PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 51

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The death is announced (says a Wellington message) of Mr Robert Coupland Harding, a well-known printer and journalist; aged 67 years. A Press Association message from Auckland records the death, at the ago of 71 years, of Major Shepherd, formerly the officer commanding the Auckland military district, and recently Sergeant-at-arms m the House of Representatives. On Thursday, 14th, at the Timaru Police Station (saye the Herald), Constable Murphy (who has been in charge of the police station at Waimataitai for the past two and a half years, and is now transferred to Central Otago) was presented with a leather suit caso by the members of tho police force. All present spoke of tho sterling worth of Constable Murphy, and wished him continued success.

It is understood that Mr O. J. Ronaldson, manager of the National Bank at Invercargill, has been appointed manager at Christchurch, and the change will probably be -made in February. Mr F. S. Scamon, at present a member of tho inspecting staff, will go to Invercnrgill. Mr Ronaldson, during his &2 years' stay in tho town, has prominently identified himself with public movements, and has been an active patriotic worker. He was president of tho Chamber of Commerce for one year and a member of the Southland League, and is_ president of the St. John Ambulance Association. Tho main business beforo the Clutha Presbytery en the 15th was the licensing of Mr William M'Neur, .who had just completed his theological course, to the ministry of the Church. The prescribed questions were put by the Moderator and satisfactorily answered by the candidate, when the Moderator by prayer set him apart to his work as a minister of the Gospel. The service was a very impresive one. Tho many friends of Mr Alfred Jcnkinson will regret to hoar of his death, at the age of 76, which occurred at "Hilly Park," Romahapa, on Thursday. Tho late Mr Jenkinson was a cousin of the late Mr J. Hartley Jenkinson, and was born in 1840 at Halifax, in Yorkshire, England. He arrived in New Zealand by the ship Chili about 1861. As a president of tho Port Molyncux Caledonian Society and a keen student and critic of political activities, the late Mr Jenkinson was well known. Of a kindly and cheerful disposition, he was highly respected throughout the district. He was also at one time a valued contributor to the Clutha Leader. Tho deceased gentleman had been in indifferent health since an attack of severe illness two years ago, but he retained his cheery disposition till the last. Tho remains wero interred in the Romahapa Cemetery on Satin-day afternoon A farewell social was tendered to Mr and Mrs Jenkins, of Outram, on Friday, 15th inst. Mr Jenkins has been stationmaster there for some time past, and during his stay has proved a most popular officer. He has identified himself with all matters which told for the advancement of the town. Both Mr and Mrs Jenkins were also energetic members of tho Patriotic Committee. Mr P. Chisholm (chairman of the Town Board), who presided, spoke in eulogistic terms of the departing guests, and on bohalf of the residents of Outram and West Taieri made a presentation of a purse of sovereigns, and conveyed all manner of good wishes for the best of health and prosperity. Mr Jenkins made suitable acknowledgment of the gift. Musical and other items were a happy feature of the gathering. Constable Drury, "of St. Clair, retired —on the 19th on superannuation. He has been in the service or 34 years, 27 of which he has .spent in Otago. The University Council, at its meeting last week, agreed that the Leask silver medal for operative dental surgery be awarded to Robert Bcvan Dodds. Dr F. W. Ward, formerly editor of the Sydney Daily Telegraph, succeeds the Rev. G. Woolnough at tho New Year as editor of the Brisbane Telegraph. Mr G. Calder, of North-East Valley,' has had a remarkable record of continuous service at the Valley School, and last week his long years of good work wero publicly recognised at the annual breaking-up ceremony of the school. Mr B. E. Sinclair, a member of the School Committee, informed the largo gathering that Mr Calder had this year completed his jubilee as a member of the committee. For 50 years he had served the Valley School faithfully and well, and "chat was a record that he did not think could be equalled in the dominion. The present members and ex-members of committee had decided to give him a little present, so that ho might remember the many happy years he had spent on the committee. Mrs Begg also boro testimony to the valuable work Mr Calder had so long carried on, not only for the school, but for the whole community, in assisting every good and noble cause. She fastened on his coat the inscribed gold medal prepared by the donors. Mr Calder, in returning thanks, said he hoped yet to be able to serve the Valley School for many more years. He was received with great enthusiasm, the audience rising to sing " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" and cheer lustily. Tho Dunedin Presbytery on Wednesday n.orning carried a resolution expressing sympathy with the widow of tho late Rev. J. Shore, of Hamilton, who was killed in a motor accident on Sunday. Tho Presbytery also extended its sympathy to the Hamilton congregation. The motion was carried in tho customary manner, members reverently standing". At St. Paul's Cathedral on tho 21st Mr Wallace V. Willis, stipendiary lay reader at Avonsido for the past two years, and formerly for four years in the Nelson diocese, lay reader at Denniston and Waimangaroa, assistant in tho Grey Valley, and afterwards appointed in charge of Mui'chison, was ordained a deacon Dy tho Primate (Bishop Nevill), and appointed to tho parochial district of Pembroke. On Saturday night, prior to leaving Avonsido, the C.E.Mrs, branch there, of which Mr Willis was vice-president, entertained him at a social, and presented him with a silvermounted pipe. On Monday night those interested in St. Chad's- mission met at Mr Ragg's residence, Gloucester street, and presented Mr Willis with a purse of sovereigns. Tho viear (tho Rev. 0. Fitzgerald), in making the presentation, referred to the good work of the recipient during his sojourn in tho parish. A farewell social and presentation was tendered to Mr and Mrs Roberts on Friday evening, December 8. in the Ranfurly Presbyterian Church, Mr Roberts, who has held tho position pi manager of Eweburn Nursery for tho past 20 years, having do-

