Mrs W. Hood, of Oamaru; Mr Charles Jones, of Christchurch ; Mrs C. W. - Cobke, of Oamaru ; "and Mrs Best.' of Sutherland, New South Wales. The numbers of the * descendants are: Six children, 34 grandchildren, and 25 greatgrandchildren . The induotion of the Rev. J. C. Paterson, to the pastoral care of the Maheno-Incbolmfc Presbyterian Church took place at Maheno on September 27, the Rev. Roseveare conducting th-i service and preaching, and the Rev. M'lvor conducting the induction. In the evening the congregation tendered a soiree to Mr Paterson, and welcomed him to his new duties Warm appreciation was expressed of the Rev. M'lvor, the interim moderator,

i and a purse of sovereigns was presented ta r him in recognition of his labours. Addresses , of welcome xo Mr Paterson were made by , several members of the Oamaru Presbytery, . end confidence was generally expressed for ; the future of the charge. " The death of Mrs Joseph Shore, - at the . residence... of her granddaughter, South Dun- ; edin, removes one who was respected in every : walk of life. The deceased arrived in tho ship Wellington in 1877. Her first essay as ~ * benefactress took place, during the flood on ' the Molyneux in the year '78, when as a nurse ' and attendant to the mothers and children, ■ who took refuge in the church and school, her efforts were untiring. There are a few : widows, but more orphans, living at the present day who saw " Granny " work like «v Trojan in" washing and dressing each victim as they were carried out of the Kaitangata i mine during the disaster of "79. "Granny" ■ was from the day of the explosion (February 21) until noon of the 23rd without rest before she completed her arduous work-in preparing the thirty-third victim for his last resting place. As a. certificated nurse the mothers of 137 babies can vouch for her skill. ' The deceased was the mother -of four sons— three of whom survive^ — and lour daughters. The* sons are all well known in New Zealand*.Two daughters are left to mourn their loss. They are-r esident in America.— Mrs Dr Jl'T«e. Wyoming,' and Mrs Fisher, at present Mayoress of Rock Spring?,<P.A. Tb"fere are 56_ grandchildren* 49 gre«T-gr»ndchildren, and eevea great-great-grandchildren. The Rev. W.> Watson, (Alexandra) has been appointed, moderator of the "Mount IdaPresbyterian Church, the charge being at present Vacant, owing to the, resignation of ■One Bey. J. M-'Cosh Smith, MA.. B.D Christchuioh papers record the death" of Mr James Doyle, of T&i Tapu, an esteemed! settler,- wHo came to New Zealand in 1861. j Mrs George Sutherland, one of the few re- * nlaining or.ginal settlers in the Sefton district, died a few days ago." aged 74 years. Mr' G. Lang (of the Inveroargill Courthouse staff) and Mr. Joseph Rogers (clerk of j the. court at Gore) axe shortly to exchange 1 offices. / Thursday last, the day which saw New • Zea-land" elevated to the status of a. Dominion, 1 was also by » noteworthy coincidence" the twentieth anniversary of the «ritry of the first Prime Minister of 'the Dominion into public life. 'On September 26, 1887, - Sir Joseph Ward, then, a- young man of 30, waa ; first elected a* member {oar the Aw»ru» electorate, tiie distriot which- lie nowrepxfeeents.' j The Press Association agent at Auckland wires tb* following item of mail news: — < "-Dr Ellwood Mead; formerly State engineer of Wyoming, and later Professor of Irrigation and Engineering at Colorado Agricultural college, and alUrwards Chief of the Bareau of Irrigation of the .Departmnet of Agriculture, has accepted the position of ciief of the irrigation investigations 'for Australia, tA » salary of 15,000d0l per annum, and will leave for Australia in about a month." Dr J. M. Bell, director of the Geological j Survey, is at present in America. He will I proceed to' England next month, arriving in London about the 15th. , The death i* ♦nnouneed this week <*f ' Mr Thomas , Hinchliff, who was fox a great many years registrar of births, deaths, and -marriages, also registrar of electors, at Port CKalmers. Mr HinchliJf, whose x age was 79 years, died on September 11 af wahroongft, Ne*^ South Wales., Mr Andrew Kinross, of- Invercargill. has a surprising record in connection with admin-istei-fcig the waste lands of the Crown in ■ Southland. He was appointed a member of ; ' the Southland Land Board in 1878 by the late Hon. Mr x Ballance. When his term expired,, ho was not retuppointedt by the late Hon. Mr Rolleaton, but in 1885 he was reappointed by ,Mr Ballance. He was subsequently reap- , pointed* by the Hon. G. Y.r Richardson, then? by the late' Sit John jßf 'Kenzie, tfae-n by the j Hon. Mr Duncan; and' the Bon. MTM'Nab in May last. He has sat under six chief commissioners, three of whom are dead. He has never missed a- /meeting of the board i through illness.