PERSONAL ITEMS

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 23

PERSONAL ITEMS

Dr Self, the able Governor of German Samoa, and Mrs Solf, are at present in Wellington. Major J. G. Hughes, of the New Zealand Defence Forces (once a Timaru boy), who wont to England a few months back, has been attached to an Irish regiment for training. Mrs" E. Best, widow of the late Rev. E. Best, died at her daughter’s residence, Takapuna, Auckland, a few days ago. She came to New Zealand in 1879 with the late Mr Best, who was a well-known minister of the Methodist Church. The Press Association reports that the Auckland Presbytery has decided that the call to St. Stephen’s Church, Ponsonby, be sent to the Rev. Isaac Jolly, of Palmerston North. The mail which arrived on the 11th brought intimation of the death at Kelvinside, Glasgow, of Dr T. S. Crce, brother of Mrs William Brown, of this city. Dr Oree (says the Glasgow Herald) had a singularly, alert brain and cultivated an admirable controversial style, which ho exhibited mainly in the discussion of his favourite subject, economic science. It was as an opponent of John Stuart Mill that he first came before the public in 1866 as a critic of economic theory, and from that time forward he followed with increasing interest and increasing critical power the march of events and the development of things political and social. Ho became a widely-known newspaper correspondent, for in addition to the Glasgow Herald, to the columns of whi-dh he was a frequent and valued contributor, he wrote in The 'Times, Spectator, and Westminster Gazette. Dr Cree’s papers wore published in pamphlet form, and were circulated in thousands and tens of thousands. They were even translated into French and German, and were noticed in the writings of British and foreign economists. The Press Association reports that Mrs Drummond, wife of Mr Peter Drummond, one of Wellington’s most respected residents, died at the family residence in Buffer -street at an early hour on the 11th instant. The deceased lady was born 70 years ago at Port Logan-, Wigtownshire, Scotland, and came out to Invercargill by the ship Robert Henderson in 1862. In the following year she was married to Mr Drummond at Invercargill, where she and her husband continued to live for a few years. They then removed to Auckland, and later -on to the West Coast, going on to Wellington 37 years a-go. For several years past Mrs Drummond has been confined to her house with illness, and her death was not unexpected. The deceased lady has left a family of six sons and four daughters. The sons are Messrs Peter Drummond (Johannesburg). David Drummond (Euluwayo), Alexander Drummond (Wellington), William Drummond (Wanganui), Charles Drummond (M-arton), and George Drummond (Springfield, Canterbury). The daughters" are Mcsd-ames W. Jennings, Arch. Wilson, George Blake, and Miss Drummond. Mr Harry Drummond, one of the eons, died about a year ago from injuries received while playing cricket on the Nairn street Reserve. \ Our Wellington correspondent advises that Dr M ‘.Arthur, senior -magistrate at Wellington, will leave- on a holiday trip to England this month. The Press Association reports that the Wanganui Hospital Board on the 12th appointed Dr James Reid, of Mangonui, to the position of house surgeon. Mrs Lindsay, of Wanganui, was appointed matron to the Wanganui Orphanage. The Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Railways, will leave on a trip to Australia on M-a.rcih 18. He will visit Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. One of the obi-act® of His trip is to inquire into the railway method® in the various States. He expects to be absent about a month. Mr Justice Denniston was entertained by the Canterbury Caledonian Society on Tuesday, 11th inst., and, in responding to the toast of his health, remarked (says the Lyttelton Times) that -he bad almost attained hi® judicial majority. The following month would complete 21 years of service on the Bench of the Supreme Court. Reference was also made by his Honor to a. report that ho intended on his return to New Zealand, 12 months later, to resign his position. Speaking with characteristic humour, his Honor said that someone, entirely without his authority, had drawn up a programme for him for a couple of year® or so, and had telegraphed it r-11 over the Dominion. It appeared that he was to go to England and then to Scotland, and at the end of his year’s holiday resign and take up his residence in Scotland. “ I assure- you,” he said, “that I have not the •slightest intention of resigning and staying in Scotland.” Mr Sidney Kidman, the Australian “cattle king,” is on his way to New Zealand on a holiday trip. A cablegram from Perth