PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 29

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr Duncan Stout, a son of the Chief Justice, is now (says our Wellington correspondent) a M.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P. of London.

A Christchurch messages reports that Mr R. Tait, assistant postmaster, who is retiring on superannuation after 44 years' service, was presented last night with an album signed by the chief officers in the Postal Department throughout New Zealand.

A Palmerston North message states that the death is announced of Dr Maclntyre, who had been in practice there since 1884. He was for some years surgeon to the Palmerston Hospital, and also to the local lodges of Foresters, Oddfellows, and Druids, with which he was connected up to the time of his death. Intimation was received in town on Tuesday, May 31, of the sudden death at Kelso of Mr Charles Young, head master of Caversham School. The late Mr Young for some time suffered from rheumatics, and took advantage of the midwinter vacation to go to Kelso for expert treatment. The actual cause of death is not known, and as Mr Young had not been medically attended for a considerable time it is possible that an inquest will be necessary. The deceased gentleman was a few years ago, on the retirement of Mr Milne, promoted from the position of first assistant to that of head master of the Caversham School. He has been for many years connected with the school, and has endeared himself to scholars and parents alike, and his loss will be greatly felt. In addition to the part he played in the Cadet and school life of Caversham, Mr Young was an elder of the. Presbyterian Church and a prominent member of the local bowling club. He was, cut. off by sudden death in the prime of life, and is survived by his widow and a daughter. A London message advises that the Rev. Lionel G. B. J. Ford, head master of Repton. has been appointed to. the head mastership of Harrow. A Westport message reports that Mrs R. A.. Young, wife of the engineer to the Westport Harbour Board, was found dead lying on her bed, where she had gone for a rest, about 5 o'clock on the Ist instant. Her family includes Mr H. A. Young (SM. at Queenstown) and Mr G. H. Young (Government irrigation engineer, Ota go). Reporting the death of Mr Charles Young, head master of the Caversham School, at Leask's Private Hotel, Kelso, on May 31, the Tapanui Courks- says Mr Young had taken advantage of the school holidays to go to Kelso to place himself under Mr M. Guinan's treatment for a bruised ankle. Before breakfast Mr Young secured hot water for shaving, and 1 returned to his room and was not seen alive again. After a prolonged absence Mrs Leask went to search for him, and found him dead. The doctor ?,nd police were sent for, and it is probable that an inquest will be held. The deceased was a member of a well-known Taieri family, and brother of Mr D. Young, farmer, Artburton. He was about 48 years of age.

Mr P. B. Macdonald, borough engineer for Mataura. has (the Ensign states) resigned on account of most of his time being occupied at Stewart Island, which does not permit of his giving the borough work as much attention as he would like to. The members of the Naseby Presbyterian Church met on Monday, May 30, and in a most enthusiastic manner decided to invite the Rev. E. Adams to be their minister. Mr Adams is (says the Alexandra Herald) at present supplying in Cromwell, but he has signified his intention of accepting the call, and will probably take up his duties in Naseby at the latter end of the month.

On Friday, May 27 (says the Bruce Herald; Mr T. Casserly was entertained at a social gathering held at Clarksville. As Mr Casserly lias decided to leave the district, his many friends and acquaintances thought it proper to make some small recognition of his many kind and neighbourly actions. Mr John. A. Duthie, of Milton, was voted to the chair, and during the evening presented Mr Casserly with a case of silver-mounted pipes, a silver match pox, and tobacco pouch, and hoped he would be long spared to enjoy them. The death is announced in Invercargill of a very old oolonist in the person of Mr John Campbell, who passed away at his residence, Elles road, on May 27, at the age of 80 years. The deceased, who was born in Dunkeld, Scotland, arrived at Port Chalmers as far back as 1852. He was a carpenter by trade and followed his occupation for some years. About 40 years ago Mr and Mrs Campbell were employed on Hillend station, at that time in the possession of Messrs Denniston and Jamieson, and subsequently he took up a farm at Benmore, and later on removed to Fernhills, which he Left some 24- years ago to go to Waikawa. For some time he had been living in retirement in Invercargill. Mr Campbell was wont to relate the fact that when he first came to Invercargill the present post office reserve was covered with flax, and it was only possible to proceed along Dee street on foot or horseback. A large gathering of residents of Cromwell met on Monday, May 30 (says the Argus) to make a presentation to Mr Felix Donnelly and Mrs Donnellj prior to their departure from, the town. The Mayor (Mr E. Murrell) presided, and handed to Mr Donnelly a double greenstone and gold albert, with Maltese cross, and to M.rs Donnelly a gold necklet, with gold-mounted greenstone heart, and a silver-backed hair brush ?,nd comb. Mr Donnelly was a popular official of the Jockey Club, Caledonian Society, and Football Club, and a member of the Borough Council. Our Oamaru correspondent telegraphed on the 2nd inst., saying that two of North Otago's pioneers passed away on the 2nd June, the best known of whom was Mr Robert Blair, who was born in Scotland some 70 years ago. He spent the earlier period of his colonial life on a station in Australia, coming over 40 years ago to Otago, first working about the Taieri as a farmer, and later in. Oamaru,

