PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 39

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The death is reported from England of Mr Alfred Charles do Rothschild, in his 76th year. He was' a partner in the banking firm of N. M. Rothschild and Sons, and was for some years a director of the Bank of England. He was a trustee of the National Gallery, and of the Wallace Collection.

Mre Jessie Agnew M'Cartney, who died on January 22, arrived in New Zealand in 1818. She was born at Govan, Glasgow, in 1842. She settled in Portobello in 1848, and resided there until her death. In 1873 she married Mr John M'Cartney, for many years in command of the Portobello Rifles, and now Major M'Cartney. Mrs M'Cartney was the. elder daughter of the late Mr James Seaton, M.H.R. for Peninsula. She leaves a family of two sons and three daughters, all married. An Auckland Press Association message announoes the death, following an operation for appendicitis, of the Rev. A, H. Colville, M.A., vicar of St. Sepulchre's Church. Mr Colville was one of the band of Anglican clergymen who came out from Home some years ago and conducted miasions 'throughout this dominion. Arthur Nevill, son of Bishop Nevill's nephew, Mr Guy Nevill, has for the second time been olaced first in the examination of New Zealand cadets at Duntroon Medical College, and third for Australasia. A valedictory service was tendered by the congregation of the Tokomairiro Presbyterian Church on the 11th inst. to its minister, the Rev. S. Robertson Orr. who has accepted a call to St. Andrew's Church, Wellington. Felicitous speeches were exchanged, and Mr Orr was presented with a well-filled purse of sovereigns as an appreciation of his services during his ministry for three years and a-half at Milton. He was also the recipient of a gentleman's travelling' case from the Milburn Church Session and congregation, for which church he has acted as Moderator during the vacancy. The induction at Wellington will take place next week. Mr Charles S. Owen, who recently retired from the position of managing director of the New Zealand Express Company (Ltd.). was on the 11th inst. tho recipient of a handsome inscribed album, tendered by the employees of the company in token of their respect and esteem. Opportunitywas also taken to present Mrs Owen with a Chesterfield couch.

The Green Island School Committee has presented Violet A. Kilpatrick with a gold medal in recognition of her unbroken attendance for eight years at the school. Mr Robert L. Begg, for the past 15 year's head auctioneer for the Gore branch of the National Mortgage Agency Company, has been appointed to the charge of the live stock department of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Distributing Company (Ltd.). The Rev. H. S. Bishop, of Kurow. has been appointed vicar of the parochial district of Port Chalmers in succession to the Rev. H. B. Goertz, who resigned his cure in_order to take a position as chaplain with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces.

On the 11th a very well-known resident of Mataura passed away in the person of Mr Adam Grierson, who was born in Bishopton, Kircudbrightshire, Scotland, in 1844. He came to New Zealand in 1879, and in 1881 joined the New Zealand Railway Department, first at Lawrence, then Pelichet Bay, and in 1885 was permanently appointed stationmaster at Mataura, retiring von superannuation about eight years ago. Latterly deceased acted as accountant for Messrs Beattie and Coster, coal proprietors. He married the daughter of Mr- J. C. M'Gregor, town clerk of Mataura, and is survived by a family of two sons and three daughters, both sons being at the front. He took an active interest in every movement for the good of the town. A pleasant evening was spent at Mr B. Flannery's residence, Ophir, on Tuesday, 12th inst., when a number of friends assembled to bid farewell to Miss G. M. Flannery, school teacher, Chatto Creek, before her departure from the district to take a position on tho West Coast. Tho Very Rev. Father O'Dea, in presenting Miss Flannery with a well-filled purse, referred to the many .admirable qualities of Miss Flannery. Mr A. Kinney and numerous other speakers also spoke, after which Miss Flannery responded Mr B. Flannery thanked those present for the honour done his daughter. A musical programme was contributed, and "Auld Lang Syne'.' concluded the gathering. The Times published a quarter-column obituary notice of Mr Noel Ross, son of Captain Malcolm Ross, and a member of its editorial staff.

