PERSONAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 37

PERSONAL.

The Education Board announces the appointment of Air A. R. Alexander as woodwork instructor for the Central Otago district.

Mr H- B. Burdekin, who has occupied the position of general manager of the Otago and Southland Finance Corporation since the incorporation of the company in July, 1925, and who has been compelled to resign his position owing to ill-health, left for Wellington on Saturday week, where he will reside in future. He was the recipient of presentations from the directors and staff on severing his connection with the company. A complimentary social and dance was tendered to Mr George Asquith in the Chjtto Creek School on February 22, when he was presented, on behalf of the residents of the district, with a walking stick and a travelling rug. Mr John Love, in making the presentation, referred to Mr Asquith’s worth as a settler and his many acts of kindness, and stated that his departure from the district was'regretted by all. Mr E. Alarslin (Springvale), Mr W. Bringans (Mayor of Alexandra), and the Rev. Mr Craigie (Becks) also referred to Mr Asquith’s work during his 14 years’ residence in the district.

Air and Airs A. Christie, sen., of Inverlochy, celebrated the diamond jubilee of their marriage at the homestead last week. A large number of the family’s friends attended the function. The Rev. Air Smaill presided. The Rev. Air Hain referred to the many pleasant hours spent in the coinpan- of their hosts. His acquaintance with them extended over a period of 20 years. Air E. Hamer and other guests referred to the kindness shown by Air and Airs Christie to all with whom they came in contact. It was- mentioned that the happy couple had resided in the district for 64 years, and reference was also made of the hardships which faced the pioneer settlers. During the function Air and Mrs Christie were presented with a wireless set and an illuminated address, while the eldest son, Air W. Christie, presented his parents with easy chairs, and other gifts, including a chiming- clock, were bestowed on the couple by numerous friends. The clock was presented by the National Alortgage and Agency Company, Ltd. Telegrams containing congratulations and good wishes were read from friends residing in Dunedin, Timaru, Alilton, Invercargill, Otautau, Wellington, and Dannevirke. The funeral of Air Allan Gilmore Cowan, who died at the residence of his daughter in Palmerston North recently, took place at the Karofi Cemetery. A native of Argyllshire, Scotland, Air Cowan came out to Hobart in company with his parents when a boy. Some few years following his marriage he came to New Zealand, landing at Dunedin, with the intention of pursuing his trade as stonemason, and he was immediately engaged in building the tunnels which line the route between Dunedin and Port Chalmers, and also along the Port Chalmers-Deborah Bay route. In 1908 he went to Wellington to live, but after the death of his wife in T 919 he removed to Auckland, where he resided for six years. In Alarch, 1925, he joined his daughter in Palmerston North, and he resided there to the time of his death. Alesdames A. E. Peterson, Wellington; W. Wells, Aliramar; J. E. Lees, Alelbourne; A. J. Barlow, New Plymouth; G. Al. Parker, Dunedin, and J. R. Donaldson, of College street, and Alessrs A. E. Cowan, of Quirindi, New South Wales, and A. A. Cowan, of Auckland, survive their father. One son, William, was a member of the illfated expedition which went to the Macquarrie Islands, 38 years ago, in search of sea lion, penguin, and other oils, and, after being marooned on the islands for many months, were taken off by the ship Kakanui, under Captain Best, which foundered with all hands on the return journey. A Press Association cable message from London states that Paymaster Lieutenantcommander R. W. Lethbridge has been lent to the Australian Navy as secretary to Rear-admiral Evans.

Nominations for the seat on the Otago Land Board held by Air George Livingstone, the elected Crown tenants’ representative, and rendered vacant by the passage* of time, closed at the Land Office at 4 p.m. ,on Wednesday. Air Livingstone, being the only person nominated, was elected for a further term of two years. Air Livingstone has held the seat continuously since the enactment of the regulation in 1911 under which Crown tenants were given the right to elect one member of the board.

A Press Association message from Alarton states that a large gathering of Reform supporters in the Rangitikei electo-. rate presented Air W. S. Glenn, the exmember, with a piece of silver plate in recognition of his nine' years’ service in the House, especially in the interests of the- farmers. The Leader of the Reform

Party (Air J. G. Coates), who was present, eulogised the services of Air Glenn. News has been received of the death in America of Air William A. Prickitt, United States Consul-general at Auckland from 1905 until June 9. 1914, when he resigned. Air Prickitt died on January 6 at the home of his daughter, Airs C. K. Linson, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey He was 89 years of age, and was one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil vv ar, in which he obtained the rank of captain. He is survived by three daughters Airs F. Patterson, Airs Linson, and Aliss L. Prickitt.

Air J. Ledgerwood, who is in charge of the boys’ - department of the Young "ren s Christian Association in Dunedin, will leave in Alay to take up university studies at Chicago. Air G. P. Elliott, a New Zealand law student of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, has taken a third class in constitutional law (English and colonial) and legal history (says our London correspondent). His name appears in the list of successful students in the examination of the Counici of Legal Education. Air Elliot is grouped among Aliddle Temple successes. The new American Vice-consul at Auckland, Air William B. Cochrane, who arrived from Vancouver by the Aorangi last week, is not a stranger to New Zealand. As an ensign of the battleship New Alexico, he was here with the American Fleet three years ago, and he stated that he was very pleased to be back again. Graduating from the Naval Academy in 1924, Air Cochrane saw two years’ service and resigned in 1926. He then trained for the diplomatic corps. Six months ago he entered the Foreign Service Office at Washington, and Auckland is his first overseas post. Writing on January 18, our London correspondent says that Dr F. Alontgomery Spencer (late of Hamilton) has recently been to Vienna to see the hospitals there, and the work they are doing in his particular branch of the medical profession. He came to England to make a special study of the diseases of children, and for the next few months he will be working mainly at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children. Later Dr Spencer hopes to visit the chief clinics on the Continent and to do some work in the United States before returning home. The Rev. S. F. Hunter, of Alelbourne, who was recently appointed to the chair of Old Testament studies at Knox College, has arrived in Dunedin.

A telegram from Auckland reports the death of the Rev. Lawrence Thompson, AI.A., a Presbyterian minister, whose last permanent charge was at Carterton. although later he was supplying at Island Bay, Wellington. Air Thompson took his degree at the Otago University, and was trained in the Theological Hall in Dunedin. His wife is principal of the Solway Girls’ College, Alasterton. A Press Association message from Lon don states that Air Thomas Smith, of the world-famous Christmas cracker makers, left a fortune of £166,000. At the request of a large number ol members of the Builders’ Association, Al) F. L. Lawrence, of the building firm of Alessrs G. Lawrence and Sons, has consented to stand for the City Council at the forthcoming election. Air Lawrence has been chairman of the Alornington School Committee, of which he is at present. a member, and he is a member of the Board of Alanagement of the King Edward Technical College. He is also an ex-president of the Builders’ Association The members of the commercial staff of the Evening Star assembled on Friday afternoon to bid farewell to Air C. G. Smith, a director of the firm, who is leaving on an extended tour of the world. In presenting Air Smith, on behalf of the staff, with a wallet suitably inscribed, Air J. G. Aloody referred to the long period Air Smith had been connected with that department, during which time he had made himself very popular with the staff, and wished him and 'his wife and also his son a most beneficial and enjoyable holiday. Several others also spoke of the esteem in which Air Smith was held. Air Smith, during the course of his reply, referred to the cordial relations which existed between himself and the staff.

A wireless message from London states that the Duke of Connaught, the King’s uncle, who is wintering on the Riviera, has contracted influenza, and is confined to his villa at Cape Ferrat.