PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 33

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The Rev. John Craig, of Sefton Presbyterian Church, is spending a month's holiday in the south. He is at present staying at Milton. His Lordship Bishop Nevill was a passenger for Lyttelton by the Manuka, which sailed on the 28th. Mr J. J. Ramsay, whose name is familiarto mest residents in the provincial district* of Otago, in which his -whole life has so far been spent, has decided to remove to the North Island. . | A Press Association telegram from Palmer--sfcon North states that Miss Dougherty, matron of the Palmeiton North Hospital, -who is resigning after 15 years' service, i\as entertained on the 28th by tie -medical and general staff, from whom N she received a presentation. A movement is on foot to secure public recognition of her long and faithful service. Mis 3 Liha.s E. Haggilt has been advised from Wellington that she was successful in passing the matriculation examination. The name of Miss Haggitt appeared in the Wellington papers as Saving pa-seed, but it was apparently overlooked when the results were telegraphed to the Dunedin papers. Miss Alice Eva M'Lay, of Dunback, has also been advised that she has passed the matriculation examination. Miss Shand, a native of the Thames, at j president Tesideni in Auckland, recently i passed the examination as an Associate Member of the Institute of Accountants Not only did she come out at the head of the list (saj's an Auckland Associaitic-n message), but she is the first lady in New Zealand to obtain this status. Mr and Mrs Thomas Brown, of West Oxford, Canterbury, celebrated their golden wedding on January 21, when a number of friends met at the residence of Mr Jan^es Brown, of Craigielea. The health of the aged coup^ was toasted with musical honours. They were also the recipients of a well-filled purse vf sovereigns and otner valuable presents Irom, their family and friends. The Rev. Dr Erwin. of Knox Church, Christchurch, intends leaving in March on a visit -to Great Bri+am, and will be absent from the Dominion till November. This (says the Press) will be Dr Erwin's tirst visit Home since he came to New Zealand 25 years ago. During the period mentioned, with the exception of c few months spent m Auckland, Dr Erwin has been in charge of Kncoc Church. Hearing that a requisition was in course ot signature asking Mr W. B. Scandrett, the Mayor, to stand at next election for tha representation of Invaroargill, a member of the staff of the Southland Times waited on that gentleman v to ask if he intended to be a candidate. Mr Scandrett's reply was that i he was sensible of the honour proposed, but he would not oppose Mir Hanan. If tha-t gentleman from any cause was not a cancli- I date, be (Mi Scandrett) would very likely comply with their request. Mr Scandrett also said thai he intended to be a candidate for the mayoralty again, and if he were elected the duties of that position wouM take up all his time. Dr Hocke-n was a passenger foi Lyttelton by the Marama on the 29th ult. He will be absent on holiday for about a fortnight. The death occurred at Mount Roskill on the 29th ult. (says an Auckland Association message) of the Rev. A. M. Beattie, Presbyterian minister, aged 73. He laboured for many years in the Canterbury province, prin- I cipally at Ashburton. | At Waimate on the 26th ult. there were ttoo ceremonies of great importance to those concerned. One of these was the laying of the foundation stone of the Roman Catholic Church, and the other waa the induction to the cure of the Rev. Father Aubry, S.M. Dr F. A. Scannell, who qualified for the degree of MB, Ch. 8., at the recent professional examinations, left on the 29th ult. for Mawaro, neiax Timaru, whore he intends to spend a brief vacation prior to taking up his professional duties. At "the meeting of the Education Board on. the 29th ult. Mr T. Mackenzie, M.P., and the Hon. T. Fergus were reappoir.ted to represent the board of the Otago High School's Board of Governors, and Mr A. M'Kerrow was similarly appointed in respect to the Waataki High School. ' The death of Mr James Holms, of Waimahaka, is reported. Mr Holms* for many | years managed with great success Teviot, and afterwards Glenham Station, near Wyndham, and when he relinquished its management resided on his magnificent property at Waimahaka. He was a noted breeder of Rominey Marsh sheep, and spent much money and skill in the introduction of Hereford cattle. His services were much in request as a capable judge at shows, and his disposition was such an amiable and kindly one that he was universally liked. i An Auckland Association message reports | that Capt. Nearing died on the 28th ult. at the age of 78 years. In recent years the deceased carried on a large business