Mr Justice Herdman, formerly Attorneygeneral, took his seat on the bench for the first time on the 13th, when he presided over a sitting of the Divorce Court. Mr Arthur Fell, M.P., who is a native of New Zealand, received a knighthood at the New Year. Among the other recipients of knighthoods was Mr Leslie Ward ("Spy" of Vanity Fair from 1873 to 19C0). Cable a3vice has been received that Sister E. M'Mullin, of St. Leonards, who for some timo was stationed in Mesopotamia, where she contracted fever, has now been transferred to Bombay, after having evidently made a good recovery. Mr T.\T. Miller, manager of the Bank of Australasia in Dunedin, is retiring from the service of that institution. Mr E. M. Chettle. at present one of the staff of inspectors, succeeds him in tho management of the Dunedin office.

Mr R. V. Tennant, accountant in the local office of tho Bank of New South Wa'ea, lias received promotion in appointment to the management of the Stratford branch.

A Press Association message states that tho Hon. D. H. Guthrie, who was recently appointed Minister of Lands, arrived at Christchurch on the 16th, and was sworn in by the Governor in the" afternoon as a member of the Executive Council. On Monday, 11th, Miss Harrington, of Dunedin, who has been appointed deaconess in connection with the Ashburton St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, was ordained. After the service a social was held in the Sunday school. Chit of 33 applications, Miss M. Berry, of Auckland, has been appointed assistant clerk to the Masterton County Counci 1 . Miss Berry was for five years assistant clerk to the Taranaki County Council, and for 14 months was county clerk for the Ohura County Council. Wo regret to record the death, which occurred at Wellington on the 17th. of Mrs Herdman, wife of Mr Justice Hcrdman. The deceased lady, who was a daughter of tho late Mr Edmund Smith, and a sister of Mr E. R. Smith ancUMr Fred Smith, of this city, had suffered for a considerable tirno past from a distressing ailment, and,

it was her serious indisposition which delayed for some weeks her husband's resignation cf hie Beat in Parliament and in the Ministry. She was a woman possessed of great pergonal charm, and was highly esteemed by all who knew her. Mr William Ch amber lain, a well-known resident of the Ellesmere district, lias died ut his home, Hadstock, Ellesmere. Mr Chamberlain was born in Devonshire in ltW9, and at tor some experience oi farming in England came to New Zealand in the ship iioch Fleet in 1877. Within a month of ins arrival he purchased the hrst portion of Hadstock and gradually added to it. Mr Chamberlain took a great interest in the export of frozen mutton. In 1873 he founded his Shorthorn herd with a cow bred by Mr John Deans, and for many years his animals have occupied prominent positions at the various allows. Mr Chamberlain was always a ecrong supporter of modern agricultural machinery, in 1881 he was the first to drill turnips in the district, and in 1884 the hrst public trial of a manure drill for mangolds, turnips, and manure was held on his farm. That drill was his own invention. In 18d3 he introduced the first traction engine used in the Ellesmere district. Mr Chamberlain always took an active interest in educational and volunteer matters. He helped to form the Ellesmere Mounted Rifles, and granted the Education Board an acre and a-half of land whereon to build the local school, and was chairman of the School Committee for many years. Mr Chamberlain leaves a largj family.

