Untitled

Colonist, Volume XLII, Issue 9366, 30 December 1898, Page 2

Death of an old Settles. — We learn of the death at Wakefield of Mr Charles F. C. Kelling at the ripe old age of eighty years. Mr Kelling was one of those who arrived in the settlement in the very early days, he and his brother being passengers in the Skyold, which arrived in Nelson in 1844. For twelve years the brothers (Mr F. Kelling, of Hope still survives) worked together on their property in Waimea east when Mr Charles Kelling moved to the Upper Moutere where he- resided till six months ago, when he sold his property and removed to Wakefield after a residence in the one locality of 42 years. An attack of influenza in the early part of this year left Mr Kelling in a very weak state, and his strength never returned. He leaves a widow and a large family all of whom are grown up. Retieement. — Constable M. O'Brien, who has for a great many years been stationed in Nelson, has retired into private life upon his own resignation. Mr O'Brien never having had a black mark recorded against him, receives the full retiring allowance. Cbicket. — The following players will represent the Brightwater olub in their match with the Nelson club for the Senior Championship : — Messrs Silcock (2), Andrewß (2), Lines, Hill, Clarke, Brommell, Fairhall, Wadsworth, and Biggar. Emergencies, K. Snowden, W. Lightband, W. Rutherford. The juniors of the Brightwater club, who meet the Wanderers on Saturday next in a junior championship match will be represented by Snowden (2), Palmer, E. S. Fairey, Andrews, Fowler, D. Rutherford, Lightband, Huriord, W. C. Braddock, j E. Button. Emergencies, C. Silcock, and W. Rutherford. The following players will represent the Athletics in the cup matches against the Wakefield olub on Wednesday next : — Messrs Blincoe (2 , Bird, Curtis, Clay den, Levien, Liviok, Poole, Sigley and Whitehorn (2). Emergenoy, Hunt. Pbomotion. — Constable Martin Rodgers, formerly of Nelson, who has been stationed at the Lyell for some years as Constable in charge, has been promoted to the rank o! Sergeant, and will be immediately transferred to Christohurch. ' A Huge Mail.— An Auckland telegram states regarding the last outward 'Frisco mail that the mail was a record one, there being 137 bags, consisting of 12,050 letters, 5,505 book packets, inoluding Christmas cards, and 32,000 newspapers. Old Aoe Pensions. — Pension claim forms are now obtainable at all the post offices in the district and a number of applications for same have already been made at the local office. As some of the claimants seem to be somewhat at a loss where to apply for assistance hi filling in t their forms we reprint Regulation 28, contained in the ■Gazette ' of 9th Deoember, as follows :— " It shall be the duty of all Government officers and members of the Police Force to assist claimants in the preparation and investigation of the pension claims." The declaration as to the truth of the statements made in the claim may be made before any Juatioe of the Peace, or Solicitor, the Deputy Registrar for the district, or any postmaster. We learn from Mr Calders, chief postmaster, that all postmasters in the district have been instructed to fill in the pension-claim forms when required to do so by claimants. Also that forms with instructions for filling-in may be obtained at all post offices, where, too, a copy of the Act may be seen. Good Templab Picnic— The members of the Nelson Lodge 1.0. G.T. intend holding a picnio at Wakefield on Monday next, and they invite members of sister lodgeß to join them. Reception of the Govkbnob.— Delegates from the various Friendly Societies are requested to meet at the Theatre Royal at 8 o'olock to-night to make arrangements regarding the procession to welcome the Governor. VALEDicroßt.— At the St Mary's Presbytery last evening a number of friends, inoluding several of other denominations, I assembled by invitation of the Very Rev. Fatfier Mahoney to bid farewell to the Rev Father Broussard. Father Mahoney explained that bis reverend associate was on the eve of his departure to New Cale-

donia to whioh country it was his own wish that he should be transferred.. The speaker bore testiriiony to the good qualities and devotion to duty which Father Broussard had exhibited during his. four years curacy id the .district, which stretches from the Upper Bullsr to Collingwood, and includes the Waimeas. Under the circumstances Father Broussard was much better known in the country where , his work lay than in the town, but short as the notioe of his leaving was(. a number of . friends in town and country had subscribed a purse of sovereigns which he on their behalf had much pleasure in handing to Father Broussard. Father Mahoney took the opportunity at the time to state that during his twentyfour years ministry in Nelson he up to the present had always bad bad a Frenoh priest as an associate, .commencing with the late Vert Father Gariih his sdperior. fie had received word that the specessor to the curacy would be the Rev. George Mahoney, a young, priest educated in the Colony. Some amusement was ( caused by the announcement, and various methods propounded for distinguishing the Rev. Fathers Mahoney, but it was generally conceded that there oould be one only Father Mahoney in Nelson, and the curate should be "Father George." The Rev Father Broussard acknowledged the gift and Father Mahoney's references) to himself in a short sneeoh that yr&s evidently heartfelt. He said tbat he came from France seven years ago as a missionary, and he felt that his special sphere was the work of the pioneer, in New Zealand the pioneering days were done, but in New Caledonia there was a field in which he felt he would be of more use. That alone, was his reason fpr leaving New Zealand, whiqh he would ever remember with gratitude for the kindnesses bestowed upon him by British subjeots, many of them not members of his own church. Mr Maginnity as one not a member of Father Broussard's church, spoke of the regard in which that clergyman was held in the districts where he labored, and the Rev Dr Waters, Principal of St Patrick's College (at present visiting Father Mahoney) added his testimony to the sincerity of heart, and faithful ministration of Father Broussard. He also mentioned that Father George Mahoney was for some years a pupil at St. Patrick's College, and he was certain that he would be fottnd earnest and zealous in attention to his work. In the general conversation that followed, it was made known to the company that Father Mahoney and Dr. Waters were fellow-collegians in Dublin over thirty years ago. When the time of leave-taking arrived Father Broussard received tha cordial individual good wishes of those present. Father Broussard leaves by the .Rotorua this morning, his successor arriving by the same vessel.