PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3278, 10 January 1917, Page 14

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Princo von Douncrsmarck, tho second richest man in Germany, is dead. Ho went to Paris in 19G5, and forced M. Delcasse's dismissal, saying: "If Delcasse's action is that of the Government, Germany will know what to do. If it is a personal action ho must bo immediately dismissed." Mr E. Clifton, formerly director of the divi r '>n of fields and experimental farms and chief inspector of live stock for the dominion, and lately Commissioner for New ' Zealand at tho Panama Pacific Exposition at I San Francisco, has been appointed secretary to tho To Awamutu Federation of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union. Mr J. P. Nixson, who died at his St. Clair residence on tho Ist, will bo remembered as a prominent man in Dunedin i during the days when our city was coming to maturity. Ho and Mr Barker (who after- ; wards settled in Gisbornc) were the landlords I of tho Criterion Hotel, at tho corner of I Moray place, when that house commanded | tho best hotel trade of tho city. Subse-

quently Mr Nixson becamo licensee of the City Hotel, and ho made it a model residence house. For many years Mr Nixson had lived in retirement at St. Clair. Ho was able to get about until a fortnight ago, when he slipped in coming out of his bathroom and seriously hurt one of his legs in tho fall, surgical attendance being necessary. Mrs Nixson survives her husband, and thero aro two daughters, tho elder married to Mr A. Lee Smith, jun. The Rev. F. Rands, late of Otaki, has been appointed Methodist chaplain at tho Foathcrston military camp. A Press Association mossago from Sydrey states that the death is reported of Mr Chris. Bennett, manager and proprietor of tho Evening News. A Wellington Press Association message announces tho death of Mr S. B. F. Walmsley, a colonist of 66 years' standing, and one of the pioneers of tho Ohinemuri goldlields. He was the first contractor for the tupply of timber to tho Waihi Company. A Press Association cable message from Sydney announces the death of Mrs J. J. Cupples, widow of Mr Robert Cupples, of New Zealand. Mrs A. E. Hunt (wife of the Rev. Archibald E. Hunt, minister of tho Courtenay Place Congregational Church. Wellington) died on the 31st, It was in 1887 that Mr and Mrs Hunt entered into foreign missionary work, being stationed at Murray Island (New Guinea Mission). After three years in this work, they were transferred to Savaii, Samoa, where they laboured for five years, being associated during that time with the late Robert Louis Stevenson. Then they wore again placed in the New Guinea Mission—tho Rct. Mr Hunt this time succeeding Dr Lawes at Port Moresby. Unfortunately, after many years of faithful and devoted service, Mrs Hunt's health failed, and in 1902 Mr Hunt was compelled to relinquish active missionary work. On December 31, 1903, Mr Hunt accepted tho pastoral oversight of the Timaru Congregational Church, and in December, 1913, took up his present charge in Wellington. An ablo and devoted missionary, Mrs Hunt has always been closely associated with Mr Hunt in all his work, and has been a means of strength to the New Zealand churches under his charge. Mrs Hunt loaves three daughters and a son—Misses L. A. and W. Hunt, Mrs Leggatt (of Timaru), and Sergeant A. J. Hunt (who is at present in England recovering from wounds). Tho death occurred at Invoreorgill on Wednesday of a very old settler. Mr Angus Mackay, at the age of 84 years. The dc ceased was born in 1833 in Sutherlandshirc, Scotland, where he was educated and

brought up to a country life. Ho landed in Victoria in 1855. spent about two years at the Ballarat diggings, and aftrr a couple of years' further experience came to the Bluff by the ship Pirate. Mr Maokay toolup 50 acres of land at Longbush-, where he commenced farming, and added to his property until lie increased it to 470 acres. Jn 1392 lie sold his farm and visited the Old Country, and on his return settled in Invercargill. Mr Mackay served for many years on the Longbush School Committee, >..f which he was for a time chairman, and had also been a member of the South School Committee, while he served on the Awarua Licensing Committee for six years, and was from its inception a member of the Southland A and P. Association. Mr Maekav, who was married in 1867 to a daughter of the late Mr John Helm, of Hawick, Scotland, leaves a widow, but no family. The death is announced of Mr Malcolm Murchie. a very old Auckland resident. Tie was a native of Scotland, and landed in New Zealand from the ship Robert Henderson in 1863. A very old resident. Mrs "Rohina Henderson, passed away on Saturday, 30th ult., at Kaitangata. after a two days' illness. She was ono. of the best known and respected old identities in the district, and had lived in Kaitangata for 56 years. Porn in Edinburgh in 1844, she came out, to New Zea-

