PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3280, 24 January 1917, Page 53

PERSONAL ITEMS.

A Press Association telegram from Auckland states:—Mrs Philip King, of Waiuku, has just celebrated her 101st birthday. She arrived in the colony in 1840, before the arrival of Governor Hobson. Her late husband arrived in 1814, when 16 months old, his father being a member of Samuel Marsden's party. Mr George Brown, of Takaka, who will attain his ninety-fourth birthday on the 19th inst. (says the Colonist), has tendered his resignation as ranger for tho Takaka County Council, to take effect on tho 31st inst. On Christmas Evo there passed away a well-known and much-esteemed early settler in tho person of Mr Henry Burrows, of 53 Stafford street. Ho arrived in New Zealand in May. 1260, by the Gonanague, with his wife and one son. Deceased was attracted to station life, and then tried his luck at tho gold rush at Gabriel's Gully. He returned to farming at Invcrcargill and Mataura, and after a time at mining at Bannockburn, and participated in tho gold rush at Long Valley. Alter some years in tho Lakes district, ho resolved to settle down permanently, and came to Dunedin, commencing business at his trade as a shoemaker in Maclaggan street. He retired a few years before his death. His manly upright character and honesty of living endeared him to all; and his ready wit made his company a pleasure. His wife predeceased him by 12 years. Mr Burrows leaves a family of seven sons and live daughters. A very old settler (says tho Taranaki Herald) passed away last week, in tho Cerson of Mr John Rawlings. Ho was orn in 1832 in London, and in 1854 carao to New Zealand and started farming in NcLson... Ho later resided in Wanganui, where for six years he was proprietor of the St. John's Hotel, and afterwards acquired a farm at Omata. A few years ago ho retired. For several seasons he was a familiar figure on the Now Plymouth bowling green, but advancing years caused him last year to give up this pastime. He was twice married, and loaves a widow and a young child. Mr Harry Llo}'d Brett, second son of Mr Henry Brett, of the Brett Printing and Publishing Company, Auckland, died on the 12th inst., at the age of 44, after a long illness. Born in Auckland, the deceased on completing his education joined tho commercial staff of the Star, of which his father was one of the founders and is still principal proprietor. Mr Brett was a member of the commercial staff of the Otago Daily Times for two years. For a period he was secretary of the Star Company, with which ho was actively associated for many years until impaired health compelled him to retire. This he did two or three years ago, devoting his attention thereafter to the management of his estate in tho Waiotapu Valley. He is survived by Mrs Brett (who is a daughter of the late Major Mair, of Takapuna), one son, and two daughters. Mr Brett was a well-known vocalist, and was associated with the Auckland Choral Society. Possessed of the most admirable personal qualities, he was one of tho most popular men in Auckland, where his amiability of temperament was patticularly esteemed. There passed away at the Napier Hospital on tho 12th inst. (says the Hawke's Bay Tribune) another of Now Zcaland.'s pioneers in the person of Mr Samuel Manson, of the firm of Manson and Co., timber merchants. The late Mr Manson was born at Lyttelton in 1848, and his parents, who were among the first colonists of Nelson, subsequently settled on Banks Peninsula. At an early ago Mr Manson evinced an aptitude for machinery work, and was for many years engaged in engine-driving in Canterbury. In 1869 he commenced sawmilling at Kaiata, Greymouth, starting one of tho first mills on the West Coast. He removed to the North Island in 1898 and operated mills at Manakau, Otaki, and Eketahuna. For several years past lie has been in the timber business at Napier. ITc is survived by his widow, eight sons, and two daughters. News was received in Oamam on Monday,, 15th inst. (says tho Mail) of _ the death at Auckland of Mr Walter Williamson, which occurred earlier in tho day. Mr Williamson was born at Cloekhoaton. Yorkshire, in 1851. and was consequently in his sixty-sixth year. When a young man he camo to New Zealand, taking up his residence in Oamaru, where his brother, Mr Thomas Williamson. of Otckaike, had settled. Ho found employment in tho country, but later became bookkeeper to Messrs 0. Galbraith and Co., timber merchant?, and when that business was purchased by tho late Mr James Craig, Mr Williamson's services were retained by the new owner. Mr Williamson subsequently received the position of manager, which he filled up to the time of his death. Mr Williamson was on a holiday trip to Auckland at the time of his demise. Mr Williamson was married in January. 1882. to Miss Marion, daughter of the late- Mr T. M. Cunninghame, and leaves a widow and one

