PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 65

PERSONAL ITEMS.

A Thames message states that Mr P. E. Davis, of the Waihi Company, has been appointed electrical instructor at the Thames School of Mines. Messrs Alexander' Palmer, who- was for fourteen years proprietor of Wain's Hotel, Dunedin, and James A. Duncan, late of the Empire Hotel, Timaru, have entered into possession of Warner's Hotel, Christchurch. The death of Mr W. Gye, aged 72 years, which occurred at his residence at Clyde the other day removes (says a correspondent) another early settler. He went to Clyde over 50 years ago, and with the members of his family always helped for the good of the town. He leaves a widow and an adult family of seven sons and four daughters." . Mr T. Arthur, of Wellington, late traffic superintendent of New Zealand ra' ways, and formerly station master and district traffic manager at Dunedin, has received advice by cable that his son, Mr _S. Harcourt Arthur, has been successful in massing his third professional examination in medicine, and in class examinations has secured first and second-class honours. ' The death is reported in the Taieri Advocate, of Mrs Prain, relict of Mr George Prain, which took place on Saturday morning. Mr and Mrs Prain arrived in the Silistria in 1860. Mr Prain erected the sawmill for Mr A. J. Burns at the site of the present woollen mills. Mrs Prain is survived by three daughters—Mrs J. Fleming (Abbotsford), Mrs J. Logan, and Miss Jfrain, and two sons—Mr George Prain (Dunedin), and Mr J. T. Prain (Invercargill). The North Otago Times understands that a requisition is in course of signature asking Mr R. Milligan to become a candidate for the Oamaru seat at the forthcoming general election. Our Naseby correspondent states that Miss Selina Guffie, of Enfield, .near Oamaru, has been recommended' by the School Committee for the nosition of mistress of the- Naseby District High School. There were three other applicants. Our Wellington correspondent states that Major J. G. Hughes, D. 5.0., who was laid up with an attack of scarlet fever, has resumed his duties in the Defence Department.

A Wellington message reports that Captain F. D. Seabourne, of the steamer Cranley, who was admitted to a private hospital in Wellington when the vessel arrived from New York in March, died on May 24. aged 52. He leaves a widow and two children in Bristol, England. Mr Kenneth Cameron, District Health Inspector, who, ever since tlie commencement of tlie Public Health Department in 1900, has supervised the public health work of councils and their inspectors throughout Southland, was promoted several months ago to be District Health Inspector for the extensive Otago province as well, under Dr Ohamptaloup. So far Mr Cameron has carried out from Inveroargill his work in this very large district, but is now under instructions to transfer to Dunedin as being more central. _ Mr Cameron, during his long residence in Invercargill, has taken a man's part in the life of the community. In addition to carrying out

his important official work with ability and tact, he found time, thoygih necessarily not so much in recent years, to further the interests of many institutions. He was one of the principal founders of tihe Highland Society of Southland, which was largely instrumental in inducing the late General Sir Hector Macdonald to visit the colonies. Mr Cameron was one of the principal founders and also honorary conductor for a number of years of the Southland Pipe Band, a popular organisation which achieved considerably mere local note. The success of the Young Men's Bible Class Union of some 250 members, of which Mr Cameron was secretary, was largoly due to his ability, and tho amalgamation of the union with the existing Y.M.CA. has contributed very materially to the present and prospective success of the latter institution. He also teok a. keen interest in the Dramatic Society, and achieved some success as a, runner. Mr Cameron leaves for Duncdin in the course of tho next few weeks, but his duties_ in Southland will necessitate frequent visits to that district. It is understood that tho members of the Otago police district intend to make a presentation to ex-Inspector O'Brien at the beginning of next month.

At a meetintr of the Maoandrew Road School Committee, held on the 25th May, Mr Wm. L. Walton, of Outten street, Dunedin, at present employed in the Temuka District High School, was selected as seoond assistant in the Macandirew Road School.