I whither he came in 1868 as a labourer and carter, and afterwards setting up as an auctioneer. His business throve so that some 10 years ago he was able to retire from strenuous life with a competency. Mr Blair a&sociated himself closely with locaJ affaire, and was for several years a member of the Borough Council, and for a longer term he sat on the Charito-ble Aid Board. The second death was that of Mr Edward Jackson, who had been a resident of Oama.ru for over half a century. He was apprenticed as a seaman in the ship Philip La.ing, and served on transports during the Crimean and China wars. In the early sixties, after an sdventurous life, he landed at Lyttelton, and came overland on fcot to Oamaru, where he was engaged in the early days on the surf boats. Latterly ho had fallen on adverse times, and was a deserving recipient of the old-age pension. The death is announced of Mr Alfred Beaven, of Brooklyn Farm. Waianiwa, Southland. Mr Beaven settled in the Waianiwa district in the early seventies, and acquired in course of time a considerable area of land, which he farmed on the" most approved and progressive lines. For a number of years he was a noted prizetaker with his famous herd of shorthorn cattle, hut he relinquished the breeding and exhibition of this class of animal some eight or nine years ago. In ea.rli.er years also Mr Beaven made a. specialty of wheatgrowing, a large nortion of his holding being eminently suited for the growing of this cereal. Some five weeks ago Mr Beaven disposed of a block of his farm, consisting of 520 acres, known as Lincoln! to Mr Alex. M'Nab (brother of Mr Robert M'Nab) the purchase price running into five figures. Mr Beaven was prominent iir religious and temperance movements, and some 15 years ago came out as a candidate for the Awarua seat, in Parliament, in oDpesitiAn to the Hon. J. G. Ward and Mr Cuthbert Cowan, but withdrew a few days before the poll. He took a prominent part in Farmers' Union matters some few wars ago. and on one occasion reore-<-.°ntod Southland district at the Dominion Conference, held in Wellington. Some 12 months ago his health to fail, and recently it was gonerallv knownamonsrst his friends that the end ws not far off. He was a man who was highly respected, not onlv in his own district, but throughout Southland. is survived by a widow. Hie only son Arthur died some four and a.-balf years ago, having contracted a chill whilst working in the no-license came nWor to the general election of 1905. On Friday evening, the 27th May. a - r ew youner people met at the viearaee. Middlemarch, to say good-bye to Mr John Hamblin, who is leaving for Dunedin, and to present him with a small token of their regard in the/ form of a greenstone and gold pendant. Mr Ham blip, who has been a verv. useful member of the Anglican Church, will be much missed by both minister and congregation. Rev. Mr Winsfield, in making the presentation, referred; to Mr Hamblin's willingness and readiness at all times to fulfil the several duties which he had undertaken, and wished him success and happiness in his future career. The ex-pupils of the Lawrence District School and the residents of Lawrence and Tuapeka district will make a combined presentation to Mr John Stenhouse, exrector at the Town Hall, Lawrence,, on the 22nd inst, at 7.30 p.m. The presentation, will consist of a handsome illuminated address, roller desk, etc., as a recognition of the work he has done for the district during his 45 years' teachinfi: career. Mr A. W. Hall, the New Zealand flaxmill manager, who has been encaged for the past three years in establishing the milling of New Zealand hemp at St. Helena, has returned to the Dominion. Mr Hall speaks in gratifying terms of his treatment by the island authorities, and of his life at St. Helena. He had the rare experience of sleeping for three nights in Napoleon's library at Longwood. The late Hon. R. H. J. Reeves's family I consisted of Mrs Roy Ellis, Melbourne; Mrs Fred. C. Muntz, Moutere, Nelson; Mrs Richard Arnold, Korere, Nelson; Mrs E. 5. Cresswell, Nelson; the Misses Charlotte, Bessie, and Hannah Reeves, and Mr S Reeves, New South Wales. The deceased's two step-sons were Messrs John T. Clark, of the Inangahua County Council, and Mr 6. F. Clark, accountant with Messrs A. D. Kennedy and Company (Ltd.)., Wellington. A London cablegram states that Lord feelbourne (ex-High Commissioner in South Africa) has arrived at Southampton. In consequence of the closinsr of the Ngapara police station, Constable Field, lately of that district, has been transferred to Duntrcon, where a new station has been opened. A Melbourne message advises that Admiral Poore's term ends in January or February next and that possibly he may be succeeded by Admiral Sir Percv Scott. A Sydney cablegram states that Mr Ohbborn, for 37 years secretary of the jockey club, has resigned owing to illhealth. Last Friday evening there was a large gathering of the residents of the district at the Tawai Schoolhouse (Glenavy) to say farewell to Mr Bringans, the schoolmaster, and Mrs Brigans, who are removing to Clyde, where Mr Bringans has received an appointment. A social and dance was held on the occasion, and during the- evening (says the Timaru Post) the chairman of the committee, Mr F. P. Pelvin, presented to their departing friends a beautiful oak tray and silver wattv juar. Lady Plunket's little son, who was born in New Zealand, has been seriously ill with pneumonia,, but was (says our correspondent) decidedly better when his Excellency left Wellington on Friday. The Roslyn Review puts on record a remarkable case of collective family longevity. It says Mr D. Cameron, of Ann street, Roslyn, has received word of the

