PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 43

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Katera Poni, a well-known Maori chief, died at Jerusalem,, on the Wanganui Rivera at the age of 96 years. A Wellington Press Association telegram states that Mrs Massey, who has been an invalid in Auckland for some weeks past, returned to Wellington with the Prime Minister on the 2nd. She is much improved in and stood the journey well.

At a large and representative meeting of the Lansdowne Presbyterian congregation it was decided by a large majority to extend a oall to the Rev. J. Thomson Macky, of Auckland.

For the vacancy on the University Council, caused by tho death of Professor Gilray, the nominations of Professor George Thompson and Mr Colin Gilray (Milton) were received bj r the registrar. In compliance with a request from a deputation of business men which waited on him during last week, Mr J. D. Landels haa agreed to allow himself to be nominated for the vacancy in the Balclutha Borough Council caused by the elevation of Mr Simson to the mayoral chair. Mr D. Sievwright is also mentioned as a candidate.

Mr Richard B. Haybittle. father of Mr F. W. Haybittle and Mrs David Scott (of Wellington), Messrs W. G. and R. F. Haybittle (Feilding), and Mr H. W. Haybittle (Taihape), a very old and highly-respected resident of Wellington, celebrated his 96th birthday on the 25fch, and received many congratulations from all parts of the dominion. Mr Haybittle was born in London (says the Dominion), and after an adventurous career as a sailor, settled in Wellington 67. years ago, and has seen the place grow from a fishing village to a pretentious city. Mr Haybitt'h .was for some years in the lightering business before the advent of wharves in Wellington, and afterwards was engaged in the seaborne wool trade in the days when the Wairarapa clips were brought round from Palliser Bay to Wellington in big surf boats, "loaded nearly down to the gnnwale." That was the trade route before the road over the* Rimutakas was constructed. In coming round in rough weather the wool often got a sousing, and the boatmen would pull into Scorching Bay and lay the bales out along the hot sand to dry thoroughly before bringing it into port. Hence the name Scorching Bay. _ In his later years of activity Mr Haybittle was in the employ ashore of the late Captain W. R. Williams, shipowner and coal merchant. Though he lived in the reign of five British Sovereigns and i 3 Hearing the century, Mr Haybittle still retains his mental faculties almost unimpaired. A large crowd assembled in the Goodwood 'Hall on the evening of February 26 to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs P. Bremner and family, who are leaving the" district to reside in Dunedin. Mr Bremner. who has been teaching for 42 years under the Otago Education Board, has reached the retiring ageA For 12 years he haa been master of the Flag Swamp School. Mr W. Lee occupied the chair, and a splendid concert programme was provided. During an interval in the programme the chairman referred to the loss the district was sustaining in the removal of Mr and Mrs Bremner and ' family, and made mention of the many good qualities of the guests of the evening. He spoke of Mr Bremner's suc r cess as a teacher, of his kindly and gentlemanly qualitie.3 and of the great interest the Bremner family always took in everything connected with the welfare of the district. On behalf of the residents and friends he presented Mr Bremner with two handsome Morris chairs, one for himself and one for Mrs Bremner, who was unable to b 3 present. The Rev. J. J. Cairney, Messrs D. M'Gregor, J. Macaulay, and D. Walker also referred in appreciative and kindly terms to the guests of the evening. Mr Bremner, in replying, thanked the people for their beautiful present, and for the great kindness they had always received during their 12 years' residence in the district. A bountiful supply of refreshments was provided by the ladies, and dancing was afterwards indulged in for a few hours.

