PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3549, 28 March 1922, Page 45

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Miss M. A. Jennings, of Otago University and Canterbury College, at present on the staff of the Christchurch Technical College, has received advice that she has gained the degree of M.A. with second-class honours in English and history. The subject of her honours thesis in history was an outline of the history of the Tuapeka district in which are situated the earliest Otago goldfields. The death occurred at Picton a few days ago of Mr William Syms, an old and respected pioneer of Marlborough, at the age of 83 years. The late Mr Syms, who was a chemist by profession, arrived at Port Chalmers from England in 1863. and settled in Picton a year later. On two occasions Mr Syms acted as editor of the Marlborough Press, and also as Mayor of Picton in 1878 The death of Mrs Margaret Nicol. of Kaikorai Valley, on March 4, removes from oiur midst, another oi the early settlers. Mrs Nic-01, when four years of age, along with her parents (Mr and Mrs James Patrick, of Tomahawk), and other members of the family, arrived by the Philip Laing on April 15, 1848. She is thus one of the very early pioreers of Otago. During her . long life, all spent in and about Dunedin, she has seen, many changes and could tel! many interesting stories of the struggles and hardships of these early days before there were roads, tramways, railways, or the many other conveniences we now enjoy. She was of a quiet and retiring disposition and was highlv respected by all who knew her. Her husband died 24 years ago. She is survived by two sons, four daughters, and 27 grandchildren. A London Press Association cable message announces the death of Mr Edward Arthur Walton, president of the Royul Scottish Society of Painters in Water colours. The death took place on the 20th at th a residence of his brother, Mr William Ings, Bay View road, St. Clair, of Mr John Ings, at the age of 33 years. For years the late Mr Ings was a regular visitor to the wards of the Dunedin Hospital, supplying buttonholes to the patients and flowers to the wards. He was of a genial disposition. and will be missed by patients and hospital staff. Sir Charles K Maekellar has retired from the position of president of the board of directors of the Bank of_ New South Wales, after 20 years’ service in the office. 'At a meeting of the board in Sydney a few d:ys ago Mr Thomas Buckland, who has been a director for 13 years, was appointed president. He is a nephew of a former president of the bank. A London Press Association cable message states that Sir Ernest' Rutherford, F.R.S., has been nominated for the presidency of the British Association for the Advancement of Science for 1922. Sir Ernest Rutherford, who is a New Zealander, is Cavendish Professor of Experimental Physics and Director of the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, lie has had a most distinguished career. In 1908 lie was awarded Ihe Nobel Prize for chemistry. Dr C. R. Burns, who recently passed the final medical examinations in Dunedin, lias been awarded the medical travelling scholarship for 1922 and the Batchelor Memorial Modal for gynecology. Dr Burns received his primary education at St. Mary's School, Blenheim, and, after gaining a boarl scholarship, continued his studies at Marlborough College, and later at Nelson College. Dr Burns has been appointed assistant to Dr Drennan, Professor, of Pathology at the Otago University. Miss Maggie Hishon, of the Passport Office staff. Internal Affairs Department, Wellington, who is leaving the Governniei.'service to reside at her home lin Invercargill. Was on the 17th tendered a farewell by her colleagues of the department and presented with a very handsome silver backed b»'Ush and mirror. Cheers were given for the recipient, who is a daughter of Mr Mortimer Hishon, late of Centre Bush, but now of Invercargill. Miss M. Davies has been appointed matron of the Palmerston North Hospital (says a Press Association message) in succession to Miss M‘Lagan (retired). The appointee received her early training at Palmerston North, and thence she went to Otira Gorge, and then to Akaroa. She had a lengthy war service, being two years at 'the casualty clearing station in France. On her return to New Zealand she nursed at the Trentham Military Hospital, but lately she has been in private practice. Mr F. A. Crimp has received advice that he has passed his examination for the degree of B.A. Mr John Baird Thompson has been appointed Under secretary of Lands in succession to Mr Brodrick, who is retiring on superannuation Messrs IT. J. Middleton and J. Fleming have been reappointed members of the Southland Land Board. . There died at. Wellington the other day Mr John Gemmell Turner, who was born in Paisley. Scotland, in 1866. He was a music teacher, and had acquired, without assistance a knowledge of 30 instruments. He landed at Dunedin in 1893. and later settled in Wellington, where thousands of pupils were taught bv him. Two daughters. who survive him, are accomplished musicians. Mr Norman James Leslie, who died in the Wellington Hospital on Thursday, was n well-known rifleman, and at, one time liefd the championship of the North Island. He lived in Dunedin and Oamavu some years ago. Tn the former place he was a member of the Kaikorai football team. On the eve of his departure for England and Europe (says a Wellington Press Association message). Sir Francis Bell was presented, at a Cabinet meeting on Friday, with a travelling rug by the Prime Minister and his colleagues. A Wellington Press Association telegram reports the death of Mr William Mowat Hannay, ex-general manager of the Wel-lington-Mana'watu Railway Company, and a director of several Wellington companies. The Tramways Committee of the City Council reports that 28 applications were received for the position of tramway engineer, and Mr C. W* Payne, at present of Auckland. has been appointed on trial for a period of six months. Mr Payne is 39 years of age, and is married, and he has had the following experience:—Assistant tramways engineer, Sunderland district electric' tramways, 3£ years; charge engineer. Teign mouth Corporation electricity works, five years ; chief electrical engineer. Dublin and Lucan electric tramway* 41, years; resident tramways engineer. Colombo electric tramways. years. Mr Payne will arrange to take up his duties immediately.

Mr W. W. Bridgman, Green Island, has received intimation that he has passed the B.A. degree. John o’ Groats Journal of February 3 contains an appreciation and biographical sketch of Sir John Ross, of Dunedin, written by Dr R. G. Macdonald in connection with the jubilee celebrations of the founding of the firm of Messrs Ross and Giendining. Besides this article, extending to three columns there is an editorial of a congratulatory character on the bestowal of the honour of Knighthood on such a worthy citizen of Dunedin. Mr Henry Golden, an early resident in the Wyndham district passed to his rest on the Bth inst., at Invercargill. Deceased came from Australia to Otago in 1861 with Mr Manley, who had Toi Toi Station, and drove a waggon from Dimedin to the station before there were any roads to speak of. He was employed by Messrs Campbell Bros, at Waimahaka. and took up the duty of carrying the mails for the Lower Mataura district when st reams and rivers were bridgeless, his district extending from Mataura bridge to Fortrose. He married, and took up a farm at Pine Bush where the couple reared a large family, braving the difficulties of pioneer life, and gaining a reputation for neighbourliness and hospitality. Some seven years since (hey retired an<J took up their residence at Invercargill. Mr Golden having passed the alloted span of life. The family consisted of two sons and seven daughters—Mr Thomas Golden (Fortrose), Air Henry Golden, jun. (who died a few months ago), Mrs G. C. M'Donald (Pukerau). Mrs Walter Smith (Invercargill), Airs Henry Warden (Invercargill), Mrs J. Aliiler (Hedgehope), t.he lato Airs John Graham, jun., and two unmarried daughters.