PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 59

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr Adam Welch Hall, of Wyndham, lias been appointed State flax grader, and will proceed to Wellington at any early date to take up his duties. Mr Hall was trained from boyhood in the flaxmilling industry, and after conducting several mills in Southland and Otago with marked success, was appointed in 1905 by the Imperial Government to proceed to St. Helena to establish the phormium industry in that island. His engagement at St. Helena was for three years but was extended for a further term. Mr Rail returned to New Zealand in 1910, and settled at Redan Valley, Wyndham, taking up part of the Mokoreta Estate, and resuming flaxmilling operations. _ His approaching departure from the district will bo much regretted as both he and Mrs Hall have entered heartily into everything that tended to the advancement of tho community.

The death of the late Mr Walter Hislop was formally intimated to tho Dunedin Presbytery on the sth by the Rev. R. E. Davies. Mr Davies stated that Mr Hislop had boon a member of Knox congregation almost from its inception. He came from the Taiori as a boy of 15 or 16 in 1862. Ho was made a deacon in 1873, and became an elder a few years later. He filled the position of treasurer of the congregation for 29 years, and was clerk from tho year 1901. though during tho last six or seven years Mr Pry do had been acting session clerk owing to the illness of Mr Hislop. Hie presbytery expressed its sincere sympathy with the. relatives, and the matter of preparing a suitable minute of appreciation was referred to the Special Committee for tho purpose. The shareholders of the Perpetual Trustees Estate, and Agency . Company will, wo are sure, bo pleased to learn that Mr Donald Roid, sen., has accepted a position on tho board of tho company. The Rev. David Hird has intimated his resignation of tho pastorate of tho Congregational Church, Palmerston North. It is his intention to apply for admission to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church.

During the past few days Miss A. P. Morton, of Waitapeka, who has for several years taken a leading part in the choir, and later filled the position of organist at the Puorua Presbyterian Church, was, in view of her approaching marriage, entertained at a number of social gatherings. On Thursday, the 31st ult., the ladies of the P.W.M.U. and the congregation tendered a social afternoon The following day she was mot at her homo by her Waitapeka friends and, through Mr A. Tweed, presented with a handsome barometer suitably inscribed. Miss Morton relumed thanks, and a pleasant evening was spent in music and games. On Tuesday evening a social was held in the Puerua Church Hall, and the Rev. Mr Watson, on behalf of the congregation, handed Miss Morton a massive marble clock, inscribed. Mr J. A. Somerville returned thanks on behalf of the recipient. The hall was full to overflowing, and a very enjoyable evening was passed. Musical items were supplied by Mieses M'Lean and Garrick, Mrs Renton, and Mr Rankin, and Miss Harrison gave a recitation. To-day the ladies of the district propose tendering Miss Morton a kitchen afternoon.

Senior Sergeant King, who has been a familiar figure in the local police force for eomo years; left by the first express on the Bth ir.st. for Tiniaru, to which town he received notice of transfer a short time ago. .Last evening, at the Police Station, members of the local force mot and presented him with a beautiful Mosgiel rug as a token of goodwill. Sergeant 'O’Connell, in making tho presentation, spoko of the high esteem in which Senior Sergeant King was held by his comrades, and expressed regret at parting with him. Several of his brother officers also referred in eulogistic terms to Senior Sergeant King’s qualities as a man and an officer, and all joined in wishing him every success in his new sphere. Senior Sergeant King replied, thanking the donors for their gift and kind expressions of goodwill.

Mr Wm. Coulter has resigned from the Kaitangata Borough Council on account of ill-health. Mr Coulter was Mayor of Kaitangata last term. Tho senior class pupils of the Balclutha Anglican Sunday School on tho sth Inst, presented the Rev. E. L. Woodhouso with a suitably engraved safety razor, prior to Mr Woodhouse’e departure for Mornington.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington announces the death of Mr W. T. Gordon, formerly private secretary to the late Mr Seddon and to Sir James Carroll. TIo was 40 years of ago. It is stated that Mr R. M‘Nab, ox-M.P., will bo away from New Zealand at tho time of tho next general election. Ho will consequently not be a candidate for Parliament.

A large gathering of residents of Milton and the surrounding districts assembled on Wednesday evening to do honour to Constable Macßae, who for the past 15 years has boon in charge of the Tokomairiro district and is under orders to transfer to St. Kilda. During his lengthy stay in Milton Constable Macßae lias proved himself an efficient officer, and is extremely popular with all classes of the community, which views with regret his impending departure. Oral appreciation of Constable MacRao as a citizen, an officer, and a man was freely given effect to at tho valedictory function, and the members of the legal fraternity spoke in appreciation of tho efficient manner in which he had discharged tho multifarious duties of clerk of the court, clerk of the Licensing Committee, registrar of old-age pensions for tho Bruce County, inspector of factories, probation officer, and enumerator of agricultural statistics, in addition to his ordinary police duties. I ho residents hail subscribed freely and willingly to a testimonial, the result being that a well-filled purse of sovereigns, was presented to Constable Macßae on his wife’s behalf accompanied with best wishes for the future welfare of himself and his wife. Co nstahle Macßae suitably responded, and thanked the citizens for assistance freely given whenever occasion had arisen in maintaining the peace. Constable Macßae joined the force In 1835 at Wellington. Shortly afterwards he was transferred to Dunedin, where he did street duty for eleven years. Thence he was transferred to Queenstown, of which district he was in charge for two years prior to being appointed to Milton. A private cablegram was received in Dunedin on Saturday to the effect that ?.Tiss Paterson passed away at her residence. Tho Grange. Edinburgh. Mis.s Paterson was a

