PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 55

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr Fred. Pirani, who has given 20 years' service on the Wanganui Education Board, has definitely decided to retire at the end of July. Mr Pirani has occupied the position of chairman for the past 10 years (says the Post). It is mainly due to the energy and hard work put into the position by Mr Pirani—often at the sacrifice of his own business interests —that educational matters in the Wanganui district are on such a satisfactory bp.sis. Mr William White, who arrived in Wellington over 58 years ago from England, celebrated his 100th birthday on the 18th. Mr White was born on Juno 18, 1816, at Walworth. Surrey, and came to New Zealand in the Alma. Ho was sent up to Hawke's Bay roadmaking, and afterwards took up farm work. Later he visited the Otago goldfielrls and roamed about the country as a farm hand. "I. feci quite fit, and am able to take a daily stroll, with my pipe as companion, for 1 have smoked since I was 14- years of age, and have also been a moderate drinker," remarked the centenarian on Saturday to a Post reporter. " I should like, if my legs were stronger, to go to tho front, for I used to pride myself on being a good shot,'' coneluded Mr White, who looks far younger than his years. Captain J. Email Smith, Under-sccretary for Immigration, died suddenly at Wellington on Friday, 16th inst. The immediate cause of death was the bursting of a blood vessel on the brain. Captain Smith was a native of Wellington, about 53 years of age, and unmarried. After finishing his education in that city, he entered the Treasury Department, and was there for many years. Later he became Registrar of Oldage Pensions, and whilst holding that position he received the appointment of Resident New Zealand Government Commissioner for the Qopk Islands Group. Mr .Smith, in his younger days, took a prominent part in outdoor sports. He was a member of the Wellington Football Club., and also belonged to the Star Boating Club. Nurse Orton. who has served the Plunkot Society in Oamaru for some time and has relinquished her work in order to proceed to England in connection with private business matters, has left for the north to join a. Home steamer.

A link with the early days of Timaru was broken on Saturday, 17th inst., when Mr John Mce, a well-known merchant, of Strathallan street, died. Mr Mee arrived in New Zealand in 1853 with his brother. Mr George Mce. Soon after his arrival ]i:i joined the firm of Miles and Co., in Christchurch, and was shortly afterwards appointed to represent them in _ Timaru. Later ho bought out the extensive wool, grain, and seed business of XTilcs and Co., which he carried on successfully. He was well known throughout, South Canterbury as a business man, and in his younger days he took an active interest in various athletic pursuits, of which ho was very fond. His wife died some years ayo, but he leaves a grown-up family of sous and daughters.

Another old resident of Timaru in the person of' Mr Alexander Montgomery, Deputy Official Assignee, passed away in the early hoims of Saturday, 17th inst. He had been unwell for some considerable . time. As registrar of births, deaths, and marriages for more than'2o years, he had become known to a great many people in South Canterbury. In the early days he was a member of an auctioneering firm at Tenmka —Gray and; Montgomery. He was a man of sterling character. Mr Montgomery came out to New Zealand from Ireland. His w.ife predeceased him by nearly 20 years. * The death is announced of another of the pioneers of Wcstkmd, in the person of Mrs C Preston, which occurred at Hokitika on Juno 16. The deceased lady, who was predeceased by her husband over 20 years ago, had not been ailing long. The late Mrs Preston was a native of Dunedin, and went to the. West Coast as a girl of 17 in the early 'sixties. Sho_ was one of the earliest residents of the Kumara district. About 10 years ago Mrs Preston removed to Hokitika to tako over the Post Office Hotel, which business she successfully eonducted until about three years ago. when she sold out her business and retired to live privately. Another old identity in the North Otago district- passed away at his residence or; the 19th in the person of Mr William Robertson. He was born at Carsogowrio. Perthshire, in 1836, and arrived 'in Now Zealand in 1873. After spending 12 months in the Kakanui district, he removed to land which he had taken up in the Inchohne district, where he had continued to reside until the time of his. death. General and sincere sorrow will be felt throughout the whole of the North Otago district at the announcement of the death of Mrs George Livingstone, of Windsor. It will be remembered that some little time ago Mrs Livingstone sustained an accident whilst in Oamaru, which resulted in a fractured thigh. She was taken to a private hospital, where it was discovered that her injuries were much more serious than was at first thought, and in spite of all thaimedical and surgical skill could do she gradually sank, and died on Thursday, 15th inst. Mrs Livingstone was the eldest daughter of the late Thomas Reid. of Gibbs Lea. Ngapara, and was, born in Oamaru in 1863. She was widely known and highly esteemed throughout the whole of North Otago, having given her services most readily and willingly wherever sickness or distress called for assistance. Mrs Livingstone never failed not only to render aid in such cases, but to seek out those who were in need and minister to their com fort. Since the outbreak of the war the deceased had been closely identified with everv patriotic movement in the North Otaffo district, and had been unceasingly active in all the in connection v.ith the P.eJ' Crops Society. The Mining Journal announces that Mr Norman M. Shand, A.0.5.M., of Dunedin, has been appointed assistant general manager of the Sons of Gawlior Mine (Ltd.). on- of the most productive London-owned gold mines in Western Australia. Mr Justice Edwards, who has been ill with pleurisy, was well enough to preside at a short session of the Supremo Court in Palmerston North on the 21st inst. Mr Cr YV. Wyles. who has accepted the position of assistant to the signal engineer. New Zealand Railways, is on way to the dominion, via India.. Mr _ Wyles _ has been for some years in a similar position on the Bombay, Baroda, and Central Indian Railway.