as steve- I dore on the Queen street wharf, for which his long nautical experience well qualified i him, but his connection with the port dates back to the days in the sixties, when, he was one of the most popular skippers of Henderson and M'Faxlane's Circular Saw line. As master of the barque Novelty j he made many fast passages between Auckland and Sydney, and was famous for crowd- j ing on all the canvass fri« clipper craft could I bear with safety. Members of the legal profession and of the Dunedin Law Debating Society mus^eied in force at the City Hotel on the 28th ult. to say their " well-wishes " to Mr C. E. Davey, who has been for some years a hardworking member of tho society. Mr R. | Sinclair, who occupied the chair, referred in I eulogistic terms ta the enthusiasm of Mr i Davey in the interests ot the society, and expressed the regret of its members «.t losing their guest's help and companionship. The Chairman then presented Mr Davey with a " caveat " against the encroachment by a common trespasser — to wit, " Jack Frost," — in the shape of a valuable rug, that should assist in rebutting the assault of even the eager air of Naseby and its surroundings. " Success and health" to the parting guest i were then, drunk with musical honours. Mr Davey, in •expressing hia appreciation of this practical illustration of the good feeling existing amongst the law students, referred to the honourable profession they were, or hoped to be, members of, and the necessity that each one should assist personally in preserving it untarnished. Mr Davey leaves Dunedin to practise in Naseby. Chief Detective M'Uveney, of the Police Commissioner's office, who contracted a severe attack of sciatica through sleeping in a damp berth on the steamer in which he was conveying D. C. M'lntyre from South America to England, is still bedridden in Auckland. He was granted leave ot absence to visit l Rotorua for the benefit of his health, but w*s unable to get further than Auckland when he had a recurrence of the attack. He is now improving, and it is hoped h« will be able to- go on to the thermal xegious at an early date. Akaroa is about to lose two of its prominent r«*i<ienife— the Rev. Dr J. A. K«nn«dy, who for some eight years bu been in charge of St.

Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, and tha postmaster, Mr H. W. Dawson. vi Kennedy who is to take a position at the Christchurch Cathedral, is esxeemed by many outside his 1 own church for his warm interest in local institutions. His residence in Akaroa has been marked by the establishment of a day school in connection with the church and the erection of a convent for the Sisters of Merc 3". Mr Dawson, who is to be transferred to Onehunga, has been for more than 28 years m charge of the Akaroa Post Office, - and has been a most popular cificer. His Lordship Bishop Verdon, assisted by the Rev, Father Coffey, Adrn., officiated at . the ceremonies of profession and reception ' at St. Dommick's Priory on the 28th ult. (says the TabletV There were present in the sanctuary Rev. Fathers M'Lnei-ney, S J., Listen, and Morkane. The young ladies professed were Miss R. Oakley, Palnier«ton North (in leligion Sister M. Hyacinth), Miss A. Mpjlin^ Tu.apeka (in re lgion Sister M. Fmbay). The young lady received was M.S3 Mary Steunton, Clifton (in religion Sister M. Monica). Word has been received in Lawrence of the death of Mr John Cormack, which occurred at the Hamilton Hospital, in the North Island, -wheie he had been staying with a married daughter. The "ate Mr Cormack (says the Tuapeka Times), who was a , prominent figure in the mining industry in Tuapelra in the early days, was a native of Caithness, Scotland, where he was born in 1837. As a young man he served his tirc-e I to the wheelwrighting and carpentering trade. I and at the age of 34 arri\ed at Dnedin by ■ the ship Robert Henderson in the year 1861. After woiking for a short tim-e at his trade in Dunedin, he foiind his way to' Gabriels Gully, where- he stayed urifil attracted by what uas known as Fox's rush, near the Arrow. At this he was very successful, and later, returning to the Blue Spur, he bought into Morrison and Co.'s claim, and also acquired an interest in the Great Extended, acting as manager in' 'the latter for some time. Later he went in for railway contracting in North Otago, in which undertaking he was fairly successful. He next turned his attention to land speculating in the same district, but, unfortunately, the depression in land values, which occurred throughout the colony at that time, proved disastrous to him, and he- returned to Tuapeka. After remaining a short time the roving spirit again seized him, and he went to the North Island, where he has for some time past been working at his trad©. He wast a particularly well-informed