PERSONAL

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1921, Page 4

PERSONAL

The New South Wales Cabinet has decided to issue an invitation to luncheon to Lord Northcliffe.

Inspector Murray, who takes over command of the Taranaki police district, arrived in New. Ijjlymouth last night.

Mr. F. S. Johnd, who has been on a visit to Nelson for the past fortnight, returned to New Plymouth by the mail train last night.

Captain W. D. Crossgrove, chief scout commissioner for New Zealand, will arrive in New Plymouth by the mail train to-night, and will , meet local scout officens in the evening. Messrs. A. Morton (Inglewood) and J. Brown (New Plymouth), who have been to Wellington attending a meeting of the butter committee, returned to New Plymouth last night. Mr. Newton King, ,who is visiting Christchurch, became suddenly ill on Wednesday evening and had to be conveyed to a private hospital. It was reported last night that Mr. King’s condition was improving. The military funeral of Matron Creal, matron of the Sydney Hospital for years, was one of the most impressive witnessed in Sydney. She performed war work in Egypt, and was one of those who had the Royal Red Cross distinction conferred on her by the King. Mr. A. E. Waite, of the head office of the Labor Department, is at present in New Plymouth in the course of his inspection of the North Island offices of the department. He leaves for Auckland by the Rarawa to-night. Mrs. D. D. Hutton, who is leaving New Plymouth for Gisborne, was tendered a farewell on Wednesday afternoon by the members of the Whiteley Ladies’ Guild. There was a large gathering, and the Rev. W. J. Elliott appropriately expressed the regret of the members of the guild and the church at the removal of Mr. and Mrs. Hutton from New Plymouth. A beautiful bouquet of flowers was handed to Mrs. Hutton, and the expression of goodwill extended were feelingly acknowledged by Mr. Hutton.

The death took place at Sandon on Sunday of Mr. George Williams at the age of 87 years. Mr. Williams was born at Bristol, (England, in 1834, and came to New Zealand in 1865, settling first at Lower Hutt. He went to Sandon in 1873, and was one of the founders of the settlement in that district as well as the first schoolmaster in Sandon township. He retired some eight years ago and had since resided with his son-in-law, Mr. J. H. Perrett. Much sympathy will be felt for the relatives in their sad bereavement.

At the advanced age of 98 years, Mr. Ralph Gracie died on Tuesday at Edendale (Auckland). Born in Edinburgh in 1823. Mr. Gracie emigrated when a boy to Tasmania, and a few years later came to New Zealand, where .he has been a colonist for over 72 years. A shipwright by trade, he followed his occupation for many years’. He built the first church at Te Awamutu, the old mission station building in that township. After two years’ residence at Te Awamutu he moved to Waiuku and took up a 10-acre farm, adjoining Colonel Haultain’s property, and known as “Inglewood Forest Farm.” Mr. Gracie was 4 all through the Maori War, having charge of the Government stores and acting as guide to the 'soldiers. The first cheese factory and public hall and the first two churches at Waiuku were built by him.

The death took place in Wellington on Monday of Mr. W. J. G. Hunt, an old resident of Wellington, who was for many years kr. -.rn in New Zealand as “Samoa” Hunt. The appellation arose out of the claim made by Mr. Hunt to have been the adopted son of the late Malietoa Talavou, formerly King of Samoa, before the Islands were divided into protectorates under the German and American Governments. The late Mr. Hunt, was intimately connected with Samoan affairs at the time of the strife for Icingship between the two chiefs Tamasesc and Malietoa. Subsequently a treaty was made at Berlin, whereby Britain withdrew her claims, and Malietoa was placed on the throne. Mr. Hunt, who had supported England’s claim, and was a staunch adherent, of Malietoa, became involved in’ political intrigue, and was deported, at Germany’s request, it is understood, from the island in a British gunboat. The deceased always said he had stoutly maintained England's rights in the group, and prophesied 1 that the day would come when German influence in the group would have to be [curtailed in favor of England—a prophecy be lived to see come true.