PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3396, 16 April 1919, Page 42

PERSONAL ITEMS.

'An enjoyable social and dance to say farewell to ivlr Romans, who has been relieving head master at Millar's Flat for* the last six months, was held in the Public Hall on Monday, 31st ult. The evening was devoted to dancing chiefly, with musical items interspersed. Mr M'Kay, on behalf of the residents of Miller's Flat, spoke of Mr Romans's excellent qualities both as a teacher and a citizen, and handed him a cheque from the residents. Master David Jolly, on behalf of the school chiK dron, presented Mr Romans with a shaving set. Mr M'Donald also spoke, and Mr Romans responded. Mr Romans left for his new duties yesterday.

Mr James O'Brien, the West Coast membe'- of the executive of the New Zealand Labour Federation, has been selected as tho Labour candidate to contest the Westland seat against Mr T. E. Y. Seddon at the general election. A Press Association message from Christchurch states that the Canterbury Education Board on Friday appointed Mr Leonard L. Pegler as vice-principal of the Christchurch Normal Training College.. Mr-Pegler for tlie past 12 years •has been head master of the Hastings District High. School. A Press Association messa-ge from Waimate states that the Rev. J. L Clarke took a severe heart attack on Thursday. week, but was apparently in. no : danger, and seemed to be' recovering on Thursday. About 11 o'clock at. night-he suddenly collapsed and died.- He was inducted to Knox Presbyterian Church about a year ago. Ho vr&s formerly minister at Palmerston and Wyndham. The death ig annoujfeed of Mr Charles Carter, of Harbour terrace, Dunedin, at 90 years of age. Mr Carter was a well-known and capable landscape gardener, and _ laid out quite a number of the larger private gardens in the city and country. He was both a botanist and florist. He was born at' Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and was of a benevolent and genial disposition, but did not take much part in public matters. He served for several years on the George Street School Committee. He married v twice, but left no children, and was a widower at tho time of his death. ' Miss Verona -Campbell whose retirement from the staff of the George Street School has been announced, was entertained c-n the evening of the 31st at a social, at which representatives* of the Education Board, the School Committee., the* teachers and exteachers of the school were present. Messrs. J. Wallace and T. Patterson spoke in terms of the highest appreciation of Miss Camp-' bell's undoubted ability as a teacher and referred to her ..helpful influence. Until this year the classes taught by her were, abnormally large, and her capable management of classes deserves highest praise, while- her success as- a teacher of singing had always been noteworthy. On behalf of the committee, teachers, pupils, and ex-pupils, Mr Wallace presented Miss Campbell with a purse of sovereigns, which was immediately,"followed- by musical honours.., Miss. Campbell, in her brief reply, expleasure she felt to see the exteachers' present as guests at the social. c - Mr: Justice Sim . left s Dunedin by ;the express train on Saturday morning en route to Wellington to attend a sitting of the Court of Appeal. A Press Association message from Wellington announces the death* of Captain George Lambert, who was for many years in the service of the Union Company; aged 70. • , Mr ' W. B. Manning, field inspector at Balclutha, has received notice of his appointment to the position of stock inspector at Clyde. Mr T. C. Brash, of the National Dairy Association, Wellington, will accompany Mr W. Dempster, dairy inspector, on his visit to the United States and Canada, in the interests of the dairy industry. It is expected' that these gentlemen will leave Now Zealand about the end of next month. Mr Joseph Hare, one of the oldest settlers of the North Auckland district, died at Whangaroa on March 23, aged 99 years and 9£ months. He was a native of the North of Ireland, and arrived in. New Zealand in the ship The Lancashire Witch, in June, 1855, and took up land at Whangaroa. The organisation of the first Wesleyan Church in the Whangaroa-Kaeo district in 1869 was due to his efforts. He was an active worker in the prohibition movement. He leaves a widow, eight sons, six daughters, 69 grand-children, and 69 great grand-children. Play was stopped for a short time on the Dunedin Green on Saturday, for the purpose of congratulating Mr R. M. Marks on the occasion of his golden wedding, his: marriage taking place in Dunedin on the 7th April, 1869. In the absence of the president and vice-presidents, Mr T. A. Maitland, immediate past president, on behalf of the members of the Dunedin Bowling Club, presented Mr Marks with a set of pipes, gold-mounted, and congratulated Mr and Mrs Marks,and wished them every happiness. Mr Marks replied. On Friday evening the officers of the Chief Post Office gathered to bid Mr R. L. Martin, superintendent of mails, an official farewell. In presenting Mr Martin .with a silver-mounted ebony walking-stick, suitably inscribed, and a smoker's outfit, Mr Theodore King referred to Mr Martin's sterling qualities. N In the death of Mr Alexander Mair, Invercargill loses on© of its oldest residents. Mr Mair was born in Argyllshire, Scotland, in 1836, and emigrated to New Zealand when 26. years of age. He landed at Bluff . in the Storm Cloud in 1862, and there transhipped to tho Aphrasia, a small coasting vessel, which landed her passengers at Invercargill. In partnership with Mr Garven, he opened up a drapery business in Tay street in a small wooden hut with a thatched roof. Subsequently the business- was transferred in 1871 to Dee street, where it was continued until the partnership was dissolved. Mr Mair then carried on the business- himself until 1893, when Mr Shepherd was taken into partnership. This business was the last in which Mr Mair was actively engaged. Mr Mair did not take an active part in public affairs. Ho was a member of the Athenosum Committee and -for his services oh. that body was elected a life member. For many years he was clerk of .the Deacons' Court of the First Church when the parish was ordained. In 1866 Mr Mair married Miss Helen Anderson Swan, who predeceased him. A family of three sons and four daughters are still living. In the death of Mrs Walter Henderson, of Tweed street, Invercargill loses a highly esteemed member of the community (reports the News). Associated with. Bluff and Inver-

