PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3031, 17 April 1912, Page 66

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr 0. M. Strouts, accountant of the Wanganui branch of the Bank of NewSouth Wales, has been transferred to the Dunedin branch. A Press Association telegram reports that Mr A. C. Grant, station master at Hokitika, died on th e "9th inst. Deceased, who was operated upon on Saturday for appendicitis, had been stationed at Hokitika for about four years. He was 36 years °f a & e - „, , T^" Captain Henry, of the Temuka > Fire Brigade, having completed 25 years' service, has' been presented with a 25 years service gold star from the U.F.B. Association. Dr Emily Siedeberg intends leaving next week for a trip to England and the Continent. She will, be away for nine months. Captain John M'lndoe (Otago) has been awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration. He has had a total commissioned service of over 25 years. A meeting of Methodist officials of Hawera decided to extend a call in 1913 to the Rev. E. O. Blamires. The resolution is subject to confirmation of the quarterly meeting and the annual conference. The -Rev. E. D. Patchett, of the Aramoho Wosleyan Church, who has been transferred to Milton, was entertained by a large gathering of Wesleyans prior to his departure, and was tho recipient of handsome parting gifts. Mr H. M'D. Smith has gone to Invercargill to take chargo of a branch opened there by Messrs Anscombß and Coornbes, architect, of this city. Mr Smith has for the past four years been with Mr Anscombe, and previous to that he was with a firm of architects in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. Another of the old residents of the Oamaru district passed away on the 12th inst. by the death of Mrs Underwood, at the age of 88 years. Mrs Underwood came to New Zealand in the Surat, which was wrecked at Chasland's Mistake, near Catlins, in 1874, all the luggage being lost. With her husband Mrs Underwood went to Oamaru later on. Mr Underwood, who was a tailor, worked at his calling for somo years. Mrs Underwood resided at Hampden for a number of years. About 100 grandchildren survive the deceased. News has been received in Christchurch that Dr L. Cockayne, F.L.S-, has been selected by the Council of the Royal Society of London as one of 15 gentlemen selected for election into the society this year. The fellowship of the Royal Society is one of the highest honours conferred upon scientists in any part of the world. At present there is only ono other fellow of the society in New Zealand, Professor W. B. Benham, of Dunedin. Tho following eminent New Zealand scientists have heid tho honour:—The Rev. W. Colenso, Sir Walter Buller, Sir Julius Von Haast, Sir James Hector, Captain F. W.' Hutton, and Professor T. J. Parker. Dr Cockayne is tho seventh " F.R.S." at present in Australasia. His work has been mostly in ecological botany in New Zealand, and he is the first ecologist to receive the distinction. The Lily of the Valley Lodge, 1.0.G.T., gave a social evening in the Albany Street Hall to Bro. and Sister M'Kinaly, prior to their departure for the Old Country. The D.C.T. (Bro. Moore) presided. In wishing the guests a pleasant holiday and a safo return, the chairman said that during tho 34 or 35 years that Bro. M'Kinlay had been a member of the order, he had always been most loyal and consistent. He had filled every office in the lodge, and had attained the highest honour in the district, that of District Chief Templar. It was thought that the services rendered to the order by Bro. and Sister M'Kinlay were deserving of some tangible recognition. He had pleasure in presenting to Bro. M'Kinlay, on behalf of the Good Templars of tho district, a handsome Roslyn travelling rug, and to Sister M'Kinlay a dressing-case, each article being inscribed with the initials of tho recipient. Bro. D. C. Cameron, P.G.C.T., Bro. Kilpatrick, District Deputy, and Bro. Bremner, 1.P.G., of tho Pioneer Lodge of tho 1.0.0. F., of which Bro. M'Kinlay has been a member for nearly 30 years; also spoke. Bro. M'Kinlay assured the donors that their gifts would bo treasured by Sister M'Kinlay and himself. He had been a member of the Lily of the Valley Lodge for over 34 years, and they had been years of happiness and pleasant memories. Their intention was to have a quiet holiday, after which they were coming back to their family and friends in New Zealand. Games were indulged in by the younger members of the company, and kept going kill close on midnight. An interesting musical programme was gone through during the evening. During an interval in the programme a presentation of a fountain pen was made to Bro. M'Connell, tho winner of tho