The death, is announced of Mr Peter Taylor Rentoul an old resident of Kelso. Born at Auchtcrarder, Perthshire, Scotland, he was, after leaving school, employed in the office of a legal firm until his health broke down. He came to New Zealand with his parents, and, after travelling over the North and South Island, he became a shepherd at Ardmore Station. He was married m Dunedin in 1874 to Miss Margaret M'Donald, land went to Kartigi, where he resided some seven years. He then took up farming, but gave it up some years ago and returned to shepherding at Ardmore. His wife predeceased him by four years. He leaves a family of three sons and two daughters—Peter (now in camp), John (carpenter, Dunedin), and Laurence (who went out with the Tenth Reinforcements, and has received his discharge), Mrs Geo. Duff (Waikaka Valley), and Miss Rentoul (who kept house for her father). Mr Rentoul was a man of sterling character and highly respected. He took a leading part in church affairs, and had been' treasurer of the Kelso Presbyterian Church for 20 years. A Gisborno Prees Association message announces the death of the Hon. William Morgan, M.L.C. He was born in County Kildare, Ireland, in 1851, and was brought up to business in Galway as a saddler. In 1874 ho arrived at Port Chalmers, and worked in Dunedin for about Wo years. He started business on his own account in Roxburgh in 1876, but for health reasons ho removed to Gisborno in IEB3. During his residence in Roxburgh Mr Morgan was a member of the Borough Council for some years, and was also chairman of the school committee. As an Oddfellow, Mr "Morgan was connected with Lodge Roxburgh, Manchester Unity, in which he passed tho chairs. He has been a member of the Gisborne School Committee, and was chairman for eight years. He was at one time president of the Gisborno Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the Gisbc-rne High School Board of Governors, in connection with which body he was also treasurer. For about two years he was a memiber of the Gisborne Borough Council. He was called to the Upper House on July 14, 1914. In 1876 he was married to a daughter of the late Mr George Brown, H.M. Customs, Liverpool,

The death is announced of Mrs Jane Wilson, the wife of Mr Richard Wilson, Wai-iti road, Timaru (and formerly in business for several years as a general storekeeper in Wyndham). The deceased lady, who was the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Alexander Boange, now living in retirement in Wyndham, was born at "Oware," on the Wyndham Ridges, 39 years ago. She was married to Mr Wilson about 14 years ago, and • the sincerest sympathy is felt for the husband andi his little son and daughter in their irreparable loss; and also to the aged parents and their surviving family. Of a bright, sunny disposition, Mrs Wilson was a general favourite. She was on a visit to her parents with her son and daughter, and not feeling well she consulted a doctor, on whose advice she was removed to the Southland Hospital to undergo an operation. Grave symptons subsequently set in, and though cheered by the presence of her husband, she gradually succumbed. The remains were interred in the Wyndham Cemetery, and the cortege was a very Jarge one despite the short notice. The Rev. Jas. I. Clarke conducted the service at the graveside. Tho vacant position of Supervising Engineer of the Westland section of railways has been filled by the promotion of MiWatson, of Christchurch, who was formerly on the Greymouth staff. Mr James Stevenson, at present of Canterbury, Mr Frank Callaghan, M.A., assistant, of Rangiora High School, and Mr P. H. Patterson, of Riverina, N.S.W., have been appointed by tho Education Board as instructors in agriculture for tho Auckland district. A Press Association message from Wellington states that Mr Edward D. Mosley, of Christchurch, has been appointed one of the two relieving Stipendiary Magistrates recently authorised by the Cabinet. A Press Association message from Wellington states that the Hon. Major Harris, of Auckland, has been re-appointed to the Legislative Council for another term. Dr. E. Boxer, of Hastings (says a Wellington Press Association message), has been appointed acting president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association in succession to Mr James D. Harper, who has accepted a scat on the War Pensions Board Dr Boxer left New Zealand with the Main Body, took part in the landing at Gallipoli, and was invalided in August, 1915. On his return to New Zealand he was discharged as unfit for further service. A Waimato Press Association message states that Mr W. ED. Beskett, a prominent citissen, died on the 17th; aged 78 years. He was a justice of the peace, hon. life member of the A. _ and P. Association, secretary of the High School Board, and secretary of the Technical Association. Ho had been ill for some- weeks. At last week's meeting of the University Council it was resolved that hearty congratulations be extended to the following former students of the University on their receiving the Military Cross for courageous conduct and distinguished services at the front: —Captain W. Gillon Borrie, M.B. (1911), Captain John Connor, M.B. (1915),