Mr J. D. Landels has been returned unopposed to the vacancy in the Baiclutha Borough Council. Mr James Begg's acceptance of the' Reform candidacy for the Bruce seat as soon as Sir Jame s Allen's resignation of it is notified has rendered it necessary for him to send in his resignation as chairman of the Repatriation Board and as a member of the District Land Purchase Board. The V/aikaka Public Hall was filled to its capacity by residents from all parts on -flfe occasion of a gathering to do honour to Mr A. G. Thomson, who, after having been head master of the Waikaka School for 13 years, has been appointed head master of the Nightcaps School. He was presented with a handsome illuminated address and well-filled pocket book from the public, and a beautiful gold albert from the ex-pupils of the school Mrs Thomson was also the recipient of various presentations from the ladies of the district and from the church. Miss M. W. Bird, of Darling Point, Sydney, who has been appointed by the Free Kindergarten Association to the position of trainer of students and supervisor of the free kindergartens in Dunedin, has arrived from New South Wales. She was trained in kindergarten work in primary methods in the Sydney Kindergarten Training College, and is looking forward with enthusiasm to the beginning of her work, in Dunedin.

The Chrisichurch correspondent of the Southland Times telegraphs that Mr George Double, of Southland, who has been touring the North Island during the past few weeks, has decided to settle in Christchuroh. He nas purcliased an extensive property in Clyde road, Fendalton. Mr Double will Le greatly missed in the Southland district, as he was an enthusiastic member of the InvercargiU Poultry Club and a popular judsv Dr Alexander Stewart, who has practised in the Wakatipu' district with conspicuous success for nine years and a-half, during four and a-half of which he occupied the post of medical superintendent of the Lake County Hospital, has disposed of his practice to Dr W. A. Anderson, of Dunedin. Our Queenstown correspondent states that Dr Stewart has been offered a desirable appointment in Melbourne. While Bishop Julius is attending the Lambeth Conference in England, the Dean of Christchurch, the Very Rev. Dean Carrington, will act for him. Mr A. H. Palairet, accountant in the Palmereton North branch of the Union Bank, has been promoted to the managership of iho Gore bracch, and will be leaving in about a week's time ,to assume his new position.

Police-sergeant Wade, who has been at the Wellington Central Station as acting senior sergeant for some time, is to be transferred from Wellington to take charge of Wairoa station, Hawke's Bay.—Wellington P.A. message. The- representatives of the Otago and Southland Fire Underwriters' Association met in the association rooms on the 3rd inst. to bid farewell to Mr H. M. Didsbury, late local manager for the New Zealand Insurance Company, on his leaving to assume the joint managership of the company's Auckland branch. The members present were very hearty and unanimous in expressing their respect and esteem for Mr Didsbury as a manager and as a man, their regret at losing him. their congratulations on his promotion, and their best wishes for the future happiness and.welfare of himself and family.

Mr Edwin T. Wray, who for many years lias been agency manager of New Zealand for tho Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, is retiring from the business and loaves by the Tofua this week for an extended trip in the United States of America. Mrs Wray will accompany her husband. Dr Riley returned to Dunedin last week after an absence of 10 months upon a trip to the United Kingdom, Mr C. J. M'Kenzie, recently district engineer to the Publio Works Department at Dunedin, has been promoted to the position of staff engineer at Wellington. Mr David Marshall, Waianiwa, has been nominated for appointment to the Board of Agriculture by the Southland A. and P. Association. Mr- H. D. Lowry, chief railway booking officer afc Invercargill, will shortly take over the position of chief passenger clerk at Christchurch. Mr H. D. Grocott, chief postmaster at Nelson, has been appointed to the position of chief postmaster at Christchurch, vice. Mr E. Northcroft, who is retiring on superannuation.

Mr C. F. A. Jones, Invercargill manager of the South British Insurance Company, will leave for Dunedin next Wednesday, to take charge of the office here during Mr Carr's extended leave in the East. r At a meeting of the Southland Presbytery ifc was resolved to nominate the Rev. J. M. Simpson for the moderatorshiri of the Synod of Otago and Southland for the coming year. Mr A. Philpott, curator of the Southland Museum, and an entomologist of note, has been appointed assistant at the Cawthron Institute,, Nelson.—lnvercargill Press Association telegram. ' The following appointments have been made by the Education Board: —Mr John A Borrie, head master, Flag 'Swamp; Mr Waiter H. Townrow, sole teacher, Wairuna; Miss E. K. M'Neilly, fourth assistant, Tokomairiro; Miss A. M. White, mistress, Moeraki; Miss F. B. Cormack, second assistant, Clinton; Miss D. L. Goudie, twelfth assistant, Caversham; Mr R. W. S. Botting, third assistant, Dunedin Normal School.

