PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 59

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr U. S. Grant, a eon of the late President Grant, of the United States, arrived in Wellington on the 15th by the Aorangi from San Francisco. He is accompanied by hie wife, and they intend to tour New Zealand and Australia. The death occurred on the 19th at Otakou (Otago Heads) of Rina Potiki, a Maori lady, at the age of 105 years. Deceased, whose husband died some years ago, lived at Taiaroa Heads all her life. She woe related to the Karetai family. On the eve of his departure for Milton, Mr Hilton, manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Naseby, was met by a number of citizens and presented with a eoveieign case. In making the presentation the Mayor referred to the many services Mr Hilton had rendered to the town, and several other speakers expressed their appreciation of the interest that Mr Hilton had always taken in all branches of sport and in any movement that was for the advantage of the district. Our Lawrence correspondent reports the death on the 17th inst. of Mr Allan Mitchell, another of the fast-disappearing band ol early Tuapeka pioneers. The deceased, who was in his 83rd year, was a native of Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, where he was born in February. 1831. As a young man he found his way to the world’s metropolis, where for two years he found employment as a traveller with an uncle who was m the soft goods line. The ness of the gold discovery in Australia reaching him, he succumbed to the fever, and immediately shipped for Victoria, whore ho landed in 1853. On h ; s arrival, however, ho decided that his -prospects rf gucco.s wire more assured in other occupations then mining, and he iurned his energies to road contracting and carrying, in which he did very well. The news of the discovery of gold in Gabriel’s Gully again unsettled him. and ho decided to try his luck on the Otago goldfields. He arrived at Port Chalmers by the Blue Jacket in January, 1862, and on reaching Gabriel’s Gully ho and his mates pegged out a claim nearly opposite the residence which he has occupied for so many years. Fortune did not smile upon them, and after trying his luck at the Dunst-an with no better success Mr Mitchell wont back to Gabriel’s Gullv and turned his attention to other work. Hie wife predeceased him many years ago. but he loaves a large family of eons and daughters settled in various parts of the dominion.

A cablegram was received on the 20th by Mr F. Oakden, manager of tho Milburn Lime and Cement Company, notifying him of the death of Mr George V. Hobart, who was recently appointed works manager of the Adelaide Cement Company. The late Mr Hobart was with the Milburn Company for six years, and at tho time of his resigning was assistant manager. Previously he had served his time with tho Admiralty at Portsmouth. Accompanied by his wife he left Dunedin <jn August 3 to take up his new duties. There are no particulars beyond tho fact that he died of ptomaine poisoning. The death occurred at Grcymouth on tho 20th of Mr Edmund Wickes, at the age of 77. From the time of his arrival in Greymouth in 1864 he took a prominent part in tho development of tho timber industry. His first sawmill was at Coal Creek, and he forwarded the first shipments of red and white pine to Canterbury in 1870 and 1879 by the Gleaner, a sailing boat owned by the late Mr W. J. Coates, and was, therefore, the poinoer of the timber export trade from the Coast. He was the only surviving member of the old Provincial Council, and had the honour of being the third Mayor of Greyniouth. The Education Board on Thursday appointed Miss Winifred MTlutcheson a probationer in tho teaching of cookery at tho primary schools in Dunedin. Mr John Barr, chief cataloguer in the Fisher Library at Sydney University, lias been appointed chief librarian at Auckland City (says a Press Association message). There were numerous applications. Mr C. M. Gilray, tho fourth Rhodes Scholar appointed by New Zealand and the third who came from Otago, arrived at Wellington by the Rotorua on the 21st instant from London. Ho was mot at the wharf by Mr G. M. Thomson, M.P., Dr Malcolm Thomson, Dr Henderson, and Messrs Morgan and Bartrum, of the Meteorological and Geological Survey Departments, and afterwards entertained at luncheon at Bellamy’s by Mr G. M. Thomson, - whose son, Mr Alan Thomson, was tho first Rhodes Scholar from Dunedin. Messrs T. K. Sidoy, C. E. Statharn, and tho Hon. Jas. Allen were also members of tho luncheon party. Mr Gilray has been in England for six years, and has qualified as an English barrister. Ho is in very lino health, and intends to practise at the bar in Dunedin. He is. not yet sure when he will proceed to Dunedin, as he may first proceed to Napier to see his brother. Tho friends of Mr P. J. Jenkins, of Ilawea Flat, will regret to hear that ho is now under treatment in the Dunedin Hospital, and will be unable to return to the lake for at least a month.

A Press Association message from Levin announces the death of the Rev. William Tinsley, who wa*. in charge of the Levin circuit of the Methodist Church. He had been indisposed for two months, suffering from heart disease.

