MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 10, 11 March 1893, Page 219

MAINLY ABOUT PEOPLE.

The pleasure which the many friends of Mr and Mrs T. L. Murray and family have derived from the news that Mr Murray has been promoted from the managership of the Bank of New Zealand at the Thames to the managership at Dunedin is marred by the fact that the change involves the removal of one of the most highly esteemed families at the Thames. Mr Murray has been manager on the goldfield for nearly twenty years, although latterly he has combined with his special supervision over the Thames branch the duties of an assistant inspector of the bank. In the social and musical circles at the Thames the closing of Mr and Mrs Murray’s hospitable home will cause a loss not easily repaired. Mr Murray’s appointment to the managership of one of the bank’s most important branches is, however, the occasion of general satisfaction and congratulation.

Auckland society, particularly the Presbyterian section of it, will regret the departure of Miss Campbell, who accompanies her brother, Mr J. P. Campbell, barrister and solicitor, to Wellington, where he intends to engage in the practice of his profession.

Mr W. S. Furby, manager of the Auckland Telegraph Office, left by the Takapuna for the South on Monday en route for England. He has obtained a year’s leave of absence, and the visit is undertaken mainly on account of Mrs Furby’s health, who, it is hoped, will benefit by the change. Mr Furby has been one of the most active workers in connection with All Saints’ Church, Ponsonby, where for many years he held the office of Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is an enthusiastic musician, and has always been a prominent member of musical circles in ‘musical Auckland.’ The officers of the Telegraph Department made a presentation to Mr Furby before leaving.

The death of Mis Connell, of ‘ Glen Fern,’ Kyber Pass, removes another of the old identities of Auckland. Her husband was a merchant here in the early days, and has been dead many years. Mrs Connell entered into rest at the ripe age of 81. She had a large family, most of whom are still alive to mourn her loss—Mesdames Pierce, Fenton, Williams, Holt, Templar, and Mr H. Connell. The funeral was very well attended, and many beautiful floral tokens were sent as marks of respect and affection.

The Champion Shot of the colony, Mr Arthur Ballinger (whose portrait appealed in the Graphic a few weeks ago), was entertained at a dinner at the Oriental Hotel, Wellington, by his comrades. Captain Patterson, of the Guards, presided, the guest of the evening occupying the seat of honour on his right, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. R. Seddon, being seated on his left. The Mayor, Mr H. D. Bell, and the Vice-presidents, Lieutenants McAlister and Porritt, also occupied prominent positions, and among the large number of guests were Colonel Fox, LieutenantColonel Newall, Major Quick, Major Massenger, Captain Coleman, Captain Collins, Captain Brandon, Captain Loveday, Lieutenant Commanding Duncan, Lieutenants Bell, Hume, Purdy, Kirk, and Russell, Messrs G. Fisher, J. Duthie, aud W. McLean, M. H.R.’s, ex-Champions W. H. Ballinger and Williams, Bombardier Howe (winner of the Union Company’s and Carbine Belts), and Mr Kuchen, District Champion, besides a great many of the Guards and other rifle corps. The Chairman, the Mayor, and the Minister of Defence made speeches, at the conclusion of which Captain Patterson presented Mr Ballinger, who was wearing the Champion belt, with a large and handsomelyframed portrait of himself, as a gift from his comrades. The Champion very modestly and briefly acknowledged all the compliments, after which songs were given by Lieutenants Hume and Kirk and Mr G. Munt, and recitations by Captain Patterson, Lieutenant Purdy, and Sergeant Hales, the party winding up with ‘ Auld Lang Syne.’