PERSONAL ITEMS

Otago Witness, Issue 3414, 20 August 1919, Page 43

PERSONAL ITEMS

A Press Association cable message from London notifies that the Rev. Harrington Leoa, vicar of Swansea, has been elected Bishop of Bendigo (Victoria). Opportunity was taken at the meeting of the committee of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on the 12th inst. to convoy the congratulations of the society to Sir George Fenwick upon the distinction which has recently been conferred upon him. After paying a high tribirte to Sir George Fenwick as a man and as a citizen, tine Rev. M. Diamond moved: —"That this committee places on record ite deep gratification at the fact that the King has bestowed a knighthood on its president (Sir George Fenwick), an honour which Sir George has well deserved by long life-labour in the cause of his fellow-men. The committee takes this opportunity to record its high appreciation of Sir George's services to this society as its founder, co-worker, and lastly as its president, a post which he has filled with dignity, tact, and ability. The committee also desires to offer Sir George its hearty congratulations, coupled with ite most sincere wishes for his future well-being and happiness." The resolution, which was received with applause, was seconded by Mr A. Kilpatrick. The Rev. W. Saunders, in endorsing the felicitations conveyed by the motion, said that Sir George Fenwick was the aecond president of the society upon whom the honour of knighthood had been conferred, the other being the. late Sir Joshua Williams. Their society was, therefore, in an exceptional position. Continuing, Mr Saunders said they were all agreed' that not only was Sir George Fenwick a worthy successor of Sir Joshua Williams in the matter of a knighthood, but, like that respected iudge, he was a representative citizen who had rendered service of the highest value to the citizens. The resolution- was carried unanimously. In acknowledging the congratulations of the society, Sir George laid the passing of euch a motion gave him the greatest pleasure, i The* enormous amount of eulogy to which ho had to listen during the last few days had caused him a great deal of embarrassment. He appreciated very highly the compliment which had been conveyed by Mr Saunders in associating his name with that of Sir Joshua Williams, for no man was held in wider respect by the whole community than the late judge, who had always been an example of splendid t citizenship. In conclusion, Sir George Fenwick expressed the hope that he would still have a fairly long connection with the society, and would be able to do some good work in the position which he at present occupied.—(Applause.) A Press Association message states that tho Christchurch Presbytery has received the resignations of the Rev. Thomas M'Donald, for. 30 years at St. Peter's, Woolston, and of the Rev. G. Johnston, of Malvern. Mr ,1. Ross Mitchell, of Clyclevale, has received advice of the expected arrival of his son, Lieutenant Jack Mitchell, R.F.A. After serving for four years in France and Mesopotamia, Lieutenant Mitchell was for some considerable time in Russia, stationed at Baku. He is due to arrive by the Friedrickruhe this month. A Press Association cablegram from London advises that the Rev. Harrington Lees, vicar of Swansea, has refused the Bishopric of Bendigo (Victoria). On tho eve of her departure from the district Miss E. Shea (who has been appointed teacher in the Allanton School)- was entertained in the Oturehua Hall on July 28. Mr W. G. Becker, chairman of the School Committee, expressed the regret of the residents at Miss Shea's departure and referred to the high standard to which ghe brought the school during her three and a-half years of office. On behalf of tho residents he presented Miss Shea with a gold bracelet watch, suitably inscribed. Miss Ivy Beattie, on behalf of the pupils and ex-pupils, pre.sented her with a fountain pen. Messrs J. Nicholson (sen.), T. Gilchrist, and T. A. Lewis endorsed Mr Becker's remarks and wished her every success in her new school. Mr William Shea responded on behalf of his sister.

Mr W. F. Dundass, of Ida Valley, has received word that Corporal Victor Scoberg is returning by the Somerset, which is due at Lyttelton shortly. Corporal Scoberg has seen a good deal of active service. He was wounded twice and gassed once. A Press Association wire from Wellingpresented last week with a gold watch and presented last night with a gold watch and chain and_ an inscribed medal from all the non-commissioned officers and men of the uniform branch throughout New Zealand in recognition of his services on behalf of the uniform men at the recent committee of inquiry in connection with the -police force. The Tlev. J. M. Steward, Bishop-elect of Melanesia, has arrived in Auckland by the mission steamer Southern Ctoss. Mr Steward has been engaged in missionary work in the Solomon Islands for the last 16 years. Previously he held a curacy at Watford (Herts, England). He was elected Bishop of Melanesia by a meeting composed of the clergy of the. mission held at Norfolk . Island recently. His appointment has to be confirmed by the Anglican Church authorities in New Zealand, and he is now waiting to hear from the Primate upon this matter. If his election is confirmed, probably Mr Steward will be consecrated in Auckland.

