PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3415, 29 August 1919, Page 44

PERSONAL ITEMS.

At a meeting of the University Council on the itjth it was decided, on the motion of Mr W. J. Morrell, to congratulate Sir George Fcnwick on the honour conferred upon him. Mr Morrell said everyone who had come in contact with Sir George in the public business of the city and otherwise would feel that a well-deserved honour had been received by one of their most respected citizens. Mrs Alex M'Gregor, of Kelso, who died in Uunedin early this month, was_ a settler in Otago since 1861, when she arrived with her husband in the ship Lady Egidia. Mr and Mrs M'Gregor made their first home in the Taieri district, and remained there for about 15 years, after which they' removed to Crookston Fiat, in the Tapanui district, and resided there and in Kelso for the past 42 years. About a year ago Mrs M'Gregor came to Dunedin to obtain medical advice, but unfortunately never recovered ' sufficiently to return to her home in Kelso. She was 78 years of age. She was of a quiet, retiring disposition, beloved and honoured by all who knew her for her many kind actions, and will be greatly missed. Sho leaves her husband and several sons and daughters to mourn the loss of a kind mother and a wise counsellor. By the death . f Mr Frederick Walter Dilmott Port Chalmers has lost one of its most esteemed citizens. He was born in Hobart in 1851, and came over to Port Chalmers 45 years ago, and has resided there ever since. He made himself particularly active in all matters concerning the common weal. He was one of the founders and members of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, helped to form the brass band, and was an active member of the old 'Naval Brigade. He was also known as one of the most enthusiastic workers in Druidical circles. He passed through all the chairs, and was Arch-Druid in 1887 and 1883. Mr R. B. Smith, inspector of the Bank of Australasia in New Zealand, is retiring after 46 years' service with the bank, entirely in New Zealand. Mr Smith joined the bank in 1873 at Dunedin. He was appointed inspector in New Zealand (the chief executive officer in the dominion) in succession to the late Mr A. P. Webster, who was appointed general manager for the Bank of Australasia in Melbourne. Mr Smith will be succeeded by Mr Percy H- Cox, manager of the Bank of Australasia at Christchurch for the past nine years. Mr G. J. Anderson, the present member for Mataura, will be a candidate for the seat again at the general election. MiDavid M'Dougall, Mayor of Gore, and Mr Norman M'lntyre, of Tussock Creek, have also announced their intention of contesting the; seat.

Mrs Hay, of Palmerston, has received a cable from England that her elder son, Private David N. Hay, is returning by'the troopship Corinthic, which left for New Zealand on August 9. Private Hay has been very fortunate, having seen over two years active service, and not once been wounded. Last year, however, he was in hospital for a time, having met with a slight accident to his legs. Among the many arrivals by the special troop train which reached Dunedin at an early hour on the 21st was Captain R. F. Mitchell, M.C., sth Otago Mounteds, Main Body. He was met at the station by many old friends, and was accorded a very hearty welcome. Captain Mitchell is looking fit and well, having quite regained his health since he was home on sick furlough three years ago. The following candidates were successful in obtaining certificates at the recent interim examination held by the Board of Examiners under the Coal Minas Act: First-class certificates—W. E. G. Hewitson, Burnett's Face, Westport; W. C. Davies, Huntly;. James Carruthers, Milton. Secondclass certificates—John Brennan, Kaitangr.ta; R. W. Duncan, Nightcaps. At the meeting of the Education Board on Thursday, the chairman (Mr J. Wallace) referred to the recent sudden death of Miss Rosetta King, mistress of the Clinton School. Miss King had been for 33£ years in the board's employ, and her services had been highly valued. He moved that a letter of sympathy be sent to the relatives of the deceased lady. The motion was carried in silence. A Sydney cable announces the death of Mr Donnelly Fisher, solicitor, who represented New Zealand Freemasons in Sydney. Mrs T. H. Mann, of Kokonga, has received word that her husband, Trooper T. H. Mann, is to arrive by the Ellenga. News has bean received in Christchuroh of the death on the 16th of the Rev. John Dukes, Methodist minister, of Te Aroha. Mr Dukes came to Christchureh last February for the purpose of attending the Methodist Conference, but was taken ill almost as soon as' the business began. He entered the Lyndhurst Private Hospital, where he underwent a serious operation. Towards the end of May he had sufficiently recovered to return to his home, but he never fully regained his strength. Mr Dukes be#an his ministry in New Zealand nearly 40_ years ago. Most of his work was done in the North Island, but soma years ago he was .stationed at Waimate and later at Kaiapoi. Mr Dukes is survived by his widow and an only daughter. A Sydney cable message announces the cjpnth of Bishop Dunne, of Bathurst. The Hon. G. W. Russell has announced (says a Wellington Press Association telegram) that Dt Rangihiroa has been appointed Special Officer of Health for the Native race. A Press Association message from Greymouth states that Mr Duncan M'Lean, merchant, a West Coast pioneer, died on the 22nd, ag-sd 85 years He was one of the contractors for the Midland Railway with the late Mr- Joseph Jay. His wife died a few weeks ago. A London cable message states that the Freedom of the City of Totnes (Devonshire) has been conferred on General Birdwood. A cable message from London announces the death of Mr H L. Doherty. the celebrated tennis player, after a long illness. • Mr E. J Atwill a very well-known resident of WRimate, died at his home on Thursday, 21st inst. Mr Atwill for many years had taken a wide and liberal interest in the civic and social affairs of Waimate, with which he has been associated as Borough Councillor, Hospital Trustee, and Justice of the Peace. A. man of large sympathies, he had made the poor of the district his special . care, and these, beside those many other friends whom his personality attracted, will miss him greatly. He left" a numerous family, all adults. - Captain J. H. Don, son of the late Dr Don (of Otago University) is at present

