PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3364, 4 September 1918, Page 47

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr C. E. Torlesse, manager of the Waimate branch of the Union Bank of Australia, has been appointed manager of the Timaru branch. Mr James Fairley, who died at Port Chalmers on the 26th ult. in his 84th year, arrived at Port Chalmers with his wife, in the ship Jura, in 1858. Ho settled at the Port, and, as a shipwright by trade, Was closely associated with the development of the place. The deceased was an old and esteemed member of Court Robin Hood, of ihe Ancient Order of Foresters, and was also the senior member of the Port Chalmers Presbyterian Church. He is survived by a son and four daughters. The death of Canon William S. Lucas, aged 70 years, occurred at Nelson on the 25th, Previously a master in Native schools, being stationed at Otago Heads, and later at Lyttelton, he entered the ministry, and was ordained deacon in 1888. In 1889 he was ordained priest, and appointed to Charleston, in the Nelson diocese. From 1891 to 1900 he was vicar of Waikouaiti and Palmerston. He was appointed a canon of St. Paul's Cathedral, Dunedin, in 1895 one of six similar appointments which were the first of their kind made here. In 1900 he returned to the Nelson diocese to acoept the position of vicar of Wakefield. He was appointed vicar of All Saints', Nelson, in 1904, in which position he remained until 1916, when he resigned on account of ill-health. Canon Lucas came from a well-known West of England family. The international cricketer, A. P. Lucas, was his cousin, and the canon himself, in his young days, w r as a member of the famous Lucas eleven. Two of his sons are doctors, and his elder daughter is a nurse. Mr James Begbie, who died at Dunedin on the 25th, arrived at Port Chalmers 43 years ago. He proceeded to _ the Arrowtown diggings, where he carried on business as a general merchant for about 30 years. Leaving the Lake County district he came to Dunedin, where he resided up to the time of his death. Ho leaves a widow and eight- children —four boys and four girls. One of the sons is on active service in France, while another has returned wounded.

A large number of residents of Milton and the surrounding district assembled in the Coronation Hall on Friday, 23rd ult., when a valedictory social was tendered to Mr J. W. Petrie and family prior to their departure for Gore, where Mr Petrie has been appointed to the position of manager of the National Bank after occupying a similar position in Milton for the past 25 years. Among those present were a number of the Dunedin Commercial Travellers' choir. The Mayor presided, and during the course of the evening's festivities presented Mr and Mrs Petrie, on behalf of the gathering, with a purse containing 85 sovereigns, in recognition of their valuable and extensive public services. Several speakers also made complimentary -reference to the good qualities of the guests, and spoke warmly of their untiring labours in the interests of all public and patriotic matters.

One of the most keenly interested spectators of the tunnel celebration at Arthur's Pass on Wednesday was Sir John Denniston, whose connection with the West Coast goes back to the sixties. Sir John was then employed in a bank, and his duties in connection with the buying of gold took him to the principal mining rushes. The following appointments of officers to King George V Convalescent Home, Rotonia. are notified: —Captain (temporary lieu-tenant-colonel) A. S. Herbert, M. 8., N.Z. Medical Corps, to bo principal medical officer, and to command N.Z. Medical Corps Detachment (April 1). Major (temporary lieutenant-colonel) H. O'B. Deck, M. 8., N.Z. Medical Corps, to be surgical specialist and second in command, N.Z. Medical Corps Detachment (Juno 1). Lieutenant (temporary captain) T. W. Maben, N.Z. Medical Corps, to be quartermaster and adjutant (August 3). Mr A. W. Rodger, president of the Southland League, has agreed to take up the work of organising the business men of the dominion who have interested themselves in the Efficiency Board's proposals. It is probable that the business men's movement will be kept distinct from that of the N.Z. Alliance, though the objective will bo the same. A Press Association telegram states that Mr Thomas L. Hart has been unanimously elected chairman of tho Waimate County Council, in succession to tho late Mr Robt. Heaton Rhodes.

