ABOUT PEOPLE

Southland Times, Issue 21728, 14 June 1932, Page 4

ABOUT PEOPLE

Mr W. H. Woodward, of Dunedin, arrived in Invercargill by yesterday afternoon’s express and is a guest at the Grand Hotel. Mr S. J. Cantrell, of Wellington, arrived in Invercargill by yesterday afternoon’s express and is staying at the Grand Hotel. Mr J. A. F. Cundy, of Wellington, yesterday commenced duty as chief clerk in the district railway engineer’s office at Invercargill. Miss Lyle Stevenson, at present assistant at the Ryal Bush School, has been appointed assistant mistress at the Wyndham District High School. An Auckland message announces the death of Lady Stringer, wife of Sir Walter Stringer, at the age of 70 years. She was formerly Miss Ada Davies, of Dunedin.

Mr C. E. Barnes, business manager for the New Zealand Railways, arrived in Invercargill from Dunedin by yesterday afternoon’s express and is staying at the Club Hotel, During the temporary absence of Mr P. A. de la Perrelle, M.P., from the Dominion, Mr J. Hargest, M.P., will, if necessary, attend to any departmental business affecting the Awarua constituency.

A Press Association cable from Rochester (New York) states that Mrs Catherine Wheelwright, mother of Mr de Valera, President of the Irish Free State, died on Sunday at her home there.

Major F. H. Lampen, of Dunedin, arrived in Invercargill by yesterday afternoon’s express, his visit being in connection with the Invercargill Amateur Operatic Society’s forthcoming production of “The Country Girl.

Mr H. A. Hazlett has resigned his position on the staff of the. Shell Company's agency at Gore which he has held during the past four years. He is actuated by health reasons and will be leaving Gore about the end of the month. He will be succeeded by Mr R. V/est, of Otautau. Mr Leo C. Clifford, overseas representative of the Kolynos Company Inc., of Sydney, London, and Chicago, is at present visiting Dunedin after an absence of nearly 22 years. Mr Clifford was born in Dunedin and will be remembered as the youngest son of the late Robert Clifford, an old identity of Otago. Mr Clifford was educated in Dunedin and left there at the early age of 14 years. After serving with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in 1914-16 he travelled considerably in America, and spent some time in England and the South Seas, finally settling in Australia. .Mr Clifford is from the Syndey branch of the Kolynos Company.

St. Joseph’s Hall, Oamaru, was filled to overflowing last Thursday evening when all sections of the community took the opportunity of farewelling the Rev. Father John McGettigan, who was recently transferred to Riverton as parish priest (states the North Otago Times). The large assembly was a striking token of the deep respect which the citizens of Oamaru, regardless of class or creed, have for one who, by his acts of charity and kindness, has gained, and will be long remembered by, the affectionate cognomen of "Father John.” Mr M. F. Cooney presided over the gathering and there were also present the Rev. Fathers O’Reilly, Walls, and Donegan, the Ven. Archdeacon Russell, and the Rev. Bros. Magee, Fitzpatrick and Greely. After many present had voiced their high regard of Father McGettigan, he was presented with a gold watch and a well-filled wallet. .

There passed away at his residence, Papakaio, Mr John Gordon Macdonald, who was one of the most highly respected residents of North Otago. Mr Macdonald was born at Whare Flat, Dunedin, in 1867. He served his apprenticeship as an architect in Dunedin, but later adopted the pastoral life and, for a number of years, was manager of Double Hill station in Canterbury. When the Papakaio station was purchased by the Government deceased acquired the homestead and about 800 acres, which he farmed successfully ever since. A staunch supporter of the North Otago Agricultural Society, Mr Macdonald was its president for two consecutive years and he was also the first president of the North Otago Provincial Executive of. the Farmers’ Union. He leaves a widow, a daughter of Mr J. Boyd, Kaikoura. The sons, of whom three have represented North Otago in Rugby football, are Ken, lan, Norman and Alan.