death of his brother Samuel (of Nova Scotia). o:n February 26, at the age of 76 years. \This is the first break in the family of nine in 78 years. A Press Association telegram states that at a largely attended meeting of the congregation of St. Andrew's Church, Palmerston North, on the 6th, it was decided to give a unanimous call to the Rev. E. Doull, of Otahuhu, Auckland. Mr G. _W. Bignell, who has been harbourmaster at Hokitika siiree 1886. died on Sunday night, after a protracted illness. He was also secretary to the Hokitika Harbour Board, and was widely known, having been a colonist for over 50 years. He was at one time captain of the tuar Titan, and afterwards of the steamer Waipara. Miss Annie H. Barnett has been recom-

mended bv the committee fov appointmen* as head mistress of the Napier District High School. Miss Barnett's scholastic career commenced at Lawrence, where she was a pupil teacher, after which she was two years a-t Kensington School. After her Normal School course she was mistress at Awamoko. and was then successively oj: Highcliff, and Caversham. She then went to the North Island, and was sole teacher at Port Awanui. and then infant mistress at Dannevirke South. At the Tuapeka Mounted Rifles' annual dinner on Friday evening (says the Tuapoka Times), Captain M'Kinlay intimated that it wa.s his intention after the next camp to- relinquish his command of the squadron., and expressed the hope that someof the members would aspire to the office and in the meantime take steps to qualify for the position. Detective Livingstone, who is now stationed in Christchinrch, will retire ai' the end of this month, after having been in the police force for 35 years. During that period he has been foot constable and) mounted constable, sergeant and detective. He has occupied the last position for tha past 23 years. His work has taken him 19 many different parts of New Zealand. He has been stationed at Dunedin, Green Island, St. Bathans, Cromwell, Oamaru, Maerewhenua,, Gisborire, Lyttelton, Christchurch, and Timaru. He was at the lastnamed town for 11 years. He was specially successful in dealing with juvenile offenders, to whom he showed much kindness and consideration. He served under 11 police inspectors, and has never been punished for any breach of the regulations. His official record of merit contains over, 50 entries.