PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3293, 25 April 1917, Page 51

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The death has occurred (says a Press Association message from Napier) of MiGeorge Ryracr, aged 73 years. Ho took part in the Gabriel Gully rush. For many years he had conducted an extensive coaching service throughout Hawke's Bay.

Mr J. H. Walker, chairman of the Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, on Tuesday received a pleasant surprise in the the 17th received a pleasant surprise in the past and present, of the Forth Street Maternity Hospital. The presentation consisted of a gold Maltese cross bearing the monogram of the hospital staff. It was inscribed with the recipient's name, and accompanying the gift was a neat little crest, with the words, "A little token of our appreciation of your interest in and consideration for the nursing staff of tho Forth Street Maternity Hospital." At a meeting of tho Ministers' Association of Port Chalmers on Wednesday, the following motion was adopted :—" The Ministers' Association of Port Chalmers congratulate tho president, tho Rev.- W. M. Grant, on tho fact that for five successive years the committeo and staff of the District High School have annually attended divine service in the Congregational Church. They recognise in this a tribute to the work of Mr Grant ns a member for 10 years of the School Committeo. But they bolievc it is an acknowledgment of a yet greater service, prolonged over many years, by which he has taught tho Bible to tho scholars of tho school. The tradition of tho town reports that during his first period of ministry in tho town he maintained, with others, particularly the Rev. John Rylcy, a crusade for the introduction of Bible lessons into the school. A class was maintained in the school twice a week until eight years afterwards he left tho town. At the beginning of his'second period of ministry in the town 10 years ago tho class was resumed, and it has' met continuously since. For the last seven years tho class has met five days a week. The association believes that the continued response of the committee and staff is evidence that those who hold office under a secular system of education cherish nevertheless the Christian sentiment and are ready to confess it on proper occasion. Information has been received that Mr C. T. Wang, general secretary of the Y.M.C.A. in Chma, has assumed office as vice-president of the National Assembly of China, a position which he filled temporarily under the_ late President Yuan ShihKai, after having occupied other Cabinet positions. Major F. R. M'Mahon, R.E., who «&s awarded the D.S.O. for pood service in France, is a native of Wellington. He was in Cromwell at the beginning of the dredging boom, and remained there several years. He afterwards went to West Africa, and then to Dutch _ Guinea, and subsequently worked in British Guiana, Burma, Alaska, and Algeria. He joined King Edward's Horse as a trooper in August, 1914, and at the end of the year obtained a commission in the Shropshire Light Infantry. In May, 1915, he was transferred to the Royal Engineers, with the rank of captain. % A presentation was made yesterday afternoon to Mr H. Maxwell, who retired recently from the position of Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. The gift, which took tho form of a well-filled purse of sovereigns, was made in recognition of Mr Maxwell's never-failing courtesy in his official and private capacities, extending over a lengthy period.

The Druids' Lodge of Mosgiel held a social on Tuesday evening to do honour to P.G.P. Bro. J. C. Smith, in recognition of his past services to the lodge. He has held office fh the lodge for 32 years, and has retired from tho trcasurership after holding the position for over 21 years. Representatives were present from the Dunedin Lodge and the local Hibernian and Oddfellows' Lodges. A programme was supplied by visiting and local talent. G.V.P. Bro. Jacobson, on behalf of the lodge, presented_ Bro. Smith with a gold watch, suitably inscribed. Several of the members spoke of tho good qualities of Bro. Smith, who suitably acknowledged the gift. After supper the social closed with the National Anthem. '

Prior to his departure for England. Mr K. Begg, of the local Customs staff, was entertained by the proprietors of the Dunedin manufacturing bonds. The Chairman of the gathering, Mr Fea (for Messrs Gregg and Co), in presenting Mr Begg with the war-time equivalent of a purse of sovereigns, stated that it was a pleasure to honour a civil servant who had such a good record of faithful service, and one who had carried out his duties so courteously as Mr Begg had done. Mr Henton (Messrs Kempthorne, Prosser, and Co.) seconded these remarks, and stated that Mr Begg's position was one which called for a good deal of technical skill, and although Mr Begg was not much known to the public in his official capacity, his position was an important one to the manufacturing drug trade. Mr Begg. in thanking the meetmg for the surprise that was sprung on him, mentioned, that Duncdin easily held the premier position as far as the output of manufacturing bonds went. The meeting concluded by wishing Mr Begg a pleasant voyage, a safe return, and renewed health. Our Gisborne agent advises that a Lady in that town, Mrs Hunter, has been a regular subscriber to the Otago Witness for 50 years. The fact is gratifying, and we trust that Mrs Hunter will live and maintain her health until the Otago Witness celebrates its centenary A Press. association message from Christchurch advises the death of Mr James Plunkett, a journalist of many years standing, who was for a number of years on the staff of the Christchurch Press. Surgeon-major Archer Hoskin"-, of Masterton, has enlisted for service abroad, and' will join the 26th Reinforcements. He will go into camp at AAvapuni on May 1. The Ohristchureh offico of the -Massoy-' Harris ConTpany has received advice by cable of the death of the company's general manager and president, Sir L. Melvin-Jones, who died in Canada on Monday week. Professor Clark, of Harvard University, has been appointed temporary Professor of Physics at Victoria College, Wellington, vice Professor Marsden, who has gone to the front. He is expected to arrive at the end of June.