Personal Notes

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8, 21 August 1912, Page 5

Personal Notes

THE death occurred last week o' an old Palmerston resident, named William Fraser. Deceased was 81 years of age, and enjoyed excellent 'health until about a week ago, succumbing finally to aneurism of the heart. He was born on the Jamons battlefield of Culloden, in In-irera-ees, and first came to 'the colonies 57 years ago. He landed in Melbourne, land took part in the Eureka Stockade (affair, subsequently going 'to -Dunedin, and afterwards participating in the Gabriel’s Gully and other noted gold rushes. Then -he went once ’more, to the (Victorian goldfields, and back again to Otago and Westland, following (the vicissitudes of the fields. Twenty-three years ago he went to Palmerston North, and settled there, engaging in storekeeping and other pursuits until his retirement some years ago. Mrs Eraser survives him. The death occurred last week of Mr John Craig MKerrow, one of Wellington’s best-known citizens, and particularly popular in bowling circles in Now Zealand for over a quarter- of y century past. The deceased was 70 years of age. (For eight months past his health had been failing, owing -chiefly to a heart affection, and for some time past he had been confined to his bed. He was one of the founders of the Thorndon Bowling Club, of vvliich he had been president, and its delegate on the council of 'the Northern Bowling Association. For many years he was a prominent member of St. Andrew's Church, and for some years held the position of elder. Mr M'Kerrow was born ait Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, and was brought ‘tip as a farmer there. In 1874 he arrived in New Zealand, and engaged in pastoral pursuits near Timaru. He became the owner of the Claremont Station, in that 'district. Abont 20 years ago he went to 'Wellington, and established himself there 'as a land and estate agent. As a land valuer he was frequently employed by the Seddon Government, and was engaged on one occasion to examine the ■claims of old soldiers for recognition of their services to the country in the field. Mr M'Kerrow leaves a widow, one son, and a daughter (Mrs Burnes, wife of 'Mr E. L. Burnes, of the Colonial Mutual Assurance Society, Melbourne).

Archdeacon Brodie, of Waihi, is now progressing speedily towards . recovery after his recent serious illness. Mr. Chas. Boss and Mr. L. K. Schmidt, of Samoa, left on return to the islands by the Tofua last week. Mr. F. B. Allen, formerly Director of the School o-f Mines at the Thames, and now Director of Technical Education in Western Australia, has been given a farewell dinner in Perth, on the eve of his departure for England, by memgers of the staffs of technical schools in the Perth metropolitan area.

Golonel G. W. S. Patterson left on Wednesday for China and the East, via

Wellington, 'the Islands and San Francisco. While in America, Colonel Patterson will represent the Auckland Chamber -of Commerce at 'the fifth International Congress of Chambers of Commence, which is to be held at Boston. Great preparations are being made by the American Government for affording delegates the opportunity of visiting different parts of the United States, so that an adequate idea may be formed of what is being done in America in t-he particular fields of industry in which the delegates are interested. Mr. G. W. S. Patterson, of Auckland, left for Wellington by the Main Trunk express last week, en route for America and the East.

Mr. J. W. Tompkins, of Rangiwahia, lias received word of the death of his brother-in-law. Canon Barton-Pai kes, which occurred at the Church House, Taiping, China, on June 25th. The Rev. Mark Sutton, vicar of Holy Trinity Parish, Devonport, has resigned his charge, as he intends to leave for England next year. His resignation will take effect at the end of March. Amongst the officers aboard the Allen liner Corsican, which collided with a berg off Newfoundland last week, was Mr. Floyd Gillam, son of the Rev. W. E. Gillam, of Auckland. Mr. Gillam is second engineer on thfe Corsican. Mr. G. J. Garland was unanimously re-elected chairman of the Auckland Education Board for another year at last week's meeting of the Board. MrJ. D. McKenzie moved, and Mr. A. R. Harris seconded, the nomination of the retiring chairman, while Mr. IL J. Greenslade spoke in support. Mr. Garland's services as head of the Board during the past year were referred to in the most complimentary terms, and in accepting 'nomination the retiring chairman thanked members for their cordial support and co-operation, A call from Gore, in favour of the Rev. D. D. Scott, of Onehunga, offering a stipend of £3OO and a manse, was submitted to the Auckland Presbi teiy last week. Mr. Scott, in addressing the Presbytery, stated that, in order to prevent the matter being laid before his congregation at Onehunga, he desired that, with permission of the Presbytery, the call be set aside, because he had no desire to leave his people at Onehunga. The Presbytery agreed to the suggestion, and expressed its gratification at the course Mr. Scott had taken in declining to be lured away by a larger stipend. The Hon. Thos- Mackenzie, who has been appointed High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, was the guest of honour at the New Zealand Club s luncheon at Wellington last week. The Rev. T. Bain Macdonald, Presbyterian minister of Mangere ami Otahuhu, has resigned on the ground of illhealth. and relinquishes his duties at the end of -the present month. The Rev. D.

