Personal Paragraphs.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue XIV, 25 September 1897, Page 431

Personal Paragraphs.

LADY RANFURLY paid a visit to the Wellington Convalescent Home during last week, being shown over the building by the matron and Mrs Maxwell (secretary), and expressed great satisfaction with all the arrangements, and charmed the patients by her pretty little speeches to each one.

Lady Ranfurly, accompanied by Mrs Skeffington Smyth and Captain Alexander, called on Mrs Seddon last Saturday afternoon. Lady Ranfurly was wearing a handsome black satin gown trimmed with jet and chiffon, fur collarette, and black chiffon toque brightened with cerise pink tips; Mrs Skeffington Smyth looked nice in a mauve gown trimmed with figured velvet to match, and large black hat with feathers.

An unfortunate accident happened to a great favourite round about Whakarewarewa. A young Maori girl, Lucy Ngapuna, of the Tuhourangi tribe, fell into a boiling spring last Thursday night as she was coming out of Paul’s She was so scalded that she died in great pain the next morning.

Mr George Humphries, who, it will be remembered, takes charge of the Press Association interest at the Wakapuaka Cable Station, received a useful recognition of his valuable services prior to his departure from Wellington. The pressmen of that city presented him through Mr J. T. M. Hornsby with a purse of sovereigns. Quite a column of nice little speeches was contributed by Messrs W. H. A tack, R. E. Bannister, J. R. Gibbons, P. J. Nolan and Fred Weston, to which Mr Humphries suitably replied.

Two Christchurch girls have been taking very high honours at the examination in connection with the School of Medicine, Edinburgh University—Miss Ada Wilkinson and Miss Catherine Leach, particularly the former, gaining in one subject 100 per cent., the lowest in any subject being 81 per cent. She also secured a scholarship value Zj>o with an average of 89 per cent. Miss Wilkinson was educated at the Girls’ High School, Christchurch, and matriculated at Canterbury College.

Mr A. Austin, who has been absent for two or three years, finishing up his travel with England and the Jubilee, arrived in Onehunga last week. He is a son of Captain Austin, of the ' Glenelg,’ and has just passed his chief officer’s examination.

Miss Pbarcr, M.A., of Dunedin, has been appointed assistant mistress at the Girls’ College, Nelson.

Mrs A. M. Clark is the guest ot Mrs Macdonald, Christchurch, and Miss Alma Clark is staying with Mrs J. J. Kinsey, Merivale.

Mrs H. J. Miller and Miss Miller, of Oamaru, are staying with Mrs J. R. Jones, Dunedin.

Mrs Ranald Macdonald returned to Christchurch from her visit to Dunedin last week.

Mrs (Captain) Dalton (Picton) has lately been a victim to influenza, but is now on the road to recovery.

Mr John Dixon (Jack) of Mount Albert, who is assisting his brother, Mr Clement Dixon, at the Thames, is at present paying a few days’ visit to Aucklsnd.

Mr and Mrs Robert Parker, of Wellington, have spent about ten days in Christchurch. Mr Parker returned by the ‘ Westralia,’ Mrs Parker is remaining as the guest of Mrs F. Knowles for a week or two.

Mr S. Marks, who has formed part of the United Societies Band, New Plymouth, was presented by its members on September 9th with a handsomely silvermounted meerschaum pipe as a slight remembrance of them, as he was leaving the district. Band master Cottier made the presentation on behalf of the bandsmen, and expressed his regret at Mr Marks leaving them.

Mrs R. Mcßae, of Wellington, is visiting Mrs J. Aiken, Opawa, Christchurch.

Miss Bertha Atkinson has returned to Auckland from Wellington after a very pleasant trip.

Mr and Mrs Dignan, of Auckland, are staying with Mrs R. B. Smith, Thompson Road, Napier.

Mr McDonald, who for seven years has been head teacher of the Kaimata School (Taranaki), was on September 2nd presented with an address by the pupils of the school, a handsome travelling bag, and a purse of money. Mr McDonald has retired from the teaching profession with a view of starting as a chemist and druggist in Auckland.

SEVERAL Christchurch people are expected back shortly. Mr Isaac Gibbs was quite himself again when the last mail left England, and they are now on their way back to our shores, also Mr and Mrs Robert McDougall.

Mr Kent, Chairman of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, has been on a short visit to Taranaki.

Mr H. J. Howard, beadmaster of the Tua Marina school, has been promoted to Springlands. Mr and Mrs Howard will not be so near to their old Picton homes, nor so often in Picton perhaps but their friends are all glad to congratulate them, and they will be close to some other near and dear friends at Springlands—Mr and Mrs J. Conolly, and Mr and Mrs J. Mowat.

Mr J. Grattan Grey, Chief of the Hansard Staj}, with Mrs Grey, has been making a short visit to New Plymouth.

Mrs Douglas McLean, of Napier, is on a visit to Wellington.

Miss Butler, who for many years resided in New Plymouth, but who left for England some time since, has returned to Taranaki with a view now of settling down there.

Miss Nellie Cotterill, of Napier, has returned from a visit to the country.

Miss Rattray, of Dunedin, is visiting Dr. and Mrs Thomas at Timaru. She was present at the Waimataitai ball last week.

Mrs Price, of Waipukurau, is staying at the Masonic Hotel, Napier.

Miss May Whitelaw, ot Auckland, has left Wellington for Napier, where she purposes staying a short time with her brother, Mr Thomas Whitelaw, Manager South British Insurance Company.

Miss H. Munro, of New Plymouth, is staying with Mrs Roger Kingdon, Nelson.