competition for the best seven minutes' address on total abstinence, held the previous week. A cablegram from London states that Miss Katherine Punell, a Sydney pianist, will make her debut in London on the 16th inst. The Berlin press praise her ability as a pianist. The death of Mr Isaac Wilson, at Branthholme, Sumner, on Sunday, removes another old Canterbury resident, who arrived from Wray, Westmoreland, England, about 1854. His family resided for several years in a slab hut at St. Albans, his brothers, Thomas and Edward, with himself, finding employment in the Papanui bush When work failed there tho Wilson 3 moved on to Kaiapoi, over a then unbeaten track, and the brothers for several years cut with Hand saws many thousands of feet of scantling and boards in the Maori bush. Mr Isaac Wilson next turned his attention to providing for tho passenger traffic, first with an Australian car with a horse in the shafts and an outrigger, and next by a three-horse coach. Leaving tho road, Mr Wilson turned his attention to grain threshing and flour milling, and became a considerable purchaser of wheat for the English market. He formed ono of 13 who tcok up tho first Woollen Company when it was unable to carry on for lack of capital. In 1878 they subscribed a capital ir>f £15,000, and started it into a prosperous concern. Ho became connected with the local Road Boards of Mandeville and Rangiora and Eyreton in IC6B. In 1874 ho defeated the member for tho Provincial Council for Mandeville, and held the position for some time. In 1831 Mr Walbonl succeeded, on the resignation of the Hon. (icw Sir Charles) Bowen, as member of the Houso of Represent utives for Kaiapoi district, in defeating the Liberal candidate, but he shortly afterwards retired ihrough illness. Mr Wilson was a staunch supporter of the Methodist Church, having doi.e much to assist it financially at Kaiapoi and

Woodend. He took a great interest in temperance matters, and had some experience of Licensing Committee work, being chairman of the Eyreton Committee when one of the first hotels was closed, and of the Kaiapoi district when four hotels wore closed. He leaves a widow and family of young children. Mr Robert M'Kinnon, Milton agent for Messrs Donald Reid and Co., has been promoted to the position of chief auctioneer for the firm, rendered vacant by the death of Mi Charles Reid, with headquarters at Dunedin. Mr Fred Liggins, who has been in chargo of the Invercargill branch of the Standard Insurance Company for some years past, has been promoted to the management of the company's West Australian branch, with headquarters at Perth. Mr Liggins will leave for his new position about the end of this month. Mr W. H. Brooks, of the Invercargill office, will take up Mr Liggins's duties at Invercargill. At tlie meetins: of the Draina«>a Board it was unanimously decided, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded) by Mr Farqubarson, to grant formal leave of absence to the engineer (Mr Slinger) for a month in order to reoruit. A motion of condolenoo was also passed sympathising with the family of Mr Geo. Esther, the secretary's father, in their bereavement. The Chairman referred to the deceased gentleman in highly eulogistio terms as an old a.r.d respected citizen. A Wellington telegram advises that Mr Martin Kennedy was on Friday elected chairman of directors of the Bank of New Zealand. Mr John Strauchon, Under-Secretary of Lands (says a Wellington telegram), has boon appointed a member of the Board of Land Purchase,, in place of Mr W. G. Kensington, retired A Press Association message from Christchurch stat«js that Professor F. W. Haslam, who has occupied the chair of classics at the Canterbury College for the past 32 years is resigning on the ground of illhealth. Dr Sophia Child, who will bo acting as locum tonens to Dr Siedeberg during the absence of the latter in England, has arrived from Sydney She has acted as medical officer at both the Women's and Children's Hospitals in Sydney. Dr Siedeberg leaves Wellington by the Athenio on Thursday. Mr C P. Lindegreen, of Hastings, has been appointed organiser for the Opposition party, in succession to Mr R. R. Martin, who has resigned in order to take up other duties. Mr Lindorgreen was secretary to Mr H. M. Campbell, M.P. for Hawlee's Bay, during the last election campaign. The Rev. A. Reader, who has been in charge of Milton Wosleyan circuit for the past three years, was entertained by his congregation at a valedictory .social on Wednesday evening, and presented with a purse of sovereigns, while Mrs Reader was made the recipient of a handsome gold brooch. Mr Reader has been transferred to Stratford, and left for the north yesterday morning. Mr Frederick