PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3192, 19 May 1915, Page 61

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr Abraham A. Lind, missionary to the Mardias, in the Central Provinces of India, is at present on a tour in the Southland district. As several invitations have been extended to him to hold meetings, he will probably remain there for about two months. News was received on the 7th by the New Zealand Times of the death at Hawera of Mr James Livingstone, one of the earliest settlers in that district, and the president of the short-lived Hawera Republic, which was proclaimed during the Maori troubles. He was 74 years of age. Born in Scotland, he arrived in Auckland when 16 years old. Soon after he was employed as shepherd by Colonel Russell, father of the late Sir William Russell, eventually becoming manager. He married Miss Caldwell, of Napier, who died about 20 years ago. During the Maori troubles he played a prominent part, and he was with Major von Tempsky at the battle of Te Nutu-o-te-Manu, where ho was instrumental in leading the survivors to safety. During the troublous times the Hawera people, failing to get constabulary protection from Sir George Grey, formally proclaimed a republic, and by unanimous consent Mr Livingstone was declared President. Of late years he took a keen interest in the Maori 'war veterans, and many of them would have gone without recognition had it not been for his persistent endeavours on their behalf. Mr Livingstone, who was married a second time, to the eldest daughter of the late Captain Brett, of Normauby, is survived by three sons and two daughters A London cablegram states that Dr Hooke has been elected president of the Congregational Union.

A Press Association, telegram from Wanganui states that Mr A. Wade, conductor of the Wanganui Garrison Band and Licdcrtafel, has been appointed chief adjudicator of the brass and military band sections of the Grand National Eisteddfod, to be held at Ballarat next October. Ten years ago (in 1905), when in England, Mr Wade was engaged by the same society to go out to Ballarat and adjudicate. In 1910 he took over the Wanganui Garrison Band, and won the double (quickstep and selection) at the contest.

M iss J. Robertson has been appointed second assistant at the Green Island School. A Wellington message announces the death of Mr James Trevor, contractor; aged 68 years. He was a member of several local bodies. Mr James Willocks, of Balclutha, whose death we recorded on the 13th inst., was a celebrated rifle shot m the seventies, and in 1875 was the rifle champion of New Zealand. In those days he was a lieutenant in No. 1 Clutha Rifles, a crack shooting corps, of which he was one of the most active members.

Mr E. R. Roberts, who for the past 17 years has been on the Invercargill staff of the National Bank, has been appointed manager of the South Dunedin branch. Mr Roberts (says the Southland Times) leaves for Ids new sphere in a few days. A pleasing; function took place at the Provincial Hotel on the 13th inst., w.ion the members of the Otago Centre, New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union, met for the purpose of saying farewell to their vicepresident (Mr James Howell, of Waipiata), who loaves for a trip to England, via America, by the Niagara. The centre president (Mr D. F M'ixay) presented Mr Howell with a set of military brushes as a token of the esteem in which he was held bv the centre members, and all present joined in wishing Mr Howell a happy trip and a safe return.

The Rev. John M'Grcgor, of Oteramika, Invercargill, has accepted a call to the charge of the Martinborongh Presbyterian Church. Mr Farquhar Young, of Christchurch, has been chosen as sole adjudicator in the musical and elocutionary sections at the Westland competitions, which will commence at Hokitika on Juno 3.

Mr D. H. Butcher, examining officer of the local Customs Department, has received advice of his promotion to Patea as collector. He will probably leave Dunedin on Thursday. , . Mr W. M. Bock, who has been m charge of the South Dunedin branch of the National Bank of New Zealand, has received notification of his promotion to Gisborne, where ho will act as accountant. He expects to take U p his now duties about the end of the month. Mr Beck is well known in local musical circles. Tire many friends of Mr James Cunningham, manager of Wfairuna Estate, Clinton, will regret to hear of his death, which occurred at the estate on Monday, 10th inst. The deceased was the' fourth son of Mrs and the late Mr James Cunningham, of Roslyn, and was highly respected by all who knew him. Much sympathy is felt for his widow and children in their bereavement. , There passed rtway at Otautau on the 9tu a well-known and highly-respected resident of the Western District, in the person of Mr William Affleck; aged 65 years. Deceased was a native of Berwick. England, and came to the dominion with his parents about 62 years ago, and settled- at Waikouaiti. He was apprenticed to the blacksmithing trade at Port Chalmers, and some years later moved to Otautau, where he managed the business of Messrs Reid and Gray, which ho afterwards purchased. He disposed of his business there some time after, and took up land in the vicinity of Otautau, and quite recently took up a sheep run in the Wairaki district. During his residence at Otautau (says the Western Star) Mr Affleck took a prominent part in public affairs. For some years ho was a member of the Wallace County Council, and was elected chairman for a term. He was also connected with the Wallace A. and P. Association, was one of the founders of the Wallace Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Wallace Licensing Committee. Ho leaves a widow, six daughters, and two sons. Mr D. A. Sturrock, of Blenheim, has received a notification from the Education Department to the effect that ho has been appointed senior Inspector of Schools for Marlborough. Mr A. Graig, of the Oamaru Customs, has been promoted to the Statistical Department, Wellington, and leaves to take up his new duties shortly. Mr Craig’s position in the Oamaru office will be filled by Mr Foster, of Christchurch Mr Samuel Tnder, of Hills Crock, passed away on the 11th inst at lus residence at Blackstono Hill, at the ago of 82 years. Mr Indor (says the Mount Ida Chronicle), who was returned to the Maniototo Council ns representative of Idaburn Riding for throe successive terms after the county system was inaugurated, was born in 1833 at Matlock, Somersetshire. In 1853 ho landed in Victoria, where he had some goldfields experience, and was in business

