PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3430, 9 December 1919, Page 51

PERSONAL ITEMS.

A Wellington telegram states that at u military demonstration at the Basin. lieserve on the 29th ult. Lieutenant 'l'. Frickleton, V.G., was piesented by Major-ganeral Sir Alfred Rob.n with a sword of honour, tlic gift or tne Greyinouth Caledonian .Society. An Adelaide c-ab'c message announces t!io death" ot Mrs Low, w-dow of the deceased poet, Adam Lmci'say Gordon. Mrs Low remarried two years after the poet's death. A London caiJle announces the death of Louise, widow; of the late Hon. Richard Oliver, of Now Zealand. , A London Press Association cablegram states that the World's Alliance ot Y.M.C.A.'s has appointed Mr J. J. Virgo as the world's representative. He is to visit South Africa in February. - After a service of upwards of 15 years r Vith the Bank of New Zealand, spent in Utago and Southland, Mr Wm. R. F. Fra-ser, for the.past 15 years in oharge of Mosgiel and Middlemarch offices, withdrew on November 30 from active service on extended leave prior to on superannuation. Mr Fraser is making his home in Dunedin. The following local deputy. P&blic Trus* tees have been appointed:—Hamilton, Mr G. H. Chesterrnan; Napier, Mr Somerse.t W. Smith; iHawora, Mr Ernest Barnes; Wanganui, Mr T R. Allen; Palmerston North, Mr J. E. Allen; Nelson, MrH. W. Pearce; Timaru, Mr F. E. Duncan; Invercargill, Mr R. D. Newtli; Gisborne, Mr A. S. »Faire. These appointments have been made in pursuance of the policy of decentralisation authorised by an Act passed in the recent session. Mr George Capstick, having retired from the service of the Otago Daily Times and "Witness Newspapers Company, was the recipient on Alonday evening of a purse of sovereigns presented by the manager (Mr Eastern), on behalf of the. employees. Mr Easton, in making the presentation, spoke in terms of high appreciation of Mr Capstiok'3 valuable services to the company during a period of 41 years. He expressed the belief that his retirement would be regretted by the business men of the city, as well as by his fellow-employees, and he hoped that, though retired from service, Mr Capstick would frequently put in en appearance at the offioe. Othe: speakers, particularly • those who had boon associated with Mr Capstick, spoke in laudatory terms of his genial character and goodfellowship, and expressed wishes for his future health and happiness. Mr Cipstick feelingly responded. Mr A. F. Lowe has been appointed Clerk of the Legislative Council, and will be succeeded as Clerk of the House of Representatives by Mr E. W. Kane. Our correspondent at Naseby -wires that. Cr Charles J. Inder was on the 3rd elected chairman of the Maniototo County Council. • Representatives of the executives ofr the New Zealand Educational Institute, the Federated School Committees' Association, and the Education Boards' Association met to-day and considered the replies so far received to the questions jointly issued by these representative educational bodies to candidates for ejection to Parliament. Over 100 candidates, replied, the great majority favouring all the proposals submitted. Our Wellington correspondent wires that Mr James Coates, of the National Bank of New Zealand, who has been resident in London" for soveral years, wi11... shortly arrive in New-Zealand on a. -visit. He is on , beard the Niagara, due at Auckland about S. the end of the year. Mr W. R. Macdonald, manager of tho insurance department of Messrs Neill and Co., has been appointed manager of* the ~ Guardian Company's Christchurch branch. A Wellington Press Asociation message states that Mr Robert Mackenzie Watson, barrister, has been appointed a stipendiary magistrate, and that Judge W. E. Rawson has been appointed to Akaroa and the South Island Native land Court districts.

At tho first meeting oi the newlyappointed council of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, held last week, it was decided to appoint Mr J. Louis Salmond president for a further term. Most of the northern delegates who have been attending the annual meetings of the institute will return north by express this morning. The following appointments have been made by tho Utago Education Board: —Sir Thomas Paterson*, head master, Naseby; Mr G. B. Couch, head master, Island din:; Miss Ethel M. Murray, mistress, Maoandrcw Road; Miss Alice Read, sole teacher, Glenore; Miss F. M. Fegans, assistant, North-East Valley; Miss M. L. Herd, sole teacher, Kokoamo; Miss M. E'. Fleet, sole teacher, Tapui; Miss Vera H. Sheppard, mistress, Waikouaiti; Miss E. J. Carncross, assistant, East Taieri; Miss E. M. Homan, mistress, Blacks. , \. A Press Association telegram from: Masterton records the death on the 4th-of. Mr John Strang, a well-known stock . breeder and farmer, who resided at Glenside, Masterton.