Captain Malcolm Macpherson Watt (undergraduate). Captain Thos. Wyvillo Rutherford (Associate of the Otago School of Mines). It was also resolved to forward to the next-of-kin of Captain Cyril Henry Molloy, nn undergraduate (who also won the decoration mentioned, and who was killed in action), a. suitable acknowledgement. It was further resolved to heartily congratulate Professor Park on the excellent work performed by bis son, as evidenced by the honours gained by him, and his rapid promotion in the air service. Flight Commander K. 11. Park received his M.C on September 3, 1917, while still a lieutenant, a bar to the Cross in October, whon he received his captaincy; he was promoted to Flight Commander in November. It was resolved to congratulate Dr Barnett on his receiving the honour of C.M.G. Dr Sydney Allen, of Dunedin, will leave for England early next month, having received a captaincy in the medical branch of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. An Auckland Press Association message announces the death of Mr Gerhard John Muller, ex-Commissioner of Crown Lands at Auckland and ex-Assistant Surveyorgeneral; aged 83 years. He had been in New Zealand since 1858, and had been connected with the civil atrvice since 1865. According to a Wellington Press Association message Mr Alexander Bell, M.A., has been appointed secretary to the Education Department. Mr Bell, who comes from South Canterbury, has had a varied experience of educational work, and for three years has held a high administrative position in the head office of the department. Lieutenant W. B. Fitchett, son of Dr F. Fitchett, C.M.G., formerly Public Trustee, is among the New Zealand officers mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's despatch for conspicuously good work during the period of February 26, 1917, to September 21. Lieutenant Fitchett has served in Gallipoli, Egypt, and France, and was wounded early in the war. He returned to dluty, and in June last was badly "gassed" in France. After a long period in French and English hospitals he was invalided to Now Zealand in January of this year. Since his return to the. dominion he has been advised of his promotion to a first lieutenancy The Mataura Ensign records the death on the night of the 16th of Mr Frank Hutchinson, an old resident of Gore. Deceased was born in 1838, at Portarlington, Queen's County, Ireland, and in 1860 came out to Otago. He was the owner of a rural selection oh the Otago Peninsula and a town section at Dunedin. but when the diggings broke out disposed of his land and followed the- life of a digger for years, being present at the rushes to Gabriel's Gully, Dunstan, Arrow. Shotover, and other fields. He came to Switzers at an early stage of its existenco and continued there for some years, during which time he was married. Mrs Hutchinson died between four and five months ago. Leaving Waikaia in the middle of the seventies deceased was for some time an overseer in road construction work on the Wainiea Plains, after which he resided in the. Otamita district for a time, and later farmed a property near Gore. Leaving this about. 1880, Mr and Mrs Hutchinson settled on their property in Broughton street Gore. During his long residence'there. Mr Hutchinson took no active part in local affairs. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs E. A. Pigeon (Gore), and Mrs J. Pow (Dunedin), and two sons, Mr Alex. G. Hutchinson (Wellington), and Staff-sergeant Thomas H. Hutchinson (who was fighting with the South African Horse in German East Africa, and at latest advices had been invalided to Durban). The staff of the Public Trust Office, Dunedin, gathered on Thursday afternoon to bid farewell to one of its members, -Mr R. C\ Rutherford, who will leave Dunedin shortly for Invercargill. Mr Chesterman spoke of the valuable services rendered by Mr Rutherford, and, on behalf of the staff, presented him with a set of pipes and a tobacco pouch. Mr Rutherford responded. Horr von Kuhlmann (German Foreign Minister) will, at an early date, marry Marie Anne, only daughter of the late Herr von Friedlander Fuld (known as Germany's "coal king"), and the divorced wife of the Hon. John Freeman-Mitford (son of Lord Redesdale), to whom she was married shortly before the outbreak of -war.

The Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board last week adopted the recommendation of the Sanatorium Committee to appoint Miss C G. Lord to the position of matron at the Pleasant Valley Sanatorium Miss Lord has already taken up her duties. Mr E. D. Mosley, of Christchurch, who has been appointed one of the relieving stipendiary magistrates recently authorised by the Cabinet, joined the Justice Department as a cadet in 1893. He was then transferred to Dunedin, and served here, and afterwards at Christchurch. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1899, having qualified in 1897. He had charge of the Police Court at Dunedin under Mr Carew and Mr Graham. In 1902 he was clerk of the Magistrate's and Warden's Courts at Cromwell, during the dredging boom, and also held the position of mining registrar and receiver of gold revenue. In 1904, at Westport, he was clerk of tho District, Magistrate's, and Warden's Courts, z-eeeivcr of gold and land revenue and mining registrar. In 1907 _ he retired from tire Government service, and entered into practice v as a barrister—his firm being known as Smithson and Mosley—and has had considerable practice hi the Supremo Court and the Magistrate's Court in Christchurch. for the last 10 or 11 years. Mr Mosley will also be appointed Warden and will commence his relieving duties at Thames next month. He is an enthusiastio bowler, and has been president of tho Christchurch Bowling Club. Mr Robert Reid, a well-known resident, died at the Gore Hospital on the 19th (records the Matanra Ensign). Tho late MiReid, who was in his sixty-sixth year, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and came out to Southern New Zealand in the ship Nelson in 1883. After contracting on the Castle Rock estate and in the Five Rivers district for some years he took up a farm in the Waikaka Valley in 1897. On this property he" opened the well-known Wi^ ow " bank coalpit, which during the dredging boom supplied great quantities of lignite to the dredges in the district. Disposing of his interests at Willowbank about 1907. decensed removed to the Riversdale district, where he has since resided. .Mr Reid is survived by his widow and four sousMessrs John and Thomas (Riversdale), James (with the Twenty-fourth Reinforcements), and Alex. (Dunedin), and three daughters—Mesdamos Leggctt and Wood and Misa Reid (all of Dunedin). The Very Rev. Father Paul Aubry, S.M., has been appointed the successor of tho late Very Rev. Dean Carew in the pastorate of Greymouth. Although for the last nine years Father Aubry has had charge

