PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3614, 19 June 1923, Page 51

PERSONAL ITEMS.

A Paris Press Association cable message announces the death of M. Pierre l.oti, the well-known French novelist, aged 73. He had been a, member of the French Academy since 1891. He entered the navy in 1867, and rose to the rank of captain. Ho travelled extensively in the East, especially Japan, and one of his best known works was “Madame Uhrysantheme. ” Mr -J. P. White, son of the late Mr John White, who was the first headmaster at Musselburgh School, has been appointed manager of the Queenstown branch of the Bank of New Zealand, in succession to Mr C. A. Thompson, who is now the accountant at Dunedin. Mr White was formerly stationed at Clinton. The death occurred at . his residence in Clyde street on the 11th inst. of one of the oldest pioneers of this part of the province in the person of Mr Henry diaries Foster, who arrived in Dunedin with his parents by the ship Mary in 1849. Mr Foster was then barely two years of a.ge, and he was 76 years of age at the time of his death. He was educated at the first school to be established in Dunedin, which stood close to the site now occupied by Messrs Sargood and Son’s premises in Lower High street, lie was then apprenticed to the building Angel Foster, and was later, in 1879, one of the firm of Fester and Gco-rge, of Filleul street- retiring from business about 14 years ago. His mother, the late Mrs E. A. Foster, died in Dunedin six years ago in her hundredth year. The deceased is survived by his widow, five daughters, and one sister (ivirs C. E. George, Ravensfcourne, wife of Mr C. E. George, quantity.purveyor, of this city). Mr Foster’s eldest daughter died about 20 years ago, and a sister (Mrs E. Harrop) died over 40 years ago. The deceased took a keen and active interest in bowling, and was a member of the Dunedin Club for many years. i#e had also been a member for many years of the Manchester Unity, Independent Order of Oddfellows. He was of a retiring disposition, and although he was always keenly interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the city, he took little active part in its public life. Mr John E. Moran, Vice-Consul for the United 'States at Wellington, is gazetted to the temporary charge cf the ConsulateGeneral, pending the arrival of a successor to the Hon. David F. Wilber. A Reuter cable message from Ottawa reports the death of Major-general Baron Aylmer, former Inspector-general of the Canadian Forces. He fought in both the Fenian raids in the sixties of last century. In the Supreme Court at Christchurch last Wednesday, his Honor Mr Justice Adams admitted Mr M. J. Burns, LL.B., as a barrister. Mr Burns, who was admitted as a solicitor last year, is a son of Mr A. M. Burns, sub-editor of the Christchurch Press. The Rev. A Don, who has just retired from the position of Foreign Missions secretary to the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, has been notified that the President of the Republic of China has been pleased to confer upon him the “Seventh Class Insignia of the Excellent Crop,” in recognition of his valuable services rendered in connection with the relief of the sufferers from the famine in North China in 1920-21. At its meeting held on Tuesday, the Foreign Missions Committee heartily agreed to add its congratulations to those of the Chinese Consul. A Dargaville Press Association message announces the death of Mr George MurcloFraser, of G. M. Fraser and Sons, the wellknown bridge contractors, aged 83. Deceased. was known from one end of New Zealand to (ho other. He was the builder of all the principal bridges. At the time of his death he was building a bridge over the Northern Wairoa River at a cost of over £40,000. Mr Archibald Brown Campbell, one of Southland’s pioneers, passed away at Invercargill. Deceased was born at Roseneath, in Scotland, 77 years ago and came to New Zealand in the Storm Cloud in 1862, with his family, who engaged in farming at Mabel Bush, Southland. Mr Campbell himself started as a coal merchant in* Invercargill. He afterwards entered the shipping business, being for years lessee of the Invercargill jetty. Later lie was part owner of the s.s. Invercargill, s.s. Kakanui and s.s. Einiu. Mr Campbell was a respected figure in business circles in Invercargill prior to his retirement about six years ago. He was of a kindly nature, quiet and unassuming, and was .highly respected by all who knew him. He is survived by bis widow and five children—Mr J. S. Campbell, of the Bank of New South Wales (London), and Mr A. Campbell. Mr D. R, Campbell. Mr J. Campbell, and Miss J. Campbell, of Invercargill. A London Press Association cable message announces the death of Miss Kate Bishop (Mrs Lohr). actress, mother of Miss Marie Lohr, actress. A Sydney Press Association message announces the death of Mr Murray Leith Alien, formerly assistant to the late Mr Clement Wragge. The death is announced at Wellington on Wednesday of Mr J. D. Croker, who was for many years a prominent officer in the service of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. He. had retired on superannuation only a few days ago. He had many friends throughout the South Island, particularly in Dunedin and Christchurch.

The Rev. Father O’Neill, one of the most popular priests in the southern diocese (says the New Zealand Times), returned to New Zealand by the Moereki. The reverend gentleman did not, continue his journey south in the vessel, but. remained in Wellington to meet relatives and friends. Father O’Neill has just concluded an interesting tour of Western Australia, and speaks enthusiastically of the great future for “the West.”

A Melbourne Press Association cable message announces the death of Sir David liennessy, formerly Lord Mayor, at the age of 68 years. Before leaving Clyde Mr and Mrs Rringans were entertained at a social in the Town Hall, when representatives were present from the School Committee, Hospital Committee, Hospital Board, Horticultural Society, various sports clubs, and the Presbyterian Church to show appreciation of the splendid services rendered by Mr Bringans, not in the school only, but as an active member and worker of various bodies and societies. Mr H. S. Stevens concluded an address in eulogy of the guests of the evening by presenting Mr Bringans with a wellfilled purse, with the request that he pairchase something to remind him of his connection with Clyde. Representatives of other boides endorsed the eulogistic references to Mr and Mrs Bringans. Ex-pupils presented Mr Bringans with a set of military hair brushes,, and the present pupils presented a travelling rug. Th e Hockey Association presented a handsome travelling bog to Mr Bringans.