Personal Paragraphs.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue V, 1 August 1903, Page 337

Personal Paragraphs.

His Excellency the Governor (Lord Ranfurly) will arrive by the Ngapuhi on Friday, July 31, and " will visit the .Veterans’ Home at Epsom on his way to town. Ou Friday evening His Excellency will be present at the Garrison social at the Brill Hall. His Excellency the Governor, Lady Kanfurly and Lady Constance Knox are expected in Christchurch for the Grand National Meeting the second week in August, and will be the guests of Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes at “Te Koraha,” Mcrivale. Miss Mina Banks, of Thames, is visiting her sister, Mrs Stafford, of Waihi. Mr F. Monro has been elected president of the Westport Chamber of Commerce. Miss Dunn is back in Wellington, after a visit to Sydney. Dr. Eccles (Mongonui) arrived in Auckland on Friday last, on a short visit. Messrs A. and J. McLeod, of Auckland, are on a visit to Wellington. Miss Glendinning. of Wairoa, is paying a visit to Wellington. Miss A. Cholmondeley (Christchurch) has gone on a visit to Wellington. Mr C. Wright, of New Plymouth, has been on a visit to Sydney. Messrs J. and W. Moore (Stratford) have left on a trip to England. Mr O. Samuel, of New Plymouth, has returned from his trip to Wellington. Mrs Purdie (Whangarei) is visiting friends in Auckland. Mrs Searvel (Christchurch) and her little boy are at Sumner for a change. Miss N. Wilson (Bulls) is visiting friends in Wellington. Mrs Woodhouse, of Dunedin, is the guest of Mrs A. Pearce, Wellington. Rinking is quite the favourite pastime at Thames and 'Waihi this winter. Mrs J. Mason (Whangarei) has returned from Auckland. Mr and Mrs Dan Riddiford (Rangitikei) are on a short visit to Wellington. Miss Gray is the guest of Mrs Moore, Tennyson-street, Napier. Mr A. R. Crane, auctioneer, of Whangarei, has gone to Sydney on business. Miss Maud Williams is staying at Government House, Wellington. Mr and Miss Wilson (Bulls) paid a flying visit to Wellington lately. Mrs Seddon is back in Wellington, after a visit to Mrs Trask, Nelson. Mrs Lee-Smith, Dunedin, is in Wellington at present. Mr. and Miss Kirk have left Whangarei for their home iii Hamilton. Miss Montgomerie, of Wanganui, is the guest of Mrs Tavener, of Rangitikei. Mr H. Wilson (Wanganui) is visiting Cambridge, Waikato. Mr C. Wilson, of Mangamahu, is spending a few weeks in Wellington. Mrs Borlase, of Wanganui, is visiting friends at Parnell, Auckland. Rev. Dr. Brown, head of the Methodist Mission, arrived from the Islands by the Hauroto. Mr and Mrs Woodroffe and Mr and Mrs Wardrop (Christchurch) went up to Wellington to the winter races. Mr J. Gaw, chief traffic manager at the head office, is paying the Hot Lakes a visit during his holiday leave. Mr W. J. Meddings, Inspector of Telegraphs for the Auckland district, is spending a short holiday in Wellington. Mr Morris, of the railway workshops staff, has been transferred to the Newmarket office staff, Mr and Mrs Alex. Boyle, of Christchurch, are staying at Government House, in Wellington. Mr and Mrs Godfrey Pharazyn are staying in Wellington with Mrs Pharazyn, llobson-street. Mr Henry Mason has left Gisborne, en route for America. He will be much missed by a large circle of friends. Mrs J. IL Fleming, of Ardrossan, Waiheke, is at present on a holiday visit to relatives at Opotiki. Miss Woodhouse (Dunedin) is the guest of Mrs Denniston, Durham-street, Christchurch.