Mr Gordon Gilmour, the war correspondent of the Australian Press Association on tho western front, whose interesting cable messages are read with such interest, was eomo six years ago a member of The Dominion literary staff. Ho left Wellington for Sydney and joined the staff of the Sun, and later still worked for the Sydney Daily Telegraph. A pleasing function took place last week at Gisborne, the occasion being the sixtyfirst birthday Sir James Carroll. A number of Maori and pakeha friends assembled at the Masonio Hotel and congratulated Sir James on having reached, a

further milcstono in his life's journey. Sir James Carroll, in his reply, stated that hehad concluded 31 years of continuous service in tho Parliament of New Zealand, which was a record for tho whole Empire. He also stated that ho held tho record as far as length of period was concerned in regard 'to Ministerial rank. In conclusion, Sir James said that it was tho fust birthday ho had celebrated in Gisborne, as on most occasions Parliament had been sitting, and his natal day had been celebrated within tho portals of the Parliamentary Buildings. Flight Lieutenant T. Dawson, son of Mr Robert Dawson, of Master-ton, who recently descended in Denmark, and was interned, has cabled to his parents that he has effected his escape. A Press Association message states that Mr R. S- Floranco, Assistant Magistrate in the Gisborne district, who is being retired, has been 21 years on the bench, and has sat in 21 courts in various portions of the dominion. Ho retains the position of District Land Registrar and Examiner of Titles.

At a social function in the Kaitangata Church of Christ, Mr and Mrs A. G. Rogers were the recipients of a handsome dining room clock from the members of the church. Mr T. S. Cairns made the presentation, and wished the guests a very prosperous life in Dunedin. The recipients duly acknowledged the gift. A programme of vocal and instrumental items made the function a very enjoyable one. Word has just como to hand from London (says tho Christchurch Press) that the Central Executive of the Navy League has Conferred on Mrs E. Baird Friberg—well known in art circles in Christchurch—the " special service" decoration for work done on behalf oi tne sailors of his Majesty's fleet, while she was secretary of the - Ladies' Auxiliary at Picton, Marlborough. Mrs Friberg visited Christchurch recently while en route to her new homo in Dunedin.

A meeting of the Southland Presbytery was held at the Wallacetown Church on Wednesday, 28th ult., when the Rev. J. S. Ponder was formally inducted to the Wallacetown charge. There was a large assemblage, and Divine service was conducted by the Rev. J. S. Young, who afterwards welcomed Mr Ponder in the name of the Presbytery, and whilo ho felt that Mr Ponder would be a decided acquisition, because of his varied gifts and wide experience. A letter was also received from Mr Ponder's predecessor. Rev. A. Begg, who is now at Highfield, Timaru. The Rev. G. H. Mann, who is in the third year of his pastorate of the Goro Methodist Church, has accepted a unanimous invitation to the Cambridgo Terrace Methodist Church, Christchurch. News has been received in Christchurch that Major J. H. Fairweather, D. 5.0., at present serving with the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, has been promoted to Lieutenant-colonel, and appointed AssistantDirector of ther Inland Water TransportMiss Florence Kernohan, who has taken a prominent part in religious and social life during her two years' residence in Kaitangata, and is leaving shortly for tho North Island, was tho guest of the Kaitan gata Tennis Club, and also of the members of the Methodist Church, on the evening of the 28th ult. A valuable lady's toilet set was presented to Miss Kernohan as a mark of the Tennis Club members' esteem and appreciation for many services rendered. The president referred to the recipient as a real sport, who could always be depended upon to fill a gap in teams. Miss Kernohan briefly returned thanks for the present and the kind remarks of the president and members of the club. Later in the evening the Rev. O. St Pearn, at a social function, held in the church, asked Miss Kernohan's acceptance of three presents —Tennyson's works, a bound copy of the Methodist Hymn Book, and a p'rettilydesigned gold pendant, set with pearls —from church members, the choir, and the Sunday school respectively. The speaker said much credit was due Miss Kernohan for her activities in church and Sunday school matters. He joined with all friends of the young lady in wishing her God speed and a happy and long life of prosperity. Miss Kernohan, in reply, stated that she had enjoyed her two years' residence among many good friends in Kaitangata. Dr Roberts, who has been lecturer on pathology at the University of Otago 6i'nco 1885 and professor of that subject since 1909. terminated his long and honourable connection with the teaching staff of that institution, Thursday, 29th ult. His students this year in pathology presented him with a token of their esteem in the form of a case of pipes, Mr J. Cairney making the presentation on their behalf. # Dr Roberta, in acknowledging the good wishes that wero conveyed to him from his classes, illustrated the growth of the Medical School by mentioning that in his first year as a lecturer he had one pupil in his class, and that in the second year there was none'. This year there are about 30 students in the pathology class.

