PERSONAL ITEMS,

Otago Witness, Issue 3526, 11 October 1921, Page 45

PERSONAL ITEMS,

Sir Thomas Mackenzie returned to New Zealand by the Remuera, which arrived at Auckland on the Ist inst.

Mr William White, who was 105 on June 18 last, died at Wellington on the 4th (says a Press Association telegram). He was a native of Walworth, near Camberwell, England, and came to New Zcaland nearly 70 years ago. A Sydney Press Association cable message announces the marriage of Mr Alfred tlill, composer, to Miss Mini Solomon, professor of harmony at the State Conservator mm.

A London Press Association cable message announces the death of Sir William Garforth,' inventor of a method of extinguishing coal dust gaseous explosions In mines, as well as a life-saving apparatus. Mr J J. dagger, captain oi the British bowling team which visited Canada last month, had an unusual honour conferred on him, when ho was made an Indian chief. JLhe ceremony was performed in the grounds of the Out remonth Bowling Club by the chiefs Two Axe and Clear bky, of the Iroquois tribe. Ihe tribe was present in war paint and tribal costume. Tom-toms were sounded during the investiture, alter which the new chief, on whom t.he name Grasshopper was bestowed, joined in a war dance and smoked a pipe of peace to the complete satisfaction "of the tribesmen. Mi's Ellen Sherlock, who died on the 2nd, has been a resident of New Zealand for 81 years (wires our Christchurch correspondent,). Her father, Edward Roe, brought tire family out from the Old Country in the barque Gertrude in 1840. Mrs Sherlock was then only six months old. The family landed at Wellington, and Mr Roe was appointed overseer of the New Zealand Gazette, of which Mr Revans was editor. Later on lie established a stationer's shop in Lambton quay, and still later became proprietor of Barrett’s Hotel. After retiring lie came to Christchurch, and died here at the age of 73. Mrs Sherlock, while in Christchurch, married Edward Jernjingham Wakefield, one of New Zealand’s most brilliant, politicians, and only sou of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, promoter of colonisation and founder of settlements in New Zealand and South _ Australia, and nephew of Colonel William Wakefield, killed by the Maoris in the Wait-au massacre. He died in Christchurch in 1876. Some years after his • widow married Mr C. E. Sherlock, a journalist associated with country papers in Canterbury, who died about- 16 years ago. Mrs Sherlock is survived by two children —Mrs C. O’Connor, of Auckland, and Miss Wakefield. A Christchurch Press Association telegram announces the death of Mr Adam Shiran Thompson, aged 78 years, formerly of Invercargill. He was the father of the Rev. A. T. Thompson and the Rev. L. Thompson, of Solway College, Masterton. Mr George P. Mountain, one of the oldest settlers of the Bay of Islands, has died at the age of 84. lie was horn in Australia, and came to New Zealand 56 years ago, settling in Furerua as a storekeeper and gum buyer, where he started a fish cannery, still in' successful operation. Hi' married Miss IT. Doth bridge, daughter of the first white woman born in Now Zealand. Jack Steel, the All Black footballer, who is a native of Kumara, was presented at a complimentary gathering at Grevmouth on Tuesday evening, 27t.h ult., with a golo watch valued at £3O in recognition ol his prowess on the football field as a representative of the dominion in the test matches against the Sprhrgboks". 'News his been received from Cambridge, England, of the death of Mr Henry Loader, at the of 87 years. A native of Slapleford, the late Mr Loader sailed for Australia in 1854, and after residing there for about eight years, be left for New Zealand, where lie lived for some time, first at Sowburn and later at llamiltons, but he returned to bis native village some years prior to h s death. On tlie 30th ult. Mr and Mrs W. Parker, of Manuherikia Valley, Alexandra, celebrated their golden wedding. They were married in the Portslado Parish Church on September 30, 1871, and came to New Zealand a year later, arriving at Port Chalmers !in the sailing ship Charlotte Gladstone. After residing for some time at Anderson’s Bay, ami seven years in Australia, Mr and Mrs’ Parker settled in Central Otago 22 years ago, and have remained there ever since. Of it family of twelve that was born to them, ten are living. One son was killed Oil active service. Mr and Mrs l'.irker had the pleasure. at their golden wedding celebrations of the company of their three surviving sons —Messrs William, George, and Daniel Parker, and of five married daughters -Mrs Norton (Alexandra). Mrs Millows (Green Island), Mrs Fox (Ilawera), Mrs C. Hannan (Lauder), and Mrs Hodgson (Hamilton). Mr and Mrs Parker can count 22 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. They were the recipients of numerous messages of congratulation and good wishes from neighbours and friends. The Timaru Presbytery has decided to nominate the Rev. W. (1. Connie for the General Assembly Moderntorship (says a Press Association telegram). An Auckland Press Association telegram says that Mr 11. J. D. Mahon, second master, and an old boy of the Auckland Hoys’ Grammar School, has been appointed head master of tile new Boys’ School at Mount. Albert. A Wellington Press Association telegram says that the Wellington Hospital Board has selected Dr D. Macdonald Wilson, M.C., is medical superintendent. Dr Wilson was born in Wellington, and graduated at Edinburgh in 1911. He was a house surgeon at the Edinburgh Royal Hospital, and was in practice in Glasgow. He served with credit at the war and on the New Zealand Medical Travelling Board. He is at present superintendent of the Invercargill Hospital.

