PERSONAL ITEMS

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 51

PERSONAL ITEMS

The council of the New Zealand Friesian Breeders has added Messrs E. M. North, of Oinimi, and Wm. Robertson, of Middlemarch, to the official list of judges for New Zealand. A Palmerston North Press Association telegram says that St. David’s Presbyterian Church has unanimously extended a call to the Rev. J. 11. Bredin, of Maraekakaho, lfawke’s Bay. Mr William Macandrew, whose death occurred on the 16th, at the advanced age of 77, was previously a school teacher in the service of the Otago Education Board, having entered the service at Allanton in October, 1870. He accepted a position at Owaka in 1876. and subsequently held the position of head master at Waitahuna. The deceased resigned from the service in June 1886. Among those who have succumbed to influenza of the pneumonic type is George Kedzlie. a member of the Daily Times reading staff, who died on the 17th. Mr Kedzlie was 18 years of age, and had been employed on this paper for about 18 months, xx is parents live at Halfway Bush, and he was educated at the Wakari School, further scholastic studies being made impossible by an illness. Of a quiet, studious nature, he was nevertheless ambitious, and his career was promising. The secretary of the North Otago A. and P. Association has notified Mr John Macphersori, of Alcana Crescent, Dunedin, that he has been elected a life member of the association in recognition of his many years of valuable service. At a meeting of First Church congregation, which was held on the 17th inst., the recommendation of the Selection Committee to forward a call to the Rev. Dr Ernest N. Alerrington, of Brisbane, was carried on the motion of Mr T. Scott, seconded by Air Janies Dick, only two voting against the motion. At the close of the meeting the call was largely signed. Mr Wigley, the district engineer of railways, who was reported by cablegram from Jerusalem some days ago to have been wounded by assailants near Jaffa, and who died on July 13, was (says our Wellington correspondent) a well-known New Zealander and a son of Mrs Wigley, a highlyrespected resident of Timaru. Mr Wigley was educated at the Waitaki Boys’ High School and the Canterbury College. He was an associate members of the English Institute of Civil Engineers, and before leaving New Zealand on active service as a lieutenant in the Tunnelling Corps he was an engineer for the Public Works Department on the Otira. tunnel works and also on the North Auckland Main Trunk railway. He obtained the Military Cross as a result of his service with the Tunneling Corps at Arras, and after the armistice he joined the Royal Engineers. After spending some time with that corps in India lie was transferred to Palestine in a semi-military capacity as district engineer in charge of a length of railway. His widow and one child are now residing in the same country. Air Wigley was a wellkn own footballer during his earlier days in Nexv Zealand. He was a member of the fu st, New Zealand University Rugby team which toured Australia in 1908, and represented Canterbury College and North Auckland in Rugby contests. He married Miss V. Ron ay lie, of Youg-hall, County Cork, a niece of Mr T. Ronayne, 1.5. C.. a former general manager of the New Zealand Railways. The Timaru Herald reports the death of Mr Richard Neville Hawkes, land and estate agent. Born at Bendigo, Victoria, in 1865. Mr Hawkes came to New Zealand with his parents, and was educated in Dunedin. He entered the teaching profession, and after holding positions at Milford and Winchester, was appointed head-master of St. Andrew’s School in 1899, a position he held until his retirement on superannuation on account of failing health in 1909. Mr Hawkes admirably filled the role of country schoolmaster, his interest in his pupils extending far beyond their school years. Pie was an authority on botany, and for his research work in this respect, in which he made an important discovery, ho was honoured by the Royal Geographical Society. He also interested himself in astronomy and geology. His main pastime was angling, though he was also a marksman above the ordinary, and at one time was a keen volunteer. The late Air Hawkes was also a devout and faithful Freemason. Air Hawkes entered business in Timaru on his retirement from the teaching profession, and during the war he

