PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3101, 20 August 1913, Page 59

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr H. W. Hilton, ior the last nine years manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Naseby, lias been appointed manager of the Milton branch. The departure of this popular and energetic gentleman will cause extreme regret to the public of Naseby, with whom Mr Hilton has been Closely associated for so many years. His successor is Mr R. Fraher, of the Dunedin office of the Bank of New Zealand*

A Maori war veteran in the person of Mr Edward Donnolly died at the Auckland Hospital on the 10th at the age of 76 years. The deceased (says our Auckland correspondent) was a native of Ireland, and when quite a young man he went to Australia. Ho came to New Zealand in 1862, and served with distinction in the New Zealand forces, being present at the battle of Orakau. Subsequently he was engaged in farming pursuits at Kaiahu. For the past year Mr Donnelly has been a resident of the Veterans’ Home. Tho death occurred at Auckland on Sunday, 10th, of Mr Joseph Pennalligen, a veteran of tho Crimea. Ho was a member of tho 13th Brigade, Royal Artillery, and was at the siege of Sebastopol. Arriving in Auckland in 1859, Mr Pennalligen saw_ further active service in tho Maori war. Ho held three medals, including that for tho Turkish war and the New Zealand war medal. For 25 years Mr Pennalligen was employed in the Government Defence Stores, but during the last quarter of a century ho has lived in retirement. He was 86 years of age at his death. He leaves a widow and one son.

On the 11th Mr and Mrs T. B, Kennard celebrated their golden wedding, having been married by the Rev. Isaac Harding at Goodwood in 1863. This occasion is of more than usual interest, as Mr Kennard was the first white male born in Otago. His parents arrived from England, via Australia, in 1340, the journey from Sydney having been taken on board the Magnet. In the year following Mr Kennard was born at Waikouaiti. He resided in that neighbourhood with his parents until his mairiage, when ho sot up house for himself in the same locality. Later ho resided at Shag Valley and Goodwood. In 1875 he moved with his family to Waimate, and after some four years, chiefly spent at bush work, he decided to try Auckland. This was not a profitable venture, and in less than a year he returned to Waimate, where Mr and Mrs Kennard have continued their homo ever since, Mr Kennard following the bush for a time and then his trade as a butcher. Of recent years he has been farming and fruit-growing. Mrs Kennard arrived in Dunedin with her parents in the Ajax in 1848. She was then a very small girl. Her parents celebrated their diamond wedding, and the late Mr M'Nicol reached the age of 98, passing away only three years ago. Mr and Mrs Kennard reared a family of eleven children, and have 29 grand-children. A good number of the sons and daughters, with their families, and neighbours, gathered at the house, and were photographed after enjoying a very pleasant day. Both Mr and Mrs Kennard are halo and hearty and look many years younger than they really are. Mr J. Lowthian Wilson, of Kaiapoi, last week completed 50 years of journalistic service on the staff of the Christchurch Press in the capacity of chief representative for the North Canterbury district. In the course of his long career Mr Wilson has hod a most varied experience in his profession, and being blessed with a retentive memory, is looked upon as a walking cyclopedia of historical events in North Canterbury, and more particularly of those con nectod with the early days of settlement. Filed and pigeonholed in his office, are records from which oould.be compiled a history of almost every society or organisation that exists or has existed in North Canterbury during the last 50 years. It :s stated in Waiau that Mr W. A. Banks, of Strathclyde, Kirwoe, and owner of a block of the recently subdivided Achray Estate, intends contesting the Hurunui scat in the Government interest at the next general election. Advice has been received in Auckland to the effect that the health of Bishop Crossley is causing anxiety. It will be remembered (says the New Zealand Herald) that, in addition to the breakdown in health which Bishop Croeslcy suffered, and which was responsible for his resignation, he mot with an unfortunate burning accident. Now word has been received that the bishop is suffering from hemorrhage of the throat, and it is understood that his condition is critical.

Mr J. J. Niven, one of tho founders of the Niven Engineering Works, died at Napier on tho 13th (says a Press Association message). Ho was 60 years of age. After severing his connection with the foundry he took a prominent part in fostering tho trawling industry. Ho was a member of tho Engineering Commission appointed by the Soddon Government to report on railways workshops’ plant. He had been a member of tho Harbour Board, tho Borough Council, and the Licensing Bench. By the English mail just to hand intimation has boon received that at the World’s Conference of Young Men’s Christian Associations, held at Edinburgh in June last, under the presidency of Lord Kinnaird, Mr E. R. Peacock, of Melbourne, was unanimously elected to represent Oceania on the committee of the World’s Alliance. The communication also conveys fraternal greetings from the executive at Geneva to members of the Y.M.C.A. organisation throughout Australasia. . , The congratulations of the Now Zealand managers and staff of the National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand were tendered to Mr G. R. Ritchie, tho general manager of the company, on Wednesday afternoon, on the occasion of h;s approaching marriage, and advantage was taken of the opportunity to present to Mr Ritchie a case of cutlerv. On behalf of tho whole of the New Zealand staff, Mr Farquharson made reference to the goodwill which existed between Mr Ritchie and the individual members of tho staff, and mentioned that Mr Ritchie had the hearty good wishes of every member. Mr Forsyth spoke in the same terms on behalf of the Dunedin staff. In reply, Mr Ritchie said that he found it very difficult to thank them adequately for the handsome present, which would serve to remind him of the pleasant relations that had always existed between tho staff of the company and himself. if indeed such were necessary.

