PERSONAL ITEMS

Otago Witness, Issue 3247, 7 June 1916, Page 53

PERSONAL ITEMS

The death occurred on Sunday, 28th nit., of Mr Rouert Sinclair Allan, a well-known old identity, at the age of 76 years. 'lhe deceased was formerly connected with the firm of Guthrie and Laniach, and latterly with Mc&srs Donald Reid and Co. Mr Allan visited various goldfield towns in the earlv davs of tho Otago jTrovinco, and was also' at Martin's Bay. Tho death occurred at Launccston (Tasmania.) on Mondav, 29th ult., of Mr Fred. Cramond. The deceased was well known at Gisborne and Jnvorcargill, as manager of the Union Steam Ship Company at both those branches at various periods. He had been manager at Launccston for tho past five years, where ho was transferred for the benefit of his health. Mr Cramond had been in ill-health for some time, but his trouble was not looked upon as very serious, and his death was quite unexpected. As a mark of respect to tho deceased, the flags on the shipping in port and at the Union Company's head offico were lowered to half-mast. A telegram from Napier announces the death of "Captain Richard Todd, New Zealand superintendent of the Commonwealth and Dominion Steamship Line, aged 71 years. The deceased was well-known and highly respected from Auckland to Bluff as one of the most skilful and obliging navigators in the dominion. He was a sailing master of the old school, and visited New Zealand between 30 and 40 years ago, as master of various emigrant sailing ships. At one time ho had command 'of the ship Northumberland, which was subsequently lost near Napier. He afterwards settled in Napier, and was appointed marine superintendent for the old Tysor Lino of sfcnmcts, and some years later was appointed colonial superintendent for that company. Ho travelled about the dominion considerably, and took a very active interest in ail shinping matters. In 1913 he retired, but still took an active interest in his company's affairs. When the Tysor Line was incorporated into the Commonwealth and Dominion Line, Captain Todd was appointed a director and marine superintendent for New Zealand. His health had failed quickly since the death of his wife, about two years ago. A largo number of Hyde residents gathered together in Mr Lynch's Hall on the evening of May 26 for the purpose of farewelling Mr and Mrs John M'Lean, who are leaving the district. Mr M'Lean has leased his farm, and is going on active service. The Chairman (Mr T.. Ramsay) referred to the sterling qualities of Mr and Mrs M'Lean. and Mr M'Lean's patriotism in leaving his wife and child to serve hiw country. On behalf of the residents of Hyde he presented them with bureau writing ease, suitably inscribed. The president of the Hyde Rifle Club, Mr Geo. Currie. also presented to Mr M'Lean a wristlet watch from the members of the club. Mr M'Lean thanked the residents for their kindness and good wishes. Our Alexandra- correspondent writes: —Ml John Law, of Red Court, Gimmerburn, who died on Monday night as the result of an accident, was one of the most familiar figures in Maniototo. Mr Law originally settled between Waikouaiti and Morton, where his blacksmith's shop was a familiar spot in tho then sparsely settled landscape. Ho soon built up a remunerative trade, and whilst not actively associated with any public bodies, he. with the late Mr John Duncan, and others, was a staunch supman of the old Liberal provincial school. Later on Mr Law removed to Naseby, and eventually to Gimmerburn, where he founded one of the finest and best appointed homes in Central Otago. and became a well known figure at all public gatherings _ Ac was one o[ the founders and first president of tho Maniototo Farmers' Club, and took a keen interest in land matters. Mr Law's first wife predeceased him by a few years, his second is a daughter of Mr John O'Shea, of Dunedin.

