PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3313, 12 September 1917, Page 21

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The Rev. W. A. Hamblett, vicar of the parochial district of Moespel, has been appointed vicar of the parisn of Gore. The Rev. R. H. Blair, who has a call to Hampden, was, together with Mrs Blair, entertained at a social gathering by the Presbyterians of the Leeston parish. Mrs Blair received a handsome bouquet of violets and fern from Miss Nellie Rodgers. Miss Margaret Boyd presented Mr Blair with an inkstand from the Junior Biblo Class, Mr T. J. Rodgers handed the minister a well-filled purse of bank notes from the church members in Leeston, and Mr W. M'Laughlin presented him with a travelling rug from the Irwell congregation. On the previous evening Mrs Blair, who has been organist at the Leeston Church for a number of years, was presented by the church choir with a silver hotwater jug, suitably inscribed. The Wakatipu Mail records the death of one of the few remaining pioneers of the Wakatipu, in the person of John Watson, who passed away on Saturday at the Lake County Hospital. Deceased, who was aged 82 years, was a native of Portumna, County Galway, Ireland, and left that country in 1857 for Australia. He arrived m the Wakatipu district in 1862, where he engaged in mining at the Shotovcr. Mr Watson was unmarried, and spent the latter part of his life at Arthur's Point. About a fortnight ago he was compelled to become an inmate of the hospital, his death resulting primarily from senile decfty. Mr Thomas Jenkins, a settler in Tapanui since the sixties, passed away at his residence on August 31 j aged 76 years (states the Tapanui Courier). Deceased was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1842, and left as a boy in 1849 for Australia, and settled in tho Western District of Victoria. When the gold rush to Gabriel's broke out, Jenkins set sail for New Zealand, arriving in Dunedin in 1863. When sawmilling was started at " Milrig," Tapanui, Mr Jenkins removed to Tapanui. When Tapanui lands were opened for settlement, Mr Jenkins took up a section on Greenvale, which he farmed until he retired from business some three years ago. No very active interest was taken in public affairs, but deceased was always ready to assist in public matters, and for some years acted as returning officer for Clutha County in Glenkenich Riding. He was also interested in local echool matters. He was one of the promoters of Tapanui Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F. Mr and Mre Jenkins reared a large family. The family comprises: John (back from the front, and resident at Oamaru), Alexander (foreman at the State nursery), Thomas (millowner at Kelso), James (farmer, Keleo), William (mechanical expert, Invercargill), George (ohaffcutthig plant owner, Kelso), and David (who resides in the old homestead at Greenvale). There are thre% daughters, unmarried, who reside with their mother. There are a large number of grandchildren. The late Mr Jenkins was one of a family of three sons, and the only remaining survivor is Mr Alexander Jenkins, now resident at Appleby, Invercargill. Mr George Stanton Erwood, whose death occurred at the residence of his son-in-law (Mr George Clinch) on Sunday, 2nd inst., at the age of 90 years, was born at Islington, London, in 1827, and had therefore lived in the reign of five Sovereigns of the British Empire (states the Clutha Leader). He emigrated to New Zealand 60 years ago, and settled first at Auckland. In his early life he followed a seafaring career, and after coming south from Auckland he purchased a small sailing vessel, and traded between Lyttelton and Dunedin for some years. The deceased gentleman went to reside with his daughter (Mrs George Clinch) at Balclutha about two years ago. His wife predeceased him by about 15 years. Three of a family are left—viz., Mrs George Clinch (Balclutha), Mrs Butterfield (Geo, Taranaki), and Mr George Erwood (Temuka). The death of Mrs Allman Marchant, wife of Mr J. W. Marchmant, formerly Sur-veyor-general and Secretary of _ Crown Lands, took place at her residence in Tinakori road, Wellington, a few days ago. Mr and Mrs Marchant's eldest son (Sergeant John Allmun Marchant) is one of those who have died for their King and Empire. There are four other sons, three serving at the front—Claude (a corporal in the Australian Forces), Edgar (a lieutenant in the New Zealand Field Engineers), and Laurence (a lieutenant in the Royal Irish Fusiliers, who was dangerously wounded at Leuze Wood in the great advance by the Irish regiments last September). The fourth son is Fred, who is farming in the Wairarapa. The daughters are: Mrs W. E. Hughes (Lower Hutt), Mrs Bruce-Balharry S'unedin), Mrs John Mowbray (Auckland), ies Marchant (well known in education circles, now doing church work in Christchurch), and the Misses Nina and Mildred Marchant (of Wellington). Mrs Marchant was the daughter of Mr Charles Wright, formerly of the Royal Navy, who settled in Wellington many years ago. Mrs W. F. Barraud is her sister, and her two brothers are Mr G. R. N. Wright (of Wellington) and Mr O. N. Wright (of Auckland). The residents of Wylie's Crossing and district assembled in the Silverside Hall on Tuesday, 4th, to bid farewell ro Mr and Mrs W Bryant, who are leaving for Otokia Mr George Gordon presided. A couple of hours were spent in a very sociable manner, during which a programme of songs, etc, was gone througn, and music provided by Harrison's orchestra. Miss Harrison played the accompaniniente. At an interval Mr William Blackie presented Mr Bryant with a gold watch and Mr 3 Bryant with a gold brooch. In doing so, he voiced the feelings of all present in saying that all regretted their departure. Among the many ways in which Mr Bryant had interested himself in the welfare of the community, he had been one of the promoters and a director of the Mosffiel Co-operative Dairy Factory Company. Mr Bryant returned -.thanks on behalf of Mrs Bryant and himself.