states that Mr Thomas Riscley. the pioneer discoverer of gold in West Australia, is dead. Dr Burnett left Balclutha by exprests en route Cor Rana'iora, Niorth Canterbury, where (says the Clutha Leader) he has purchased a practice. A London message advises that the Rev. Bertram Pollock, master of Wellington Collage, succeeds Dr Sheepshanks, who retires from the Bishopric of Norwich. A Gisborne telegram states that Miss Cora Anderson, of Stratford, who was trained in -St. Helens Hospital at Auckland, has been appointed matron of the Townley Maternity ’Home. The following resolution was unanimously carried at' a general meeting of the State Miners’ Union, -held in the Miners’ Hall, Runanga, on Tuesday, 11th instant (says our

Grey mouth correspondent) : —“That the best thanks of the members of the State Minors’ Union be tendered to Mr P. J. O’Regan for the appreciative part ho played in helping the State miners in their recent trouble, feeling that in the settlement arrived at he played his part well, and the best wishes for his future welfare asre the feelings of the State Miners’ Union." The death is reported of Mr George Mackie, the well-known saw mi Her, of Makarov.'a and Stewart Island. He came over from the island on the sth inst., being then in excellent spirits and health, and the cause of death was probably heart disease. He was 65 years of ago and many years ago was* engaged in the sawmilling industry at Tokcmairiro. The Kaitangata correspondent of the Free Press reports the death of Mr Hugh M'Farlane, which occurred on Wednesday 12th inst. Mr M‘Farla.nc was 85 years of age. He was a well-known personage about the district, and at one time took a prominent part in local politics, and was a member cl the Kaitangata Borough Council for many years. Fie was an enthusiastic bowlei’7 and was to he seen constantly on the green up to a .couple of months ago, and his cheery bice will be much missed by the Kaitangata bowlers. Dr F. 11. Hotop has passed the final section of the F.R.C.S.. degree (London). A Wanganui message states that the Rev. J. D. MTvenzio, M.A., 8.D.. lato of Colac, Victoria, was inducted on the loth into the pastorale of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church. Herr Bcnno Soherek, the well-known pianist and concert manager, is at present on hie way to South Africa from Melbourne. lie is to return in May to manage the second tour of Signora Carreno, the great pianist, who visited New Zealand two years ago. Canon Pollock, an Anglican clergyman bound for New Zealand, who reached Sydney a few days ago aboard the R.M.S. Orvieto, from London, said in the course of air interview' that the Anglican Church was now largely interesting itself in evangelical work. Ho was now acting as advance guide for 15 clergymen who will shortly travel out for special evangelical work in Now Zealand and possibly Australia. The death is announced in Milton of Mrs Bernard Healey, at the age of 70, a resident in the district for over half a century. Mrs Healey was a native of Galway, and cams to the Dominion with her husband (now deceased), and settled in, Tokiomairiro. A family of four sons and three daughters survive heir. At a ©pedal meeting of the Lytileton Harbour Board on the 13th, Captain F. W. Hunter, of the Union Steam Ship Company’s Maori, was appointed to the position' of second pilot at the port. Thor© were (says a Press Association message) 28 applications for the position, and the number was reduced to three before a final selection was made. .Captain Hunter is 38 years of age, and his services at sea cover a period of 23 years, eight of which were served in sailing ships, and the remainder in steamers. He has been 13 years with the Union Company in various grades, and during the past four years ho has been master of the Wainui, Rotoiti, Penguin, Pateena, Taka-puna, Konnata, and Rotomaharfa. He has been master of the Maori for the past 19 months. The diamond wedding of Captain John Paton and Mrs Paton was celebrated at Port Chalmers on Tuesday, the 11th inst. ■ The couple were married on January 11, 1850, at Monikie, Forfarshire, Scotland, and a unique circumstances, connected with the ceremony was the presence of Mra Carson, Waikouaiti, niece of Mrs Paton, w'ho was present at the marriage 60 years before. Many friends and old identities were also present. Captain Paton is a native of Arbroath, Scotland, and was horn in August, 1823, and Mrs Paton in the same year. He left Dundee for Capetown and Melbourne in 1852, as master of the Thomas Worthington, which he left in Melbourne and took command of the Clut.ha, owned by Messrs Moss and Kilgour. Later he joined the Thomas and Henry as chief officer under Captain W. Thomson, succeeding that .gentleman