PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 58

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The death occurred in Nelson Hospital recently ot the Rev. Charles \Y. Jennings, aged bU years. The deceased gentleman had been fruit farming in the Rtwaka district for some years. Mr Dan Riddiford, brother of Messrs V. and E. Ridditord, of Wellington, who has been an officer in the Grenadier Guards for about two years, has been awarded the Military Cross.

Mr t>. ]i. lieley has been appointed manager of the Southland branch of the United Insurance Company, in place of Mr S. B. Macdonald, who was recently transferred to Dunedm.

A call has been extended by the congregation of «t. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Wellington, to the Rev. 8. Robertson Orr, minister in charge of the Presbyterian Church, Milton. The call conies before next meeting of Clutha Presbytery. Mr James Miller, for over 10 years clerk of the. Dunedin Police Court, has been promoted to a similar position at Mastcrton. Mr Miller, who some time airo qualified as a solicitor, has proved himself a valuable officer, and will be greatly missed by the legal profession, the police department, and many _ others (including the press representatives).

One 3 of Otago's pioneer settlers, and likewise a resident of the town for a great many years, passed away on Monday, 10th inst., in the person of Mr Wm, Scott, after a short illness (reports the Cromwell Argus). Deceased, who had attained the age of 84 years, arrived in Dunedin in 1861, and first came inland as overseer on Mputere Station. Following that lie took a position as bead shepherd on Mount Pisa Station, where ho remained for 15 years. Then he journeyed to the North Island, but returned to Otago, settling in Cromwell, where ho resided for many years _ His wife predeceased him 10 years ago, and' of a famiiy of two sons jind one daughter, only th" latter survives.

Sir James" Prendergast. ex-Chief Justice of New Zealand, celebrated his ninety-first birthday in Wellington on the 10th. Sir James, despite his age, still takes a keen interest in business affairs.

At a meeting of the College Council, Professor Garrow,- of the Victoria College staff, was granted leave of absence on account of illness.

The Rev. T. H. Eccersall, of Gore, received distressing information on the 11th (states the Mataura Ensign),' to. the effect that .his mother had died in London on October 5 as the result of shock caused by a Zeppelin raid on the metropolis the previous night. The late Mrs Eccersall had reached convalescence after a severe illness, and the shock occasioned by the close proximity of German bombs proved too great for her weakened constitution, and as a consequence she survived only some five hours after regaining consciousness. A well-known Western District pioneer, Mr David Reidie, died at his home at Groper's Bush on December 8, at the age of 82 years. He landed at Bluff in 1864, and carried on business as a blacksmith at Longbush, and then in partnership with the late Mr Andrew Dunlop at "Invercargill. Forty years ago deceased took up property at Groper's Bush, where ho resided till his death. He was a member of the Western District A, and P. Association, and was a successful breeder .of Border Leicester sheep.