cargill during tho whole of her life, she must have been known to very many citizens. As a member of the First Church Ladies' Guild she was an inspiration to all her fellow-workers for many years. Her rich experience in needle and fancy work brought her many requests for her services as a judge at Bluff and other displays. She was also a keen croquet player and one of the founders' of the Invercargill Club. During the whole period of the war Mrs Henderson's time and energies were given unsparingly to help on the work of the Red Cross. She was a sister of Lady Ward. Mr Percy B. Lomas, of Motueka, has definitely announced his candidature for the Motueka seat, standing in the interests of the Democratic Party. !/:■'■ '.-.. A Press Association message from Hastings states that at the quarterly ■ meeting of the Hastings Methodist Church high tribute was paid to tho Rev. Rugby Pratt, who will leave Hastings on April 16 to assume ; the superinlendency of Trinity Church and circuit, Dunedin. Tho following resolution was passed:—"That this meeting places on record the high appreciation of the Rev. Rugby Pratt's pastorate at Hastings for the. past four years; its tribute to his pastoral zeal and fidelity; its satisfaction in the harmonious relations between the minister and his .people; its recognition that, through his unsparing labours alike in the pulpit, the press,' and the public life of',theycomniunity he has in;so many ways caused the influence of Methodism to be such a power for'good in Hastings; that while, it regrets his removal it notes with extreme satisfaction 'his elevation to one of the leading pUlpits of the dominion. The meeting trusts uiat he may be spared for many years of useful labour in the Church which ho has served with such conspicuous devotion and ability." At her home in Devon street. Wellington (says the N.Z. Times), the death oo curred on- Saturday, 29th ult., after a very brief illness, of Mrs Mary Binning, wife of Mr S. J. Binning, who has been for a great number of years identified with the teaching profession in New Zealand. The deceased lady had lived in Wellington for the past 18 years. Previously she lived in Dunedin, on tho West Coast, and in the Taranaki district. The late Mrs Binning was 69 years of age, and, besides her husband, leaves five sons. - The Rev. Frank Tucker, who was pastor for nearly three years to the SeacliffWarrington Presbyterian Churches, while r.n extension charge, has. been inducted into the charge of the Waihi Presbyterian Church. .. .

Mrs R. J. Seddon and Miss Seddon will leave for England at an early date. They will be accompanied by Mrs Wood, the youngest > daughter of Mrs Seddon, Whose home is in Great Britain.

