PERSONAL MATTERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9212, 3 November 1908, Page 5

PERSONAL MATTERS.

The death is announced from New York of Mrs William Astor.—Received at 8.7 a.m.

The Education Board has accepted tho resignation of. Miss L. Aihsworth, teacher at Saunders'-road.

A Press Association wire status that Mr William Anderson, one of the pioneers of Canterbury, passed away at his residence at Flemingfcon, Ashburton, on-Thursday. The deceased, who was seventy-four years of age, arrived in New Zealand in 1860, The widow of the late Ensign Edward McKeuna, V.0., has been granted by Cabinet a compassionate allowance of £300. Ensign MoKenna won tho Victoria Cross for bravery during the Maori War. The Government has granted Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, twelve months' leave of absence, as from March Ist next. His Honor, who has not beon enjoying the best of health lately, intends visiting the Old Country. Mrs Grant, mother of Mr James Grant, of Kelvinside farm, Woodville, and a resident of the district for about twenty years, died at her son's residence on Wednesday last, at the age of 82 years. She came to New Zealand, with her husband and family, forty-six years ago. Mr h\ G. Wayne, late Stock Inspector for Master ton, who has been appointed to the position of Inspector of Abattoirs at Thames, in the veterinary division of the Department of Agriculture, will leave for Ms now location about next Tuesday. At a public social in the Drill Hall, Woodville, last Wednesday evening, Mr Dobbie, who has been stationmaster at the junction for the past ten years, and who is now being transferred to luvercargill, was presented by the residents of the town with an illuminated address, and to his wife was handed a brooch. The railway staff made Mr Dobbie a presentation of a silver watch, suitably inscribed. Mr Thomas Butler, who has been connected with the Health Department since its inception, died at his residence in Wellington, yesterday, after a lingering illness. Deceased was welL known in sporting circles, being at the time of his deatii secretary of the Wellington Coursing Club. At the General Post Office, Wellington, on Saturday, a presentation of a gold watch was made to Miss E. Davidson, ou her leaving the Department. The presentation was made by Mr D. Robertson, secretary, who referred to Miss Davidsons' popularity, and the very satisfactory manner in winch she had performed her work in his office. Miss Davidson is to be married to Mr Cyril Ward, sou of the Right Hon. J. G. Ward, on December otii. Mr J. S. Webb, who is severing his connection, after having for ten years occupiod a position ou the teaching staff of the Pahiatua District High School, was the recipient, on Friday last, of a flower stand from the pupils of the third and fourth staudards and the girls of the higher classes, and of a pair of silver-mounted brushes from the members of the school cricket and football clubs. A New York cable message, received at 8.7 a.m., states that Queen Margherita of Italy has withdrawn all opposition to tho Duke d'Abruzzi marrying Miss E. A. Elkius, daughter of Senator Elkins, of the United States. Miss Elkius will receive a dowry of £200,000. Queen Margherita chiefly opposed the match on the ground of public opinion in America, which insinuated that her nephew's bid for the hand of Miss Elkius was dictated by the greed for dollars.

The death occurred yesterday morning, at Greytown, following on a serious operation on Sunday, of Mrs H. C. Robinson. She had been ill for some time with a dangerous complaint, and there was no alternative but to operate. The operation was successfully performed, with three doctors in attendance, but the shock proved too severe for her weakened system. Her husband predeceased her three years ago, and a family of three boys and three girls are left. The iate Mrs Robinson was a uaughter of the late Mr John Wilkie, one of Groytown's early pioneers. The Oarterton Rechabite Lodge, last evening, decided to provide pall-bearers at the funeral in Greytown on Wednesday.

On Sunday morning, says the Post, another of Wellington's early settlers passed away in the person of Mrs Knowles, widow of the late Mr John Knowles, formerly Undersecretary for Public Works. The deceased, who was born in London in 1837, arrived in Wellington, via Lytteltou, in the barque Minerva (the"last of the Canterbury Association's vessels) with her husband on his return to New Zealand in March, 1853. Mrs Kuowles was connected with the Terrace Congregational Church for many years, and, until her health failed, did much church and benevolent work in the city. She leaves two children, Mr William West Kuowles, of the Audit Office, and Miss Ellen Alice Knowles.

Ray. \V. Gillies, Presbyterian minister, of Tauranga, expired suddenly on Te Awainutu railway platform after the arrival of the Auckland express, yesterday. He was travelling, via .the Main Trunk Line, to attend the Presbyterian Conference at Dunedin, and was accompanied by his wife. On arriving at Te Awamutu, he left the car and proceeded to the refreshment room, a few yards distant, in order to procure a cup of tea for Mrs Gillies. On reaching the room, he was seen to fall. Dr Wohlmanu, Government Balneologist, who was travelling on the same train, was in attendance immediately, but could only pronounce life to be extinct. The cause of death was'heart failure. Deceased enjoyed excellent health up to the time of his death.—Association.