son to mourn his death. Tho deceased gentleman, who enjoyed a wide popularity, was best known in musical and church circles. Tho deceased gentleman was an enthusiastic member of the Meadowbank Bowling Club. At a meeting of tho West Taicri Presbyterian congregation, held on Tuesday, 16th inst., it was decided to forward a call to the Rev. J. Bates, of Lyttelton. Air William Theyers, a very old identity of Alexandra, was found dead in his homo on Wednesday at 1.30 p.m. He had one of the first businesses in tho town, bein.tr a draper in_ the early clays, when Alexandra was practically a canvas town. He was 86 years of age. An old and respected resident of tho Taieri passed away on the 14th in the person of Mr Jolm Kirk, of Melville Park, Mosgicl. Ho w;as bom in 1855 at Culross, Scotland, and died on the sixty-second anniversary of his birthday. Forty years ago he came to New Zealand with his parents and brothers, and settled in Mosgiel. In 1852 he was married to Miss M. A. Melville, of Dundee, Scotland. He was of a quiet and retiring disposition, and was held in high esteem for Ins sterling character. As a member of tho Methodist Church, he had held almost every position in that religious body open to laymen. Ho leaves a widow and five daughters to mourn their loss. The funeral took place at the East Taieri Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon, and was largely attended. Very general regret will be felt throughout the North Otago district at the news of the death of Mr John Miller, which took place at his residence, Exe street, Oamaru, on Wednesday night (says the North Ota.go Times). The late Mr Miller was born in Ipswich, Queensland, in 1859. Ho came to New Zealand with his parents when only eight years of age, the family landing at Dunedin in 1867. Mr Miller's father took up farming, settling at Allday Bay. After completing his early education, the late Air Miller commenced his commercial career in the office of David Hay, who carried on a grain end produce business. Later Mr Miller was a partner in the firm of J. and G. Miller, grain and produce merchants, and was employed successively by Ireland and Barr, G. S. Lintott and Co., and Fleming and Hedley. Mr Miller was bookkeeper for tho Farmers' Co-operative Association. After some years of such service the lite Mr Miller took up secretarial and auditing work, the one through which he had become most widely and popularly known being the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association. In his younger da} - s Mr Miller was an enthusiast in tho matter of sports. His work with the old Caledonian Society was greatly appreciated by those connected with that organisation. The late Mr Miller is survived by his widow, two sons, end two daughters. The death occurred suddenly at his residence, Balclutha, early on Wednesday morning of Mr Alexander M'Donald, an old and respected resident 6f that town, the cause of death being heart failure (says the Leader). Tho late Air M'Donald was born in Statcfcrd, Scotland, 76 years ago, and crane out to New Zealand in the ship Nelson in 1863, being then 22 years of age. Ho joined in the rush to tho diggings in the Nelson province, where he remained for some time. Ho next took up farm work in the Taieri. Afterwards he shifted to Oamaru, w r as employed as shepherd on Arrigowan Station, and rose to the position of overseer on the station. While there, he took a keen inetrest in prize stock, lie himself being a successful exhibitor and prizetaker in Leicester sheep. About this time he was married to Miss Georgina Pringle. Accompanied by his wife, he left Ardgowan to manage Berkley Estate, at Henley. Ho then journeyed to Inchchitha. where he held a similar position on one of the large estates. He finally settled at Balclutha 20 years ago, and acted as a shepherd until his retirement. . Tho deceased leaves a wjfo and a family of five boys and five girls to mourn their loss. One of his sons, was killed at Gallipoli, and two are on active service. A Dannevirko message reports tho death of Mr Henry Gaisford, aged 75, a wellknown sportsman. Dr Jolly 7, house surgeon at the Hospital, has intimated her intention of resigning her position next month. Dr Sydney Smith, District Health Officer at Wellington, has been advised by cable (says a Wellington wire) that he has been appointed medical-legal expert to the Egyptian Government and lecturer on medical jurisprudence at Cairo University. He will leave for Egypt in a few weeks. Dr Smith is a native of Roxburgh, Otago, and qualified at Edinburgh. The death of Mr James Brown took place at his residence in Colac Bay on tho 12th at tho age of 63. The deceased was l>orn at Dunbar, Scotland, where ho was educated, afterwards being apprenticed to the engineering trade at Denny's shipbuilding yards. Ho married and came out to New Zealand, landing at the Bluff from the ship Christian M'Causland 42 years ago. A few years later his wife died, and he remained a widower for three years, when he again married and settled at Lady Barkly, win ro he started in business at his trade. Being burnt ouf, he shifted to Winton, installing an up-to-date engineering plant, where he worked up a very large business. 