Advice has been received (says the Taranaki News) that Miss Maida Hooker, granddaughter of Mr J. J. Connor, of Dunedm, has been awarded an exhibition scholarship in connection with the Associated Board of the R.A.M. and R.M.C., entitling her to a minimum sojourn of two years at the Royal Academy, London. In the examination last year for the L.A.B. degree she gained highest marks for the dominion. Three exhibitions arc given for the three best passes in Australasia. Miss Hooker commenced her musical .studies in 1905 with Miss D. Reillv, of Hawera, and was under her tuition until 1912, when she went to the Sacred Heart Convent, Timaru, and has since been under Mrs Maugas. She took the Elementary Examination (Practical) m 1906. the Lower School in 1903, the Higher in 1908. the Intermediate (local centre) in 1909. In 1911 she passed in theory of music (Trinity College) and took the advanced g-aacle '(Royal Academy). In 1912 she passed three examinations —Intermediate Theory (Royal Academy), Senior and Higher Local (Trinity). When only 14 she secured the A.T.C.'L. in 1913, and in 1915 the L.A.B. (Royal Academy). She gained distinction at the "convent school, Hawera, obtaining the highest marks in the Proficiency examination in the Wanganui district, 1912. Miss Hooker has also won a free place at the Girls' College at Wanganui and a senior free place in the Timaru College. These two hitter privileges were not utilised, as her parents wished that she should continue her studies at the Sacred Heart Convent at Timavu, where she has been for the past four vears.

The new Secretary for Education, MiFrederick K. Dc Castro, has been chief cleric of the Education Department since Sir Edward Gibbes, who retired yesterday, was. appointed secretary. Mr Do Castro lias been 42 years in the Government service. Before joining the Education Department in 1878 he was for four years in the Treasury. The death is announced of another old pioneer of Otago, in the person of Mrs James Brown, of Albert street, Dunedin. The deceased came to Dunedin in the ship ]".. Larkins in 1848. She was one of the first members of the First Church, a:i<l hcyv calm demeanour and kindness always commanded attention and respect. Mrs Brown was the wife of Mr .Tamos Brown, artist and engraver, who died about oO year- ago. She leaves four daughters and one son. Professor Charles G. a.oss. Associate Professor of Journalism. University of Missouri. U.S.A., has (the Asbbm-ton Gnrad : an savs) been appohvtcd sub-editor of the Melbourne Herald, and leaves Ran Francisco next month to take up the appointment. Professor Boss intends spending a year in Am tralas'a, and, during that time will visit Now Zealand and discuss with the proprietor" and literary staffs of newspapers the question of the establishment of schools

of journalism and American journalist!© methods. 110 will also act as the advance representative here for the Press Congress of the World, which is to be held in Sydney early in 1913. Trooper Win. Gunn. wlio went to the front with ihe Main Expeditionary Force, and returned to New Zealand in February, was on Tuesday evening presented by the : >sidonts of Green Island with a very handsome caso of pipes. The Mayor of the Borough, in making the presentation, referred to the services rendered to the Em« pire by Trooper Gunn, who will leave to* day to take up a position at Mount Royal Palmcrston. The death took place on the 22nd ulr.. at Roxburgh, of Mrs E. Higgs, on? of the early pioneers. With her husband, Mr Thomas Higgs, who died in 1913. decease/ arrived in Now Zealand in 1865. Mr an Mrs Higgs creeled the first hotel at R&c'fc Junction, and later entered into possession of the old Roxburgh Hotel. Subsequent!* they sold out and took over the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel on the east stc;e ot the river at Beaumont, but only remained six months, when they returned to where they spent the remainder of thciij days. The deceased leaves seven grandchildren to mourn their loss —Mrs J, Richardson (Mosgicl), Mrs F. Pringlfl (Dunedin). Mrs J. Richardson (Argentine), Miss Maud Weatherall, Mr Geo. Weatherall, Mr J. 'J'. Weatherall, and Mr Frank Weatherall. The news of the death of Mr John L-avv, of Red Court. Gimmcrburn, one-time president of the Maniototo Farmers' Club, and a well-known personality, is announced'. Few who mot the late pioneer in ordinary affairs knew the depth of kindness of which he was capable, and Maniototo without John Law, of Gimmcrburn, will appear impossible! to his old friends. He has left a lasting monument in what ho contributed to the progress of the district in the lino homostead in Gimmcrburn Valley. Constable Fines, who has been in charge of the Anderson Bay Police Station for over eight years, has retired from the force. Constable Rings has seen 22 years' service, and before coming to Dunedin was stationed! at Oamaru, Timaru, Christchurch, and Kaiapoi. Before joining the Police Force ha was a member of the New Zealand Per''' mancnt Artillery, being stationed at Wel« lington for some time, and later at Lyttelton. Constable Rings will be relieved by; Constable E. Turner, who has been stationed at Ashburton for several years. A Press Association message states that Mr John Grant died at Woodville on the 22nd inst., at the age of 65 years. The deceased was well-known in Otago. Ho was employed in the Bruce Herald Offico for many " years, and. _ being a capable musician, took a very active part in encour* aging a taste for music. He afterwards went to Woodville, and for the past) 20 years was proprietor of the Woodville Examiner. He leaves a widow and family of eight. Two sons arc on active service. Mr Frank Tuko, an old and respected resident of Napier, died at the Napier Hospital on the 19th inst. as the result of an accident. Ho tripped and fell down a stairway, fracturing his skull. Ho was removed to the hospital, but never recovered consciousness. Deceased, who was 60 years of age, was the only son of the late Captain Tuke, one of the pioneers of NeW Zealand. One of the examiners who reported ou Professor Bedford's thesis on ,: The History and Practice of Banking in Nov/ Zealand"— which led to the bestowal on Professor Bedford of the degree of Litt.D was Profeeso* Chapman, of Cambridge. In his report oU| the thesis Professor Chapman wrote: —'"IS is a genuine piece of economic research, and not merely a resninning of material taken from books. Tito author's investigations appear to have been conducted with care, and to have been adequately exhausted. The author is well equipped on the theoretical side, brings his knowledge effectively to bear, researches adoquately and with insight, and skilfully sift* and marshals his facts. His stylo is lucid-* neither distinguished nor undistinguished. Mr Herbert Stanley Adams was en the 26th admitted as a solicitor by his Honor Mr Justice Sim. Mr A. Macintosh, superintendent in New Zealand for Messrs Dalgety and Co., has intimated to his board of directors in London his intention to retire as soon as arrangements can be conveniently made to relievo him. These, ho expects, will be effected at an early date. Mr Macintosh lias held the position of superintendent tor eight years past.