Rev. H. Mason (late certificated lecturer on agriculture to the Science and Arts Department, London), gave a lecture to the members of the Taranaki Farmers’ Club in New Plymouth on Saturday, September nth.

Mrs J. W. Henton and the Misses Henton returned to Auckland on Monday by the ‘Tarawera’ after a six months’ tour through Queensland and the Australian colonies. They have benefited very much by the change.

Mr C. D. WhiTCOMBE delivered a most interesting lecture on ‘ Tonga ; Its Customs and Land Tenure ’ in New Plymouth. Mr Whitcombe spent many years in Tonga, and held an official position there for some time.

The second engineer of the ‘ Waihora,’ Mr Cargill, is taking the place of Mr Smith, chief engineer of the • Ovalu,’ for this trip. Miss Elworthy is at present staying with Mrs Webster, Northcote, Dunedin. Miss A. Bell (Nelson) has gone to visit friends in Wellington. Mrs Vining returned to Nelson this week after a short trip to Wellington. Miss Cook (Christchurch) is the guest of Mrs Sale, Dunedin. Mrs Duckworth and Miss L. Eyes are staying in Picton just now. They are at Allport’s, and their many old friends will be glad to welcome them back. Mrs Woodhouse (New Plymouth) is at present in Auckland. Mr D. Corrigan, of the Bank of New Zealand, Nelson, has been transferred to Motueka. He will be much missed from Nelson, especially by the Amateur Operatic Company, as he was one of the most successful actors. Mr McDiarmid, after his six weeks’ holiday, has returned to his home in New Plymouth. Mrs Gregg (Mahakipawa) has, with her little girl Elsie, been in Picton for a few days. Mrs Hay, of Remuera, Auckland, expects her youngest daughter and also her married daughter, Mrs Foster, back from Sydney in a few days. The former had the misfortune to break her arm when in Sydney through being thrown from a horse. Mrs Foster and Miss Hay have been staying in Sydney with their brother, who resides there. The Rev. F. G. Masters is the new curate who has been chosen by the Bishop of Wellington to assist the Rev. T. H. Sprott, Vicar of St. Paul’s of that city. The curate is young, with splendid testimonials, and his advent in February is properly looked forward to by earnest lady church-workers in the parish. A Maori of Masterton, Taite Tau, had the honour of giving to the Prince of Wales in person his offering of a beautiful Maori carved walking stick. He also presented to the Duke of York a greenstone mere and a handsome rug. The Agent-General for New Zealand, Mr W. P. Reeves, in comparing the Rotorua Springs with those of the leading health resorts of a similar nature on the Continent, draws most favourable conclusions as to the future of those in New Zealand. Mr and Mrs Featherstone, who have been visiting the Islands and Auckland, left the latter city for Sydney last week. It will be remembered that they formerly lived at the North Shore. Mr Gilbert, who was till recently in the Wellington office of the Mutual Life Association of Australasia, is temporarily succeeded by Mr R. D. Miller, of the Company's Sjdney office.

Mr Alfred Bartley, of Auckland, was the recipient last week of a pleasant recognition of his kindness in acting as honorary pianist at the annual smoke concert given by employees of the firms of Messrs P. Hayman and Co., and Messrs H. E. Partridge and Co. The recognition took the gratifying form of a diamond locket and silver-mounted cane, Mr W. B. Eyre acting as spokesman.

Mrs Blackbtt, of Nelson, has been staying with Mrs Hodson id Blenheim, but has now gone to Wellington, where she intends to spend a week.

Much interest is being taken in the career of Mr George F. K. Adams, 8.A., son of Mr C. W. Adams, Chief Surveyor of Marlborough, who has left for England to study under Mr Wren for the Indian Civil Service Examinations—the highest competitive examination in the United Kingdom. Mr Adams has done remarkably well at the Otago University.

Mrs H. Wynn-Williams, of ‘Dolserau,’ Pelorus Sound, is spending a week or two in Blenheim with her mother, Mrs Waddy.

Miss B. K. Maxwell, from the Thames, has been appointed junior teacher in the Toko school.

Mr A. Brassey, M.P., accompanied by the Misses Brassey, left Auckland for Sydney last week.

A pretty gift was made to Miss Harper, who for some time has been teaching in Te Awamutu. She has been removed, and the presents from her appreciative pupils were sent after her. They consisted of a lacquered glove and handkerchief box and a fan, suitably accompanied by a letter.

Mr W. A. P. Sutton, of Whatawhata, has almost recovered his health, to the great satisfaction of his frieffds.

Mr J. Black was suddenly taken ill in Blenheim last week, but has now quite recovered.

Mr E. P. Houghton, Inspector of the Union S.s. Company, was in Napier last week.

Mr H. S. Robinson left Blenheim for Wellington last week, and thence will go on to Dunedin to join the staff of the Union Bank there.

Sir G. M. O’Rorke, Speaker of the House of Repretentatives, and other Auckland Members left by either the ‘ Gairloch ’ or * Takapuna ’ on Monday, in order to be present at the opening of Parliament on Thursday.

Miss Myra Leslie (Motueka) is staying in Picton tor a few weeks. Part of the time will be spent with Mrs Western at Mount Pleasant.

Miss Buller, of Wellington, has gone to Dunedin to visit Mrs J. Mills and other friends.

Mrs and Miss Fitzroy (Hawke’s Bay) are staying in Wellington with Mrs Williams.

Miss Blakeney (Australia) is the guest of Mrs Pynsent in Wellington.

Mrs J. Marshall (Rangitikei) is the guest of Mrs T. C. Williams in Wellington.

Mrs Lusher has accompanied her father, Mr J. J. Holland, M.H.R., for Auckland, to Wellington for a short visit during the session.