PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3429, 2 December 1919, Page 41

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The residents of South Taieri honoured Corporal R. D. M'Oully, of Otolda. a few nignts ago at a welcome-home social it genley, alter an absence of over two years, _ which he eaw much active service. His friends presented him with a gold medal suitably inscribed. Whilst passing through Milton last month to take up duty at Mataura,, the Rev. Jas. M'Master was presented by tho Toko Presbyterian Church congregation with a well-filled wallet of notes, in recognition <,f his 12 months' service in the parish as relieving student during the lengthy vacancy. xlt the Ptierua Presbyterian Church on the 23rd tho Rev. T. W. Newbold conducted by request a special service in respect to the late Mrs Porteous. The deceased lady went as a bride to the district, and was a devoted worker and member of the church for 20 years. Though it is 30 years since she left Puerua, there are those remaining in the congregation who entertain fond memories of her useful life, and rejoice in the prominent positions held by her children, who were born among tbem. A comforting address was delivered and sympathetic prayers offered. The following reference to Lieutenant A. D. Blair, son of Mr and Mrs John Blair, of Abbotsford, apoeared in a recent issue of the Evening Post: —'Lieutenant A. D. Blair, R.N.R. (Green Island, Otago), is now naval transport officer at Calais. He joined up in December, 1914, and, after going through the sweeping course in H.M.S. Defiance, was appointed leader of a unit of six patrol trawlers. He has operated at different times from Devonport to Arklow, asid was commended by Admiral Dare for the arrangements he made to defend the town and munition factory during the Sinn Fein rising. He was also commended by the Admiralty for work against submarines in -July, 1916. Lieutenant Blair was for a time in command of Q 17, and has also had experience in the naval transport service in the channel." A very pleasing ceremony took place at Middlsmarrh on Wednesday, November 19, "bank day," when quite a number of the clients and customers of the local branch of the Bank of New Zealand met together for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr Fraser, manager of tiio Mosgiel branch of the bank and visiting officer to the district, as a token of the esteem in which he is held not only by clients and customers, but also the local residents of the district. Mr Fraser is retiring from the service of the bank into private life. Mr D. Matheson, w-hr> made the presentation, referred to the many good qualities of Mr Fraser, whose courtesy and attention to business had earned for him the good opinion of the residents of the district. Mr Eraser, in reply, thanked those present for the handsome present they had made him and for their kind expressions of regard. The General Assembly at Invercargill last week unanimously agreed to grant tho full status of minister to the Rev. J. Ryley, who has for some years past been serving as a home missionary. At the Methodist Synod now sitting in Wellington, the Rev. D. J. Murray, Lower Hutt, who has been in the active ministry of the Church for 45 years, made application to be made a supernumerary at the forthcoming conference. Many references were made-to the influence of Mr Murray's work.

Mr R. M. Watson, who was formerly a member of the staff of" the Publio Thrust Office, has received the temporary appointment of. Chief Judge of the High Court of Samoa. Mr Watson, who is a- lawyer by profession, went to Samoa as a member of the Advance Force, and has had considerate experience on the island. A well-known officer of the Department of Agriculture, Mr Robert Rowan, died at his residence, Ewington avenue. Mount Eden, recently, aged 58 years. Deceased is survived bv a widow and eight children. Mr Rowan "has latterly been fields inspector, supervisor, and instructor in the Auckland district. Prior to that he was rabbit agent and inspector in the South Island, and inspector of for Taranaki district. A Christchuroh telegram states that the Hospital Board has accepted the resignation of Dr W. Fox, medical superintendent. . . , m , A Press Association message from Wellington states that Mr Hugh Fraser Ayson has been appointed judge in the Waiariki Native Land Court District, and Mr Frank Oswald Victor Acheson, judge in the Aotea Native Land Court District. Mr A. M'Gavock, secretary of the Ota-go Land Board, has received notice of his transfer to Christchuroh. Mr M'Gavock came to Dunedin from Invercargill, where he held a similar position to the one he now holds, some 12 months ago. It is understood that his present transfer means promotion. Mr M'Gavock has proved" himself a capable and painstaking officer, and his departure will be regretted by his colleagues on the staff, and k>y those who have had business dealings with him. Miss Ethel Murray, at present matron at the Balclutha District High School, has been recommended by the Macandrew Road School Committee for the position of matron at the Macandrew Road School. The Rev. S. Griffith, whose application to be superannuated at the ensuing Methodist Conference was unanimously endorsed by the Synod just held in Dun£,dim, has been for 38 years connected with the activework of the New Zealand Msthodist Church. He entered the ministry in 1882. For 24 years Mr Griffith laboured in the Auckland district, and for the past three and a-half years he has been chairman of the Otago district, relinquishing this position lately in order to seek superannuation, through advancing years and the state of his health. The last of the old French ssttlers who an-ived by the Comte de Paris, Mr Joseph Libeau. died at his residence, Duvauchelle, oh Monday morning, at the age of 86. The deceased was born at Bordeaux, and came out with his parents in 1840, being then a lad of seven years. Mr Libeau, sen., was the first Frenchman to go in for dairying in this country. Young Libeau worked with his parents for some years and then went to Victoria when the gold rush was on. Not meeting with much success,- he returned to New Zealand, and after a time he took up land at Duvauchelle. Ho married Mdllo. Jeandre, who also came out with her parents in the Comte de Paris, and who died some years ago. They had a largo family. Mx Libeau cams in to