Mr W Phillipps, who, after seven yeara and a-ha'lf service, has severed his connection with the Albany Street School staff to take up the head mastership of the W aikouaiti School, was ho recipient, pnthc 26th of some parting tokens of appreciation. Xhe head master (Mr J. Rennie), on behalf oj the pupils, presented him with a clock, and later in the day, at a social gathering- of the staff handed him a silver-mounted umbrella. Mr J. H. Wilkinson (chairman of committee) spoke at the latter function, expressing appreciation of the good work clone bv Mr Phillipps at Albany street Mr Charles Edward Doner as aiea at tna Westland Hospital last Tuesday, 23rd inst, The late Mr Douglas, who was a member of a well-known ana historical ildmburgtt family, left Scotland at the ago of 19 years After a visit to the Shotover (Otago) diggings, he went to the West Coast and was employed by the Survey Department for many years in making' exploratory and geological surveys in the far south of Westland Information ha:; been received that the degree of D.D., recently conferred on the Rev J T. Pinfold, of Mosgiel, by the Wesleyan Theological College affiliated with the M'Gill University, Canada, was bestowed, by the unanimous vote of both the faculty ai'ul the senate of the university. A cablegram has been received in AucKland statin- that Bishop Oleary, of Aucfcj land, arrived *afelv in Home on a visit ad limina to the Po P c. B. S hop Cleary who is accompanied by Father Kehoe, will go from Home to Great Britain ana ireiana. and is due back in Auckland at the end of % By" the death of Mr J. Ferris,, of Waitahuna Gully, one of the few remaining links connecting the early mining days with the present has been broken (says the 1 uapeka Times). Mr Ferris was born in Belfast m 1837. and came to Victoria a koywn,. h s mother and others o! her family, tne father being alreadv dead. They remained there conn? vears. H" came to New Zealand a voungman of 23 or 24 years, ano was some !:_.,, 0 n"-n"-ecl in mminar m \\ ethorstoncs, but etimo to the Gully in the early days o* the minimr. and was a partner m the e:aim known a« the "Citv of Dublin." Tlys comP :,nv sold to the Norwegians some four oi five yearn ago. He was connected with all the public institutions in Waitanuna Uuiij.