At the meeting of the Taiori County Council on the '23rd.. the chairman (Cr Freeman) made reference to the death of Cr John Elliot, who, ho stated, had a long record of faithful service to his credit as a

representative of the Strath-Taieri Riding", lie moved that the council record its appreciation of his services, and extend its sympathy to Mrs Elliot and family in their sad bereavement. It was decided to send a copy of the resolution to Mrs Elliot. The many friends of the Rev. A. J. Scanner, who enlisted with the rank of corporal, will bo phased to learn that ho is making a good recovery since his recent severe operation. Mr Seanu r's general health is improving, and last week he waa able to visit Lawrence and preach in the Methodist Church there on Sunday. The death is announced in the Australian papers of Mr J. S. Horsfall and Mr Albert Austin, both of Toorak. Melbourne. During the Boer war Mr Horsfall raised a contingent of 500 bushmen and sent them to the front at his own expense, but this fine body of men never had a chance to distinguish themselves, however, for peace was declared a few days after they arrived. To the University of Melbourne Mr Horsfall was a very generous benefactor. Mr Austin was one of the best-known pastoralists in Australia.

By the doalh of Max Yogrich, veteran pianist and composer (news of which has been received from New York), the musical world has lost a most valuer! artist. Ho first visited Australasia with the late August Wilhelmj, and it was in the commonwealth that he met his wife. Alice Rocs, the wellknown "Australian Nightingale," who sur° vives him, and is living in New York.

The death occurred at the Duncdin Hospital on Tuesday. 20th ins*., of Mr William Battriclc, an old resident of Balclutha. Tho deceased gentleman, who was 46 ye-urs of age, had been suffering from the result of. an accident which bofel him some five oi six years ago. Mr Battriclc was born n,i Balclutha, where he spent most of his life, and was a son of tho late William Battrick, who, in the early day?, was the proprietor of the old Crown Hotel. Thirty - two years ago the deceased joined tho staff of the. Clutha Leader, and it was on this paper that he served his apprenticeship at the printing trade. For a number of years he went to work for Mr M'Farlane, at that time a bridge builder, but later rejoined the staffi of tho Clutha Leader, serving aa monolirje operator. He took an active pari in military matters, and was for many year* marker for the Clutha Mounted Rifles, beir.q also caretaker of the Harvey Memorial Hall. It was while attending to his duties in this sphere of labour that he met with tho accident which was tho means of hastening hid death. When lifting a heavy table, ho was pinned against the wall, and as a result, had to bo treated at tho Duncdin Hospital. Returning in the course of a few months, he again took up his duties at tho Leader office, but about four years ago had to relinquish his work. Three months ago deceased was taken to the punedin Hospital, where he remained until his death. Tho late Mr Battrick was a member of the Oddfellows' Lodge. Ho is survived by a widow and two children, ths' elder, of whom is- 13 years of age, to mourn their loss. The funeral, which, was a private one, toik place on Wednesday. Waikato's oldest inhabitant, Mr G. S. Barker, d : ed in Hamilton last week, aged 100 years and five months. His son, Sergeant Barker, is in a Bersalcse native company Mr Barker was born at Calcutta on January 18, 1816. and sewed in tho Indian army from a youth, and came to New Zealand in 1861. lie served through the Maori war with the Third Mihtia, ana later joined tho Thames gold rush. Ho went to Hamilton in 1577. The Waitara Mail records the death of Mr John R : chai-dsf which occurred at his residence, Tikoranoi, en tho 20th instant at the age of 80 years. Bom in Cornwall he left there with his parents at the age of five years, and landed m New Zealand from the ship Blenheim in the year 1242. As a vouth ho spent a considerable time with Sir Harry Atkinson, and afterwards joined the volunteers under Captain Watt." When tho Maori War broke out he was called up for active service, and was present at the Waireka fight. Ho was^ driving an ambulance during a fight at Waitara. As a civilian he was engaged with the surf boats at New Plymouth, and then when land was available for military setters ho removed to Tikorangi. being station.dl on what is known as tho Blockhouse HiU, where he resicbd up to the timo of his death. Deceased endured many hardships ,n the old pioneering days, and probably these told, for in his latter days he nad been in indifferent health. Finally, however, iiis death came unexpectedly. -tio loaves a widow, live daughters, and three sons.