Akaroa last January to meet General Pau, who had a long conversation with him. The deceased was a very old Oddfellowi and up to a year or so ago enjoyed yery good hsalth.

Mr Walter Blackie was on Friday elected chairman of the 'i'aien County Council. Mr F. Brooks, clerk of the court at) Cromwell, has been transferred to Lawrence (states the Alexandra Herald). He ia succeeded by Mr Neville Wills

Constable Archibald has resigned from tha Police Force in order to go on the land, He has for a number of years been datf wotchkeeper at the Central Station, and; has filled that position very capably. Con» stable Archibald has, it is understood, taken; up land in the Marlborough district. The Education Board announces the fol* lowing appointments of teachers:—Miss E, M. Murray, mistress, Maoajidrew Eoadj Miss E. K. A. Wallace, mistress, Waipahi i Miss O. M. King, assistant, Kaftangata) Mr A. V. Kennedy, head master. Miller'jl Flat; Mr F. H. V. Rogers, head master, Hawea Flat; Miss G. T. Taylor, sola! teacher, Ida; Valley. The Waikouaiti County Council on Frf* day granted Mr John Porteous. count/ clerk, three months' holiday. The chair* man, in communicating the decision to Mtf Porteous, said that the council recognised that he had not had a holiday during tha 23 years he had officiated as clerk. H 9 (Mr Porteous) could take the holiday when r ever he bhose, and the wish of the council was that he would be benefited by it andi that Tie would return to continue his duties as clerk for a long time to come. Porteous suitably acknowledged the com* pliment paid him.

Mr E. Partridge, at present on the staff? of the Normal School, has received notice of his appointment as head, master of thai Lincoln School, near Christchurch.

A Wellington telegram states that Mi? R. J. Upton (Port Chalmers) and Mr J". Lourenson (Wellington) have been appointed inspectors of ships' gear under the Waterside Workers' Regulations. Mr J. E. Menzies, who for the past lOjf years has occupied the position of county engineer for the Vincent County, has been appointed to a similar position in Waimea County, Nelson. A London cablegram states that Adelinaj Patti, the famous prima donna, left an estate valued at £116,337 gross. Dr H. W. Cleary, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, who has been an inmate o£ the Mater Misercordia Hospital, Mount Eden, for the last six weeks, has now re* turned to his home in Ponsonby. Thoughi still receiving medical attention, the bishojjr has considerably improved in health, and itf now able to take short walks. Mr Ewen Cameron, who wa3 in the local branch' of the railway service for a' number of years, and who has been acting aa traffic manager at Greymouth since the death of the late Mr _A. H. Mellor, has. been permanently appointed to the position. Mr W. O. Ennis, of the District Traffic! Manager's office, Dunedin, is expected to leave for Greymouth shortly to fill the position of chief clerk there, vice Mr W. J. Hessell, who has received notice of his transfer to Dunedin. Mr G. B. Dall, Assistant Secretary to the* Post and Telegraph Department, who succeeded Major Holdsworth in charge of thai postal arrangements of the New Zealand Expeditionary Eorce in London, has re* turned to Wellington. Miss Clarice Williamson, daughter of thai head master of the Taradale District School, who for the past five years has been a, pupil at the Napier Girls' High School, has been awarded a home science bursary by the Education Department. The bursary carries many educational advantages, and is tenable for a period of three years. Mis| Williamson will commence her course of studies at the Otago University early u* March next. Mr R M. Isaacs, who for many year* has been chief clerk in the District Railway Traffic Manager's office at liwercargill, has been promoted to a similar position isj Christchurch. Mr Isaacs had taken art active interest ir, all kinds of sport (says tha Southland Times), and, in addition to being a member of the Rugby Football Union, he was president of the Schools' R.F.U., a. member of the Schools' Cricket Association and president of the Railway Rowing* Club. 'He was also one of the prime movers In the establishment of the Schools' Sports Association. Apart from his association, with snort, however. Mr Isaacs was a par- ■; ticularfy nopular and capable officer of tht* Railways Department, and his removal from Southland will be generally regretted, although satisfaction will be felt at the sub* stantial promotion he has received.