Mr N." Y. Dyett, inspector of factories at Invercargill, has been appointed third inspector of factories at Christchurch in place of Mr J. C. Coddington, who. has been promoted to Oamaru.—Southland Times.

Mr T. Mitchell, of the Winton posta' staff, has received notice of transfer to Hastings. His place at Winton will be filled by Mr J. R Flinders, of the Wyndham office.

The many friends of Mrs G. S. Sale, formerly of Bunedin, will regret to hear that her ''health has given way under the long strain of Professor Sale's trying illness. According to latest reports, our London correspondent writes, Professor Sale is slightly better now than he has been for a long while. Miss Roberta Simpson, who recently achieved the distinction of winning the gold medal presented by the Associated Board of the Royal Academy and the Royal Collego of Musio, for the highest marks awarded for pianoforte music, is the second youngest daughter of Mr J. B. Simpson, of York place. _ She is 18 years of age, and during the six years that she has been studying music she has shown great promise, and her latest success was by no means unexpected by those who have watched hexearly training. Miss Eri M. Thomson (late of Stewart Island) went to England nine years ago to have her voice trained, having had preliminary tuition in Australia under Madame Melba, on whose advice Miss Thomson went to England. She has been studying at intervals ever since, and has sung in various parts of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, and quite lately made a remarkable success at the Queen's Gate Hall, London. During the war Miss Thomson did a good deal of V.A.D. work, and also was able to sing at hospitals and in camps. It is her intention to return shortly to New Zealand with a concert party_ which is being formed by Mrs Leedham Crowe, whose late husband was very well-known both in New Zealand and Australian business circles. This concert party is to tour New Zealand and Australia, and was expected to leave England at the beginning of this month. Mr Thomas Ritchie, of Dunedin, who is 01 a business trip for Messrs Charles Begg and Co., spent (our London correspondent writes) two months in America. He was in Aberdeen for Christmas and the New Year, and intends to go on the Continent it; a few weeks. Naturally, Mr Ritchie is interested in music in Europe, and he is hoping to hear the best that the Continent has to offer. In London, too, he is making full use in this respect. < After a month's holiday in Scotland, Mr Ritchie will leave for America, then on to Australia and " then on to good old New Zealand."

The Supreme Council of Scotland has, the Freemasons' Journal says, admitted Bro. Colonel George Barclay. 32nd Degree, to the 33rd degree, and "appoir ted him as In spector-general for New Zealand," in succession to the late Bro. T. Sherlock Graham, 33rd Degree. Colonel Barclay, who served throughout the war with the New Zealand Forces, was the president of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and was for a period in command of the New Zealand Engineer Depot at Bournemouth. In the Craft Colonel Barclay is a Past Grond Deacon of England and a Past Grand Warden of New Zealand, and in the Royal Arch he holds the rank of Past First Grand Sojourner of New Zealand and Hon. First Grand Sojourner of Scotland. On the occasion of his having celebrated his fiftieth year with the firm of Messrs Ross and Glendining, Mr Georgp R. Hercus was the recipient of a solid silver salver and tea set from the employees of the firm on Friday (both manufacturing and warehousemen). The" presentation was made by Mr R. Duncan, who referred to the splen did service Mr Hercus had given the firm.