The death took place at the Waimate Hospital on Wednesday night of Mr Thomas Ronuldson, aged 72 years. Mr RonalcVon. was personally known in years cone hv tc many well-known residents of Otago. Ho

was bom at Dollar, near Stirling, Scotland, and was trained as an engineer in one of the largest Edinburgh works. He came out to New Zealand with hie wife 40 years ago, and for some time was employed in th< Otago Daily Times printing works. In I£B6 he settled at the Waimate Downs as a carpenter in the employ of the late Mr J. F. Douglas. Mr Donaldson’s wife prodeceased him. An adopted daughter is tho wife of Mr C. J. Jackson, of Waimate. The Rev. A. Sangster, of Wyndham, has received a unanimous call to the Duntroon Presbyterian Church, and ]pus decided to accept it. Mr Sangster has been tho respected minister of the Wyndham parish for nearly seven years (says the Herald), and has endeared himself very much to the members of his church, who will very keenly regret the prospective loss of their minister. Tho death is announced at Napier (says a Press Association message) of Kir C. B. Hoadley, a weli-known identity; aged 66 years.

A North Island paper states that tho Rev. B. H. Ginger’s health has failed so much that be has been informed by his medical advisers that he will never bo able to preach again. Mr Ginger was formerly at Roxburgh. Kir James Brown, managing director of the \\ airarapa. Age, died suddenly on Sunday morning, at tno age of 71. Mr Brown had (a Press Association message states) for many years been identified with journalism' in Maetorton and Carterton. Ho was d justice of the peace, and for two or thraa years was Mayor of Carterton.

Mr Robert M‘Nab was to leave for Sydney by tho Mooraki on Friday evening last. Ho expects to bo absent from New Zealand about two months. He will prosecute his historical researches at tho Mitchell Library in Sydney, and will also make a visit to Hobart.

On Friday night ex-Councillor James Jenkins, of Green Island, was mot by ir.cm-bei-s and ex-monibors of the Borough Council for ihc purpose of presenting him with a tangible token of their goodwill and rasped- 'llic Mayor (Mr Win. Gcddes) made the presentation, which consisted of « beautiful Mosgiel rug end a fountain pen. In the course of his remarks Mr Gcddc* expressed his appreciation of ex-Councillor Jenkins, both as a counoilior and private citizen, throughout his residence of over 20 years in Green Inland, and expressed th« nopo'that ho would again eit at the council table. He concluded by wishing Mr and Mrs Jenkins long life and health to enjoy their well-earned rest from their labours. Other councillors followed in the nuns strain, after which Mr Jenkins suitably tsplied, heartily and sincerely thanking the donors for a very unexpected pleasure. A rug and fountain pen were also forwmdod to the Mayor of Cromwell for presentation to ex-Councillor Alexander Love, who hae gone into the hotel business in that locality. Those present eulogised Mr I .eve for hu sincerity of purpose whiio a councillor, and his earnest endeavour to further the interests of Green Island.

After following farming pursuits in the Glonore district for the past 40 years, Mp Wm. Simpson has purohoeed a grocery and coal business at Dunback, and will leave shortly for his new home. Last Wednesday (evening the residents of the district cam® from far and near to tender Mr and Mr* Simpson a social, and to make them a Presentation. The social was held in flhe Bchoolhouse, and dancing was indulged in tiil past midnight. During* an interval Mr James M Hardy presented Mr Simpson with a well-filled purse of sovereigns and a case ot Loewe pipes, and Mis Simpson with i handsome gold brooch. Mr M‘Hardy spoke in a highly eulogistic strain of the many, good qualities of both the departing residents, and wished them every success in their new venture. Mr Ridgewcll supplemented the remarks of Mr RPHardy, and Mr Simpson suitably replied on behalf of his wife and himself. Refreshments worn liberally supplied by the Glcnoro. people. As the night wore on and those present wore preparing to return to their lic-mca it was discovered that the heavy rain which had fallen had caused the Glcnoro River bo rise, and that the bridge had been washed away, leaving the echoolbouso pretty well isolated. Under the circun,stances the attempt to gain the roads was fraught with some danger, but Mr M‘Hardy rose to the occasion, saying the social would ba kept going till daylight made its appearance. Dancing was accordingly continued without flagging till well on in the morning. Th® school mistress (Miss Campbell), Mr W. Q. Culbert (of Dunedin), ami others helped greatly towards the success of the evening by contributing songs, recitations, etc., and it was freely stated that the social was ou< of the most successful over held in Glenora. At, a very pleasant social given by th® members of the Milton lennis Club last week Miss Hall, who is severing her connection with the club, wgs presented with a silver jewel case. Mr J. W. Petrie, m inkuig the presentation, expressed th® club’s great regret at losing one of it* most popular and enthusiastic members, lie referred to the keen interest Mr. Mrs, and Miss Hall had taken in the tennis club over since its inception and wished them on behalf of the club members, success and hanp'ness in their new homo at Rotorua. Mr John M'Gillivray. who died at Merton on the 13th inst. was one of the early settlors of Otago. Ho was a native of Morayshire and arrived at Port Ohalmer* by the shin T/ady Eg ; dia in January 1861. Shortly after his arrival ho proceeded t® Maniototo and was there for eight years, being employed by Messrs Borton and M'Martcr. Hepburn and M‘Master. Mr W. D Murison. and Mr JusPco H. S. Chapman. After leaving Central Otago ns settled at Merton, where he acquired considerable property, and was for many years an active farmer, becoming well known as a grower of heavy crops and the owner ol good stock. Ho took considerable interest in local bodies, and was a member of local committees for 30 vears. He leaves a widow, two daughters, and three sons. Tha eldest eon, Mr William M‘G : 'liyray, is a sto> k buyer for the National Mortgage and Agency Co., Mr John M'Gillivray is in ‘lie employ of the American Copper Trust, a.nd lives in the States, and Mr Robert M'Gillivrav is an official of the Department of Agriculture, being inspector in chargo of the Owaka district.