Mr C N Scu.rr, solicitor, who rccentlv passed his LL.B. degree, was on May 25 admitted by his Honor Mr Justice Wil'iams as a barrister of the Supreme Court. The death is reported at Waimate of Mrs Bruce, wife of Mr Archibald Bruce, at the age of 82 years. Mr and Mis Bruce arrived in the Strathfieldsay in 1858, iind settled, at Waikouaiti, afterwards residing at Otepopo till 1878, when they went to Waimate. In the midst of the jubilee rejoicings at Lawrence there died one of the pioneers, though he was' not among the earliest, having arrived in J. 862. This was Mr Olaf Adam Sutherland, who had attained the age of 84 years. He was something of a recluse, and was somewhat peculiar in his manner, and his saving disposition made him rich. It is a noteworthy circumstance (says the Tuapeka Times) that one of his. early mining mates arrived from Australia to take part in the jubilee celebrations, and was greatly grieved to find that his old chum had passed away,] and he had only the melancholy satisfaction of looking upon the features of his old comrade as they reposed in death. Mr Cecil Duff, of the staff of Messrs Tonkinson and Wood, solicitors, was on Friday admitted by his Honoir Mr Justice Williams as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand.

The Rev. W. H. E. Abbey, of Roxburgh, during the pas'! r:onth' has been confined to bed at Most; a suffering from the ■ consequences of a severe chill. His progress towards recovery is slow, and it will be some three or four weeks before he will he able to resume his circuit work. News has been received of the death at Nelson of Mrs Mary Catherine Jones, in her eighty-seventh year. The late MrsJones was in the early days a resident of Milton, her husband having been manager of the branch of the Bank of New Zealand in that town.

Mr A. J. Thompson, manager of the Outram bianch of the Bank of New Zealand, who is leaving Outram for Mataura, was, on Tuesday, the 23rd May, tendered a complimentary social evening. Fully 70 people assembled. Mr A. Chishobn, on behalf of the residents, made a complimentary speech, and then presented Mr Thompson with a handsome dressing case, suitably inscribed. Mr D. Wyllie, representing the ..ladies, presented Mrs Thompson with a case of fruit knives. Messrs D. Wyllie (chairman), Doherty (Taieri County Council), F. G. Hartley (school committee), G. Withers (Bowling Olub), and Mr Hawkins (who succeeds Mr Thompson in Outram), all spoke of the many good qualities of the guest of the evening. Mr Thompson made a characteristic reply, and Mrs Thompson also feelingly replied on her own behalf.

The golden wedding of Mr and Mrs W. M. White, of Beaconsfield parade, Albert Park, Melbourne, was celebrated at their residence on the 21st April last in ifche presence of a large number of friends and relatives. Mr and Mrs White were married at Lincoln, England, on 21st April, 1861, and. arrived in New Zealand in 1865, whither Mr White was attracted by the gold rush at Gabriel's Gully, Otago. Going to Melbourne in 1888, Mr White was soon successful in having a patent filter put on the market, and subsequently secured a contract from the Victorian railways to supply filters to all railway stations in the State. This contract has been retained up to the present ttime. Mr and Mrs White have received many congratulatory messages.

Mr William Benoni Parker. J.P.. died suddenly on Thursday night (says a Blenheim wire). He was born in London in 1837. and came it© New Zealand in 1861. After spending three years on the Otago goldfields he came to Marlborough, where he had since resided. Be was one of the founders of the Methodist Church at Blen heim, and at the time of his death was trustee and senior circuit steward, was also chairman of the Wairau HospiitaJ Board and the Omaka Cemetery Board, was member of the Omaka Road Board for 26 years, was a member of the Marlborough Education Board, and was an ex-couincillor. On Wednesday evening he delivered a public lecture on his early experiences in Victoria, where for some years he had resided before coming: to New Zealand. Deceased loaves a widow and five sons. At Friday afternoon's meeting_ of the Taieri County Council Cr Blackie made feeling reference to the loss which the district had sustained in the death of Mrs Prain, mother-in-law of the county clerk. The speaker also referred to the lamented death of Mr W. Kirk.

