PERSONAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144860, 11 December 1915, Page 2

PERSONAL.

A Sydney cablegram reports that C. G. Macartney.' the. international cricketer has enlisted. Mr. H. G. Robinson, organiser of the Unity Campaign, expects to be in New Plymouth early next weak. A London cable announces the. death of Mr. Stephen Phillips, the well-known poet. The Bov. Hugh Black, who was offered the position of successor to the Rev. R. ,1. Campbell at the City Temple, London, has declined the offer on the ground that America demands hiß services. , '

A message from Gisborne announce® the death of Wi Pere, ex-M.L.C. The deceased was an influential chief of the \eatioorou, the principal tribe of the East Coast district. He fought with the colonial forces against 7e Kooti during the Hauhau rebellion in the ’sixties, and was a well-known figure in those days. Nearly twenty years later, in 1884. ho was elected to the House of Representatives for the Eastern Maori district. He lost the seat at the next Tenoral election, his successful opponent being Mr. (now Sir) James Carroll, and ho did .not enter Parliament again until 1804, when Mr. Carroll had transferred himself to the Waianu seat. 'Then Wi Pere regained the Eastern Maori seat and held it, until 1895, when he was defeated bv Mr. A. T. Ngata. He was called to the Legislative Council hi 1907. and sat until June, 1912. The deceased'chief was a- picturesque figure in the Council, and was always, rGP.clv 'to voice the (pinions and chainpion' the claims of his,own people. A representative gathering of past and present officers of the Lands ana Survey Department was held on Wednesday alU’imoon in me Parliamentary Buildings, when the Right Hon. >*• »• Massey, on behalf of tue staff ol tee department, presented Mr. James Mackenz.e,. the late liiiucr-eigeretary, with a handsome roll-ic.i desk, office ehnir and fittings, together with a- beautiful silver tea-set.and outer silver plate, as a memento of Li- association with the department and his lokg service therein Mr. T. N. .Brodick, the present Cnder-Secreta-iy. filled the chair, and explained, that the gathering was held to testify to the esteem in which Mr. Mackenzie was hold by all officers, after which he called upon Mr. Massey, as-Miniate? 1 lor Lands, to make the prescutation. Mr. Massey, in a .felicitous speech, detailed the recipients official career and added his personal testimony to Mr. .Mackenzie’s faithful and lengthy services Mr. E H. Wllmot. Siirvovor-Gencnil, ami Mr. r. f. O’Neill, the Assistant Umler-Secretary, also spoke- regarding his connection with the department and the services ho had rendered, whilst three former Snwovors-Geueral, Messrs. James SlTvcnow. J. W. A. Merchant, and Thomas Himinhrios. added reminiscences of their past experiences of him. Mr Mackenzie feelingly responded, and heartily thanked all the officere of the department, including those absent as well as those present, for all the kindnesses he had experienced at their hands, and the efficient and loyal assistance they had always rendered to him The proceedings closed with three cheers being given for Mr. Mackenzie with musical honours.