cided to resign and enter into business with tho firm of Roberts and Sons. The Ranfurly and Naseby Choirs rendered valuable assistance with the musical part of the programme, and their various items were much appreciated. During the evening Mr John Forrester, sen., on behalf of tho congregation, asked Mr Roberts to accept a purso of sovereigns, and referred to the splendid work done by Mr Roberts, who acted as secretary to the church for tho past 12 years. Mr Forrester presented Mrs Roberts with a comb and brush from tho members of tho Ladies' Guild. Mrs Mawhinncy (for tho Ladies' Guild), Miss Greer (on behalf of the choir), Mrs M'Lay, and Mr Cromb also spoke. Mr Roberts thanked all his friends for their kindness during his residence in the district, and spoke of the change made in the township. Tea was then handed round by tho ladies, and the singing of the National Anthem brought a pleasant evening to a close. On the eve of his departure, the staff of the Ranfurly Nursery and Naseby Plantation met, and Mr John Millar, on their behalf, presented Mr Roberts with a watch, as a small token of the esteem in which he was held by the employees. Mr Roberts thanked them for their kindness to himself and Mrs Roberts.

Tho Rev. 1. Sargison, of Timaru, who has accepted a call to St. Clair Congregational Church, will take, up his new duties on the first Sunday in January. A pleasing event took place at East Taieri School on Wednesday afternoon, when Miss Gillespie was -entertained at pfternoon tea by the girls of the upper classes. When the school broke up on Thursday the head master, on behalf of the comn. ittee, scholars, and teaching staff, presented her with a silver chainbag, as a token of the esteem and affection in which she is held after 2£- years' work in the school. Miss Gillespie thanked the donors for the gift

A Press Association cable message states that tho Clothworkers have elected Mr Massey a freeman. The company was afterwards entertained at luncheon.

Mr John Mill has been appointed a member of tho Chalmers Licensing Committee, vice tho late Mr R. Ferrier.

Mr H. Valentine, slationmastcr at Darficld for tho past three years, has received notice to transfer to Wyndh-am on January 12. Mr J. A. Thompson, LL.B., clerk of the Queenstown Magistrate's Court, has received notice of his transfer to Christchurch, where ho will take up the position of second clerk. Tho directors of the Mosgiel Co-operative Dairy Factory Company recognised the good services of Mr G. A. Keys, who was actingsecretary during Mr M'Loan's absence, by presenting him with a wicker chair at a social in his honour on Friday evening. Mr Wm. Blackie was in the chair. A programme of songs and speeches made the evening an enjoyable one. The 40 years' service in the Police Force of Mr John Cullen, 1.5.0., who recently retired from the position of Commissioner of Police, was honoured by his former colleagues at a presentation ceremony last Wednesday (says tho New Zealand Times). A large number of officers and members of the force assembled at Lambton quay police station, when Mr Cullen was presented with a substantial cheque as a mark of the esteem in. which he was held by all ranks in tho Police Force.

Mr "Archie" Dalgleish, one of the bestknown early settlers in North Otago, passed away on Thursday (says the Oamaru Mail). Born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, he came to tho dominion with his parents in 1858, landing at Port Chalmers. His father went with his family to Bon Lomond Station (now Otekaike). After two years at Otekaike the family moved to Kurow Station. later going to Waitangi Station. From Waitangi Mr Dalgleish and family moved to Otematata, leaving there for Omarama. In 1866 the family settled at Papakaio. Mr Dalgleish, sen., buying a farm of 550 acres leased for 10 years to Mr Samuel Wilson, upon the expiration of whose, lease, subsequent to the death of Mr Dalgleish, sen.. the two sons, Archibald and John, farmed it. In 1885 they sold the farm at Papakaio. and in 1901 "Archie" drew a section at Waikakahi. selling out there to buy the farm at Kakairui. This farm ho disposed of and went to the farm at Boundarv Creek, which he worked up to his death. In 1885 the late Mr Dalgleish commenced breeding Clydesdales, and met with success. In the early days Mr Dalgleish was a champion ploughman and redoubtable draughts player, though it is as an athlete that the generality of his compeers will remember him. He also took a keen interest in coursing. The deceased leaves a widow, two sons, and two daughters, one son and two daughters residing at home, and the other son being married, residing at Mareweka. Mrs Stewart, of Otekaike, is a sister of the late Mr Dalgleish.