in charge of the same vessel, and bringing the first cargo of sugar to this port from Mauritius. After trading on the New Zealand coast for some years, ho joined tbs Otago pilot service in. 1862, remaining there for 34- years. He resigned his position in 1896. Mrs Paton followed her husband out to Melbourne, and afterwards to Dunedin, in the Gil .Bias, m 1856. There are two sons and four daughters and 18 grandchildren alive. The Rev. Dr Nicolson conducted a short and appropriate service. Mr Be Mans,’ as Mayor of the town, wished the old couple continued health and happiness, and congratulated them on reaching such a good old age. Mrs Paton is the second sister in her family to see her diamond wedding, her only brother living also some years after celebrating his golden one. Among the passengers by the Mamma from Sydney to Wellington were Miss Dibbs, daughter of the late Sir George Bibbs; end Mr W. J. Hordern, of the firm of Messrs Hordern Bros., Sydney. Mr T. 11. Ibboteon,, for many _ years connected with Waikaka district, died in Hastings a few days ago as the result of a severe attack of influenza. Mr Ibboteon had bean in failing health for some two years past. The death, of an old settler, who formally years was one of the host-known farmers on the Waimea Plains, Mr Alexander Shsod, occurred on the 10th at his residence near Gore. Deceased for many years took an active interest in the viariou® organisations for the benefit of the district in which be lived, and was also a prominent member of the Gore A. and P. Association for a long period. A London message advises that Mr Stanhope Forbes, (% well-known artist, has been elected a member of the Royal Academy, and Mr Bar wen Wood and Mr William Orpen associates. A Sydney cablegram announces the death of Mr Phil. Sheridan, manager of the Sydney Cricket Ground. On her last trip from Preservation Inlet the s.s. Invercargill brought back among her passengers Dr Fox, who is well known to many people in Invercargill and Dunedin as a cricketer. Dr Fox in now in Dunedin to transact business connected with a substantial legacy that has come his way. At the same time he is carrying a portmanteau that is heavy with mineral specimens. He has (says the Southland Times) a reef that is in many ways remarkable, and from which h© expects great things, and he proposes to ask the assistance of Dunedin speculators in forming a company to work it. Dr Fox

is in excellent form, as jovial and breezy as ever. He still asks warmly after the friends he made when he played cricket for Southland, and still talks with glee about the historical defeat of Otago in which he participated. A Wellington message states that Mr Edward Rc.ag-rc, we.l known for many years in foundry and engineering circles, died on Saturday night, aged 66- He came to Wellington 40 years ago, ,and was father of the engineering industry in Wellington. Cabled advice has been received to the effect that Dr Fergus, late of the Wanganui Hospital, has passed the examination for the qualification of F.R.C.S., rnigland. Mr Wallis, until recently accountant to the Union Steam Ship Company at Westport, has left to take charge of tbs company's branch at Lautoko (Fiji). Mr T. MacGibfcon has been appointed to act as the Southland Education Board’s representative on the Otago Training College Board of Advice. The other members of the body are the Hon. T. Fergus, Inspector Goyen, and Professor Giiray. A Press Association message states that Mr Torlesse, manager of the Union Bank at Hastings, was presented by the Mayor, on behalf of clients, with an illuminated address and a purse of 100 sovereigns on the occasion of his departure to the management of the Waimate branch. Mr Beaumont Read, the well-known alto singer, died at Adelaide suddenly on Wednesday, tlio sth inst., aged 77 years. He sang at the Sydney Exhibition on Christmas Eve, 1874, and afterwards toured Australia with Madame Anna Bishop, Charles Lascelles, and others. _ The death occurred at Hokitika last week of Mr Warren, sen., who has been a resident of the Coast since 1865. Ho was present at the opening of the Kumara rush. Among a wide circle of friends and acquaintances the deceased gentleman was highly respected throughout his life for his upright, manly _ * Dr Hocken, who has been in ill health for a. considerable time, left for Melbourne by the Marama on Sunday, accompanied by Mrs Hocken. The visit, which will bo only a short one, is taken in the hope that the sea voyage to Melbourne and back will have a beneficial effect. Notwithstanding his illness, Dr Hocken lias, under great; .'difficulties, devoted every spare moment to work in connection with the preparation of the books and pictures which will form the library that