Dr. A. Scott, M.A., recently practising in Whangarei, has gone on a trip to the Waikato. Mr E. J. Barnett has returned to Wellington after a business trip to Sydney and Melbourne. Miss W. Thomson, of New Plymouth, has been appointed a eadet in the Edusation Board ofllec. Miss J. Hill (Papanui, Christchurch) has gone to stay with Mrs Duncan Cameron, Methven. Mrs Menzies (Bay of Islands) is staying in Napier with her mother, Mrs Gruehy. Mr D. Mason, late of the S.M. Court, Paeroa, has been transferred to Whangarei. Mr and Mrs C. J. Pan-, of Ponsonby, Auckland, are on a short visit to W aikato. Mrs Briffault and her two children left Auckland by the Takapuna last Monday. Mr W. Kerr, of New Plymouth, has been appointed Crown Prosecutor at Stratford. Mr R. Sadler Smith, formerly of the Manawatu district, is about to take up his residence in Dannevirke. Mrs Skinner, sen., and Mrs Skinner, jun., have returned to New Plymouth after a most delightful trip to Sydney. Mrs W. Fitzgerald has returned to Wellington after a year’s absence in South Africa and England. Miss Denniston and Miss Reynolds, Dunedin, are staying at Miss Malcolm's, Wellington. Mr Smallbone, of the Post and Telegraph Department, Westport, has been transferred to Lyttelton. Mr and Mrs Alan Strang and Mr W. Strang, Palmerston North, are visiting Wellington. Bishop Julius has returned to Christchurch, looking very bronzed and well, from a trip to the West Coast. Mr G. Bridge. Rongomai. is leaving that district and intends to settle in tlie Old Country. Mrs F. C. Brown has returned to her home at the Komata Reefs mine, after a fortnight’s absence in Auckland. Sir George Clifford has returned to Christchurch after a trip to Wellington for the races. Mr and Mrs J. Studholme, Canterbury, and Mr and Mrs Woodroffe, Christchurch, are visiting Wellington. Captain McClatehie (Christchurch), I regret to say, is very seriously ill (writes our Christchurch correspondent). Miss Farmer, of Gisborne, who has been visiting her sister, Mrs. Foster, at Whangarei, has returned home. Mrs. and Miss Dorothy Martin, Wha ngarie, are at present in Auckland visiting the city to hear Mark Hambourg, Mr Cecil Bell, of the Railway Department, Shortland, is on relieving duty at Frankton. Dr. and Mrs Skerman, of Marton, paid a flying visit to Wanganui a few days ago. Mrs and Miss Wilford, of Wanganiu, have gone to live at the Hutt, Wellington. Miss Graham, of Dunedin, has lately been the guest of Mrs Montgomerie, “Eagle Sham Wanganui. Mrs and Miss Cohen, of Wellington, are spending a few weeks in Wanganui ■with Mr Louis Cohen, Mr Reginald Williamson, of Gisborne, is paying a visit to his relatives in Auckland, Miss Ella Burke has returned to Napier, after a long visit to Christchurch and Dunedin, Mrs and the Misses Stewart, of Wanganui, are visiting friends in Wellington and Feilding. Colonel Newell, of Wellington, has been visiting Colonel and Mrs Watt, Wanganui. Nurse Fanner, late of Wellington, has joined the staff of the Gisborne Hospital. Captain J. Taw is now in charge of the Terranora, Captain E. McLeod having gone ashore on sick leave. Mrs Rose (Wellington) is tl-.j guest of her sister-in-law, Mrs Houghton, Glad-stone-road, Parnell. Mr C. H. Baines has been appointed a member of the Hawke's Bay Land Board. <