A very old resident of Wanganui—the wife of Mr Gilbert Carson—passed away on the 2nd inst. at the age of 77 years (says a Wanganui Press Association telegram). The deceased lady came out in one of the four vessels which brought the settlers to Albert Land. She was married in 1866 at Auckland. Thence the family went to Wellington in 1874, and settled at Wanganui. News has been received in Christchurch (says the Press) that Miss Dulcic Mitchell, daughter of Mrs R. H. Mitchell, has gained the medals of the Royal Academy of Music for singing and elocution. Miss Mitchell went to London about two years ago for the purpose of studying vocalisation and elocution. Mr W. W. P. Hall, manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Milton for the past 16 years, and who left on Saturday morning en route for Rotorua to assume the managership of the bank’s branch there, has during the past few days been the recipient of several tangible tokens from members of various bodies with which he was actively associated in Milton. The first of the numerous presentations consisted of a case of pipes, presented by the Bruce County Councillors, in recognition of the courteous and obliging manner in which Mr Hall had carried out his duties as the council’s banker. On Wednesday afternoon Mr and Mrs Hall were entertained by members of the Toko mairiro Golf Club and presented with a

pair of handsome leather golf bags. Misa Hall has been the recipient of a silver jewel case from members of the Tennis Club. On Wednesday evening the .departing residents were tendered a valedictory conversazione in the Coronation Hall, at which about 200 residents of Milton and district were present. The Mayor (Mr C. King) presided. Highly complimentary references were made to Mr Hall’s active association with various local societies, notably as member of the Tokomairiro High School Committee for several years, member of the Technical Classes Association during its inception, member of the Tokomairiro Athenaeum Committee, people’s warden and treasurer of St. John’s Anglican Church, treasurer of the Tokomairiro Farmers’ Club for 12 years and recently elected vice-president. In addition to the foregoing Mr Hall had been closely associated with other societies, and by his unabated enthusiasm materially assisted their progress. On behalf of the residents of the Tokomairiro district the Mayor presented Mr Hall with a Rotherham gold watch, and Mrs Hall with a handsome brooch, set with diamonds and ruby centre. Mr Hall suitably acknowledged the gift and the kindly references accompanying the same. The members of St. John’s Masonic Lodge held a valedictory social, and a similar function, with an accompanying token of esteem, was tendered by the Masonic Club.

A Grcymouth message states that Captain Connor, the harbourmaster, has been seriously ill for the past week, and is now in a precarious condition. Mr Oliver Smith, who died at Georgetown on Friday at the ago of 102 years, was born in the Shetland Islands, and came to New Zealand 37 years ago. One remarkable feature of his long life (says the North Otago Times) was that he never had a day’s illness that unfitted him for his ordinary duties, and his faculties were unimpaired up to the last. To live to so great an age is rarely granted to men, but to pass through life unaffected by the ordinary illnesses that afflict humanity is a circumstance worthy of particular notice. It is with much regret that wo record tho death of Mr G. N. G. Arbor, secretary of the Dunedin Expansion League, which took place at his residence, Manor place, on Sunday morning. Mr Arbor had been incapacitated by a serious affection of the heart for about six months, and was slightly improving, when about a fortnight since he had a paralytic stroke, to which lie finally succumbed. When the appointment of secretary of the Expansion League was made about 12 months ago Mr Arbor was selected out of a very large number of applicants, and entered upon his duties with great enthusiasm. The executive of the league realised that it had secured an able and -alert secretary, and looked forward to much good work being done by him, but the illness with which he was seized was of so serious a character that tho_ chance of his resuming his duties scorned remote, and much sympathy was felt for him by all who had made his acquaintance. Mr Arber resided in Timarn before he came to Dunedin, and was an ardent supporter of tho Navy League As secretary of the Timara branch of that body he did much valuable work, and. indeed, was the life of tho movement there during his secretaryship. Mr Arbor leaves a widow and one child to mourn their loss. News received from London states (says the I)cminion) that Lady Ranfurly has suffered bereavement through the sudden death of her father, James Alfred Caulfield, C. 8., Viscount Charleipont, and Baron Caulfield, of Charlemont, in Ireland. While dressing for dinner at his residence, Drumcairne, Stowartstown, County Tyrone, ho had a stroke and died very soon afterwards, at tho age of 83. Born in Ireland in 1830, Lord Charlemont succeeded his cousin as seventh viscount in 1892. In 1858 Lord Charlemont married the Hon. .Annette Handcook, daughter of the third Baron Castlemaine. She died 30 years later. Their only daughter, the Hon. Constance Elizabeth Caulfield, wa* married shortly after to the present Earl of Ranfurly. The heir to the viscounty ia the late peer’s nephew, Mr James Edward Caulfield, who was born in 1880. A Press Association telegram from Auckland announces the death in a private, hospital of the Rev. A. Boiler, after an operation. Tho Rev. 11. Kelly, formerly of Knox Church, Waimate, has resigned his pastorate in Melbourne, and intends to devote himself to literary work in future.

A family gathering c£ Temuka on the 25tK (a Press Association message states) included five generations, the great-great-grand parent being Mrs Ann Gow, of Dunedin, who was celebrating her 99th birthday. She is visiting a daughter of 70.