man, and in the early days of Tuapeka took a keen and prominent part in political matters. He leaves a family of eight daughters and two sons, all "frown up, three of vhe former — namely, Mrs H. Cameron and Misses Elizabeth and Isabella Cormack — being residents in the Lawrence district. A Sydney cablegram states that the Chief i Commissioner of Railways has left by the Mokoia on a visit to the Dominion. At a meeting of the Hospital Trustees on Wednesday evening, Mr William Stewart, of invOTcaigiU, was appointed dispenser at the HospitaJ. I Mr E. Rawson, c.erk of the court at Master-ton, who ha<3 bean appointed S.M. Warden at Westport, is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court, and has had 28 years' service in th« Justice Department. He has had considerable experience both-^p magistrate and warden court work. Dr "Alexander Todd M'Caw, who began his medical course at the Otago University, and has been studying latterly at London 'Hospital, has passed the final examinations entitling' him to the diplomas of the Royal College cf Physicians and Surgeons j(L.RC.P., M.R.C.5.).-By cable. Dr T. Harrison, who qualified for the degree of M.8., Ch.B., at the recent professional examination, has been appointed medical officer on the N.Z.S.S. Company's Opawa. Dr Harrison leaves the. boat at London to continue his studies in medicine. Sir John Madden, Lieutenant-governor and Chief Justice of Victoria, accompanied by Miss Madden and Colonel Campbell, arrived in Dunedin from Christchurch on the 31st ult. After a stay of a day or two Sir John and" party leave for Lake Wakatipu. They are due back in Melbourne on February 15. -s- The death occurred on the 18th mat., at Lingen Hall, Herefordshire, of Caroline Gertrude, relict of the late Hon. William Gifiborne, author of " Rulers and Statesmen of New Zealand." Colonel Campbell, who is accompanying I Sir John Madden and Miss Madden on their I New Zealand tour, was formerly in command of the Sxissex Regimsnt. and has served with distinction in various campaigns. Colonel Campbell acoanpanied the flying column that set out to relieve General Gordon at Khartoum in 1882. Mr A. Wilson has intimated to the directors of/ the New Zealand Times that h© desires to be relieved of his editoiial duties at the end of .February. Mr Wilson will shortly leave the Dominion for the Home I Country. probably towards the end of March. The Post says that the Hon. J. A. Millar will remain in Wellington until the middle of February, when he wiLl go south on depe-rt-I mental business. He will "visit Port Molyj neux to decide how best the grant on the last Estimates for removing the rocks there can be spent. William Trane Pe>"low, an old resident of Pnkekohe. died suddenly on the 30th ult. Ihe i deceased (saya an Auckland Association message) had been under medical treatment for about three weeks. He was said to be suffering from the effects of an assault As Dr King declined to give a certificate as to the cause of death, an inquest is- ta be held. X Another of the decreasing number of old identities, in the person of the late Mr 3 Thomas Fairbairn, or Anderson's Bay, has just paaed away at the age of 80 years. The deceased lady arrived in Dunedin in the Jura in 1858. After spending some years in Dunedin, she made her home on the Peninsula, where she ever since resided, and was one of the oldest residents. She was greatly respected by all who knew her, and until her death was the oldest member of the Anderson's- Bay Presbyterian Church, at which she was a regular attender. Mr James Burtt, a well-known and respected resident of Auckland, died on the 30th ult ; aged 80 years. The deceased (saysI an Auckland Association message) had Ween | an invalid for some time past, the cause of death being heart failure. In 1850. shortly after arriving in New Zealand, he became « partner in the mercantile firm of Bain and Burtt, the first-named partner being the father of Mr W. A. M. Bain, of Whangarei. In 1853 he retired from the firm and bought a farm known as Paer«.ta, five msles from Drury, two of his employees being shot there ' during the Maori war. After the war Mr Burtt came to live at Remuera, and resided j there for som-s years, and later in Auckland. -5- The Bruce Herald has obtained some inferesting reminiscences from Mrs M'Grouther, a resident of Milburn, who is 79 years of age, and was a passenger to Otago m the Strathfieldsaye in 1868. She- was born in Perthshire, Scotland, within half a mile of Lord Breadalbane'a- seat, in the North of Scotland, and waa 10 years younger then her ' brother, t&e late Rev. Dr Stuart, of Knox 1 Church, Dunedin. There- wa* » big passenger list, and iwt a- great deal -of comfort, and both M»> WGr-nnthac- a*rd 'her infant