Mr C. H. Hughes, who for the past three years has been manager of the Melbourne branch of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, has been appointed manager of the Sydney office of the company. Mr Val Johnson, in charge of the Sydney office, has been transferred to Melbourne, where he will replace Mr Hughes. The death is recorded in Melbourne of Mr T. C. Morgan, who established himself in 'the softgoods trade in Dunedin in 1861. but went to Melbourne in 1689 to take up a position with tho A.M.P. Society., with which institution he was connected until three or four years ago. Mr A. G. Henderson, who has been acting manager of the Lyttelton Times Company during the past si» months, has been appointed manager of the company. Mr Robert Bell retains the office of managing director. *

Mr John Thomas Walter was on Friday admitted by Mr Justice Sim as a solicitor of the Supreme Court. Mr John Ure Smith, long identified with the management of the Australia Hotel in Sydney, and before that with Menzies' (Melbourne), lost his life by drowning off a yacht, the Oenone, in North Harbour, Manly, on November 23. A Press Association message from Wellington states that Mr W/H. Montgomery, director of vocational training, is retiring. Ho intends proceeding to England on a holiday trip in February or March. He was previously assistant director of Base Records for three years, and filled both appointments without any remuneration. Major W. A. G Penlington, vocational ofHcor in the Auckland district, has been appointed to succeed Mr Montgomery. Mr D. St. George, chief postmaster at Invercargill (retired), is being replaced by the promotion of Mr R. W. Porter, inspect-

Mr F. Hempleman, of Dunedin, has been appointed engineer to the Onehunga Borough Council. There were 18 applicants for the position.

Mr Colin N. Littlcjohn, of the Otago Boys' High School (who, recently returned from the front with the rank of major), has be.;n appointed science master at the Waitaki Boys' High School. Mr Littlejohn was on the staff of the Waitaki institution for two years before receiving an appointment to "Dunedin. He went into camp in November, 19J4, and returned,,to the Otago High School in last. Mr William Hay Valentino, who passed away at tho age of 84 years at Ravensbourne on October 12, was an old colonist, having arrived at Port Chalmers in the William Davie on September 9, 1870. He was a native of Lawrencekirk, Kincardineshire, Scotland, and became a shepherd by occupation. On arriving in Otago; he started farming at Otaria, a few .miles on the Dunedin side of Mataura on the Dunedin to Invercargill road. His wife predeceased him by 17 .years. He left a large number' of descendants, the record being worth quoting:—Sons and daughters 12 (nine alive . and three dead); grandchildren 61 (46 alive and 15 dead): great grandchildren 68 (67 alice and one dead); great great grandchildren two. This is a total of 143 descendants, of whom 124 are alive, while 19 are dead. A photograph of five generations appears among our illustrations. Mr Thomas Dowling, a well-known Seaward Downs settler, died with painful suddenness on. the 29th ult.. at the age of 62 years. He had been engaged as usual on the previous day, and retired in the evening apparently quite we#._ About 3 on the Friday ho was seized by' excruciating pains. Dr Baird was called in, and did all that was possible, but the sufferer passed away at 10 a.m. The mains of deceased were buried at Wyndham on the 31st, the funeral being very largely attended. The service was conducted by the Rev. Father O'Donnell. The deceased was born at West Taieri 62 years ago. His parents removed to San Francisco when he was quite a lad, and died there. On coming of age, the deceased returned to his native land. He was farming for some time at Henley" and then for 10 years at Owaka, from whence he moved to Seaward Downs 13 years ago. In his day he was a crack ploughman, and won match after match for some years all over the Taieri. He was also a splendid athlete, excelling as a vaulter; indeed, be was almost invincible in the South Island with his pole, and at one memorable meeting of the Otago Caledonian Society, Dunedin, after clearing 10ft lOin, and winning from scratch, he agreed to give an exhibition vault, clearing lift—the bar being placed on the top of the uprights. Socially, the late Mr Dowlmg wa9 a man to. admire, he being hard working, conscientious, and liberal in all his ways. He is survived by a sorrowing widow, four daughters (two of whom are married), and" four sons (two married), who will receive general sympathy in their sad* bereavement, the poignancy of which has been rendered the more acute by tho fact of a daughter of the .deceased gentleman having passed away at Riversdale on the 11th ult., on the eve of her marriage. Mr William C. Palmer, of Otokia, South Otago. is a sister of the late Mr Powling. The death occurred at Roslyn on Saturday of Mrs Frances E. Cotton, an old resident' of that suburb, who had many friends in Dunedin. Mrs Cotton was the writer, under the pen-name of "Fabian Bell," of several tales which were published in the Otago Witness, and to the Otago Daily Times, as well as to the Witness, sue was a regular contributor for many years. She had been in failing health for some "nionths. In the moulding shop at the Hillside Workshops on Friday a presentation was made to Mr W. Thompson, who is being transferred to tho Addington Workshops. The presentation, which consisted of a case of pipes, was made by the foreman moulder (Mr S. Wellington), who spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr Thompson's services at Hillside during the last Hi years. Mr Thompson took an active part in all society matters at the workshops, being president of the Sick Benefit; Society, and also an enthusiastic member of the A.S.R.S. The recipient replied, thanking one and all for their kindness towards him. ,