Mr James Frewin, of Feilding, begins a round-the-world trip by the San Francisco boat on July 31, Mr Benge, headmaster of the Waihi high school, is still seriously ill with rheumatic fever. Miss Lyndon, who has been staying with her sister, Mrs Brabazon, of Wellington, has returned to her home in Sea Point-road, Napier. Mr and Mrs W. Wood will shortly move into their new house, Springfieldroad, which is just completed (writes our Christchurch correspondent). Mr Clement Wragge, the Australian meteorologist, who has been lecturing successfully in Australia, will shortly pay a visit to New Zealand. Miss Ainy Walker, of Tararu, Thames, who is staying with her sister, Mrs G. Purchas, of Melbourne, has postponed her home-coming until December. Mr Nicholl, boiler inspector of the New Zealand railways, has returned to Wellington, having concluded his work here. Mr and Mrs W. Woodward, of Auckland, are visiting in Christchurch, and will include Hamner Springs in their tour. The chief oflieer of the Forestry Departent of New r Zealand (Mr Matthews) is in Wellington on an official visit accompanied by Mrs Matthews. Miss E. Chaytor, who has been in Wellington as the guest of Lieu t .-Colonel and Mrs Chaytor, has gone South to stay with relations in Christchurch. Mrs F. G. Turner, of Auckland, and her mother, have arrived at the Old Country, and when last heard from were at Killarney. Mr Ivan Standish (New Plymouth) left last week for Wellington. He has obtained a commission in the Wellington Permanent Artillery. Mr and Mrs Gillies, who have been paying a visit to relatives in Auckland, left for the South by the Takapuna on Monday last. Dr. Wallis (Bishop of Wellington) has lost his seat on the Victoria College Council owing to his non return before his leave of absence expired. A subscription dance is to be given in the Onehunga Public Hall on Friday, the 7th August, to raise funds for the Onehunga Public Library. Miss Audrey Carr, of Lower Remuera, has been visiting her sister, Mrs Clendon, at Thames, and the Misses Hague-Smith at Paeroa. Mrs. F. Foote, of Whangarei, has returned home from an enjoyable holiday spent at Te Arolia, the Thames and Auckland. Miss Millington, of Kamo, who has been touring England and the Continent, was visiting friends in Yorkshire when the last mail left. Mr Skelton, late of New’ Plymouth, who has been spending some time in Auckland, has left this city for Wellington. Mr H. F. Christie, of St. John’s Hill. Wanganui, has returned to New Zealand after an enjoyable tour in Japan and China. Mr and Mrs Harold Mumford, of fe Puke, who have been paying a short visit.to Auckland, returned home by the Muritai on Friday last. The Rev. W. Williams, who eame up to Auckland with Dr. Neligan from Napier, returned to the latter town on July 21 by the Westralia. Mrs Carrington, of Whangarei, is in Auckland, and is staying at Mrs Harry Marsaek’s, St. George’s Bay-road, Parnell. Mr Charles Ranson, manager of the Northern S.S. Co., Auckland, was a passenger to New Plymouth by the Ngapuhi on Sunday last.

Mrs Bush, accompanied by Miss Lloyd, paid a flying visit to Auckland last week, returning to the Thames on Friday last. It hile in Auckland they were the guests of Miss Innes, Parnell. Mr B. Prendergast was elected chairman and Mr Hill secretary of the Pokeno branch of the Farmers’ Union at its meeting the other day. A letter of thanks has been sent by the Wellington Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to Miss Thompson, who after many years’ useful service, is resigning through ill-health. Mr Felix McGuire and Mr Frank McGovern, of Haven, who have just concluded the purchase of a considerable estate at Te Awainutu, returned to Hawera last Sunday. Mr and Mrs T. Mulvany, who have been spending some time in the Wairarapa district, have returned to Auckland. They have taken a house near St. Mark’s Church, Remuera. Mr and Mrs H. E. V. Crawford (nee Pharazyn) have returned to Wellington, where they will remain with Mrs Pharazyn for some time, before leaving to take up their residence in England.