did valuable work in the Base Records Office. He is survived by a widow and two daughters. A son was killed at the war. The remains vvpre interred in the presence of a large gathering, among which were representatives of the teaching profession and of the Masonic fraternity. The Hon. Sir Thomas Alackenzie, M.L.C., whose health has been inditT ant for the last few days, was on Wednesday confined to his bed and was unable to deliver his address at tho Chamber of Commerce luncheon (reports our Wellington correspondent). His place was taken at the lust minute by Air Elsdon Best, who spoke on the early history of New Zealajid. The funeral took place Ai Tuesday of Air George Davis, third engineer of the liner Athenic, who died at the Wellington Hospital on Saturday night after a brief illness. An impressive service was held at the Aiission to Seamen Hall, Air Aloore (the missioner) officiating. Among those at the funeral were Mr 1 red Prince, representing the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Co.’s head office, Captain Leach, of the company’s shore staff, Captain J. Dawson, harbourmaster, and Air W. Cullen, representing the Government Inspection of Machinery Department. The death occurred on Wednesxlay at the residence of her son-in-law (Air John xtigg), Liddel street, Invercargill, of Airs A. xxurden, widow of Mr E. W. Durden, of Waikouaiti. The deceased, who had reached the advanced age of 85 years, was one of the last three survivors of the passengers who landed at Waikouaiti by the ship Magnet in 1840. She came out with her parents (Mr and Airs Beal). The remaining survivors are Mrs Burns, of Invercargill, and Airs Wolsey, of Port Chalmers. It will be remembered that tho Magnet’s 40 passengers were brought over from Sydney by the late Air John Jones in order to work a considerable area of land he had acquired at Waikouaiti, and which contributed substantially to the colonisation of Otago. The conditions at the time of the arrival of Mrs Durden were very different from what they are now. For instance, in case of sickness no medical assistance could he obtained for a time without sending to Sydney tor it. Airs Durden enjoyed remarkably good health for the greater part of her life, but she was laid aside by illness for some little time before her death. Her husband, who was one of the most popular residents in Waikouaiti, died in August, 1896, at the age_of 65 years. The deceased is survived by her only child—Airs Rigg. A veteran of the Indian Alutiny died on Alonday last at the residence of his son, Air Alonda.y last at the residence of her son. Air Samuel Lye, of Newstead (Auckland), xn the person of Mr Robert Bevon Lye, aged 85 years. Mr Lye, who was a member of a well-known county family, was born in Wiltshire, England. He was educated at Oxford and in France. At an early age he joined the army from a spirit of adventure, hoing at that time tho youngest soldier in his regiment, the Rifle Brigade. He rose to the rank of sergeant-major, and served through the Indian Mutiny. He was at the relief of Cawnpore and Lucknow, and at the taking of Delhi. The deceased came to New Zealand 38 years ago, and started in business in Auckland. He retired 10 years ago, and has since lived in Newstead. He is survived by a widow and four sons and five daughters. . The death occurred on Thursday morning last, at Port Chalmers, of Aliss Mary Mackie, a highly-respected resident of the seaport town. The late Aliss Mackie was a prominent figure in musical circles, and held for some years post the position of honorary pianist to the Port Chalmers Old Identities Association. She will he much missed by her many friends. At the carnival held at Port Chalmers during the war period to assist the Belgium people, at which the sum of £SOO was raised. Miss Afackie was elected “Queen of the Carnival.” Her early death has caused widespread regret among the residents of Port Chalmers, and sincere sympathy is felt for her widowed mother and members of the family. A Alasterton Press Association message states that the death occurred suddenly on Saturday morning of Air Bland Rayner, a well-known Lincoln and Romney sheep breeder. He was a prominent exhibitor at dominion shows. The severe winter is (our correspondent writes) taking its toll 'of the old identities of the Cambrian district. Mr Fordham and Air Griffith Jones, both over 80 years of age, and Mrs E. J. APGregor, an invalid for some years, passed away during the last fortnight, and all were interred in the snow-covered St. Bathans Cemetery,’ the Rev. Air Foreman officiating at the funeral of the first-named and the Rev. Mr Chandler at the others. There has just passed away Mrs James Small, widow of the late Air James Small, who as an old resident of Dunedin will be well remembered as a man who took no little interest in the welfare of Dunedin and who for quite a number of years acted on various public bodies. Airs Small had lived for many years in Albany street, in the house that was at one time known as “Hyde Harris’s Alansions.” She had been in failing health for some years; but, like many of the early comers to Otago, she had reached an age more than fourscore years. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company has received a cablegram from its head office in London announcing the death on Julv 19 of Air Warrington Laing (says a Wellington Press Association telegram, who has occupied the position of chairman of the London directorate during the past 11 years. He visited New Zealand in 1920.