Dr L. H. Booth, the fifth son. of Mr G. F. Booth, rector of the Port Chalmers District High School, left by tho Remucra for the United Kingdom with the object of continuing his studies there. Dr Booth sailed with the Main Body, and served on Gallipoli, but was recalled to qualify for his medioal degree. Later ho served with the N.Z.E.F. at Samoa for 12 months in his medical capacity, and afterwards at the Sanatorium and King George V Hospital at Rotorua.

Mrs C. Smith, who for over 20 years has been actively, associated with the St. John Ambulance work In Auckland, is at present visiting Dunedin. In 1912 Mrs Smith was appointed lady corps superintendent, a position which she filled during the years of tho war. Early in 1914, when on a visit to the Homeland, she spent a few months in some of tho-London hospitals, and thus gained'a knowledge that has been of great use to her during wis past five years. She also spent some time in Paris, and there gained some insight into the methods adopted on tho Continent in dealing with suffering. Shortly after her return to the dominion she was appointed to take charge of the Queen Mary Sewing Guild, am organisation which sent thousands of garments and other comforts to soldiers in the different theatres of war. Mrs Smith's eldest son, Mr G. F. Smith, was a sub-lieutenant in the Royal navy, being on two occasions on boasts that were torpiedoed and sunk. The second son, Mr C. R. Smith, also did his share at tho front. A daughter, Sister Ruth, who is a qualified nurse, for several years did splendid work in ministering to wounded men. Mrs Smith's husband, who died during the epidemic, also saw service at Samoa, and for two different periods in Trentham Camp. Mr William Telford, who died at Clifton. Waiwera South on the 3rd, at tho age of 62 years, was one of the largest landowners in Otago. He was the son of the. late Mr William Telford, of Otanomomo and Clifton Estates. He was born on his father's place, Port Lincoln, South Australia, in 1857. When about three years of age ho came with his parents to Otago, and settled on Clifton Estate, and later on at Otanomomo, where he lived till hi 3 father's death, when -he took over the Clifton property, and made it ono of the best estates in the province. The deceased gentleman was a keen horticulturist, and _ had one of the finest country gardens in Otago. Three yca.ru ago 5376 acres of the estate, including the homestead, was sold to tho Government for a soldiers' Tho deceased set about building a new residence comprising 33 rooms, isolation wards in case of an outbreak of infectious

disease. The house had been finished and taken possession of when, strangely enough, he became seriously ill, and died as stated. He was well known as a breeder of Roranoy sheep, and took many prizes at the various shows. He was a well-read man. had a kindly disposition, and was a generous giver to the Anglican Church (to which he belonged), as well as giving to other denominations. During the war he subscribed largely to patriotic funds. In 1893 he married Margaret, daughter of the late John Perry, of Tapanui. He is survived by his widow and two children, a boy and a girl. The death took place at New Plymouth on November 28 pf Dr Thomas B. Whitton ; aged 69. Dr Whitton practised his i profession at Nascby from 1874 to 1884, "-and was surgeon to the Mount Ida Hospital. In those days medical practice in the Maniototo district was pretty strenous, as the roads off the main highways were unformed tracks, so that horseback was the order of the day. As the district stretched from Nascby to Pigroot and Hyde in one direction, and from Kyeburn Diggings to Cambrian in another, with Hamiltons and the Serpentine diggings thrown in, it will be seen that the itinerary was pretty extensive. Consultations also were- few and far between, as the nearest medical neighbours were at Palmerston on one side and at the Dttnstan on the . other. Consequently Dr Whitton was obliged to train his wardsman to give anaesthetics, and perform his own operations, except en rare occasions., when a .serious caso necessitated the rjresenee of another medical man. In 1&84 Dr Whitton left 'Naseby, and became surgeon to the Reef ton Hospital, where he carried on an extensive practice for over 18 years. Subsequently he proceeded to the Taranaki district, where he was engaged in practice until a few days before his death. Dr Whitton was a graduate of the. _ Queen's University, Dublin, and bad the distinct'on of beincr one of the few ad eundem graduates of the University of New Zealand. Of a retiring disposition, he was seldom heard in public, but. endeared > himself to his patients by many unostentatious acts of kindness. He leaves a widow, three daughters, and one son to mourn their.loss.