PERSONAL

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160733, 20 August 1920, Page 9

PERSONAL

Mir P. Pirani, who was present in Wanganui yesterday afternoon, was invited to the Central Infants’ School, where he was met by the pupils for the purpose of receiving a presentation in recognition of the keen interest he had always taken in the welfare of the children. The pupils and teachers assembled in the hall, and a procession of three tiny pupils waited on Mr Pirani. a girl handing him a beautiful bouquet of fresias, and two boys giving him a set of hair brushes, a clothes brush, and shaving mirror, amidst applause from the school. Mr Pirani appropriately thanked the donors for their kindlv remembrances.

Miss Flora M. Allan has resigned the position of principal of Otago Girls’ High School after thirty years’ service at the school.—Press Association.

Many people of all classes in the community. both in Wanganui and up and down this Coast, will hear with sincere regret of the death yesterday afternoon, at her residence, Duric Hill, of Mrs John Duncan, one of the oldest and most respected of those who took part in the colonisation of this portion of the Dominion. Hie deceased lady had suffered a slight indisposition for a couple of days, though no serious results were anticipated, but yesterday, as stated, she took a bad turn, and passed quietly and peacefully away. The late Mrs Duncan was horn at Khandallah, Wellington, iu 1844, King thus iu her 76th year at the time of her death. She was a daughter of Mr Richard Hammond, who, n little later, took up the well-known York Farm, at Marton, the doors of which were always open to anyone, stranger or friend, who sought their hospitality, which made the name of Hammond so well known to all old settlers. Mrs Duncan was married-in 1866, and with her husband came to Wanganui, residing on No. 2 Line, and later on Dnrie Hill, ever since. The deceased possessed all those traits of kindness and generosity which had made York Farm so famous, and gave liberally to every deserving object, whether of a public or private nature. Withal, her benevolence was quite unostentatious, and her assistance, while given freely, was always given quietly. She leaves two sons and two daughters— Mr W. McA. Duncan (Wanganui), Mr T. A. Duncan (Otairi, Rangitikei), Miss Margaret Duncan (Wanganui), and Mrs W. Blackmoro Palmerston North) —who will have the sincere synfpathy of their hosts of friends in their bereavement.