as a butcher iii Bendigo. From 1855 id 1861 he was in Tasmania. In the latte? year he arrived in Otngo ; and after a short time at Gabriel’s, Hamilton, and Naseby he settled in St. Bathans district. Afterwards he carried on business os a butcher and hotelkeeper, and established the Prince Alfred Hotel at Hill’s Creek in 1864. He was interested in racing for many years, and was well known in the early days as a judge and starter in connection with local races. Mr Incler was married in 1858, to a daughter of the late Mr A. Robertson, of Edinburgh. Mrs Tnder died in Juno, 1895, leaving six daughters and four sons.

Mr Charles Banks, who has retired from the position of engineer to the Waitaki County Council after 31 years’ service, was entertained at luncheon on Saturday (says our Oamaru correspondent), and waa presented with some pieces of silverplato from the present and former members of the council. The company was a represontative one, embracing, besides the members of the council, members of Parliament, past members of the council, including one of the original members (Mr Duncan Sutherland), representatives of , other local bodies, and others. Mr Geo. , Livingstone (chairman of- the County Council) presided, and in making the presentation said that when Mr Banks was ap- j pointed the monthly accounts of the conn- j oil were only about £3OO. while now they often exceeded £ISOO. Thirty years ago the country was held in largo estates with ; few roads, but to-day it was cut up into small holdings with 1003 miles of roads, of which some 400 miles had been metalled. Many bridges, some large once, had been, built, and these had been planned by Mr Banks. Several of the old-time members of the council spoke culogistically of the service which Mr Banks had rendered to the countv, and testimony to the good work lie had done was borne by others. Mr Banks, in returning thanks, spoke of . the good relations that had always existed : between himself aiid the council, and ho made special reference to the kindness he had received from old councillors when he was now to office.. j

Mrs C. E. W. Campbell lias been appointed solo teacher at the Poqlburn School. Mr Howard Edie has arrived in Dunedin to make arrangements for the forthcoming series of concerts by the Chcrniavskys. The residents of Katea mot in the school on the 12th inst. to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Beilby, who are about to leave for Green Island, where Mr Beilby takes up a position as third assistant teacher in the school (says the Clutha Leader). As a mark of the esteem in which they were held, Mr and Mrs Beilby were presented with a travelling mg. The children, not backward in showing what they thought of their lata teacher, presented him with a fountain pen. and the girls handed to Mrs Beilby a jewel case. Then the members of the Katea football team, of which Mr Beilby was a member, presented him with a watch; and, last, but not least, the mothers of Katea gave to Master Beilby a sum of money to the amount of £1 Bs, also a silver fork and spoon id a case. After each presentation Mr Beilby suitably responded. In the person of the late John Dvyden, who died on the 16th inst., there has passed away one of the most familiar figures in Mosgiel, and a man held in the highest esteem by all who know him. Born in tho border town of Selkirk—hie speech to tha , last was redolent of the border, —he .went at the early age of 10 to work in the woollen mills there. In course of time he became a tuner, and in that capacity came out to the Mosgiel Woollen Mill in 1873. A few years later he became manager of tho mill for the Mosgiel Woollen Company, and remained in that capacity for 30 years, retiring in 1908.Tinder his management the mill steadily grew. He won, not only the confidence of tho company, but the affectionate regard ot the workers, to whom he was at all times considerate. Ho was closely associated with tho public life of Mosgiel. In early days he took a keen interest in musical matters, and for some years conducted a singing class for young people. He was for long a member of the school committee. Until recently he was president of the Taieri Rovers'’ Football Club. His connection with the Taieri Bowling Club was likewise long and intimate. Much of his interest was given to the Presbyterian Church He was one of the original members of tho Mosgiel oo: gregation. and served for a long period on its Committee of Management. He was never absent from church when ho could possibly attend, and was in his accustomed place at morning service a fortnight before he died. The last six or seven years he spent in quiet retirement. He will long be remembered as a man of sterling honesty of purpose and integrity of character, who, through a long life, faithfully served his day* and generation, and earned the warmest re-o-ard of those who knew him best. His wife predeceased him by 18 years. The members of his family who survive are two sons and four daughters, all of whom are married.