MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 1, 7 January 1893, Page 6

MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

AMONG the men who have been of use to New Zealand as occasion served and opportunity offered, Sir James Prendergast may be reckoned as occupying a seat in the first row. Sir James is a son of a man well known in England, Sergeant Prendergast, who was Judge of the Small Debts Court for the City of London. Probably from his father the son inherited a taste for law. At all events, that was thepiofession he adopted. In April, 1856, Sir James was called to the Bar, and for some time he practised his profession in the Old Country. Afterwards he came out to this colony, and settled in Otago. He was subsequently offered the position of non-political AttorneyGeneral. After this he attained his present elevation, being appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Hts Honor has been chosen Acting Governor for this colony on the following occasions with marked success : — Between the arrival of Sir Hercules Robinson, who succeeded the Marquis of Normanby as Governor of New Zealand, and the departure of the latter. His Honor, Chief Justice Prendergast acted as Administrator from February 21st to March 27th, 1879. Between the departure of Sir Hercules Robinson and arrival of Sir Arthur Gordon, September 9th to November 29th, 1879, Sir James Prendergast was Administrator. Also from June 24th, 1882, to January 20th, 1883, between the departure of Sir Arthur Gordon and the arrival of Sir William Jervois. Again Sir James acted as Administrator from March 19th to May 2nd, 1889, between the departure of Sir William Jervois and the arrival of the Earl of Onslow. And this last year from February 25th to June 7th, between the departure of Lord Onslow and the arrival of the Earl of Glasgow, Chief Justice Prendergast was Administrator of the affairs of this colony.

Mr White, of the Railway Department, Picton, has painted a picture of H.M.S. Goldfinch, in Picton harbour, which he is sending to Lieut. Commander Floyd, as a memento of the visit toPicton. Maiine subjects are Mr White’s strong points, and in this little picture, which is about 16 inches by 12, the shades and shadows of the Sound are beautifully delineated. The ship is anchored, as it were, in a pellucid lake, Wilkinson’s Peninsula being the nearest point, whilst across the Sound ‘The Rocks,’ Captain Kenny’s run is shewn, Mount Stokes in the far away distance, and the Penguin steaming up the harbour. The captain’s gig is being pulled towards the ship, and two gulls are fluttering over the last meal of the day in shallow water.

AN excellent organ recital was given in St. John's Church, Waikonaiti, by Mr G. H. R. Fenton in connection with a special service in aid of the Maori Mission. The three voluntaries were particularly good.

A party of gentlemen went down to Kawau on a yachting cruise for the Christmas holidays. Amongst them was Mr Hugh Harrop. On the return trip they called at Waiwera, running thence up to Auckland, where the party arrived thoroughly drenched with the rain.

Mk Samuel Vickers, of Albert Park, Auckland, has just celebrated his ninetieth birthday, and has gone off on a trip as hale and hearty as many a man thirty years younger.

Mr and Mrs H. Rawson, of Wellington, and Dr. and Mrs Ernest Rawson, with a large juchting party, are spending the holidays at Picton.

Father Sauzeau, who was one of the early colonists* and was extremely respected and liked by others besides the Roman Catholics (to which denomination he belonged), died rather suddenly at Wellington on Christmas Eve. Father Sauzeau was a Frenchman, and only fifty-eight years of age, having come to New Zealand in 1862. He met with a severe buggy accident at Waipawa some time ago. This induced dropsy, from which complaint be died at the Presbytery. He was a most zealous pastor, and a true and earnest worker amongst the poor. The funeral was a very large one, most beautiful wreaths being placed on the coffin.

In Christchurch, St. Michael's parish is about to suffer a great loss. The Rev. Walter Harper, after much pressure, has consented to resign the incumbency and take charge of and control the services at the Cathedral, subject to the Bishop, and become principal Upper Dean of Christ’s College. It is said the change will not take place until after Bishop Julius returns from England.