of tho parish of Waimate, in South Canterbury, ho is well known on tho West Coast, as ho previously for a number of years was stationed at Hokitika, whero the success of his work was equalled only, by his general popularity. Ho formerly was a. professor at St. Patrick's College, Wellington, and laboured also on the mission at Blenheim, Rangkira, Temuka. and Leeston. The Rev. Father W. J. Peoples, who for the past 12 mouths has been senior curate to the late Very Rov. Dean Carew in Greymouth, has received notice of his promotion to Waimate, where he succeeds the Rev. Father Aubry in charge of tho pariah. It is understood that Father Peoples will bo succeeded at Greymouth by Pother Dalton Campbell of Newtown parish, Wellington. Mr F. Williamson, a returned soldier, has been appointed financial organiser to the Dominion Boy Scout Council, Mr T nnesJones having resigned owing to pressure of private businessA very pleasant social gathering of officebearers and their wives was hftld in the North-East Valley Presbyterian Church Hall on Saturday evening for the purpose of saying good-bye to Mr and Mrs Charles C. Rawlinson, who have now left NorthEast Valley and taken up their residence at tho schoolhouse, Green Island. There was a large and representative attendance. During the evening tho chairman (the Rev. Robert E. Evans), on behalf of the officebearers of the church, made a presentation of a very handsome travelling rug to Mr and Mrs Rawlinson, and spoke very highly of their long connection with the church and tho valuable service which they had rendered. Mr Rawlinson, he said, had been session clerk for several years, and had carried out his duties faithfully and well, and hud been of great assistance to tho minister in his work. Other speakers spoke of the good work which Mr Rawlinson had dono in various departments of church work, such as tho choir and Sunday school; and Mr Flamank {head" master of the North-Eaet Valley School) spoke highly of the great assistance which Mr Rawlinson had been to him, and of the influence for good which ho had exercised on the children. General regret was expressed at losing Mr Rawlinson, but all were pleased at his promotion to- the position' of head master of tho Green Island School. Mr Rawlinson replied in an appropriate speech, and the meeting closed with the singing ol the National Anthem. Alfred Henry Jones, a widower, 60 years of age, was drowned in Manakau Harbour on the 24th. He had taken a party- in a launch to Waikawhai beach, and deceased was sifting in a dinghy alongside the launch when the boat oapsized as one of the guests stepped into it. The latter was rescued by her husband, but deceased sank/ The body was Inter recovered. The deceased was engine-driver in the railways. When noaring the Wallaoctown Hotel late on Friday afternoon a motor car containing three men ran into some loose metal (says the Southland Times), with the result that tho axle of the front wheel, being subjected to severe jolting, broke. The men were thrown out of the car, the front of which is a hopeless wreck. Two of the occupants—William Radcliffe and Jas. Pankhurst —were admitted to hospital suffering from broken ribs and a broken collarbone respectively. They are also suffering from bruises and shock. .The other oocu.]>ant escaped with slight scratches. A London cable message states that the Prince of Wales has accepted the presidency of the National Rifle Association. Miss Bessie O. T. Latta has been appointed first assistant in the Blacks School. Mr G. D. Verco, who for several years has been the preacher of the Church of Christ at Dohcae'ter, has resigned the work there (says the Melbourne Herald), and will shortly leave for Mataura, New Zealand. Mr D: O'Leary, Inspector of Permanent Way at Westport and Nelson, has resigned after 40 years' service with the Railway Department. Miss Dorothy Cameron (Mornington) and Miss Mary Saunders (Invercargill), who passed their final examinations at 'the Dunedin School of Massage about October of last year, and subsequently volunteered ■ for active service, on Thursday of last week received notification from the Defence Department 'that their services had been accepted. . Mr Henry Barltrop, one of the oldest residents of Nelson, and a very early colonist, is at present on a visit to his daughter, Mrs J. Horn, of Maori Hill. Mr Barltrop arrived in Wellington in 1842, and, after residing there for sonu; sevea years, removed to Taranaki, leaving there for Nelson in 1853, where he has resided ever since. He is in his ninety-first year, and has retained his faculties to a remarkable degree. The death occurred at Port Chalmers on the 25th of Mrs M. M. Macphail, assistant professor of modern languages at Victoria University College, Wellington. The deceased lady was born at Haddington, Scotland, and received her education principally in the Old' Country and in Germany. For a number of years she had suffered from lung trouble, butat all times fought against her ailment with splendid courage, and accomplished much good work, though in a -weak state •of health. Shortly after the outbreak of war, when Professor von Zedlit?; was relieved- of his duties as professor of modern languages in Victoria College the governors of the institution requested Mrs Macphail, who had for some years previously been the professor's assistant, to take up tho full duties of the chair. She accepted the task, notwithstanding that 3't cast heavy responsibilities upon her in her delicate state of health, and, with assistance, had since Carrie 1 out the work to the complete satisfaction of tho governors of the college and of her numerous students. In addition to her college work, she had acted as-tutor in French and German to officers about to proceed to the front, and, being a capable and strict teacher, the instruction she imparted to these men, in the 6pa-cs sometimes of only a few months, proved of immense benefit to them. The late Mrs Macphail, by her kindly nature and courteous manner, had endeared herself to a wide circle of friends, and by the very many students who had passed through lier classes, with whom she was always most- painsftiking in their labours, she will always be remembered with loving respect.