A Hand ieap Ping-pong Tournament is to take place at the Choral Hall on Saturday next, to raise funds for the Parnell Children’s Home. There is one for children in the afternoon. At the annual meeting of the Hereford Cattle Breeders’ Association, held at Palmerston North, Mr Geo. Wheeler was elected president and Mr Levett vicepresident. Mr. Fred. Foote, sawmiller, of Whangurei, who is on a tour round the world, writing to a friend, says “He would rather find his way about a kauri bush than about New York.” Mr Cunningham rejoins the Hawea as pi rser, and Air Boyes, who has been on the Hawea for her last few trips while Mr Cunningham was ashore, joins the Koouya at Wellington. Mr 11. Schofield, caretaker of the Nel-son-street school, is resigning, after having been twenty years in that position, having taken up the duty in the year 1883. The marriage of Mr T. R. Fleming, Senior Inspector of Schools under the Wellington Education Board, and Miss Marion Smith, of Melbourne, was celelira ted in Melbourne a few days ago. Mrs Salmon, who left Auckland for South Africa some time ago, has settled in Capetown. She has taken two terrace houses, and intends opening a large boardinghouse. Mr D. J. McGowan, acting-Dairy Commissioner, is in the Taranaki district just now, and he proposes to attend the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association’s winter show before returning to Wellington. Mr Alfred Booth, the well-known Carterton farmer, left Auckland on Monday on a visit to Mr C. Day’s Jersey herd at Tamahere. He will also visit Air F, Luard Wright’s Jersey herd at “Raventherpe,” Drury. Mr C. Hanson and Air W. Laird, manager and superintending engineer of the Northern Steamship Company, were passengers to New Plymouth by the Ngapulii on Sunday. The Kia Ora Ping - Pong Club, Thames, contemplates a visit to Te Aroha next week, to play a return match. The Te Aroha Club won by two games in the match at Thames last week. The Cambridge Girls’ Hockey Club play their return match against the Paeroa Girls'' Club, at Paeroa, early in August. Aliss Alice Kenny, the energetic captain of the latter team, is busy making arrangements to give a dance in the visitors’ honour. Air J. Walsh, who has been postmaster at Dannevirke for ten years, is leaving there for the Bluff. During his residence in Dannevirke he has made a host of friends, who sincerely regret his departure. Dr. Izard, of Wellington, is at present in Napier, taking charge of Dr. Bernan’s practice. The latter is seriously ill, and likely to be confined to the house for some time to etVme. It is unfortunate that' his partner, Dr. Ronald, is away in England just now. Mr J. W. Joynt, Af.A., Registrar of the New Zealand University, has been staying in Napier, and gave an interesting lecture on “Dante and His Times’’ at the Athenaeum Hall there last Tuesday week. Mr R. B. Alathias, clerk of the Alagistrate's Court in Napier, has sufficiently recovered from his recent illness to take up his duties again. Air Patrick, who has been acting in his place, has been appointed Clerk of the Court at Alarton. Mr F. D. Luckie, late secretary of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club, who left New Zealand by the Tongariro some months ago. for the benefit of his health, was greatly improved by the voyage to Englund Air Samuel Brown, of the Arbitration Court, still !i. seriously unwell at Wellington, but il is believed that he will not much longer be confined to his room At present he cannot see visitors, but he is distinctly on the mend

Mr J. H. Fleming, who recently purchased Kawau, has received congratulatory telegrams and messages from a number of the members of the Thames Old Boys’ Association, of which he is one of the leading members. Pome new members of the Wellington Ohamber of Commerce are—Afessrs G. Fitzgerald, F. G. Roach, G. Pirie, L.

Schatz, J. M. Weston, H. Price, C. Bateson, A. Harris, J. W. Pilcher, W. Palmer, J. H. Barker, J. W. Hislop. The members of the telephone and telegraph staffs at the central Auckland office have presented Mr R. J. Coughlan, one of the exchange night staff, with a fine sideboard by way of a wedding present. Mr Seagar made the presentation. Mr John Gondon tendered his resignation from the eonductorship of the Thames No. 2 Battalion Band last week, as he has accepted a similar position with the New Plymouth Garrison Band, lie leaves for the new place in about a week's time. At Wanganui, recently, a purse of sovereigns was presented by the officers and men of the Second Battalion, Wellington Volunteers, to Lieut.-Colonel Newall, who recently retired from command of the district. Wellington exhibitors were very successful at the recetn Kennel Show m Dunedin, Mr J. Mclntosh winning two silver cups and four first prizes, and Mr J. F. Mills, two silver cups and two first prizes. Mrs and Miss Walker, Christchurch, are in Wellington on their usual yearly visit. Mr Dundas Walker is a member of Williamson’s “Are You a Mason?” Company, at present playing in Wellington. The Coromandel Hospital Trustees have accorded Miss Street the honour of a special vote of thanks for her splendid services as matron of the hospital during the past two months, when the staff was shorthanded. Captain Farmer, late of the Union steamer Penguin, has joined the Rotokino as master, relieving Captain Lindsay. Mr H. Swan, of the Poherua, has also joined the vessel as second engineer. The Rev. Dr. Gibb, who has accepted the call to St. John’s Church in Wellington, is spending nt Nelson, along with the members of his family, a few weeks’ holiday before entering on his new duties. Mr W. Spencer, of the local staff of th? Railway Department, who has been promoted to the position of foreman of the goods shed at Invercargill, was on July 22 presented with a silver teapot, a butter knife, and a pipe by his fellow employees in the Auckland sheds. The Rev. and Mrs E. Mitford-Weigalls, of Frodingham Vicarage, Doncaster, who have just arrived from London, will proceed to the Lakes for an extended visit, after spending some days in Auckland. They are being conducted by Messrs Cook. The executive committee of the complimentary banquet to the Hon. J. K. MacDonald, Wellington, has decided to expend the surplus funds in a handsome presentation to Mrs MacDonald, who, with Miss MacDonald, is at present on a visit to England. Mr Harris, who is doing a round-the-world trip in the interests of the wellknown musical firm, Reynolds and Co., London, passed through Wellington last week on his way to the South Island. Mr Harris returns to London via Australia, China, and Japan. Some changes have been made in the staff of the General Post Office at Christchurch. Mr J. S. Miller, formerly senior money order clerk, has been promoted to the position of chief clerk, and Mr C. H. Burton, of Wellington, will succeed him in the money order department. Mr W. Arnott, formerly cne of Wellington’s best sprint runners, and a former member of the Poneke Football Club, ,is at present visiting the colony. Mr Arnott has just returned from Australia, and passed through Auckland recently on his way to Wellington. Captain Inman Sealby. R.N.R., is still in command of the Corinthic, which arrived at Wellington the other day, and the only changes in the list of officers are that Mr W. Hug, formerly of the Delphic, is chief officer and Mr R. J. Large, formerly of the lonic, is purser. Before leaving Wellington for a round-the-world trip, the Rev. J. Paterson, late minister of St. John’s (Presbyterian Church), was entertained at a farewell dinner by the Ministers’ Association, when he was presented with a purse of three hundred sovereigns.

