PERSONAL MATTERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9933, 1 August 1908, Page 5

PERSONAL MATTERS.

Andrew McEweu, oue of the early Mauawatu settler.-?, drowned himself in : the ■> Manawata river yesterday. ■The deceased was a dairy farmer liv-aiijofat-Jackeytown. Hβ mob with an accident sometime ago which is said to have affected his , brain.

■ Mr.George Hector Rollestou, a Magistrate who was recently "retrenched" fay-"the Transvaal Government, has been appointed Board of Trade Commissioner in New Zealand.

News has been received of the safety of Sir William MacGregor, Governor of Newfoundland, who Jiasbeen cruising on the Labrador coast, and who had not boeu heard of since a great storm three days siuco.

Mr and Mrs G. Waterson, sonr., who are leaving Dalefield, after a long residence, to live in Carterton, were tendered :i farewell social .by the sottlers on Thursday evening, and were presented with a dinner service. Gifts, in the form of dressing-oases, were also handed to the Misses Waterson. A pleasant evening was spent in dancing, varied with vocal items.

A Press Association cable, received from London at 8.25 a.m. to-day, states that Mr Mil ward, chief electrician of the Pacific Cable Board, has been appointed the Board's manager, with headquarters at Sydney. ? The many friends of Mastertou of Mr T. E.. Chamberlain, of Aramaho, Wanganui, will regret to learn that he is seriously ill. Mr Chamberlain was for many years a farmer on the Oaks' Estate, Upper Plain, and a partner in the well known firm of Chamberlain Bros.

The death occurred last month at the exceptional age of 110 years of Mr -Edmond Ryan, farmer and cattledealer, of Carrick-on-Suir. Up to twelve months ago Mr Ryan was able to attend to business, and was to be seen in the cattle markets buying and selling beasts. He was a "life-long teetotaller, and kept his faculties to the last.

The death is annoiinced of Mr Wm. Mitciiinson, late of Waverley, in his 80th year. The deceased, who arrived in Melbourne in 1852, came to Now Zealand in 18G3, and spent a number of years on South Island goldfields, afterwards removing to Waverley, where for twenty years he carried on. farming. Some ten years ago, owing to failing health, he was compelled to retire from the soil, aud removed to Christchurch, where he died last week.

Dr and Mrs H. T. Dawson (Pahiatua) arrived iv London on Juue 4th by tho Mamari. The object of Dr :P.awson's visit is further professional study at the London hospitals. Mrs Dawson meanwhile is visiting relations and friends. They leave next week for Scotland on a six weeks' visit, afterwards returning to London and .proceeding to Paris. They are booked to return to New Zealand, by the Corinthic leaving London about tho end of September.

Master Noel Cook, who is an inmate of the Masfcertuu Hospital, evidently enjoys considerable popularity among his schoolfellows. As au indication of the esteem in which the lad is held at school, a number of the pupils contributed a sum of money with which they purchased several entertaining books as a gift to young Cook, to enable him to pass more pleasantly the hours he may have to spend in the Hospital. The incident is of a rather commendable character, showing the high tone of the school under Mr W. H. Jackson, as head master.

The Mauawatn Standard has the following:—Mr J. McConville, better known on this coast as "Melbourne Jack, " one of the finest whips the Dominion has known, died on Thursday night from heart failure, after five ■'■'weeks' illness. He was for four weeks in the Hospital, and was then taken to his residence, where he passed away. The late Mr McOonville leaves a widow and son (Jack) and daughter (Eileen). "Melbourne Jack's" fame dates back to old coaching days. Before Wellington aud the West Coast of tills islaud were connected by rail the route followed by travellers was one which presented many difficulties. From Foxtoii the coacli was ferried across the Mauawatu, and then it proceeded along the beach to Otaki aud Waikauae, thence onward, striking inland over the lulls' at Paikakariki aud down into Wellington by the Ngahauranga-road. For mauy years "Melbourne Jack" guided the coaches with consummate skill over this tortuous aud difficult route, and of ten his way led through flooded rivers and over almost impassable roads, but he always came out safely. After the Mauawatu railway was opened he went to the West Coast of the South Island withfjjhis employer, Mr A. Hall, aud was there for many years, and when Mr Hall bought the trams m Wellington, "Melbourne Jack" came with him. About ten years ago the deceased driver took up his residence in Palmerstou. where he has remained ever since, working for Messrs Stevensou aud Woodfiold. Many thrilling stories are told of his prowess as a whip, and he himself was always'interest iug by reason of his rich fund of anecdotes. The late Mr McConville was fifty-two year* of age.