PERSONAL.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12469, 19 February 1909, Page 2

PERSONAL.

Mr G. M. Thomson, M.P., for Dunedin North, was entertained by 'his supporters and presented with a purso of 'sovereigns, the' sum running into three figures. The Hon W. P. Reeves hasbeen appointed a member of the -Royal -Commission which is to exaniine .schemes for. securing a more . fully . represen tutiveVcharacter for popularly, elective legislative bodies. The Chairman of the Commission is Lord. Richard Cave'hdish, younger brother of the Duke of: Devonshire. ' . ~ r ' A Press" Association, message states that at .Napier yesterday ■' afternoon Mr A. L. D. Fraser, ex-M.P., was pre-sented'-'with a purse of ' sovereigns, ah illuminated address, and a piece of i'silver" plate, • in -recognition" of 'his past Parliamentary services. .;• :'_-;'■■ 1 Dr Newman is to be asked to contest the Mayoralty of Wellington.. ' : Miss Astrid Brusewitz, ' a vfiry' successful .pupil of:, the Nelson School of Music, is leaving to-morrow en route for Europe, for the purpose of continuing her - musical studies. -Judging by her ability as a pianist, iher. many friends may hope to hear great ;ihings of her in the future.^ We wish her every success.. M.r George 'Arthur ".-Walstab-, a well, known . journalist, ' died last' week at his residence (Victoria) at the age .of 75 years. Deceased in his time was connected .with tlie:Calcutia man. as sub-editor, and later on as editor.':...- ' ■;' ' "•■-: Professor Ernest Rutherford, the distinguished New Zealahder, who was recently awarded the' Nobel prize for chemistry of £7500 for his discoveries and works" on radio acfcivity, : recen-Hy visited Stockholm, accompanied ; by liis wife. He also made, an excursion from Stockholm to _Upsala University' where great attentioA.: was paid liim. Ho insoected the chemical and physical laboratories before returning by way of Berlin to Manchester, where he occupies the Chair of Chemistry at the University. Ouf ; Christchurch.'correspohdent telegraphs that: Mr J. F. Eficson, who has been in chargo of the 'Jack's Point lighthouse, south of Timaru, since it was ejected fmir years ago,, will be retired on superannuation at the end of March,- with three months', salary. Mr Ericson came to New. Zealand in 1864, and -from 1868 to 1873 he was employed in. tlie pilot services of Nel-. son and Wellington. ■.;. He then.entered the service of the Manne Department as lighthousakeeper, and during the thiriy-six. years that he, has been, in. the, „ employ-, he has !been ■ iii^every -lighthouse m-the South elslsind, aiidiiii a few.irf-the North : Island. - ■';-■■"" ■•. '-'^ "■■v-".. , ■'"..-/