is to hear his name. He has -had a great deal of binding done lately, and has had framed a large number of pictures, lithographs, etc. To the latter jhe has had affixed explanatory notes, written by himself, which will add largely to the interest taken in the pictures. We trust that, he will return greatly benefited by the sea trip which he has taken. ‘The Rev. 1U Stewart, of Greymouth. has been elected Moderator of, the W 7 estland Presbytery. Mr Justice Den mist on was a passenger by the Manuka, which left Wellington for Sydney on Friday. Captain Newton, (says our Wellington correspondent) is on his way to his home in Auckland. He is an applicant for the position of harbourmaster at New Plymouth. Mr J. B. Fielder, registrar of the Diocese of Waiapu, has been presented with his portrait in oils in recognition of _ his long and faithful services to the Anglican Church. He has (says a Napier message) consented to the picture being hung in the Cathedral vestry. Captain B. Head, who recently distinguished himself bv climbing Mount Aspiring and Mourn t Soften, passed through •'Christchurch last week, and is returning to England, via Australia. For Mr William Moll, who died at Ross last week (says our Greymouth correspondent) is claimed the distinction of being the oldest Freemason in the Dominion. He was initiated into the mysteries of the order over 62 years ago. An Auckland message states that a. representative public meeting decided to present Mr 11. W. Northcroft, S.M., on the occasion of his retirement, with a public testimonial in recognition of his soldiery ability and the uprightness . and unwavering integrity displayed by him during the past 50 years as a soldier, gold mines warden, and stipendiary magistrate. Mr W. En;~om, manager of the New Zealand Express Company’s Ti mam branch, has decided to retire, and will soon take up his residence in Christchurch. His first connection with the company was in 1884, when he opened a branch at Christchurch. Mr Arthur Alexander Isaacs, son of Mr Alfred L. Isaacs. St. Glair, has secured the R.A.M. Club’s prize for reading and interpretation. The syllabus of the Royal Academy of Music, London, contains the following, from which it will be eee Hat this prize is awarded only in strictly meritorious oases “ Prize, 10 guineas, competed for annually by male and female students. The Committee of Management reserves to itself the power to withhold the prize if, in the opinion of the examiners, none of the competitors have attained a sufficiently high standard.” Word has been received that Dr T. W.

———■ w Wilkie. late of the Hamilton Hcspifca\ North Island, has obtained the 1.R.G.0-degree, degree, Edinburgh Before returning to New Zealand Ur W ilkin intends, in the interest of his profession, travelling on tlva Continent and through CanadaMr T. Ashton, who has for years been an active figure in the Borough of St. Hilda, interesting himself in local government, church work, lire brigade, as well as taking a prominent part in athletics, has removed with his family to Geraldine, where he ir opening in business. At River.3da.le last Thursday evening Mrs Wilson Mall was the recipient of parting gifts and good wishes when a surprise party waited upon her. Mr Smaill, who was spokesman, said, he had known Mrs Hall since her arrival at Riversdale when a girl, and since then she had passed in their midst through the various stages of girlhood, wifehood, motherhood, and widowhood, earning the respect and esteem of all who enjoyed her acquaintance. He then presented Mrs Hall with a purse of sovereigns. Mrs Hall has purchased a proparty at Oamaru, and intends to reside Writing of the departure of the Rev. Mr Gather wood for his new charge at Maralcakaho, H awke ’s Bay, one of his lata congregation, from Kokcnga, says MY Gat bar wood faithfully and acceptably ministered to them for the past 18 month®. General regret is felt at the severance of the tie, as Mr Gallic rwood was a preacher of great eloquence and power. At his farewell service, which was a solemnly impressive one, he appealed to all to aim at higher ideals, in thanking all for their kindnesses he made special mention of the joy it gave the preacher to see so many, young men attending the services. Previous to Mi- Catherwood’s coming they had not attended in such numbers. The death of Mrs Logan, - wife of Air Robert Logan, of Maritanga, at Dunedin on the 11th inst., leaves a blank in the community in which she moved. She was a lady of strong Christian character, of a lovable, bright, and generous disposition. In church work and everything for the social good of the community she took a very active part. Much sympathy has been ■felt for Mr Logan and his three sons ir their bereavement.