' were near to death's door on the voyage. I It was to her a. terrible experience, but | she received many kindnesses at the handa of her fellow passengers. There seemed to ' be a want of organisation in regard to the dealing out of supplies on the ship, and many got very short rations, While others got more than their shar«. A round robin was signed complaining of this before the passengers landed. Thoee who had got a full ration refused to sign, but the great majority | did sign, and thoee who did were quietened by receiving a payment of 30s each. Then those who did not sign were sorry they had not. They got nothing. j News ha-s been received (says the Press) of the death of Mr Liiscombe Searell, which took place in London in D-ecember last. Mr I Searell came from a musical family, his i brother, Mr R. Trist Searell, being well j known as a bandmaster and a conductor. Mr i Searell was a oomposev oi no mean abiliiy, | His opera, " Bobadil," which was produced at the Christchurch Theatre Royal some years ago. was noticeable for the excellence of its music. He was «lso tli-e composer of a cantata, " Australia," which was produced by I the Chriatehurch Musical Society some time i ago. The latest musical composition by hiai j is " Mizpah," which has bsen successfully l produced in Arnerioa, and is to be staged shortly at the Lyceum Theatre, London. At once time in South Africa Mr Searell controlled nearly the whole of the theatres, but j the breaking out of the Boer war caused a I considerable loss of property to him. Mr siearell waa in South Africa for many years, but latterly he had been living in London. His mother is residing in Christchurch, and , his brother, Mr Trist Searell, is in Southland. Mr Fred Meggett, who was stationmaster i tiz Methven, Canterbury, has (the Ciutha Leader reports), at his own request, been transferred to chief olerk at Clinton. Mr David Hutton, of Wanganui, left "Wellington by the Marama on the 31st ult. to join the Orotava at Sydney in pursuance of hia trip to the Continent. Mr R. J. Hendrie, who managed the Waipahi Estate for Mir Tolmie for some time, has (says the Ciutha Leader) been appointed manager of the Mount Pisa Station. Mr JD. P. Porteous, who has been chief clerk in the Palmerston Post Office- for | about four years, and has been promoted to i kelson, was met on Tuesday evening (saya the ! local Times) by a number of friends for the purpose of formally saying good-bye. The Mayor (Mr E. H. Clark) presided, and presented Mr Porteous with a case of pipes and an inscribed gold-mounted walking-stick. On the 27th ult. Mr D. Ferguson, ,vho has been head master of the Palm-erston District High School for the past 10 years, was entertained at a valedictory social. Mr D. Ross (chairman of the Waihemo County -Council) presided, and, with a number of congratulatory remarks, presented Mr Ferguson with a purse of sovereigns, and Mr 3 Ferguson with a purse also. Mr Ferguson was one of the promoters of the local Bowling oiub. Mr Ferguson intends to remove to Temuka. tJn the 27th ult. ex-Bandmaster "Woodi was entertained at a social by the Wyndham Band and the public prior to his departure. Mr Wood was presented by Mr Porter, on behalf of the band, with an inscribed marble clock, and by Mr Miller with a medal, on behalf of the residents. Many complimentary things were, said of the manner in which Mr Wood had raised the band to a high position. From the Southland Times we learn that Mr Gordon Macdoruald, son of Mr J?. M. Macdonald, and graduate of the Otago School of Mines, has been appointed lecturer at the Westport School of Mines, during the absence of the principal on four months' ho'idays. Mir Macdonald, who is only in his twenty-third year, was an unusually good student, and received his present appointment on the recommendation of Professor Park, of Otago University. Mr G. MacNamara, chief postmaster's clerk at Invercargill, has received notice- of his transfer to the accountancy department of the G.P.O. at Wellington. Mr MacNamara is "(says the Southland Times) to be- congratulated on his success in getting into what is regarded as the best branch of the serviea. He will leave Invercargill- in two or three weeks. His going will leave vacant the post of secretary of the Irish Athletic Society, a position which he has filled to his own credit and the society's- advantage. The parishioners of St. Mark's (Wellington) have decided to show their appreciation of the Rev. J. G. S. Bartlett's work amongst them during the last few years by entertaining him at a farewell social, and (says the Dominion) presenting him with a purse of sovereigns. Preliminary arrangements were made at a well-attended meeting of parishioners, Mr W. H. Meek presiding. The social is to be held: . on Friday evening, February 14. During the last year of his curacy at St. Mark's Mr Bartlett has been virtually in