Mr Ross spoke of the esteem with which Mr Hercus was held by his fellow -employees right throughout the firm's business in various parts of the dominion. He had proved himself a man of great integrity, and had been one of the mainstays of the business. The other speakers were Mr J. W. Commissiong and Mr W. Miller. A solid silver chain handbag was also presented to Mrs Hercus. The gifts were suitably acknowledged by Mr Hercus,, and the proceedings, which were presided over by Mr J. R. Glover, concluded with the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" and cheers for Mr and Mrs Hercus. Mr and Mrs R. N. Elliott, who recently sold their sheep station in the Strath Tnieri, wore tendered a valedictory social, at which there was a large gathering. * Mr John Turnbull expressed the sincere regret of their wide circle of friends at the departure of the guests, for they deservedly were held in the highest regard throughout the Strath Taieri. Mr and _ Mrs Elliott had always actively assooiated themselves with movements for the good of the district, and had taken a prominent part in the work of the local patriotic society, Mr Elliott being the secretary and Mrs Elliott the secretary "f the women's branch. In the Cbllie Club and in the work of the A. and P. Society Mr Elliott took a keen interest, being a regular exhibitor of horses in the local shows as Wall as at Dunedin and elsewhere. Presentations of suitable gifts were made to Mr and Mrs Elliott and to their two young daughters as tokens of the very high regard the community had for them. Opportunity was taken also to bid farewell to the Misses Violet and Milly M'Culloch, s.'sters of Mrs Elliott, who had attached themselves to many friends by their unassuming helpfulness ( in the Social life of tiho distinct, especially in glee club and concert work for patriotic _ and other purposes. They also were recipients of suitable gifts. Mr J. P. Firth, principal of Wellington College, will retire from this position at the end of the present year. Mr Firth has been connected with Wellington College for 28 years, during 22 of which he has been head master.

Dr Hassell, medical superintendent at the Mental Hospital, Porirua, is retiring after 32 years of service with the department. A London cable message states that Mr John Sandes has been appointed the special representative of the Australian press to accompany the Prince of Wales throughout his tours abroad.

Miss Brace, who recently resigned from the staff of the Waimate School, after many years' service, was last week the recipient of a presentation from the teachers. The gifts consisted of a handsome suit case and travelling rug, accompanied by the heartiest good wishes of the teaching staff. Professor J. Macmillan Brown and Miss Browtij of Christchurch, have arrived in Dunedin, where Professor Brown will take over I his week the .duties of professor of English language and literature at Otago University. A large number of residents of Fruitlands met to say farewell to Miss W. M. George, of Preston orescent, Belleknowes, who, after having been the schoolmistress there for the last two years, was leaving to resume her studies at the University in Dunedin. The chairman of the school committee (Mr R. Symes), in a short speech, expressed appreciation of the very excellent work done by Miss George during hor term, and voiced the great regret of the residents at her departure. Miss Lily Davis, on behalf of the school children, presented Miss George with a handsome gold bangle. A pleasant afternoon concluded with music and afternoon tea. Mr Arthur Stoneham, who has been a prominent and useful Dunedin citizen in more than one sphere of activity, has sold his business as a manufacturing jeweller, anil intends to leave shortly for tho North Island. _ For over 25 years he has been active in local military affairs, and is at present on the active reserve of officers with the rank of jieutenant-cojonel. Mr Stoneham was a director of the Caledonian Society, and took a leading part during the war in the inauguration of the National Reserve. He also did useful service on the Otago Patriotic Association. Mr Stoneham is a citizen who will be much missed.

Mr James Patrick, of Tomahawk, who passed last month to his long rest, was one of the old identities of Otago. With his parents, he arrived in Dunedin in 1848" in the Philip Laing. His father resided at first on the site of the Southern Cemetery, then known as "Wee Paisley," and father and son were employed in making the bricks used in the construction of the old East Taieri Manse. The father, being a farmer .subsequently took up a portion of the first land offered in the Tomahawk district, and settled there, and his son James occupied the same farm up till the time of his death. He took part in. the Gabriel's Gully and Duhstan rushes, but was only moderately successful. Although of a very retiring disposition, Mr Patrick always exhibited a deep interest in Dunedin affairs, and by most of the early settlers he was well known. He was a man of the highest integrity and greatly respected by all With whom he came in contact. He is survived by six sons and two daughters. His wife predeceased him five years ago.