A farewell social was tendered on Thursday of last week to Mr. and Airs. G. Scott, of Ponsonby, prior to their departure to South Africa. There was a large

gathering of friends. Mr Scott was presented with a handsome silver-mounted pipe on behalf of the Tramway Social Committee. The widow of the late General Christian Botha has taken up her permanent residence at Stellenbosch, Cape Colony, where she intends living permanently, so that her children may be educated in that scholastic centre. Christian Botha died shortly after the treaty of peace was signed. At the Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington, a presentation was made to the wife of Mr Jennings, M.H.R. for Egmont, as a souvenir of her husband’s success in the recent election. The gift, which took the form of a gold watch and chain, was presented by the Hon. J. Carroll, Mr Jennings receiving it on behalf of his wife. A large gathering of citizens of Palmerston North made Mr F. Pirani, e» M.H.R., a presentation of an illuminated address and a purse of one hundred sovereigns. Mr Pirani has sold the paper he owned in Palmerston to another firm, and has decided to leave the town for Petone, where he is starting another journal. Mr A. R. Ducker and party of five others are going up to Rotorua for a complete tour of the district. The party are Sydneysiders, who arrived by the Hauroto last week, and they completed their arrangements for the trip through the local branch of the Tourist Department. The Hon. Mahuta, M.L.C., left for Wellington on Sunday by the Ngapuhi, accompanied by Mr H. Kaihau, M.H.R., his private secretary, and several other Maoris. A great crowd of Maoris gathered to bid him good-bye, and the gen-

eral public likewise took a big interest in the event. Mr and Mrs T. Murray, of Canada, have arrived in Auckland from the Islands, and intend visiting the Hot Lakes district under the tutelage of the Gove-, ament Tourist Department. airs Murray is a niece of Sir William Laurier. It is the intention of Mr and Mrs Murray to return to Canada after seeing the Rotorua sights. They have been some time in Australia. Mr M. W. Armstrong, J.P. (Maunu), has returned from a trip to Wellington. He visited Palmerston North, Hawera, and Wanganui, and reports that several people will be coming North in search of land when the weather improves, writes our Whangarei correspondent. Among the visitors to Rotorua who are being escorted by the Tourist Office guides through the Hot Lakes are Mr E. G. Waterhouse, who arrived from Sydney via the Islands last week, Messrs Sydney Clayton and S. A. Lvt.tle. of Stratford; and Mr E. M. Davis, of Melbourne. Mr E. G. Banks, of the Waihi G.M. Company, leaves Auckland for America by the next ’Frisco boat. He will be away for a few months. Mr and Mrs Berkely Stafford, of Waihi, held an “At Home” on Friday evening, July 24th, in his honour, and his many friends entertained him at a smoke concert on Saturday evening all uniting in wishing him a pleasant journey. The Hon. H. Gibbs and party are at present on a visit to the Hot Lakes and Wairakei. Other notable people who have been “doing” the thermal district under the guidance of Messrs Cook and Son are Messrs G. Holme and R. J. Capstick, of Ingleton, York, A. J. B. Little-

