PERSONAL NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 22, 1 December 1909, Page 6

PERSONAL NOTES.

The Rev. John Arnold Kempthome will return to Auckland next month, after an absence in the Old Country extending over three years. ■Commissioner Hay, of Melbourne, officer commanding the Salvation Army in Australasia, and Mrs. Hay are expected to pay a visit to New Zealand during January. • Mr. Frank Haig, of Dunedin, and Mr. Bert. Humphries, of -Melbourne, wera passengers by the Main ~ Trunk ~ train from the South last week, and are staying at the Star Hotel. ‘..sr ’ Mr. Robert Parker, of Wellington, has been selected as judge for the vocal and instrumental music at the Napier musical and elocutionary competitions , in August next year. —Press Association. Mr. G. F. Foreman, late chairman of the National Dairy Association, ■ and ehairman of the Clifton County Council, was presented at a complimentary social by the settlers of Te Korangi with a gold watch and chain.—Press Association. •“■■■ Another of Taranaki’s first settlers passed away at New -Plymouth last week, Mr. Henry Revell, at the age of seventy-seven years. Deceased landed in New Plymouth by the William Bryan on March 31st, 184], being then nine years of age. - . ’

n Mrs. Blomfield, of Wood-street, Ponttonby, who celebrated her ninety-fifth birthday at the beginning of the week, (has the distinction of claiming 101 living descendants, the majority of whom were present at a great family reunion on sfa>nday. Arriving in 1863, -with a small family, she has lived to see her descendants number 110—children 9, grandchildren 37, great-grandchildren 61, and grfat-great-grandchildren 3. Telegrams ®f congratulation were received from Sir Joseph Ward, the Hon. Geo. Fowlds, and others, while a letter was read at )the gathering from the management and congregation of the Baptist Tabernacle, »f which Mrs. Blomfield has long been a member, wishing her health to enjoy (many more years of happiness and prosperity. The late Mr. John Alexander Craig, whose death took place at Parnell last week, had suffered from ill-health for some time, and ■several weeks ago underwent an operation at a private hospital, but although hopes were entertained by his relatives and friends almost to the last, he gradually sank. The deceased, who iwas the youngest son of the late Mr. William Craig, proprietor of the ‘‘SouthHand News,” was only 21 years of age at the time of his death, and was a young man full of promise in his profession, while his sterling personal qualities made him a firm favourite with his friends and confreres, all of whom will deeply sympathise with his bereaved relatives in losing one at the threshold of manhood whose future career showed so brightly. He had been a member of the literary staff of the “Auckland Star” for Ithe past 21 years, previous to which he was on the staff of the Government Survey Department, having entered the service after a brilliant career at school. The funeral cortege left the residence of bis mother, Mrs. Craig, Avalon, Glad-stone-road on Thursday afternoon, dor Purewa Cemetery., the officiating minister being the Rev. Canon ■MacMurray. Included among the floral emblems were wreaths from the literary staffs of the “New Zealand Herald” and “Auckland Star,” ■while a large number of telegraphic messages of sympathy were received from different parts of the Dominion. • Mr. F.- S. Pope is gazetted permanent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, and Mr. J. D. Ritchie, late Secretary, Land Purchase Inspector, both appointments to date from November 11. Dr. Bell, Government director of geological research, was a passenger for Gisborne by the Monowai on Saturday. Mr. George James Bruee, of Bangkok, journalist, has been appointed a Commissioner of the Supreme Court of New Zealand for the purpose of administering and taking oaths and affidavits in Siam. Mr. Will Crooks, M.P., British Labour leader, and Mrs. Crooks, Mayoress of (Poplar, was tendered a civic welcome in the concert chamber of the Wellington Town Hall last week. There was a large audience, and the Mayor (Dr. Newman) presided. —Press Association. The Wellington Harbour Board last week decided to continue in the board’s service Captain Henry Johnson, harbourmaster, he having attained the age of sixty years, and to authorise the (retiring allowance trustees to retain for investment the proceeds of his life insurance policy maturing December 28th, 1909. Members acknowledged the valuable services that Captain Johnson had rendered to the board. Mr. John F. Kirby, late of the Union Company's headquarters staff, Dunedin, ■who recently resigned from the service, is now assistant wharfinger at Sydney for the North Coast Steamship Company. Mr. Kirby was one of the widestknown identities in shipping circles throughout New Zealand. For years he conducted cases for the Union Company before the Arbitration Court, and otherwise proved a valuable servant to that company. The Rev. and Mrs. G. H. Cole were passengers for Sydney 'by the Wimmera on Monday, on a six months' holiday trip.

The Meritorious Service Medal has been awarded to Quartermaster-Ser-geant John Doncaster and Sergeant Jplm Murray, of the Royal New Zealand Artillery. A presentation took place at the Official Assignee’s rooms last week to Mr. Jos. M. West, who has left the staff for an appointment in the Service of Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Co., the members of the staff presenting him With a handsome silver salver, suitably inscribed, as a token of esteem and good-

will upon his severance from the office after an association of six years. The presentation was made by the assignee (Mr. E. Gerard) in a few happy remarks, several members of the staff adding their congratulations. Mr. and Mrs. J. Nathan, of Melbourne, and Mr. F. Daniel, of Palmerston North, were arrivals by the Main Trunk train on Saturday, and are staying at the Star Hotel. A Press Association telegram states that Archdeacon Averill will be consecrated Bishop of Waiapu in the Napier Cathedral on January 16th. The preacher will be the Bishop of Christchurch. Archdeacon Averill resigns charge of St. Michael’s Parish at the end of the year, preaching his farewell sermons on January 2nd. Another old identity has passed away in the person of Mr. Robert Strong, at the age of 91 years. Mr. Strong arrived in Auckland in the ship Lord Burley in 1855. He served in the Maori War under Captains Daldy and Guilding. His wife pre-deceased him nearly three yeans ago. He leaves a grown-up family of one son and six daughters, also 50 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.