in Wellington. Captain Don, who served With the Main Body oil Galiipoli, subsequently transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (now Royal Air Force), and, passing all examinations and practical tests with credit, soon secured his "two wings" (pilot's certificate). He did a gcod deal of flying, in England and Fiance, on various machines. He will now be associated with the large aerodrome at Sockburn. Christchurch, as pilot and instructor. Mr Reuben R. Hore, who lately passed away at Kyeburn, in his 83rd year, was one of the best known figures in the Maniototo district. He was born at Molines, Cromwell, England. In 1859 he came to Australia in the sailing ship Prince of Wales. Shortly after his arrival there he heard of the diggings in New Zealand, and, joining in the rush, he commenced mining in Gabriel's Gully and Mixnro Gully, where he stayed for some time, subsequently following rush after rush. In 1856 he went to England on a visit of some duration, and on his returning to New Zealand he settled at Naseby and became a .shareholder in the Mount Ida Sluicing Company. The difficulties of mining in those days are illustrated in the fact that the water race belonging to the company was 21 miles long, carried through rugged country, while the construction of drjfis and tail races involved a heavy outlay. When land was first thro vn open for selection in the district Mr Hore took up a selection and was engaged in farming pursuits up till the time of his death. He was highly r« spected throughout the whole district. He leaves a widow, two daughters and three sons, all of whom are engaged in farming. The daughters and two sons are married. The third son recently returned from France after some years' service. The death occurred at the residence of his son-in-law, on the 22nd inst., of Mr Eyre Evans, an old and highly-respected resident of Oamaru (says the North Otago Times). The late Mr Evans, who was 77 years of age, was born in Ashill Towers, County Limerick, Ireland, and was educated at Dungannon, and Trinity College, Dublin. The deceased was the son of the late Major Evans, a wellknown and respected early colonist, and he , arrived at Port Chalmers by the Queen Bee in the early 'sixties, taking up his residence in the Oamaru district almost immediately. Mr Evans interested himself greatly in the social welfare of his fellows, and the nolicense cause found in him an enthusiastic advocate, but despite his keen advocacy of temperance he never alienated friends 6i opposite views, for they recognised in him a clean and conscientious fighter. Another organisation that Mr Evans espoused was the Salvation Army, and when the pioneers of the movement, under Colonel (then Major) Pollard arrived in Oamaru Mr Evans became an earnest follower. Mr Evans was a brother of the Dowager Countess of Sea'field and an uncle of the late Earl of Seafield, who was killed in France about two years ago. He leaves five sons and two daughters. The funeral took place at the Oamaru Cemetery on Sunday afternoon, and was attended by' a large and representative gathering. The burial service was conducted by Commandant Cook, of the Salvation Army, and the Army band, which led the cortege playing the " Dead March," also played hymns at the graveside. Ensign Austin paid a tribute to the memory of the deceased. A Press Association message from Wellington states that Judge R. W. Jones has been appointed Chief Judge of the Native Land Court in succession to the late Chief Judge Jackson Palmer. The Rev. W. Clark (Military Medal), for : merly of Ngapara, and recently returned from his duties as a chaplain with the forces, has accepted a call to the pastorate of the Tokomairiro Presbyterian Church, which has been vacant for the past 18 months. The induction takes place early next month. A Press Association telegram reports that Richard Molesworth Taylor, formerly member for Sydenham, died