PERSONAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 49, 22 October 1912, Page 5

PERSONAL.

The Butler family, of Patou, the victims of a recent poisoning incident, are progressing favourably. Obituary; E. Griffiths, a former champion wrestler, in New Zealand.— Sydney cable. Mr. Charles Zachariah, late district agent for the Public Trust Office in Taranaki, has been appointed branch manager in Wellington. The death occurred at the Hawera hospital yesterday of Mrs Sarah White, relict of the late John Patrick White ,of Stratford. The funeral takes place at the Hawera cemetery to-morrow. Mr. Reynolds Denniston, of the theatrical firm of Hamilton, Plimrner and Denniston, is reported to be very ill again at Melbourne. His heart is said to be seriously affected by his recent long illness. The partnership mentioned is to terminate on November Bth next, when the company will return to Sydney, Messrs. Plimrner and Hamilton are to organise again about Easter next. Mr. Alexander Colson, an early settler of Taranaki, died at Egmonc Road yesterday, at the advanced ago of 81 years. Deceased, who was an old militia man, arrived in the colony considerably over half a century ago, and has been in Taranaki ever since. He leaves a widow and a family of six—viz., Messrs. T. Colson (Stratford), O. A. Uolson (Eitzroy), C. Colson (Egmont Road), Mrs. J. Honeyheld (Moturoa), Mrs. McDonnell (Wellington), and Mrs. Barr (Sydney). A Woodvillo resident purchased a farm of 700 acres in the Hawke’s Ray district, and paid a deposit of £SO. Before he paid any more money down, or took possession, he was offered £-i per acre on his bargain. He is at present (.stated the Ttxamfner’) inspecting the property with a friend, with the object of making up his mind whether ho will work tne rarm himself or accept the £2OOO profit. “Wo have to' mourn the loss of our sainted and devoted leader, Hone Papah ia, chieftain amongst his people, chieftain in the army of God, conspicuous in character alike for humility and devotion,” said the Bishop of Auckland at the opening of the Anglican Synod at Auckland. “His death has caused widespread grief amongst my Maori people. Long will the memory of his example live to set a standard for our Maori priests, and long will his holy life inspire our people to deeds of sacrifice and to the joy of devotion.”

Mr. James Ferguson, who has been appointed manager of the Bank ot New Zealand at Fa tea, was the re‘cipient of a purse of sovereigns from the residents of Greymouth prior to leaving the Coast. Mr. Ferguson is an old servant of the Bank, having filled the position of manager at Westport, Reefton, and Greymouth, and previously was on the old Colonial Bank staff. As" a tennis player and president of the Grey Club Mr. Ferguson was presented with a travelling rug, and front the_ staff of the Bank ho received a silver-mounted cigarette holder suitably inscribed.

The death is announced at Palmerston North of Mr. Stanley Mowlem, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. r red Mowlem, two of the oldest and most respected settlers in the Manawatu district. The late Mr. Mowlem was well known in the Stratford district, having been for some time farming with his brother on his father’s property at Douglas, On the sale of that property a few months ago Mr. Mowlem settled with his brother at Linton. Deceased, who was only 22 years of ago, succumbed under an operation lor appendicitis. Mr. William James Wills Smart, who died at Tikorangi on Saturday evening, at the age of 74, was one of the earliest settlers of Taranaki. He came out with his parents in the barque William Bryan, the first vessel to bring immigrants to ~ New Plymouth under the auspices of the Plymouth Company, arriving at New Plymouth on March 31, 1841, at the ago of three years. With his parents he went to live at Smart Road. About seventeen years ago he and his family removed to Tikorangi, where he has since resided. He took part in the Maori War, being engaged at the Battle of Waireka and also at Mahoetahd. He leaves a widow and son, also two sisters, Mrs Hardington and Miss Smart, of Onehunga. * A very old colonist in the person of Mr. Carl Yortt passed away on Friday at Palmerston. He had been in New Zealand just half a century, qnd in Palmerston 22 years. He was-born in Sweden on November 16th, 1821, and at the age of 37 he sailed for the colonies, landing in Melbourne in 1859 Three years later he came to New Zealand, and was engaged in mining and blacksmifhing in Otago for some years. He was one of those who participated in the Gabrial’s Gully rush. His next venture was on the West Coast, where ho was connected with mining at Hokitika. A few years later he removed to Dillmanstown, near Kumara, and remained there for about ten years. Brunnerton next claimed him,' when the coal-mining industry was being developed, and he was a resident of that town during the time of the great maritime strike. About 1890 the late Mr. Yortt came to Palmerston North, and he was engaged in business at Terrace End for some three yearsd He had the energy characteristic of the “old timers,” and it was not until ho was well into the eighties that he actually ceased work. His wife died about four years ago.

The Yen. Archdeacon Stocker is about to retire from the charge of St. Johns, Invercargill, after a lino record of service in the cause of the Anglican Church. Until he was sixteen years of age, he was educated in a private school, hut took his degree at Trinity College, Dublin, in 1807. For five years ho was a curate in a Hampshire town, and afterwards came out to New Zealand under a two years’ agreement under the Bishop of Christchurch. At the end of that time the parish was subdivided, and Archdeacon Stocker assumed charge of the Lincoln parish, where he did splendid work for four years. Mrs. Stocker was stricken at this time with a very serious illness, and the doctors said that she must, if possible, have a change of scene. As it happened, the charge of Akaroa fell vacant about this time, and Archdeacon Stocker was appointed for a term of throe years. Later the indifferent health of Mrs. Stocker necessitated another change, and as Invercargill was under offer to him, the Archdeacon accepted it, and went south just thirty years ago. His first sermon in Invercargill was preached on November sth, 1882, in the old wooden church which stood upon the site in Tay Street, where recently there has been erected a handsome new church. By a peculiar coincidence tho last sermon he will deliver before his retirement will he preached on November 3rd, 1912—thirty years after.