People Talked About

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue IV, 26 July 1902, Page 194

People Talked About

Another Successful Aucklander. In these columns last week appeared a picture of Mr Donald Murray, the inventor, an old Auckland boy, with a short sketch of his career. Below we give a portrait of Dr. Lambert Hepenstal Ormsby, another old Aucklander, who has just been elected to the high position of president of the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland. Dr. Ormsby was born at Onehunga Lodge, Auckland, in July, 1849, was educated at the Parnell Grammar School, and finally left Auckland in 1863 at the age of 14. Mr Ormsby is a graduate in arts and M.D. of Dublin University, a member of the senate, fellow and late member of the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons, one of the senior surgeons of the Meath Hospital and County Dublin Infirmary, surgeon to the National Children's Hospital, consulting surgeon to the Drummond Military School (Chapelizod), honorary con-

sulting surgeon to the Dublin branch of Institute of Journalists, fellow of the Royal Medico-Chirurgical Society of London* and fellow of the Royal Academy of Medicine (Ireland). Dr. Ormsby is the son of the late George Owen Ormsby, C.E., Surveyor-General of the Auckland district, some 50 years ago. Be belongs to the senior branch of the Ormsby family in Ireland. being descended from Sir Edward Ormsby. M.P., Tobbervady. and Grange. Co. Roscommon, and his immediate relatives have served with distinction in the army, the law. the Church, and the public service. His only son is a graduate of arts and medicine of Dublin University. and now an officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps, lately returned from South Africa. In public life Mr Ormsby is well known for his activity ol mind ami the indomitable energy hr devotes to every work he undertakes. 0 0-0 0 0 The Breaking Strain. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, the announcement of whose early retirement. owing to the strain of office, has come together with the news of Lord Salisbury's retirement, has won for himself the special reputation of lading an emimmtl\ “safe " financier. He ha* been regarded as safe all through his political career. He is the eldest son of the late Sir Michael Hicks Hicks-Beach, of \\ illiamst rip Park. Gloucestershire, the eighth baronet, and he was born in Port u-gal-street. London, in 1837. From Eton he was sent to Christ Church. Oxford (8.A., 1858; M.A., 1861; Hon.

D.C.L., 1878). In July, 1864, he was elected M.P. for East Gloucestershire. He was Parliamentary Secretary to the Poor Law Board from February till December, 1868, with the exception of a few wrecks, during- which he was Under-Secretary for the Home Department. When the Conservatives again came into office in February. 1874, Sir M. Hicks-Beach was appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland. On taking that office he was sworn on the Privy Council, and in 1877 he was admitted to a seat in the Cabinet. In February. 1878, he was nominated Secretary of State for the Colonies, in the place of Lord Carnarvon. who had resigned in consequence of a difference with his colleagues on the Eastern question Sir M. Hicks-Beach went out of office with bis party in April. 1880, and on the accession of Lord Salisbury to power was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, with the leadership of the House of Commons, June. 1885. This he held till Mr Gladstone’s return to power. On the dissolution in 1886 he was returned again for West Bristol, which he had previously represented, and accepted the office of Chief Secretary for Ireland, vacated by Mr John Morley. He resigned this office from ill-health, March, 1887, and in February. 1888, was appointed President of the Board of Trade, and retained that office until August. 1892. In 1895 he again became Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sil- Michael is a magistrate for Gloucestershire, and was for fourteen years captain in the Royal North Gloucestershire Militia. o o o o o

The Century Record. Among New Zealanders who have almost completed their hundred years Mrs Kitchen, of the Thames, whose picture we give herewith, is a notable example on account of the remarkable way in which She bears her great age. Although now in her 96th year she enjoys the most perfect health and spirits, and takes a keen interest in all that is going on. From her appearance there is every probability that she will attain her century; indeed, there is no reason wthy she should not live for many years beyond it, as we sincerely hope she will. Mrs Kitchen has been 32 years in the colony, and has resided at the Thames most of the time. o o o o o The Late Corporal Harris. The many friends of Corporal Harris will recognise in the accompanying portrait the familiar features of one of the best fellows the North ever sent to the war. Ernest Walter Harris, whose death by an accident after he had safely passed through all the dangers of the war, was deeply mourned by all who knew him. He was the son of the late Captain G. B. Harris, master of several of the well-known traders of the old “Circular Saw” line of Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane. He was educated at the Onehunga Grammar School, and was well known then and subsequently in football and athletic circles. He volunteered for South Africa with the Fifth New Zealand Contingent, and during its period of service was attached to the No. 1 Battery, and took part in all the actions in which it was engaged. He passed through the whole campaign without a scratch or a day’s illness, and was among the

most popular non-commissioned officers of the contingent. After his return to this colony about a year ago he joined his brother, Mr H. A. Harris. of Glenmurray, in a bush farm at Te Rau-o-moa. Kawhia County. While clearing one of the boundary lines, preparatory to fencing, he was severely struck by the projecting limb of a falling matai, and injured internally. He was taken with all possible despatch to Pirongia, where medical aid was procured, but this proved unavailing, and he died on May Ist last, the day following the occurrence of the accident. Corporal Harris was of a quiet unassuming disposition, and the many who. like the writer, enjoyed his friendship, knew well how true-hearted and genuine a friend he was. He was a splendid horseman, and when resident near Auckland was a constant follower of the hounds. A

good comrade, a true man, and a generous friend, the world would be the better if there were more like him.

In another part of this issue we give an interesting interview with Sister Littlecott, of Ashburton, who recently returned on a short furlough from South Africa, where she has been engaged in nursing the sick and wounded. The First Lady In the Land. Scotland, the land of romance and legend, will have no fairer representative at the Coronation ceremonies in London than the Duchess

cf Somerset. Now that there is no Duchess of Norfolk, her Grace of Somerset ranks above every feminine subject of King Edward: but she is exceedingly modest, and. in spite of her many accomplishments, has never taken a prominent place in fashionable society. I'he Duchess is a very good shot and has often accompanied her husband on important sporting expeditions. She became a devotee of the wheel long before cycling became a passing craze in the smart set. She has literary tastes and has been a frequent and acceptable contributor to the best English magazines of her day.