Mr CLE. Nalder,. District Lands Registrar in Dunedin, will, we - understand, shortly, proceed to Christchurch to" occupy a similar position there succession to Mr W. Wyinks. Mr Wyinks, who was District Lands Registrar in ' this city prior to his removal to Christchurch, will leave for Wellington this week to take up the position of Registrar-general of Lands and Deeds, rendered vacant by the retirement on' superannuation of Mr 6! G, Bridges. The Waimate correspondent of the Christchurch, Press states that Major 'Norton Francis, C.M.G., ex-Director of Base Records, will.not return to. Waimate, but will take up his residence in Christchurch, where he wfll , manage a branch of the firm of Messrs Guinness and Lo Cren. The death occurred at -Auckland on Thursday of Mr Arthur J. Denniston. Mr Denniston had for many years been intimately connected with Auckland business affairs. He was at one time manager of the Auckland branch of the Colonial Bank, but resigned from that office, and became the secretary- of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. This position he held until a few weeks ago, when he" retired into private life. \ - x ,

On Friday night an enjoyable evening was given by the ladies ■of the district in the Ratanui School, as a mark of appreciation to Mrs Harrington and the Misses Harrington for their good work in the district. . During the evening Mr Overton presented Mrs Harrington with a handbag and Miss Ada Harrington with a drophead sewing machine, and Misses Alice and Ethel Harrington with a travelling case and silver-back hairbrush and comb each. Miss Ada Harrington, on behalf ot her mother and sisters, thanked their friends for their kindness.

Professor Tucker has resigned the chair of classics at Melbourne University. He was educated at: Cambridge University, and at the age of 23 wa3 appointed to the chair of classics in the Auckland University College. In 1885 Jio was appointed to the professorship in Melbourne. In accepting hi 3 resignation, the. University Council placed on record its keen appreciation of the value of Professor Tucker's services in the cause of higher education, and its sense of the severe loss that the university would sus tain by his retirement. The first golden wedding under the auspices of the Dunedin Synagogue was celebrated on Monday by Mr and Mrs It. M. Marks at their residence in Hope street." It is notable that Mr and Mrs Marks have been residents in thekcity during the whole 50 years. On April 7, 1869, at the old Synagogue, in Moray place, Mr Marks, second son of Mr John Davis Marks, of London, was married to Miss Sarah Moss, daughter of Mr Joseph Moss, the officiating minister being the Kev. A. Levy, then the rabbi of the Dunedin district. Mr Marks was one of the founders of the Jewish congregation in Dunedin, and he is the only survivor of the original trustees. The Rev. Herbert Edward East, Vicar of Leithfield, whose death occurred on Saturday, had served longer in the Christchurch diocese than any other clergyman holding a living in the diocese. Born at Oxford, England, in March, 1849, he came to New Zealand with his mother and brother in the early, sixties. He subsequently took up work as a compositor in the employ of the Lyttelton Times Company, at the same time reading for Holy Orders. Ho was ordained deacon by the late Bishop Harper in 1872, matriculated in 1873, and was ordained priest in 1875. In that year., having been for three years curate of Governor's Bay, he was appointed curate of Addington and Halswell, and held that living until Easter, 1892. In 1892, just 27 years ago, Mr East became vicar of Leithfieid. Apart from his parish - works, Mr East was always active in many ways. _ So far as the Church was concerned, he did good work for a number of years as editor of the Church News. For the past 23 years he _ had been clerical secretary of the Christchurch Diocesan Synod, and for almost as long a period secretary of the Northern Archdeaconry Clerical Conference'. .For the past 10 year's he had been chairman of the Kowai Cemetery Board, and during the greater part of

that period he also held office as chairman of the Leithfield School Committee. Throughout the war period and until his death he was president of the Leithfield Patriotic and Red Cross Association. Messrs Hawke and Blaikie, masters at the Pino Hill and Kahuika Schools respectively, have intimated to the Education Board their intention to resume duty on May 1. They have just returned from active service.

Mr J. W. Hardy, head master of Caversham School, has been appointed temporary inspector of schools in the Otago district until a permanent appointment is mad*. . -

. Messrs Jobbarns and Gallagher, recently appointed agricultural instructors undar the Ota-go Education Board, have intimated their acceptance of the positions... Mr Jobberns has commenced work, and Mr Gallagher is expected to start shortly after Easter.