charge of the parish. He leaves for his new parish at Oamaru about February 18. Mr Owen M'Ardle, manager for Messrs Staples and Co.'s brewery business, Wellington, was taken suddenly ill at Masterton on Friday, and died at 8 o'clock on Saturday morning. — Association. Mr T. W. Ponsonby, who is leaving Greymouth, after 15 years' residence, for Timaru, where he joins the- firm of Cray and Co-., was entertained at a banquert, and presented with a magnificent gold hunting watch as a memento o! the high esteem in which h<» is held by the citizen-s of Greymouth. A Press Association telegram stales that Mr A. P. Webster, manager of the Bank of Australasia at Wellington, has been appointed chief inspector of th« Bank of >ie* Zealand, in place of the late Mr H. Bethune. Mr R. H. Coupland, advance representative for West's Pictures-, arrived in Dunedfn on Saturday evening to make arrangements for the opening of the seasoni in His Majesty's | Theatre ora Monday next, 10th inst. A pleasing ceremony took plao© at th» Customs House on Friday, when the late collector (Mr C. Chamberlain) was presented j by the officers of the department with a fine prism binocular glass as a mark of respect and esteem during his long tenure of offi.3© in the department, he having been in Dunedin 27 years, during 20 of which he had occupied the position of collector. His successor (Mr Sibbald) mad« the presentation, and, in a short speech, alluded to Mir Chamberlain's long service in the department of over 40 years, and the faithful discharge of his duties during that tim-e. He conclad-ed by hoping • that he would live long and enjoy the rest of his life. In a felicitous speech Mr Chamberlain replied, and hoped he should see them all from time to time, as he intended to live in Dunedin. He thanked tbf>m all for the fine present. Mt John K. Hartley, A.T.C.L.. organist of Mornington Presbyterian Church, has been appointed accompanist to tha. Dunedin Choral Society. Dr Eleanor Southey Baker commenced d.utv on Saturday as locum tetnens for the medical superintendent of the Northern Wairc»a Hospital. She is believed (says an Association message from Dargaville) to be- th» first lady I doctor te occupy such a position, in the Dominion. Prior to his hurried departure from CnriatI ckurch for Dublin, Dr Tifccfet informed! * [ reporter of the- Pr«sa that- b» intended to

T contest th« LyfcteltoH seat at th« HiS| election. He would return in about' F^sS months to vigorously prosoute his gKEsagaj It is understood that Dr Thacker's ticket vilJ» be Independent Labour. '^JtS The recent death of Mrs John OugilsT* of Boslyn Lea, East road, recalls (to $,3 Southland Times) many interesting naui&is? cences of Southland's early historr, At jjzV back as 1856 (before Invercarjill r ftistcrft began) Mrs Oughton settled wstk bits hii^l band at the farm on the Bast road, wnea*\ she spent nearly half a century of he* life? the only break being a few years in thO, Wyndham district. For many years hex horn«" at Roslyn Lea was the only building between* Invarcargi.il and Mataura. and many a way* farer, tired, footsore, and hungry, received hospitality at. her hands, Mrs Oughion'» generosity being free'y extended- to squaitte* and swagger alike. Tb« deceased lady reached the age of 85 3'ears, and leaves & grown-up family to mourn their loss.

The English mail, delivered in Dunedin yesterday, brought news of the death of Mrs Fenton, widow of the late Venerable Archdeacon -Fenton. Although Mrs Fenton had not been resident in Dunedin for some, six or seven years, yet in view of her connection with the city in former years She musi be- reckoned amongst its old identities, and the news of her death will be received with regret by many. Having fully completed he! fouT-score years, she passed away peacefully, without any suffering, at the residence o{ her son in London, who- had made a horn* for 'her, and tended her declining* years. A» far back as 1852 &h« cam* out to Now Zea< land to be married to the Rev." J. A. Fenton, who was then the incumbent of S. Paul's, and tha only Church oi England clergyman, in Otago and Southland. After a visit trfEngland the family returned to Oamaru, of' which district the Hey. J. A. Fenton was made archdeacon. Dunedin saw them, again in 1890, and many old friendships were renewed and new ones formed. Mrs Feutoa could point to a spot in Princes street, nof very far front the Octagon, where in olden times she fell into a bog, and was extricated only after much difficulty, leaving a shot behind in the mud. Her husband predeceased her same nine years ago. Two children survive*—Mrs Battray (well- known in journalistic and ambulance work in Auckland) and the Hey. H. O. Fenton (senior curate of All Saints', Sydenha-m, London), who is engaged to be married to Miss M. F. Old,* of ForesHill.