Mr J. E. MacManus, formerly secretary of the General Labourers' Union, and no't long since returned from active service, has been nominated for tho position of organiser of the Agricultural and Pastoral Workers' Association of New Zealand, and is likely to be elected to that office. Miss Grace K. Marshall has been appointed sole teacher at Wharetoa; Miss Jessie Gordon sole teacher, Glonore; and Miss M. E. C. Morrison sole teacher at Kokonga. Nurse Little, who was on the Marquette when it was sunk in the Mediterranean, arrived in Christchurch on Thursday with sick and wounded soldiers, and left for the south with the Otago contingent. Mr R. D. Vcitch, of Dunedin, has been appointed a justice of the peace. The appointment of Messrs Alexander Barron and Robert Murray as members of the Waitahuna Domain Board is gazetted On the 25th Mr J. Porteous completed 21 years of service as clerk of Waikouaiti County Council, and at the meeting of the council yesterday Cr Orbell, who_ was chairman when Mr Porteous was appointed, congratulated him on behalf of the councillors and ratepayers, and referred in highly comElimentary terms to the manner in which he ad discharged his dutiop as clerk.

It is reported from Melbourne that Dr John Smyth, principal of the Teachers' Training College, will probably be appointed Professor of Education at the meeting of the Melbourne University Council on September 2. Under the proposed arrangement, which it Li practically certain will be accepted by the Governm-ent, Dr Smyth, who was at one time head master of the Gladstone School, Invercargill, will receive £9OO a year, of -which £6OO, provided by tho Education Department, will be paid to him for his work as principal of tho Training College, and the other £3OO will be supplied by the University Council. At

present Dr Smyth receives £6OO a year ns principal of tho- Training College, "and is provided with quarters. Under the new arrangement he will cease to enjoy residential privileges at the Training College. It was announced by the chairman (Mr H. C. Tewsley), of the New Zealand Societv of Accountants, at a meeting in Wellington on Wednesday evening, that Mr Peter Barr, who was a member of tho Defence Commission, and who suffered a nervous breakdown, is now making a rapid recovery. Mr Barr is at present recuperating in tho Rotorua district.

Mr Benno Scherek and Mrs Seherck, who are well known in New Zealand, reached Australia from America a few day 3 ago. The distinguished musician hag been residing in Neiv i York during the last three years, coaching artists and teaching. A chance meeting with _Mr Tallis led to him returning to Australia, to join tho J. C. Williamson firm in Melbourne.

Having spent the last six years as Collector of Customs at Dunedin, Mr T. M. Cullen, who has seen 40 years' service with tho department, has retired on superannua* tion. Mr Cullen was presented with a small memento on behalf of the Customs staff of Dunedin hy ilr J. MTntosh, who expressed the_ esteem in which Mr Cullen was hold, and wished him every success in his future life. The position of Collector of Custom* will be filled by Mr J. M'lntosh, and Mr A. Duncan will act as sub-collector. M» Cullen will leave shortly on an extended holiday to Auckland. In recent military orders the appointment of temporary Colonel J. A. Gilruth, V.D., Administrator of tho Northern Territory, as a competent military authority in the Territory is terminated. Honorary Colonel J. L. Johnston, C.M.G., V.D. t 84th Australian Military Forces, is appointed in his stead as tho competent military authority for the purposes of War Regulations. A Press Association message from Oamaru announces the death on Sunday of Mr George Arnold Travis, clerk of the Waitaki Countv Council; aged 42 years. Mr Travis was taken 111 three weeks ago, and his death, has caused a painful shock to the community. He was a popular, enterprising oitizen, and has been clerk of tho County Council for about six year 3. Previously he was in the Railway Department. He waa well known throughout O'tago and Southland. He was a prominent member of thel Church of England Men's Society and alay reader. He won the North Otago golf championship in 1914, and was president of the North Otago Rugby Sub-Union last year. At the time of his dea'th he was secretary of the Totara School Committee. The death ,of Mr Travis, who married Miss Black, of Blacks, Central Otago, removes a highly respected, progressive young citfc zen, and his early demise is deeply mourned. He leaves a widow and three children, [With the interest of the community earnestly at heart and actuated by tho highest manly qualities, the late Mr Travis, by reason of his unfailing courtesy, obliging nature, and geniality, gained the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. Tba townspeople and ratepayers of the county knew him as a man of worth, and at the council table frequent referenoe was made; to the excellence of his work as clerk, and to his .organising ability. His was a life cut off at its best, and Oamaru and North, Otago in general will be the poorer by his death. Mr Travis belonged to Dunedin, A keen horticulturist, Mr Travis has won many prizes at different shows with hia entries, his last success being the winning of the champion bloom class for dahlias at tho Dunedin Show.]