Mr C. E. Nalder, District Land Registrar at Danedin, has been transferred on promotion to Christchurch. His successor hero will be Mr F. V. Sturtevant, at present registrar at J»Jew Plymouth, and formerly assistant registrar at Duhedin. At the meeting of the Education Board last week a letter was from General Richardson, "G.O'.C, N.Z.E.F., in the United Kingdom, paying ya high tribute to the work, done by Mr Horace Fawcett in connection with , the education scheme for soldiers. Mr;'Fawcett, 'who was secretary of the Y.M.C.A. recreation hut at the' New Zealand Convalescent Hospital at Hornchurch, undertook the organisation >of the classes for.soldiers on their inception, and it was largely owing to his efforts that they. Before tha war Mr Fawcett was a master at the Maori Hill School.

In a letter to his father, Mr R. S. Black. Second Lieutenant Black, under date February 15, stated that he would be leaving Mulheim, Germany, the next day, and expected to sail for New Zealand within six weeks.

The Otago Education Board last week appointed Mr G. Turner, of the Green Island School, as organising teacher in place of Mr W. B. Graham, of Milton, who declined the appointment. At the meeting of the Education Board last week, it was decided to recommend the appointment of Mr J. A. Moore, M.A., B.Sc., lecturer at the Training College, to the newly created position of vice-princi-pal of the college at a salary rising from £SOO to £550. *

A Press Association cable message announces Nthat Bishop Stephen has been elected Pifihop of Newcastle, in place of Bishop Stretch, who has resigned. CaptaLi J. -Renfrew White, M. 8., F.R.C.S. (England), has received notification of promotion to, the rank of-major in the. New Zealand - Medical, Corps, and of his appointment to the charge of the military orthopaedic •■winjj. of jthe Dunedin Hospital, t Major. White graduated at the Otago Medical' School in 1911 and returned at the end of last year, after spending seven years in the study of surgery and especially of orthopsedio surgery in England After being house surgeon in the Paddington Green ChUdren's-Hospital and in the Dread- . nought.Hospital,. London, he became junior and then senior resident surgical; officer in •' the- Royal .National Orthopedic; Hospital- s where he worked with the leading London; •• orthopaedic surgeons. After a year at the ; front with the R.A.M.C, he was invalided to England and.worked during 1916 as orthopaedic surgeon at the Southwark Military, Shepherd's Bush, and Tooting Military Orthopaedic Hospitals—at the former with Sir Hugh Rigby—at the latter two with Sir Robert Jones, the_ leading orthopaedic surgeon of Great Britain. During these three years Major White has translated two works on orthopedic surgery from the French, and has embodied the results of his own work in several articles in the medical journal and in a book which has just been published by Messrs. H. K. . Lewis and Son, medical publishers of London. . . ' , Our London correspondent reports the death at Stone. Dartford, Kent, of Mr Frederick G. Campbell, who was well known in Dunedin. Captain F. F. Miles, of the Gloucestershire Regiment (Dunedin], who was the Rhodes scholar of 1913-, has. our London correspondent writes, returned to his studies at Balliol. He is playing in .the Oxford Rugby trials. The members of the executive- of tho Otago Expansion League met on Tuesday, Bth inst., "to make a presentation to Mr W. S. Wilson, who has been one of the most active members of the league since it was formed some seven years ago. Mr Statham, M.P., in making the presentation, an engraved walking-stick, spoke of Mr Wilson s energy, enthusiasm, and. singleness of purpose in all things making for. the progress of the province of Otago. Mr Wilkinson also added a few words of appreciation. Mr Wilson replied. Mr Jesse Timson has resigned the position of organist and choirmaster to First Church. Coming to Dunedin in 1888, he was in March of the same year appointed - organist to First Church on the recommendation of the late Mr A. J. Barth. Hi 3 credentials, were from the late Sir George . Martin, the organist of St. Paul's Cathedral, London, the late Dr D. L. Peace (under whom he studied), organist to Glasgow Cathedral, and afterwards to the Corporation of Liverpool, and Mr Collinson, who still is organist and director of mus.V: at St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh.. Mr Tim- . son intends to remain in Dunedin.