land in tho Pladda in 1860. Her first husband, tho lat© Mr Thos. Page, died about 46 years ago, and she afterwards married the lato Mr Robfc. Henderson, who predeceased her by a number of years. She is survived by four sons and two daughters. Mr John O'Donnell, who served in tho Crimean war. taking part in the battles of Alma. Inkerman, Balaclava, and Sebastopol, has died at New Plymouth at the age of 87. During that war Mr O'Donnell secured a medal for being the best rifle shot among the British troops. He also served in India, after which ho returned to England. He came to New Zealand about 1870, and later settled in Taranaki. In connection with the members of tho Frascr family, pioneer settlers in tho Rangitikei district, Mr J. 11. Stevens (of tho Frasers of Portobello, Inverness) has sent us a neatly-got-up souvenir, on the title page of which, under tho Union Jack and New Zealand flag, is the title, "Tho Bugle Call of tho Fraser Clan, Rangitikei, N.Z.,' in which aro recorded tho names of thoso who have responded to tho Empire's call. In the preface the compiler writes :—Nearly 100 members of the clan have rallied to tho call of tho King, and at tho close of voluntary enlistment in New Zealand there is not another member of this great family eligible for active service left to answer it; nor aro there any conscientious objectors or actually unfit. For one family this is a, world's record of volunteer war service. It speaks eloquently of mental strength and physical fitness, and of the fact that they inherit the heroic strain of tho fine old Scottish family who ventured to tho wilds of New Zealand in 1840 to people the Rangitikei district. After all, courage is a matter of character, and character rests mainly upon heredity. As others reach military age they too will hoar the call. In order to attain some finality the degree of relationship is restricted to direct descendants and sons-in-law. To include the other relatives and connections would entail the compilation of a list numbering thousands. Tho death has occurred at tho New Plymouth Hospital of Mr William Morshead Symons, of YVhangamomona, at the ago of 81 years. Mr Symons arrived with his parents at Wellington on January 22, 1840, in the Catherine Stcuart Forbes When the rush to the Australian goldfields broko out ho left Now Zealand, afterwards returning, and being present at the Gabriel's Gully rush in Otago. He _ subsequently settled in Marlborough, leaving there in 1!;88 for To Roti. In 1902 he went to livo at Whangamomona. The late Mr Ernest Graham, A.0.5.M., who died at Melbourne on Sunday last, was one' of tho many Otago University graduates who have made good in other countries. After trying a commercial life for some years he entered Otago University with a younger brother, and they both graduated A.O.S.M. in threo years. Leaving for Queensland, ho was for a time engaged with mining companies. Ho then, in conjunction with Mr Donald Matheson, and later with his brother, Mr A. R. Graham, started tho firm of Graham and Matheson. Ltd., assayers and ore buyers. This business ho successfully managed up to the time of his death. He was well known on Charters Towers and among mining men in North Queensland. He married Miss Katie Keam, of Dunedin. and there is ono son of the marriage Mr TO. S. Wilson eecretary _of the Dunedin Fanciers' Club, has received a cablegram from Mr Sam Crabtrcc. of Manchester, accepting the club's proposal that he should act as judge at its show this year. Mr Crabtrcc is the breeder of tho famous " Failsworth " bulldog, and is celebrated as an all round breeder of experience in various other breeds. He is a judge in great favour in the Old Country, nnd his services have been sought in America. South Africa, nnd the Continent of Europe. The news of Mr Crabtree's acceptance of his appointment will be a matter for general satisfaction amongst exhibitors. The fee required by Mr Crabtrcc for his services and to recoup him for Ids travelling expenses rr,n=. considerably over throe figures. Tt will be met. we understand, to a great extent by subscriptions from individual enthusiasts. Til" appointment is expected to « nsure record entries in the doc; sections of the show next June, as it should draw exhibits from all parts of New Zealand, and probably a few even from Australia.