A Wellington Press Association message states that Br Douglas Johnstone M'Gavin has been appointed a member of the Board of Public Health, in place of Dr Frederick William Gordon, who has resigned. At a largely-attended meeting of the Kai korai Presbyterian Church on the 14th it was icsolvcd unanimously to extend a call to the Rev. W. R. Hutchison, a returned chaplain, and formerly minister of the Maraekakapo Church, Hawke's Bay. Dr R. H. Makgill, District Health Officer at Auckland, is to be Acting- Chief Health Officer and Inspector-general of Hospitals during the absence of Dr T. H. A. Valintine, who has received six months' leave of absence. Dt Makgill is senior officer'of the department next to Dr Valintine. It is not certain yet if Dr Makgill's place at Auckland will be filled temporarily. A Wellington Press Association message received on Friday, announced that Lieuten-ant-colonel (Temporary Colonel) J. E. Hume, R.N.Z.A., who has been in ill health recently,. and who lately commanded the Wellington Military District, has retired. Colonel Hume before the war commanded a regiment of the Royal New Zealand Artillery, and towards the end of 1914 was appointed to the command of the Auckland Military . District He then received command of the Wellington Military District—«n appointment which he held for

three years until ill-health obliged him to relinquish, his duties. Mr Neil Paterson, lately of the staff of the Magistrate's Court at Wellington, has been appointed, to the position of the Clerk of the Court at 'Samoa. Mr Paterson, who is a B.A. and a LL.B., was at one time practising as a barrister and solicitor in the Otago district. He has left for Samoa. Chaplain Hanby, who is retiring from the control of the Anglican Institute for Soldiers at Rotorua, was entertained at a social and presented with purses by the soldiers and the congregation of the Anglican Church. The ladies of the congregation presented a testimonial to Mrs Hanby. The Rev. and Mrs Hanby left for Fairlie on Thursday It is interesting to noto that Brigadiergeneral W. R. N. Maddockß (R.A.), C. 8., C.M.G., D.SLO., is likely to pay a visit to New Zealand. As Major Maddocks (an Imperial officer) he left New Zealand with tho first .contingent for tho South African war, and distinguished himself at New Zealand Hill. He served right through the European war of 1914-1918. Another of the early settlers of Otago passed away last week in the person of Mr Walter Park, of Waikouaiti, who had reached the age of 82 years. Mr Park was born in Peebleshire. Scotland, and educated at the,., Livingstone School, Linlithgowshire. * He emigrated to Otago by the ship Alpine in 1859. Ho settled at Sawyers' Bay, and was for some time engaged in sawing timber. When the Gabriel's Gully rush broke out in 1861 he went there and was fairly successful. On his return from the diggings he started a fellmongery at Sawyers' Bay, on the site where the tannery is now situated. Some time afterwards he purchased a farm at Waitati, and was engaged in farming until about 10 years ago, when he sold out and retired. He was a breeder and successful exhibitor of Ayrshire cattle, and was a member of the first committee of the Blueskin A. and P. Society, pf which he became a life member. He was much respected by all who knew him. His 'wife died eight years ago. Of a family of five sons and four daughters, eight survive their father. Mr Egbert Sainsbury, who _ has disappeared under circumstances which make :t reasonable to assume that he over-balanced and fell into the Shotover River at Skippers and was drowned, was born in Hampshire (England) in May, 1839. As a sailor he visited Australia in 1861, and later came to New Zealand, whoro for some years he following mining pursuits. Finding his way ultimately to Wakatipu, he joined the firm of Fisher, Elelly, and Duncan, at Packer's Point, and from there packed timber and goods to the miners. Subsequently he bought out-M'Grigor and Brigg's interest in an alluvial claim at Skippers, and for a time earned a competence in the venture. Sometime later he purchased Inspector Gemirell's residence at One Mile. While owning this property, he resumed his mining pursuits, buying Collins and Enright's claim at Maori Point, where of late years he has been farming. Mr Sainsbury is a man of sterling character, and his robust manhood is testified by the fact that at over 80 years of ago he was still carrying out active farming duties. Amongst his family, for whom great sympathy is felt in their anxiety and suspense, are Mrs Albert Herd (of Dunedin), Mrs J. Shore (of Caversham), Mrs F. Robertson (North-East Valley). A Sydney cablegram states that Admiral Lord Jellicoe was to leave that port on Saturday for Wellington aboard H.M.S. New Zealand. The Oamaru Presbytery has nominated the Rev. S. W. Currie, M.A., of Balclutha, for the position of Moderator of the next General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. In retiring from the position of organist and choirmaster of P\i-?t Church, a, position he has held for 31 years, Mr Jesse Timson was presented at the annual meeting with a beautifully engrossed and morocco-bound copy of the session and deacons' court minute of appreciation, accompanied by a cheque representing three months' -salary. Hcwas also presented wih a cheque For a substantial sum subscribed by friends in the congregation, while Mrs Timson was presented with a handsome case of stainless cutlery. Eulogistic references were made to Mr Timson's services and his good influerce. Members and ex-members of the First Church choir gave a. farewell social to Mr Timson on Thursday night. A fine oak roller-top desk was presented to Mr Timson, and the honour of lifemembership conferred on Mr and Mrs Timson. A large framed photograph of the choir was presented to Mr Timson, and a handsome gold bangle to Mrs Timson, and a gold brooch to Miss Dorothy Timson. An onjoyable programmo was carried through. Mr Timson suitably responded for the kind and complimentary references to his work as organist and choirmaster. A London cablegram announces the death of Lord Inverclyde. By a recent notice in the Gazette, Mr Joseph Tait, of Mosgiel, and Mr Thomas H S. Hiddleston, also of Mosgiel, are appointed officers under part 2 of the Fisheries Act and rangers under the Animals Protection Act.

A cable received yesterday states that Captain A. N. Whitcombe, serving with the British artillery in Russia, has been awarded the Military Cross.