ton, of East Barnet, Herts, G. F. Handeock, of Madras, and H. A. Reid, of Bromley, Kent. Mr -and Mrs A. E. Devore and Alisa Devore, of Ponsonby, Auckland, leave for Sydney next Monday in the Westralia. They intend to visit Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, and expect to be away about two months. Airs Collins, of New Plymouth, is in Auckland, and will stay at Mrs Devore’s during their absence. Dr. A. A. Martin, second son of Mr T. Martin, of the Railway Department, Lumsden, has returned home after eight years absence in the Old Country, during which he passed a brilliant course at Edinburgh. Whilst the South African war was in operation he was attached to base hospitals at Middleburg, Howick, and Pretoria. Mr R. E. Mcßae, a Patea farmer, who recently returned to New Zealand after a long visit to South Africa, is at present in Wellington in connection with his scheme of inaugurating a special settlement of New Zealanders in the Transvaal. Mr Mcßae states that many people in Taranaki look upon his proposal favourably. The Misses D. and I. Aiderton opened a fine academy of music at Whangarei last Saturday'in Foster’s new brick buildings. The building taken for the purpose is 70ft by 30ft, with high plateglass windows. It is the finest establishment of the kind outside of Queen street. The building was blocked with sightseers on opening night. Mr John Ogg, who has been a member of the Dunedin Caledonian Society for the past 30 years, has left the Southern city to go to the West Coast, but before he left the society presented him with a gold locket inscribed neatly. Mr Ogg was at one time a keen competitor in athletics, and in his later years was on the directorate of the society. Dr. Hall, who recently returned to the colony after obtaining his L.R.C.P. in England, has been appointed to the position of senior house surgeon at the Dunedin Hospital for the remainder of the late Dr. G. P. Brown’s term, which ends in February next. The hospital trustees expressed their gratification at being able to secure Dr. Hall’s services again. He is a graduate in medicine of the New Zealand University, and was formerly in charge of the hospital. Mr and Mrs R. Fenwick, accompanied by Miss Fenwick, who have been on a visit to the Old Country, returned to Auckland last Saturday by the Delphic. They went Home by way of America and were much impressed with the trip across that vast country. Their tour through England and Scotland was a most interesting one, and Mr and Mrs Fenwick and their daughter have thoroughly enjoyed their run Home. Mr and Mrs Fenwick intend to reside at Lake Takapuna. On Friday, July 24, the members of the Paeroa Volunteer Fire Brigade presented Mr J. Hunt with a very handsome set of pipes, in a case, on the occasion of his severing his connection with the brigade. Mr Hunt has been a member of the brigade since its creation, and has been captain for the past five years. He has been a very energetic and popular member of the force, and his services were highly eulogised by his brother members at the meeting. The many friends of Mr Langton M. Carter, formerly partner in the firm of Messrs. R. Burrow and Co., house and land agents, of this city, will be pleased to learn that he has recently succeeded to the responsible and lucrative agency of the Earl of Bradford’s Lancashire estate, which has an annual rental of about £90,000. Mr Carter retains pleasant recollections of his residence in Auckland, and keeps up an interesting correspondence with his former partner and other friends.

Mr and Mrs Harvey, of “Rahiri,” Mt. Roskill, celebrated their silver wedding on Monday week with a gathering at their house. Many handsome souvenirs of the occasion were presented, and congratulations were innumerable. In 1872 Mr Harvey came out from London in the ship Queen Bee, and on board that ship met his future wife, then a young girl. In 1878 Mr Harvey, after many voyages in many ships, left the sea and married his wife, and has been in the ship chandling business in Auckland ever since, being now attached to the firm of Ross and Ansenne.