'Twelve years ago lie went to Colac Bay. Being an expert engineer, Lis services were eagerly sought after. Together with the late Mr David Hawthorn, of Invercargill, he was looked upon as one of the most experienced in New Zealand among machinery, and undertook many large engineering contracts. He loaves a widow and six children, three girls and three boys, one of whom is at the front. Mr Thomas Hazlctt, of South Hillcnd, passed away at his home on Monday, after an illness extending over a few weeks. Tho deceased gentleman resided in the district from its earliest history, and assisted, with other old settlers, in converting tho South Hillcnd neighbourhood from a swamp into fertile land. The late Mr Hazlett was noted for his. uprightness, his philanthropy, and tb<-'isrhtfnlnoss. Mr 11. Coop, stationmastcr, Stirling, for the past 5! years, has received notice of n " s +!")!isfo;' T 5 relieving officer on wellearned promotion. Mr Coop lias always t-i r. nn I'-rive interest in musical mnttcrs, and for somo years has acted as conductor of t'"' B:i'"luthii Rind !> sid's nroh'-stras, and was also a frequent performer at concerts. ■}". . r Vv»th occurred at his ros-d-mcc. Kelso, on Sunday morning, after a lingering illness, of Mr Arthur Robert M'Neil, second son of Mr and Mrs A. M'Neil, of Balclutha. TV late Mr M'Neil was born at Balclutha 32 years ago, and was ,d.:-ited nt the Balclutha District High School. For tho past six years ho was tho proprietor of the blacksmith's business at Crookston. Six years ago he was married at Crookston to Miss Dolly Smith. Mr M'Neil was an enthusiastic volunteer,

and also took a groat interest in agricul. tural and pastoral shows. Ho is survived by his widow and two young children. Mr James Darling, late of Kaitangata, died at his residence. IT Roslyn road, Napier, on Monday, January 15, in his 70th year. Mr P. A. Jackson, instructor in wood' work under the Otago Education Board, who has been engaged at the South Otago schools for the- last threo years, has been transferred, to Oamaru. Mr A. S. Grigg, whoso headquarters have been at Oamaru, will take up Mr Jackson's duties in South Otaso. Very many peoplo in North Otago will learn with a feeling of sorrow of the death of Mr James Hoy Maeconachie, which occurred last week (says the Oamaru Mail). The deceased gentleman, who v.-us 41 years of age, was born in Perth, Scotland, and as a lad and only child came to New Zealand with his widow mother 25 years ago, and for some time resided at Hakataramca. A little over 15 years ago he entered tho service- of the National Mortgage and Agency Company as a stock agent, and waa a trusted and valuer], servant. Mr Maeconachie was for six years one of the managers of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. Ho was well known as drum-major of tho North Otago Pipe Band, in which he took a lively interest. Ho was drawn in tho second ballot for service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, but for some time had not enjoyed his customary robust health. A week ago he underwent a severe operation for a painful internal ailment, and lapsed into a low condition. Of a quiet, unassuming, and obliging disposition, and thoroughly straightforward character, Mr Maeconachie made a wide circle of friends, a fact which was attested by the exceptionally large funeral. The Pipe Band led the cortege, playing the lament, " The Flowers of the Forest." Table Hill writes: "Tho death is announced of Mr A. E. Farquhar, storekeeper, Stirling. Mr Farquhar was in business in Victoria, but, attracted by the gold discoveries, ho sold out and came to Otago in 1864, and wont to the Wanaka district. Ho did not work long at mining, lie was the last of a party of four that engaged in hand or pit sawing in the Makarora Bush. A pit was usually dug adjacent to a patch of good bush, as it, was handy to roll tho logs on to a platform level with the ground. When the log was sawn up the limber was 'snigged' to the Makarora River, built into small rafts which were poled down to the head of Lake Wanaka by one man. When sufficient timber was accumulated, it was formed into a large raft and rafted down to the head of the Clutha River, a work that occupied several days. Tho raft was broken up, and tho timber again mado into small rafts, which two men would take down the river. Tho return journey had to be mado on foot, usually carrying ropea for further operations. Mr Farquhar waa a partner for some time in the Makarora Sawmill, and then bought a share in a sluicing claim near Cardrona. On leaving there ho started storekoeping tit Ravensbourne, but sold out and started in business at Stirling, which he successfully carried on for about 40 years. Mr Farquhar was always admired for his industry and respected for his uprightness. His wife prodeceased him a few years. He had a family of throe —Peter, a Boor war hern, who ran an hotel at Rotorua until he died a few years ago; William, who runs the business; and a daughter."