A London Press Association cable lies ] sage announces the marriage of Colonel j Lister, a son of Sir T. Villicrs Lister, to Mrs George Sandys, a daughter of Mr j Duncan Cameron, of Canterbury, New Zea- : land, at Holy Trinity. Brompton. Mr R. A. Sutherland, of Dunedin, who ( recently obtained the diploma (B.Sc.) of | the City and Guild’s Engineering College, j is (our London correspondent writes) spend- 1 ing a month or two at Grenoble, in the j French Alps, studying hydro-electrical engineering. Mr Sutherland is a N.Z.E.F. j scholarship-holder. The Hon. B. S. B. Plunket, second son j of the late Lord Plunket. formerly Gov- j ernor of New Zealand, arrived at Auckland j by the Remuera on the Ist inst. He left for j the south in the evening. He is a brother i of the Hon. Mrs Tabu Rhodes. Tiie appointment of Dr Edward P. Ellison I to the position of Deputy Res'dent Com- I missioner of Niue, from the beginning of this month, is announced by the Gazette | (says a Press Association telegram from Wellington). Mr Guy N. Morris has been appointed treasurer and collector of Customs at Ayvarua, Raratonga, and Cook Islands. Appointments of District Land Registrar and Examiner of Titles are those of Messrs I A. V. Sturtevant (Christchurch). F. W. | Broughton (Dunedin), and G. H. fteddon ! (Blenheim). Mr L. W. J. Leadbenter lias | been appointed District Registrar of Births j and Deaths at Petone. A letter received in Dunedin from Air ] Warwick Bruithwaite, London, formerly of ! Dunedin, says that he has had considerable ! success at his profession. He has taken I up work a; a conductor. Several of bis | orchestral works have been played by the 1 Academy, and he has been made an j honorary A.R.A.M., a mark of distinction. ; Air Thomas Reid, late postmaster at j Lawrence, who has retired on superannua- ; tion after 40 years’ service, was presented i with a fine case of pipes, suitably inscribed, ! as a slight memento of the high esteem in | which he was held by the si aft. Mrs Reid was also tire recipient of some Doulton j ware in recognition of her kindness to the staff. Mr Real commenced his postal career in Arrowtown. The late Mr Arthur Kennedy Blundell, whose death took place at Wanganui, was well known in other parts of the dominion (writes our Wanganui correspondent). He retired from the service of the Department of Agriculture eight years ago at Dunedin, and came to Wanganui to .make a home. In February last he was overcome with a sudden illness, from which ne. never recovered. lie is survived by a widow and daughter. Airs Mules, wife o! Bishop Mules, Nelson, was a sister of deceased. Air IT. D. Grocott, Chief Postmaster, Wellington, will retire on superannuation at the end of the year. The Glut ha Presbytery, at its meeting on Thursday, unanimously agreed to nominate the Rev. J. Gibson Smith, now of Wellington, as Moderator of the Assembly for 1922. The death occurred at Wellington on Friday of Airs William M’Beath, relict of the lata William M’Beath, of the firm of Messrs W. M’Beath and Sons. The deceased lady, who was well known throughout Otago, is survived by four daughters and two sens. Three of the daughters are married, one being Mrs A. W. Ball, of Auckland, another Airs A. IV. Nieolson. of Wellington, and the third Airs E. S. Wilson. of this city. Mr and Mrs E. M’Garry were entertained at a social evening by the people of the Lauder district, and presented with a very handsome marble clock and purse of sovereigns, prior to their departure for Abbotsford. Mr M’Garry has been in charge of the Lauder Railway Station during the last five years, and hv his unfailing eourto \ and attention to the requirements of the settlers has proved himself a most efficient and courteous officer. A pleasant feature of the proceedings was (he presentation to the proceedings was the presentation to Master Eddie M’Garry of a silver watch and chain by Aluster Willie Alexander, on behalf of his schoolmates. Air P. 1). M’Guire, who recently retired from the Postal Department after 43 years’ service (for the last 14 years of which he was postmaster at Milton), was entertained at a citizens’ valedictory social at the Coronation Hall, Alii t on, prior to his impending departure from the district. Tangible appreciation of esteem was presented in the form of three cheques —£25 to Mr APGuire, £2O to his wife, and £5 to Aliss Daphne APGuire. Owing to the scheme of retrenchment which is being carried out in the public service, Mr E. Atkinson. Crown Lands ranger, who received notice some time ago from the Public Service Commissioner that he was to be retired from the Lands Depari incut at the end of September, has now severed his connection with the public service. Mr Atkinson has for over 25 years been closely connected with the settlement and inspection of the Crown land of Otago. A correspondent writes:—"As a tenant of the Crown for many years, I wish to say how greatly 1 appreciate the way lie carried out his duties, with a strict loyalty to his department and at the same time "with perfect fairness and consideration to the tenants. He was a good friend to the Crown tenants. Of that I can speak from personal knowledge, and I have authority from a large number of Crown tenants to express their appreciation of the considerate manner in which he guarded the interests of his department and met the requirements of their varied cases. In his retirement he carries with him the goodwill, respect and esteem of all he so honourably sc. ved.” Air John Pringle, who pas —d away quietly last week after a severe illness, was born at Carlisle. England, in 1361. Tie came to Green Island when he was seven vears old. and had resided there ever since. After passing through the Walton Park School, he took up the carpentering trade, and worked for many years with his father. He afterwards entered the railway service, and for the last 13 years had been foreman carpenter for the Otago Harbour Board. Under his direction the important work of the deviation of the Leith canal was successfully carried out some few years ago. For many years be was secretary ami treasurer of Sr. Mark’s Church. Green Island, and afterwards churchwarden. He was an enthusiastic Freemason, and entered freely into the work of the fraternity, holding several high offices. The appointment of Dr .Edward P. Ellison as Deputy-Resident Commissioner of Niue, as from the beginning of (his month, is now forum!!; announced in the Government Gazette.