About People

Southland Times, Issue 12122, 30 April 1908, Page 2

About People

Our Fortrose correspondent advises that it has been decided by residents there to entertain the Hon. R. McNab at a banquet, before next session opens on a date that the Minister will be asked to fix to suit his own convenience. The Fortrose portion of the Mataura electorate lias been cut off and placed in Clutha, so that the banquet will be in the form of saying good-bye to Mr McNab as representative of Fortrose. The function will be non-party. The firm of J. Johnston and Sons, Ltd., has made its name before the public of N.Z., especially the people of Southland, as supplying the wants of the public in the matter of iron, foundry and engineering work, but just lately iwo of the principals have turned their time and abilities into other channels. On Monday, the 20th Inst, Mr Jas. Johnston was joined in matrimony to Miss Milly McLeod at Caroline, and on Wednesday, 29th, Mi- John Johnston wedded Miss Lizzie Brown, of Hamilton, Scotland. Each was in turn the recipient of a souvenir from the employes at tiie Vulcan Foundry, Mr Jas. of a .;et of carvers, and Mr John of a handsome clock, the latter bearing an inscription by Mr D. Burn. The employes mustered strongly on each occasion, and wished both their employers all health and happiness, and gave them three cheers in a style worthy of the event. Mr H. F. G. Baldry, inspector for the Citizens' Life Assurance Company, Ltd., is at present in town, and intends, with the assistance of Mr W. B. Scandrett (the local agent) to extend the business of this progressive company. It is worthy of notice that fio per cent. >f this company's assets are invested in Government and municipal bonds, that there are no foreclosed properties. 'ior mortgaged properties in pos esion. neither is there one penny of interest outstanding. The expense rate (orllnary branch) is 10 per cent, of the premium income, and it is claimed that

the company's actuarial reserves arc the strongest in Australasia.

Mr James Sim Evans, the newly appointed magistrate for the Wakatipu district, is the second Invercargill solicitor within the past six months to be raised to the Bench. Curiously enough two years ago Mr Evans and Mr R. 11. Turton, now S.M at Greymouth, were rival solicitors both practising at Queenstown, and both subsequently practised in Invercarglll. The appointment of legal men with Queenstown and Invercargill experience to the position of magistrate is becoming a habit that may have its effect upon our aspiring solicitors. Mr Evans, a New Zealandei by birth, received his primary education ;it first in Rlverton and subsequently In the neighbourhood of Dunedln. From the age of seventeen he followed mining pursuits and the success which attend-

Ed his career as a mining agent causei him to turn his attention to the law a profession. In 1897 he became assodated with the lirm of Macalistei Bros, in Invercargill and he qualified as a solicitor in IHO2. In the early pan of 1903 he opened a practice in Queenstown in partnership With Messrs Macalister Bros, and returned to Invercargill when his firm closed the Queenstown office in 1800. As a large part o: the magisterial duties in Wakatipu wil be connected with mining matters V will be seen that Mr Evans possessei special knowledge which makes hln

eminently adapted for the position. Th< now magistrate is married and lias twf children. Me is of a studious- and retiring disposition and lias not beer identified with any particular hobbj during liis residence in InvercargiU but ho should make none the less ai impartial magistrate for ■ thai. Mi Evans lias received instructions to proceed to Queenstown immediately ano lie will probably take his seat on tin Bench there in a week's time.

A London cable states that Mr Bal four, in a letter to Mr Asqulth, ex pressed deep regret that illness had pre vented him from paying his tribute U the late Sir 11. C. Bannerman, whusi courage, consistency. ! '.-• am kindliness were recognised by al

parlies. Mr G. .M. Thomson, formerly Scienci Master ai the School, and now Con suiting Analytical Chemist, Is reportei to be a candidate for the Dunedin Nortl seat in the Opposition interest.

The Rev. P. 11. Paris, successor to the Rev. A. Mcßean as junior minister in the InvercargiU Methodist Circuit, was accorded a welcome social in the Toviot street church last night. Mr Hensley presided over the gathering and speeches of welcome were made on behalf of the circuit stewards by Messrs .1. Hawkins and E. V. Laws, of the local preachers by Mr W. Robbins, of the Sunday school by Mr Johnson, of tinchoir by Mr (.'. W. Pnton, find of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society by Mr L. Walton. The musical portion of the social comprised a couple of quartets by Miss Richards, Mrs Hensley. and Messrs J. Hensley and H. Richards, a duel by Mr and Miss Richards, and solos by Mrs Hensley nil Mr Richards. There was also a recitation by Mr L. Walton. The Rev. T. A. Pybus, cf the Elles Road P.M. Church, in extending a welcome to Mr Paris, urged the congregation to help their minister by regular attendance at church. They were wanted to be present not only in spirit but in bodily reality also. He put in a plea that too much must not be expected in the matter of visiting, but that due regard must be given to the necessity for a minister to have sufficient time to pursue his studies. Mr Paris returned thanks In terms which showed his appreciation of the goodwill which had been extended towards him. He spoke with cheerful optimism of the work which he would be called upon to perform and gave his audience to understand that he realised that the people with whom he was to be associated were to be his chief study.