J. Pownall, manager of the Yorkshire Insurance Company in Wellington died on Friday evening after a brief illness, from blood poisoning (says a Press Association meesage). His brother, Mr C. A. Pownall, of Master-ton, died only two months ago. Deceased was formerly a well known Wellington representative Rugby footballer. Bishop Verdon (says the Tablet) has made the following changes among the clergy of the diocese:—Rev. Father Woods, ./ho has been in Oamaru for tho past two years goes to Invercargill, Rev. Father E. Lynch, who has been acting temporarily at St. Joseph's Cathedral since Christmas, has been transferred to Oamaru, and Rev Father Buckley, of Holy Cross College, has been appointed to St. Joseph's Cathedral. Rev. Father P. J. O'Neill has been aptainted assistant to Rev. Father Keenan, Riversdalo, whose health has not been satisfactory for somo time. On Wednesday evening (writes our Lawrence correspondent) the Rev. Father Collins who was recently appointed to the position of professor in Holy Cross College, Mosgiol, was presented by the parishioners of the Lawrence parish with a well-filled purse of sovereigns, as a token of their esteem ami appreciation of his services as curate during the past two years. The Very Rev. Monsignor O'Leary presided, and, while congratulating his late colleague on his promotion to so important a position in his alma mater, expressed regret at the frequent changes of curate he had experienced during the past six years. Mr J. J. Woods, who made tho presentation, expressed the Catholic congregation's appreciation of the. many good qualities of Father Collins, and of the zealous manner in which ho had carried out the duties of his sacred office. Father Collins feelingly expressed his heartfelt thanks for the handsome presentation made him and for the kindly wishes with which it was accompanied. He also expressed his gratitude to the Very Rev. Monsignor O'Leary for his kindness and consideration and fatherly advice. A very attractive musical programme was submitted, and a very pleasant evening was spent. Another of the oldest residents of Palmerston North, Mr J. Pinkerton, passed away last Saturday, aged 75 years. Deceased was born in Glasgow in the year 1837, and, 37 years ago, he arrived in Now Zealand by the ship Nelson, on that vessel's maiden voyage. Ho first took up residence in Dunedin, and remained there for 15 years, but 22 years ugo ho removed to Palmerston, and remained in that town till the time of his death. The late Mr Pinkerton entered into business two years after his arrival, and he was well known for his cnterprisir.g methods. He was one of the first bo try the possibilities of a motor service delivery in hie business. During his early life in tho Dominion, Mr Pinkerton took a keen interest in political matters. He was also a war veteran, having served in the Crimea, Mr J. ML Ritchie returned to Dunedin on Saturday from a trip to Great Britain and foreign countries. Professor Gil ruth, the newly-appointed Administrator of the Northern Territory, ' loft Melbourno by tho Sydney express on March 29. The Minister of External Affairs (Mr Thomas), professors of the" university, heads of Federal departments, representatives of the Caledonian Society and the New Zealand Society, students of the Veterinary College, and a large number of others, both men and women, assembled on tho platform at Spencer street to bid Professor Gilruth good-bye and wish film miccess in his important work (says the Argus). The students gathering together, joined lustily in a topical song. As the train left the station tho feelings of the

gathering- were expressed in the singing of " For he's a jolly good fellow." Professor Gilruth travelled" from Sydney by the steamer Mataram. which is due to reach Port Darwin on April 15. The Rev. B. D. Patchett, of Aramoho Wesleyan Church, left for his new charge at Milton last week. A Hokitika telegram records the death of Mr Alox. Gunn, a well-known settler of Wataroa; aged 75. Mr S. O. Seltna. a Parse© merchant from Bombay, is a visitor to New Zealand. He is now on a visit to Mount Cook. Mr. F. W. Furkert, District Engineer (Public Works Department) for Otago, who has been transferred to Wellington, left for the north on Saturday. Mr M'Ennis, who succeeds Mr Furkert. will arrive in Dunedin early in May. Mr Alex. Gorrie, manager of the grain department of Messrs T. E. Shiel and Co. for the last 12 yeare, was met by the staff on Friday -evening, and presented with a double set of ivory carvers and a case of military brushes on severing his connection with the firm to take up an appointment with the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. Mr Moss, in making the presentation, referred to the kindly