An invercargill message states that Mr J. R. Brown, who is well and favourably known in Southland, more particularly in farming and commercial circles, has accepted the position of manager of the Ashbunton branch of the National Mortgage and Agency Company. Mr Brown is an Invercargill boy, and was educated at the Central School. He was first employed as a lad in a lawyer's office, and later in the J. G. Ward Farmers' Association, where he spent eight years. When that institution went into liquidation Mr Brown was one of three employees who were retained by the liquidators, and he remained in their service for three years, leaving to join the National Mortgage and Agency Company as shipping clerk in 1898. Since then. Mr Brown has sat at

■every desk in the office. About six years ago he was appointed auctioneer for tha company, and has remained in that position ever since. Mr Brown has made himself very popular amongst Southland farmers, and by them and others he will be missed. Miss L. Barker, Christenurch, harpist to the late Exhibition Orchestra, has been engaged as harpist to the Sheffield choir orchestra for the whole Dominion tour. Miss Barker Leaves Christchurch for Auckland on 14th June. Advice is t 6 hand that the Rev. W. Wooding, 8.A., of London, with Mrs Wooding (sister to Mr Asquith, the British Prime Minister), intends to visit New Zealand in tho coining spiring. ; The residents 6f Goodwood turned out in large numbers on Thursday evening to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Mullaney and family prior to their departure for Sockburn, to which district Mr Mullaney is being transferred .by the Railway Department as station "master. The gathering was one of tho largest and most representative ever witnessed in Goodwood. Mr Roderick Cameron. J. P., presided, and( referred to Mr Mullaney's many services ta the district. _ On behalf of the residents of the district and others the Chairman presented Mr Mullaney with a handsome travelling rug as a token of the respect and esteem in which he is held by the people of Goodwood. The health of Mr and Mrs Mullaney was then toasted with musical honours. Mr Mullaney, in returning thanks, stated that he had done nothing more than his duty, and that he had to thank them for their kind remarks and good wishes The evening was then sgtan<b . in progressive euchre, and later on songs were given by Messrs J. Carruthers and G. Byrne and a step dance by Mr D. Munro.

A Sydney ca.blo announces the death of the Rev. Mr Anderson Gardner, Presbyterian, formerly in charge of the Bluff church. The reverend gentleman was at one time a. resident of- Port Chalmers. Some month's ago Mr Percy Haytor, a farming cadet, who is an offioer in the Fending Mounted Rifles, made a goJJaa* rescue of Mr dames Fittom from being gorged to death by a bullock on Mr T. Sooble Cornish's property at Kiwitea. The Australian mail brings word that the RoyaJ Humane Society has awarded Mr HavtoJ the bronze medal in recognition of h:j bravery. Mr W. S. Percy, the well-known comedian, who was in Wellington with the New Comic Opera Company, is to leavo Sydney for London by the Macedonia on June 17. Mr Percy has secured an engagement from Mr George Edwardcs, the Gaiety manager, and as he is a clever, conscientious, and hard-working mummer should do well on the English stage. He will bo accompanied by his wife, • who is a sister of Mrs A. E. Donne, of Wellington. Mr J. Arnst, brother of Mr R. A mat, champion sculler of the world*, left Wellington far Sydney on Friday by the Ulimaroa. He is to accompany Fogwell to England next month to act as pacemaker during! the training operations preceding the rnoa with Barry, the English champion. Our Arrow correspondent reports thai Mils Reid, wife of Mr James Reid, died at Invercargill on Saturday last. The lady left Arrowtown about a fortnight ago to visit a daughter in Southland', and while there sustained a paralytic stroke. The late Mrs Reid was one of the okkst residents of the Lakes District, and was highly respected. By a former husband (the late Mr James Hamilton) she leaves a largo grown-up fam'ly. The remains > are to be taken to Arrowtown for interment. A large and representative gathering at?sembled in the Kaihiku School on Friday. evening tn bid farewell to Mr amd Mr* George Johnston, jun , and Miss' Johnston, the local postmistress, who are severing their connection with the district. A long and varied, programme of music, songs, and recitations was gone through, and then Mr W. Niool (chairman), in a neat and felicitous speech, presented Mr Johnston with a dressing case, Mrs Johnston with a. set of furs,, and Mr J. F. Ay son presented Miss Johnston with a nice travelling rug. The Rev. Mr Williams presented Master! Crc; : l and Mifs Kathlren Johnston with a writing case and girl's companion respectively. Mr Malcolm, M.P., and Messrs 6. Stewart and J. Wilson also addressed the gathering. Mr Johnston, in an excellent! speech, returned thanks.