PERSONAL

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12075, 25 October 1907, Page 2

PERSONAL

Mr A; W. Rutherford has decided not to seek re-election for the Hurunui seat afc the general election. He is going on tour (according to the "Kaikoura Star.") Colonel Gilmour, who two years ago was in charge of the Salvation Army's work in New Zealand, has been p rotated to the important position of Under-Secretary on the Headquarters staff. The death is announced of Mr Willi-iu iVii.LLiid.i.iSe assistant secretary to the Otago Harbor Board. Mr Mi rams was connected with the Board from its earliest days, and occupied the secretaryship for a time, afcer the death of Mr J. L. Gillies. Dr MacKenzie has been elected honorary surgeon, and the Rev. J. K. Dart honorary chaplain, to the newly-formed Westport Garrison Artillery. Tablets in memory of the late Captain Hutton and the late Dr JR. Lamb have been unveiled in the Canterbury College Hall. Mr Ormiston Chant, C.E., is on his way out to New Zealand, with the object of superintending the erection, in Wellington, of a new destructor. In consequence of the sudderfdeath of the Hon. Walter Johnstone at Wellington, the marriage in London of his niece, Miss Eileen Perceval, eldest daughter of Sir Westby and Lady Perceval, to Mr Thomas Henry Lloyd is to take place very-quietly. The Rev. Mr Flanagan, a noted Methodist evangelist in tha Old Country, is expected in New Zealand on the 6th November. It is his intention to make a six months' tour of New Zealand, and to lecfcu.G on the question of slum-lifo in the Old Country. Christchuroh papers announce the death of Mr William Leslie, who was a member of various governing bodies. To-day Mr Martin Lightband will celebrate the anniversary of his arrival in Nelson sixty-five years ago. Tbe day after arrival Mr Lightband's father camped on his section, I the present site of "Wainui," on i which the family have resided ever since. This probably constitutes tbe longeßt occupancy of any of the town sections by one family. Mr Martin Ligbtband was a lad ten years of aae when the family^landed here, so that he is a good example of the sturdy old stock. He has bad a busy life in mercantile pursuits, and as a public man, and at seventyfive i 3 still doing service as a Councillor. Mr Lightband can make an hour pass very pleasantly with his reminiscenoes of the early days. He tells of one custom of his late father that is still honored at "Wainui." Mr (afterwards Sir) William Fox gave the late Mr Lightband some gooseberry plants, and very early in their residence here the family marked the anniversary of their arrival by having tbe first gooseberry pudding of the season on that day. For over sixty years this custom has been observed, and may now well qualify for the title "time honored." We trust that Mr Ligbtband may bo spared to partake of many more anniversary puddings and to long entertain his friends with his reminiscences.

M' F. E. Eiey, a weii-kndwri and respected resident of Tauranga was found dead in his bedroom on Saturday morning. ■ Lieutenant O. Nelson, of tbe 15th Hussars, has been appointed to tbe instructional staff of the defence forces in New Zealand. He is a son of Sir Montague Nelson. News has been received in Blenheim of tbe death of Mr John Tucker Robinson, at Aranioho, Wanganui, at the age of 69. Mr Robinson was widely ksown, having at one time been Secretary to the Marlborough Education Board. He leaves a widow and a grown-up family;