at Wellington yesterday, aged 85 years. .. Sister Ruth Lindsay, late of Dunedin and Southland Hospitals, arrived in Wellington on Tuesday morning in the s.s. Giessen. Sne joined up with the Queen Alexandra I.M.N.S. in 1914, was sent to a casualty clearing station near Bailleul, in Northern France in the early days of the war, and later was on the nursing staff of the New Zealand Hospital at Brockenhurst. Sister Lindsay is the youngest daughter of the late R. O. Lindsay, Balcarres, Otautau, Southland. On Wednesday night, August 20, the residents of Rat&nui gathered in the schoolroom to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Williamson, who were leaving the district. Mian d Mrs Williamson have been long residents of the Oatlins district, having settled there* some 30 years ago. A very enjoyable musical programme was provided, and encores were numerous. During the evening Mr Williams, on behalf of the residents of the district, presented Mr Williamson with a caSs of nipes (engraved), Mrs Williamson with a silver cake basket (suitably inscribed), and Miss Williamson with a gold brooch Mr Williamson suitably replied. Mr and Mrs Williamson will take up their residence at Waitati- ' . There passed away on the 10th inst at Invercargill, at the residence of his daughter (Mrs W. Cameron), Mr Henry Thomas, late of Cromwell. A native of St. Just, Cornwall, Mr Thomas, accompanied by his wife, arrived in Port Chalmers in the sailing ship Blue Jacket in November, 1866, and immediately proceeded to Cromwell by waggon to join his brother, who was mining at Cornish Town (Cromwell). Here Mr Thomas followed mining until about 18 years ago, when he removed to Bannockburn. He resided there for three years, and then shifted to Cromwell, where he resided until the death of his wife 10 years ago. For the last nine years be has resided in "Southland. The late Mr Thomas was one of the original members of the Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows' Lodge at Cromwell, and continued to be a member until the time of his death. He was of a reserved nature, but was greatly respected by his immediate friends. He leaves a family of five sons and three daughters—namely: Nicholas, of Dunedin; Richard, of Oturehua; William H., of Invercargill; Phillip, of Pukerangi;. and James E., T., of Ashburton; Mrs J. Ledingham, of South Invercargill; Mrs Cameron, of Tasmania; Mrs W. Cameron, of Invercargill, and Mrs T. P. Beck, of Gorge Road, Southland. The death was announced at Auckland on August 25 of Major Thomas Broun, F.E.S.. formerly Government Entomologist, aged 81 years. Major Broun was born at Edinburgh on July 15, 1838. and was educated and there. At the age of 16 he received his commission. during the Crimean war. When that ended he proceeded to Burmah. and afterwards served with his regiment in Bengal throughout

the Mutiny. lie also served in New Zealand during the Maori war. During some 2)0 yeans alter the war he devoted most of his time to the study of New Zealand insects, the beetles particularly. He was the author of a work on New Zealand Coleoptera, the first volume of which was Published by the Government in 1880. He was elected an honorary member of European scientific societies and the Australian Naturalists' Club in recognition of his original research, and was appointed Government Entomologist in 1894. He was the author of many papers dealing with the life history of insects and with his discoveries of insects and fungi which destroy pests on orchard trees and other plants. The death occurred on Saturday morning, at Waimate, of Mr Harry Neville Hertslet, aged 64 years, one of the county's best known farmers. He was also well known as a valuer of land, having done much special work for the Government and local bodies and in arbitration cases. His only son, Trooper Charles Hertslett, returned from Palestine, after four years' absence, about 10 days ago.