Mr G. H. Scholefield, who has left the “N.Z. Times” staff for the Christchurch “Press” literary staff, was presented by his confreres on the former paper with a souvenir of their esteem on the eve of his departure. Mr G. Sehwabe, of the Napier “Herald,” who has taken his place on the “Tinies” staff, was the object of a publie farewell at Napier, where he was publicly presented with a gold chain and greenstone Albert by a number of citizens, and a pair of field glasses by the members of the “Herald” staff. Among the scholars at Eton on the occasion of the recent fatal fire was Russell Hornby, who is the son of an exChristchurch resident. His father, Sir Harry Hornby, M.P., writing to a friend, states that his son had a marvellous escape from being burnt to death. He was badly burned on both ears, the nose, right hand, and back of the head, and was being nursed by Lady Hornby at the headmaster’s house, where he was reported to be doing well. Lady Hornby was a daughter of Captain Raymond Brown, who lived for many years in Christchurch, and it is understood that she was born in Christchurch. Captain William Gilmer, whose death was announced this week, was the only son of the late George W. Gilmer, formerly of the Bank of New South Wales in this city. He was born in Auckland. Choosing the sea as a profession, he made several voyages to the Old Country in sailing ships. He afterwards was with the late Captain Norris in the intercolonial trade, and was for some time in the service of the N.S.S. Company, and also with the Union S.S. Company. When leaving the latter service he was appointed master of the brigantine Aratapu, which he sailed for some years, until compelled by the state of his health to retire. Captain Gilmer was married to Gertrude, a daughter of the late well-known Captain Barker, of the whaler Rosario, of New Bedford, U.S.A. He leaves a widow, but no family. Miss. M. A. Smith, who for over 20 years has held the position of mistress at the Devonport school, was on July 22nd presented with a handsome illuminated address by the members of last year’s school committee. Mr P. F. Mason presented the address, which expressed the sincere regret of the committee at Miss Smith’s resignation owing to ill-health, and their very high appreciation of her services. The address was in the unique form of a school slate, with an artistic background, clematis and Christmas tree flowers being used in the decoration. The text of the address was written in white lettering on the slate, the effect being very striking. The address was the work of Mr Alf. Bartley. At a special general meeting of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association tion held at Wellington recently, Mr A. Young presided. Mr G. Goldie was unanimously elected secretary in place of Mr J. Paton, who has resigned. Delegates from the following provinces were present:—Wellington (Mr C. Fraser), Nelson (Mr F. Laishley), Otago (Mr H. A. Parker), Mr Freeman (Christchurch), Auckland (Mr W. S. Sloman), Taranaki (Mr A. Young), Hawke’s Bay (Mr A. Jones). It was decided to hold the next New Zealand Championship Meeting at Napier. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Laishley for having acted as secretary during the interim. Over-sea visitors to Wellington include Mr and Miss Axup (London), Mr Bullen, Mrs Gregson, Mrs Turtle (England), Mr E. J. Boyle (San Francisco), Mr A. J. Willis (England), Mr H. Besseker (Birmingham), Mr and Mrs C. R. Inman (London), Colonel Templeton (Melbourne), Francis Bartlett (Devon, England), Miss B. Howitt (Perth, West Australia), Miss Eileen Munro (London), Miss E. de Vane (New South Wales), Mrs Jabez Cowles (United States), Mr W. Ham (England), Mr E. Cholerton (Victoria), Mr W. G. Evans (Queensland), Mr C. O. Bell (Twickenham, England), Mrs Maxwell and Miss Kingston (Charleston), Mr Owen Hutchison (London), Mr W. H. Bain (Massachusetts), Mr E. G. Eager (Toledo, United States America), Mr A. Keirle (Sydney).

A pleasant gathering took place on Saturday, when the Auckland staff of the Sun Insurance Office met and presented their general manager, Mr F. n. Pickering,

with an illuminated photograph bearing the following inscription:—“Presented by the Staff of the Sun Insurance Office (New Zealand Branch) to their General Manager, Mr F. H. Pickering, as a token of their esteem, on the Sixth Anniversary of the Opening of the New Zealand Branch.” Mr W. C. Hutchings, chief clerk and accountant, in making the presentation, referred to the pleasant relations which had always existed between their general manager and his staff, and the kind consideration which he (Mr Pickering) had at all times shown for them. Mr Pickering having returned thanks for the fine series of photographs and kindly expressions of the staff, the gathering terminated. The photographs and illuminating were the work of Mr W. H. Bartlett, and were splendidly executed.