The following resolution was passed at a meeting of the office-bearers of Kent Terrace (Wellington) Presbyterian Church: —"The office-bearers of Kent Terrace Presbyterian Church, having heard of the death of Captain Robert Strang, take the earliest opportunity to express their profound sorrow at the loss of an old and valued friend. As elders and deacons wo desire also to put on record our appreciation of the character of our departed brother and our grateful acknowledgment of the important services ho rendered to our congregation. Ho was for many years an elder, was session clerk, and also a Sunday school teacher, and in these.

offices faithfully discharged ali the duties that devolved upon him. He was also a generous supporter, of all our efforts. Ho was a respected and useful citizen, and was universally held in esteem by the- community. Ho was a man of high principles, of great integrity, courteous in manner, and kindly in disposition." The session clerk was directed to forward a copy of the minute to Mrs Strang and family. Miss G. M. Webster, who has been appointed by the Defence Department as hospital instructor in such arts as basket and raffia work, has gone to Hanmer to instruct the soldiers at the Queen Mary Hospital. Mr W. G. M'Dowell, formerly of Gore, and who has been a member of the staff of the Bank of New Zealand at Balclutha for the past five years, has received notice of his transfer to Wairoa (Hawko's Bay). Mr W. P. Nolan, station master at Waitahuna, has been transferred to a similar position at Coalgate, in the Christchurch district.

A Wellington telegram advises that Mr E. W. Lowe, who has been a New Zealand manager for the A.M.P. Society since 1877. retired from service on Thursday, -tie was entertained by the staff, and received presentations from the New Zealand Board of Directors and from the staff. Mr Arthur Amies, who succeeds Mr Lowe, was formerly chief accountant in the dominion. Mr Samuel Heath Little, formerly of Ravensbourne, died at his residence in Auckland on Wednesday, in his eightieth year. For. 35 years in Dunedin he held the post of accountant to Messrs Neill and Co., and was also very well known as an accomplished musioian, acting as organist for the Moray Place Congregational Church for many years. He left Dunedin for Auckland to benefit his wife's health, and upon her death some years ago lived for a time with, his son, Dr Chas. Little, at Waikari, Canterbury. Subsequently he took up residence with his daughter in Auckland. The other son is Mr Fred S. T. Little, of Dunedin.

A telegram from Wellington announces the death of Mr Richard Carter, formerly Collector of Customs; aged 72 years. < Mr Carter was landing surveyor at Dunedin in the nineties, and was transferred to Wellington in a similar capacity. He then went to Nelson as collector, occupying a similar position at Christchurch and Wellington, and eventually he became secretary to the Customs Department. Mr Justice Edwards, who has been seriously ill lately, has so far recovered as to be able to go to the. Feilding district, where he will spend a holiday. The Mataura Ensign reports that about 200 persons assembled in the Gore Town Hall on Wednesday evening to say farewell to the Rev. A. and Mrs Wingfield, prior to their departure for Dunedin, Mr Wingfield having been appointed vicar of St. Kilda. The parishioners' parting gift to Mr and Mrs Wingfield was a purse of sovereigns. The proceedings were of a most cordial character.