feeling that had always existed between the recipient and the staff, and wished Mr Gerrie every success in nis new position. Mr Gerrie suitably replied. The staff of the Wairarapa Daily Times met " round the stone " on Thursday afternoon to bid farewell to th© editor, Mr E. W. Robson (recently on the staff of the Otago Daily Times), and to wish him success in his new sphere. The manager (Mr D. M. Graham), on behalf of the staff, presented Mr Robson with a handsome gold-mounted fountain pen and a Loewe pipe. The recipient suitably acknowledged the gifts. Mr Robson left by the afternoon train, en route for Timartu In the Oddfellows' Hall, Balclutha, on Thursday night there was a large and representative gathering to say good-bye to Miss L. Clark, who is leaving Balclutha shortly for Pahnerston. Mr E. J. Boyd (Mayor) presided, and on behalf of the gathering presented Miss Clark with a handsome silver tea and coffee service and an afternoon tea set as an appreciation of the many services she had rendered to socials and church choirs by her talent of singing. Other speakers were the Revs. S. W. Currie (Presbyterian), W. Greenslade (Wesleyan), Mr A. S. Malcolm, M.P., and Mr Denniston. Since childhood Miss Clark has willingly assisted in all musical affairs in social or church work. Prior to his departure from the district, a presentation was made to Mr and Mrs John Ryan, late of the Royal Hotel, Naseby, on Friday evening at the County Chambers, Naseby, when a very large number of ladies and gentlemen assembled to say good-bye to them. Mr T. B. M'Neil (Mayor), who occupied the chair, said that the many friends of Mr and Mrs Ryan wished to make some tangible recognition of the esteem in which they were held in the district. Mr Ryan had always taken a great interest in the welfare of Naseby, both socially and from a business point of view. He was a borough councillor_ and also a trustee and member of the Hospital Committee, and his common sense and sound judgment in both capacities had been of great service to the people of the district. It was largely owing to his efforts that the Infectious Diseases Hospital had been erected in Naseby. As a townsman Mr Ryan had taken his full share of work, being a member of most clubs, and at committee meetings ho whs always present. He also took a keen interest in sport of all kin(ds, but particularly in the ' roarin' game" (curling). Mr M'Neil then presented Mr Ryan with a purse of sovereigns, and Mrs Ryan with a handsome gold bangle suitably inscribed, and wished them health and prosperity in ihe future. Mr Ryan suitably replied. A Wairoa telegram states that Mr Joseph Corkhill has been re-elected Mayor of tho borough unopposed. A cablegram from Sydney states that Sir Allan Taylor has resigned from the position of Lord Mayor on the ground of illhealth.

Constable Lopdell, who has had oharge of the Balclutha Polioo Station for several years, has been transferred to Queenstown. The death is announoed of Mr Edwin. Wa-tkms. who has been principal of the Christchurch Training College since 1895. He came from London in 1873 under contract to the North Canterbury Education Board. He was 63 years of age. The Rev. C. Blair, who has been appointed to the Methodist Church at Mosgiel, was entertained at a farewell social in Invercargill, and presented with a purse of sovereigns in recognition of the good work done by him. Mr Blair will occupy tiho Mo3giel pulpit next Sunday. On Tuesday, at Wingafcui. Mr M. Barratt, ganger on the Mosgiel duplication works, on his promotion to Wedderburn, was the recipient of a handsome travelling bag from his fellow workmen. m Mr T. Mavne, in making the presentation in a humorous speech, wished the recipient good luck. Mr Barratt suitably responded. Mr Robert Mowat, formerly of Dunedm, has just been appointed resident engineer to the Wairoa Harbour Board, and will be entrusted with the carrying out of an extensive scheme formulated by Mr Leslie Reynolds for' the improvement of the river entrance. Mr Mowat assisted Mr Reynolds with the survey work, and the scheme, approved by the Wairoa Harbour Board, will take about three years to complete. At frequent intervals the "Wairoa River (which has an average depth of about 80ft for a few miles within the entrance) gets blocked! with a shingle bar. which practically bottles up tho port, and Mr Revnolds's scheme has been designed to maintain a navigable channel in all weathers. The cost of the new work, when completed, will be about £75.000. and will trivo access to an immense area of splendid agricultural an d pask.ral land. Mr Mowat served his apr>rcntice«hin under tho late Mr William Hall, of this city, and has boen associated with" Mr Reynolds for several years past.