MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 31, 30 July 1892, Page 760

MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

rp'iEi: ev. George Mac Murray, M. A., the present incumi bent of St. Mary s Cathedral Church was ordained in Kilmore Cathedral, Ireland,bvthe late Bishop of Kilrnore, deacon in 1878, ami piiest in 1879. He was educated at Dublin University, where he graduated in the First Class. He held the curacies of Aughrini and of Cavan (under the present Bishop of Kilmore, as rector), and was afterwards Incumbent of Killinagh and Rural Dean. Invited to Australia, he went to Ararat, and was subsequently Vicar of St. Paul’s, Ballarat East, one of the largest and most important churches in the diocese of Ballarat, and where he had the Bishop of Christchurch as vicar of the adjoining parish. The strain of the heavy work in St. Paul’s brought on an illness which led Mr Mac Murray to visit his friend Mr Dilworth, of Remuera, three and a half years ago, and the benefit derived from that visit, and the favourable impressions of Auckland and its people which were then formed, did much L> lead to his acceptance of his present post. During his absence in New Zealand, he was elected by the Church Assembly to a Canonry of the Cathedral. Canon Mac Murray held many appointments in connection with the church in Australia ; he was a member of the Diocesan Council, of the Board of Electors for the appointment of a bishop, of the General Synod of Australia and Tasmania, and was hon. secretary of the Superannuation Fund, all of which appointments, as well as his Canonry, he resigned upon coming to St. Mary’s.

Canon Mac Murray took an active interest in the social and civic affairs of Ballarat, having seats on the Public Library Committee and the Council of the Fine Arts Gallery. He was also for some time a member of the Committee of the Ballarat Cricket Club. I’pon his removal from Ballarat East, he and Mrs Mac Murray were tendered a ‘farewell social ’ by the citizens, which was presided over by the Mayor, and attended by over six hundred citizens of all creeds.

Mi: and Mrs MacMurSay were accorded a warm reception at a social gatheiing held at the Parnell Hall, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. Bishop Cowie introduced the new incumbent, and one of the nominators, Mi W. 11. Churton with the churchwarden, Mr Tewsley, spoke a few words, after which Mr Mac Murray made an excellent little speech. At a special service held in the ProCathedral, Parnell, the Right Rev. Dr. Cowie instituted the Rev. G. Mac Murray to the incumbency of the parish. There was a large ami attentive congregation, and an excellent choral service was well peiformed.

The reverend gentleman is very strong upon the paramount importance of having a thoroughly efficient parish hall and school building in which not only instruction can be imparted to the children on Sundays, but in which all parish meetings can be held and night classes during the week for young men and women, social evenings, etc., etc. ; and for the providing of such a building, it is in contemplation to dispose

of the present school house which is out of the way and too small, and devise means to give effect at as early a date as possible to so desirable and necessary an object by erecting on land adjacent to the church.

It is with pleasure we note in The New Zealand Methodist that the Wesleyan Theological College of Montreal has conferred upon an old Auckland boy, the Rev. Geo Brown, F.R G.S., the degree of D.D. Than Dr. Brown, few men know more about New Guinea and the adjacent islands, and among the inhabitants—those people clothed only in smiles and sunshine—no man is more respected. In his capacity of secretary of the Australian Wesleyan Missionary Society, Dr. Brown intends shortly to visit New Zealand, when should he lecture upon those fields, in which he has laboured so long, we would recommend all who—apart from any religious feeling -take an interest in the geography of these islands and the history and traditions of the people upon them, to attend. A VERY pleasing ceremony took place at St. Paul’s Church, Napier, when Mr Hugh Aplin, choir-master, was presented with a very handsome ebonised and gold mounted baton, with the following inscription :— * Presented to Mr Hugh Aplin, by St. Paul’s Choir, Napier, July 1892.’ Mr Neilson, on behalf of the choir, made a very pleasing little speech, and referred to the good work done by Mr Aplin. He has been especially good in training the younger members of the choir gratuitously, at bis own residence. Miss Lindsay presented the baton, and Mr Aplin responded in a neat speech.

My Hastings correspondent sends an account of the death of Mrs Hobbs from influenza. She was much beloved in the neighbourhood, and very many friends visited the parsonage to view for the last time, the remains of one so much respected. The Bishop of Waipu and Canon St. Hill read the burial service. The funeral was very largely attended. Deep sympathy is felt for the bereaved husband who is left with five little children, the youngest being only four months old. One of the features of the entertainment lately provided by the young ladies of Picton, was the musical performances of Mr Charles White, on the piano and violin. This lad is quite a musical genius, and with the exception of a few lessons, self taught. He plays well, and is equally at home with either instrument. Mr S. J. Macalisteh, owner of the Yellerton Run, Queen Charlotte Sound, with Mrs Macalister, and Mrs (Dr.) Horne, left Picton on Friday last, for Auckland via Nelson and New Plymouth. They intend visiting the Hot Lakes and other places of note in the North Island. Mr Henry Redwood — Father of the New Zealand Turf — with his newly-wedded bride will join the party at Rotorua. Miss Emily Reeve, the popular conductor of the Young Ladies’ Orchestra, Auckland, has been presented with a handsome baton of white wood bound with silver. It bears the inscription : ‘ The members of the Auckland Young Ladies’ Orchestra to their conductor, Miss E. Reeve.’ The baton is finished with a golden lyre set with a band of turquoises. Miss Rita Possenneskie made the presentation.

My Christchurch correspondent says:—‘Avery prominent member of our community has been taken from us, and also one of Canterbury's very early settlers. It is Mr H. Allwright, recently Mayor of Lyttelton, and perhaps one who has donemore forthe interests of that borough than any man. He arrived in Lyttelton when quite a boy. with his parents in the ship Cressy, and has lived there ever since. Being energetic and persevering, he became a successful man and at a very early age took a great interest in politics. He has always been aconsistent worker forthe well-beingof ourseaport town, and many things there will speak (in a silent way), of his unflagging interest. He was on his way to Sydney for the benefit of his health, but even the short sea voyage was found to have done him harm and he was advised to come back, but it was only to spend a few days for he became rapidly worse and died at Mr H. N. Naldei's, Christchurch.’ Mrs Bell, wife of the proprietor of the Dunedin Evening Star, died a few days ago at a ripe old age, and is very much regretted by a large circle of friends. She was buried in the Northern Cemetery. The funeral, which was a very large one, was attended by a number of prominent citizens. Among those who followed were Messrs J. T. Mackerras, J. W. Jago (Editor of the Star), C. W. Kerr, and M. Cohen, who acted as pall bearers ; Sir Robert Stout, Messrs J. Brown, T. Brown, R. Wilson, R. T. Wheeler, A. D. Lnbecki, S. IL Mirams, J. Macgregor, C. S. Reeves, A. Wilson, G. Fenwick (of the Otago Times), A. Michie, G. L. Denniston, H. Low, W. M. Hodgkins, Dr. Burns, Dr. Hislop, and the Rev. W. Ready. The Rev. A. R. Fitchett, of All Saints, conducted the service.