Mr H. A. Young, S.M., who for some years was in charge of the Gore-Queenstown Magisterial circuit, and who during the latter part of the war period shared with Mr Bartholomew, S.M., the duties on the Dunedin. City Bench, has been transferred to'Hamilton. . At present Mr Young is conducting the court sittings in the Otago Central district. He will proceed to his hew appointment as soon as his successor is appointed. Corporal John Favell (9th ' Reinforcements), Privates Thomas Brooke (7th), and George W. Brooke (9th), who recently returned from the front, were entertained at a social by the residents of Shau Pouit and district oh Friday, 4th inst.' There was a large attendance, and at a convenient interval" in the proceedings, Mr Thomas Walsh who presided, presented each soldier with a handsome gold medal, suitably inscribed. An excellent concert programme was contributed to by Mrs G. Brooke, Misses Hubbard and Austin, Dr Thomas, and Messrs Whittlestone and Benston. The dance music was supplied by Mr R. Smith, and Mr D. Howie acted as M.C. Supper was provided by the local ladies. In the vestry room at the Synagogue on Wednesday' evening members of th» Jewish community assembled in large numbers t<j mark the golden wedding- of Mr

and Mrs R. M. Marks. The room was tastefully decorated with flags and table plants, and an excellent musical programme was provided by Mesdames R. Hudson, S. Solomon, and Bree (Wellington), and Misses Eae Marks (Christchurch), Theomin, and Dora Hudson; Miss Spiro played a pianoforte solo : Mr S. Solomon proved an entertaining raconteur; and Mjss Rita Isaacs accompanist. During an interval a hand-somely-illuminated address was presented to the guests. Mr H. Isaacs (president) and Mr D. E. Theomin (treasurer) spoke very highly of the social work done by Mr and Mrs Marks in tho interests of the Jewish community. Mr Maitland Gordon Rich, a well-known Christchurch resident who died at Fendalton on the Bth, was 6l"*years of age. He was born at Wairuna, Otago, and was educated at Toabridge, England. His education completed, he returned to New Zealand, and was a leading farmer for some 40 years. About five or six years ago ho retired, and settled in Christchurch. His farming experience was gained chiefly in Central Otago, at Toi-tois (near the mouth of the Mataura River), and between Longbeach and Coldstream, in tho Ashburton county, where he lived for 22 years. The' late Mr Rich took an active part in pubho affairs. He was for many years chairman of the Coldstream Road Board. In Christchurch, during the war, ho did active work for tho Red Cross, and on the passing of tho Military Service Act, he was appointed a member of the Sbcond Canterbury Military Service Board. He had been ailing. for some time past. There passed away at Maerewhenua on March 30, in his 82nd year, an old and respected resident in the person of Mr William Blyfche Bloomfield. During a long residence of 45 years. Mr Bloomfield proved himself an obliging neighbour and a good citizen. The late Mr Bloomfield was born in Colchester, Essex, England, in 1887, and went to sea at the age of 13. About nine years later he landed in Victoria and was for several jears in Sandridge before coming, to Otago in 1862. Mr Bloomfield has always engaged in gold mining, and had experience at Hamiltons, Wakamarina, Hyde, Naseby, Macraes, Shag River, and Kyeburn before settling at Maerewhenua in May, 1874. Mr Bloomfield has served as a member of the School Committee and other local institutions. He was married on May 6, 1874, to a daughter of the late Mr \Silliam Luke May, sometime Armoury Sergeant in the Second Battalion of the Coldstream Guards. Mr Bloomfield has had a large family—three sons and five daughters. , _. _ News by the mail states that Sir James Mills has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Mortgage and Agency Company. A Press Association oable message from Perth (W.A.) announces that Dt Golding Bird has resigned the bishoprio of Kalgoorlie owing to throat trouble. Mr Harold Beauchamp has been re-elected chairman of directors of the Bank of New Zealand. A Press Association cable message from London announces the death of John Brilliatt, the last survivor of Captain Sturt's South Australian exploring expedition in 1861.

At the Y.M.C.A. Miss 0. Wedderspoon was the recipient of a case of silver teaspoons as "a wedding present and parting gift from the staff of the association. Mr Drew made tho presentation/

The death has occurred of Captain J. Warren, for 39 years clerk to the Cook County Council. Captain Warren served in the ' Auckland ' volunteer forces, and saw active service during the Maori war in the Waikato in 1861-65. Subsequently he served in command of volunteer corps in the Gisborne district, and was a very popular and efficient officer.