sister of Mr Walter Paterson, sen., of Dun* edin, who is now in Sydney, and was a daughter of Dr. Nathaniel" Paterson, of Edinburgh, A Press Association telegram from Christchurch announces the death at ivaiapoi on the 10th of Mr John Perrin, a Crimean veteran and an early resident of the northern district. His name appears in the list of veterans on the roll 01 honour as a defender of the Empire, 1840-1902, which was compiled by Lord Ranfurly. Constable { hex, who has occupied fjhe position of court orderly for some time, has received word that he has been pro* rnoted to take charge of the Milton district. Constables Souter and O’Shea, of the Central Station, are also being transferred to fill vacancies in the Port Chalmers force. The Clutha Presbytery at its meeting on Friday last agreed, on the motion of the Kev. Mr Currie,- seconded by the Rev. Ms Watson, to nominate the Rev. R. J. Porter, of Oama.ru, as Moderator of Assembly for next year.

A Press Association message from Wellington announces that the death occurred on Saturday of Mr W. P. Davie, a former resident of Christchurch, and father of Mrs F. M. B. Fibber (wife of the Minister of Marine). Mr Davie was 85 years of age. Major William Dempster Snowball, of the Now Zealand Veterinary Corps, has been awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces officers’ decoration, he having a total commissioned service of 23 years. On tbo occasion of attaining his eixtyninth birthday, Mr James Colvin, M.P. for Buller, was entertained by a number of members ol Parliament at Bellamy’s on Wednesday evening of last week. " Those present included the Hon. W. H. Herriea and several members of the Government party.

The death is reported from Christchurch of Captain John Christian; aged 78. He was for a long t'.mo (a Press Association message states) engaged in the coastal trade, and joined the Blackball Company’s service in 1894. He oamo to New Zealand in 1859, ami had command of the schooner Rifleman, which was seized by Te Ivooii when he escaped to the Chathams.

A largo gathering of the friends of Mi; J. 0. Malfrcy, clerk of the court at Naso by, met him in the County Hall on Friday last to present him with a tangible token of tho esteem ui which he is held, and to express their regret at his departure from Naseby, while congratulating him on ids promotion to the position of clerk of rho court at Thames. The Mayor of Xasehy (Mr John Francis! presided, and m a fitting speech referred to Mr Malfroy’s good quaihies oa a pubbc servant and citizen, and also spoko of the keen interest and enthusiasm ho dieplayed in all branches of sport, and also of his work in connection wi.'h the Defence Forces. He then handed to Mr Malfroy, oa behalf of the public and various rlhletio clubs, a handsome silver watch, inscribed, with the wish that he might bo long spared to wear it. Messrs Lillie, M’Xeil, Ueehan, Marslin, and Hall, on behalf of the bowling, curling, football, cricket, and tennis clubs respectively, also spoke of the loss that their clubs were sustaining in Mr Malfroy’s departure. Mr Malfroy was also presented by tho Ladies’ Hockey Club with a valuable pocket-book, in recognition of his tael services, and by the Footbai 1 1 )ub witn a framed enlarged photo of tho club, of which he was president.

Tho following Salvation Army appointments are notified:—Ensign J. Walker to Lyttelton; Ensign J. Parsons to Port Chalmers, Captain G. Say well to Auckland (assist); Captain E. IvPOorqaindaie to Wyndham; Ceptain M. M'Laoidan ten Maternity Home, Dunedin; Captain J. Glandvillo to Westport; Lieutenant J. H. Palmer to Geraldine; Lieutenant O. Ranson to Oxford (in charge); Lieutenant R. Redshaw to Oxford; Lieutenant T. Shilton to Waimate. «

Mr Edward Fitzgerald, who has resided in the Balfour district for some 30 years, recently decided to retire and live at Dunedin (says the Mataura Ensign), and whoa his intention became known his neighbour* and friends resolved to show their appreciation of Mr Fitzgerald and family. Accordingly, a large number assembled at the residence of Mr Fitzgerald on Friday night, when several presentations wore made to the guests of the evening. On the occasion of his departure from Goro to reside at Dunedin (says the Mataura Ensign), Air Alex. Tinnoek, who has been a resident of Gore practically all his life, was made tho recipient of several presentations A representative gathering of th© employees of Wallin’s fellmonkery and! members of flic Core Fire Brigade W'aspresent, Mr F. Wallis presiding. Mr Tinnoek had been employed at the fellmongery for 20 years, and for i 1 years had been an cnthusia/stic member of the fire brigade. At the last, meeting of the Presbytery of Clutha tho Rev. Mr Morton, as interim Moderator, laid on tho table a call from kaitangata to the Rev. Mr M Do wall, of Nightcaps, signed by over ICO members and by 20 adherents, and promising a stipend of jd2so per annum. Both Mr Morton and Mr W. Smaill at, commissioner spoke < f tbo practical unanimity in favour of the call, when it was agreed, on the motion of Mr Morton, seconded by tho Rev. Mr Miller, to sustain the call, and to forward it, with relative documents, to the Southland Preubvterv for presentation to Mr MDo walk It was agreed to appoint Mr Morton a commissioner to prosecute the call before tbo Southland Presbytery on Tuesday, September 2.