Sister Ernestine, who was until recently in charge of St. Mary's Orphanage, Mornington, left Dunedin last week. She_ took her departure, she , informs us, " with a heart full of graditude" for the personal kindness which were extended to her in Otago and for the generous support given to the orphanage. According to private advice received here, Dr J. H. Jowett, of Birmingham, the famous preacher of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York, and now of the City Temple, London, has long been contemplating a visit to. New Zealand, and hopes shortly to put this purpose into effect. Miss L. F. Boniwell, organising secretary for New Zealand of the Sudan United Mission, reached Dunedin from the north on Saturday evening, and is spending a few days here on her way through to Invercargill. She intends returning about the middle of May to conduct meetings in tho interests of the mission in the city and suburbs for some weeks.

The Hospital Committeo of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board has decided to recommend the board to grant its radiolo,gist (Dr Cameron) nine months' leave of absence as from April 14. The committee also recommends that Dr Cameron be authorised while in Great Britain to purchase any apparatus he may consider necessary up to the value of £IOO. It approves the suggestion that Dr Moody, of Outram, be appointed temporary radiologist at the Hospital. A Press Association cable message from ' London states that thieves ransacked Sir Joseph Ward's attache's case aboard the Channel steamer on the way from Boulogne to Folkstone. The documents were not disturbed, and only a gold-mounted fountain pen is missing. Miss J. M. Brosnan, M.A., of tho Inveroargill High School, has been appointed junior mistress at the Hamilton High School. Mr Henry Barltrop, who died at Nelson on the 6th inst., at the age of 91 years, arrived in New Zealand by the ship Indemnity at the latter end of 1842, and had resided in Nelson since 1853. He celebrated his diamond wedding three years ago. He had a family of 12 sons and four daughters, ■ of whom seven sons and three daughters survive. iThey are:—Alfred Barltrop (Nel son), William (Hokitika), George W. (Wellington), John Edward (Feilding), Frederick (Dunedin), Alexander (Greymouth), Harry (Nelson), Mrs J. Horn (Dunedin), Mrs G. R. Simpson (Wangajnui), and Miss Barltrop (Nelson). There are a large number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs John Grant, of Balclutha, who passed away last wesk in her seventy-sixth year was one of the pioneer _ settlers of Otago, having arrived in 1860 in the ship Storm Cloud with her father, brothers, and sisters. After residing for some time in Dunedin, Miss Meikle, as she then was, married Mr John Grant, who resided in the Taiori with his brother, the late Peter Grant, of Gowirio. Shortly after her marriage her husband bought a farm in the Waitapeka district, and many interesting stories Mrs Grant used to tell of tho

methods of travelling from the Taieri to Waitepeka in those early days, when there were neither roads nor railways. .Mr and Mrs Grant remained in Waitepeka until Mr Grant's death, 14 years ago. Mrs Grant then-sold the farm, and became a resident of Balclutha. Her outstanding characteristio was her kindness of heart. , Nothmg gave her greater pleasure during her stay in Balclutha than to accord hospitality teller old friends from Waitepeka. Her residence in Balclutha established fresh friendships for her, especially among old people and invalids, whom it was her practice to visit regularly, and by whom she will be much missed. While frailty of body was associated with her increasing years, her end came after only a short illness, for she was not confined to bed for more than a week. Her family consist of five sons and four daughters—Mr John Grant (Inveroargill), Mr Charles Grant (Nelson), Mr William Grant (Australia), Mr David Grant (Lovell's Flat), Mr Robert Grant (Gisibome), Mrs Adam (Southland), Mrs Lincoln (North Island), Mrs J. D. Newson (Clinton), and Mrs W. MacPherson (Romahapa). Mrs Grant left 30 grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. All but two of the family were present at the funeral, 'which took place on Thursday last, tho Rev. S. W. Curne officiating. The death is announced at Launceston of Mr W. A. W. Wathen, who lived for many years in Dunedin, where he was well known in journalistic and labour circles. He was engaged at different times on the staffs of tho Otago Daily Times and Evening Herald. He was largely interested in politics, and on one occasion contested the Taieri seat in the House of Representatives; he was a member of the choir of St. Paul's pro-Cathedral, and a member of the Dunedin Shakespeare Club; and held office in the Trades and Labour Council. Mrs Suckling, widow of Rev. J. B. Suckling, late of Cuvu Nadroga, Fiji, has received a cable message from the Methodist Mission Board appointing her to the position of matron in the Boys' Orphanage, Delkusha, Fiji. Mrs Suckling and her two children will be leaving by the next trip of the Talune from Auckland. Mrs Suckling was formerly Sister Oushen, of the Southland Hospital, Mr M. Allison, a well-known resident of Hawea Flat, has received information that his son, Sergeant J. D. Allison, is returning on the Corinthic. Sergeant Allison went away with the Main Body. The death is reported from Sydney of Mr Lewis De Groen, bandmaster, at the age of 58 years. The Rev. W. A. Hay, of Trinity Church, who was tendered a farewell social on the 14th, will, with Mrs Hay and his family, leave on Thursday morning for Queenstown, where he intends to spend a brief holiday. Mr Hay will then return to Dunedin, and on Friday, April 25, he will leave for Timaru to take up his new duties in the circuit ther«*.

Mr A. O. Aitken, of Dalmore, has received word that he has passed the final section of the B.A. degree, and has_ quali6ed for senior university scholarships in Latin, pure mathematics, and applied mathematics.

The Foreign Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church has received advice from Dr E. W. Kirk, medical missionary to Canton, who had been on military servioe since .December, 1915, that he would leave London' by the Arawa for New Zealand on April 1. It is. expected that Dr Kirk will leave for Canton about Septem ber.

A Press Association message from Christchurch states that Mr L. A. Stringer, town olerk of Lyttelton, has been appointed registrar of Canterbury College, in succession to Mr G H. Mason, resigned. There v were 63 applicants. '"' Lieutenant J. R. Byrne, N.Z.F.A., who has been engaged in England in assisting in the compiling of a history of our artillery's work in the war, "is now en route to New Zealand by the Kia Ora, which is due about May 8. Lieutenant Byrne, who was formerly" tf on the staff of the Otago Daily Times and the Evening Post, left with the Main Body as a sergeant on Headquarters Staff, and whilst on the Peninsula transferred to the artillery, with which unit he served throughout tho western front campaign. In 1917 he was sent to England to train for his commission, which he later secured. His brother, Lieutenant Arthur Byrne, of the Otago Regiment, is still in England, but expects to be , sailing for New Zealand shortly. Mr George Hay Gilroy, who died at Inch--clutha on Sunday, was born at Musselburgh, near Edinburgh, in 1840. After leaving school he learned the trade of a blaoksmith. He was subsequently employed at Armstrong's gun works, at Elswick, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Mr Gilroy arrived at Bluffy in 1862, and started business as a blaoksmith. In 1864 he removed to Stirling, where he set himself up in business as a blacksmith. He established branch businesses at Inchclutha, Kaitangata, and Balclutha, all of which he supervised until he devoted his attention to farming. Mr Gilroy was a member of the Otago A. and P. Association, and served on its committee ; for many years ho was president of the Clutha and Matau A. and P. Association, of which he was a life member. He has also been a member of the Stirling School Committee, and he promoted the Stirling Dairy Factory. Mr Gilroy married Miss Agnes M'Niven, and there was a family of one son and five daughters. Mr R. Bernard Williams, of this city, received news yesterday of tho death at Dormans, Surrey, of his father, the Rev. Thomas Lockyer Williams, 8.A., who, having been born at Lymington Hall, Hants, on January 31, 1822, was in his 98th year. Mr Thomas Lockyer Williams was elected, as head boy of Westminster School, to Trinity College, Cambridge; was some time assistant master at Cheltenham College, and for a short period avos acting professor of Greek at Aberdeen University. Pie was fellow curate with Father Lowder at Tetbury; was afterwards vicar of Porthleven, Cornwall, for 38 years; and was the first to introduce Catholio teaching and ritual to Cornwall. He was a contemporary with the Rev. Bryan King (grandfather of the Rev. V. G. B. King, of Dunedin) in East end slum work in London, and was with him during the St. George's in the East riots. He was looked upon as one of the greatest living authorities on the Early Fathers _in tho original. As a preacher he occupied the highest rank. Letters received from Mr Williams by the last mail stated that he was in good health and that, despite his great age, ho was able to take his daily exerciso in tho form of a walk for a mile and a half or two miles, and that he still enjoyed his morning cold "tub." His eyesight was quite good up to the last, although he found small print a little trying,

and his mental powers were marvellously retained, as illustrated by the fact that Latin, Greek, and sometimes English verse was composed by him oven in his closing years. His was a very saintly life: bo was a daily communicant at 8 a_m. up to the very end of his existence; and he was deeply loved and revered by numbers of his old parishioners and their descendants.