D. Scott has been given charge of th district by the Auckland Presbytery.

Mr. William Fraser, an old resident of Palmerston North, died last week. The deceased was 81 yeans of age, and came to the colonies 57 years ago, when he landed at Melbourne, and took part in the Eureka Stockade, subsequently coining to Dunedin, and joining the Gabriel’s Gully and other noted gold rushes.

Mr George Bolton, a pioneer settler of 1841, and father of Mr F. G. Bolton, solicitor of 'Wellington, died at the latter’s residence in Tinakori Road last ■week-, aged 78 years. The deceased, who was born a‘t Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, arrived in Wellington in company with his ■parents in the ship Clifton in 1841, and with the exception of one 'break, during which, with hundreds of others from Wellington, he. tried his fortune on the Victorian and Otago goldfields, he Jias resided in the capital. The deceased was a builder by trade, and up to a couple of years ago took a lively interest in the extension of the city, which he had seen grow almost from a state of nature. As a young man. ‘Mr Bolton was keen on athletics. He was at one time a very excellent exponent of cricket, anil represented the province in the days when players were not considered peculiar if they ventured on the field of play wearing top hats and whiskers. Mr Bolton, who lived for many years in Moleswonth Street, was predeceased by hi.i wife two years ago. Mr F. G. Bolton is the only son.

From fifty-six applications, the Blenheim Borough Council selected Mr John Sturrock, C.E., at present borough engineer at Napier, to fill a similar position at Blenheim. Mr Sturroek's first, important work will be the installation of the water and sewerage scheme. Mr P. J. M’Namara, who has been connected with the National Bank. Wellington, for a number of years, has received notice of his transfer to Napier. Mr M’Nainara has been a prominent figure in athletic circles, and will prove a loss to the Wellington centre. Last week he was tendered a farewell by his Lyall Bay friends. Mr. F. H. Denton, of Christchurch, has been appointed to the position of town clerk to the Grey Borough Council.

Mr. A. J. Gibbs has been elected Mayor, of Foxton, in succession to Mr. G. H. Stiles, who has resigned. Miss’ McArthur has resigned the position of headmistress of the Paonui School, Taranaki. Mr. A. L. Humphries has resigned the position’ of secretary of the New Plymouth Horticultural Society.

Mr. F. J. Harrop has been appointed land transfer draughtsman in the District Lands and Survey Office in New Plymouth, vice Mr. John Cook. The death has occurred at Levin of a very old resident. Mr. L. Johnson, aged seventy-seven years. He was formerly n. schoolmaster. Mr. C. S. Nixon. Collector of Customs at Wellington, has resigned his position on the ground of ill-health after forty years of service. His resignation takes effect from December 1 next. Mr. Nixon joined the Customs service on -July I, 1872, and at the beginning of last month completed 40 years’ service with the Department. He joined at Wesport, when lie was seventeen years of ago, having passed the Junior and Senior Civil Ser-

vice examination, after leaving Wanganui College, where he was educated. New regulations having come in. the examination proved to be a very strenuous one, and only seven boys passed out of 87. Mr. Nixon’s eldest brother passed at the head of the list and Mr. Nixon himself came second. After remaining eighteen months at Westport. Mr. Nixon w»ts transferred to Greymoutli, where he remained for five and a-half years. From Greymouth he went to Invercargill where he remained for four and a half years. He was next transferred as landing waiter to Wellington, where he was sta tioned for the next eight years. From Wellington Mr. Nixon next went to Ly Helton, as landing waiter and t ide surveyor. Having spent three years at Lyttelton, he was transferred io New Plymouth as collector. Subsequently Mr Nixon served for six years as landing .surveyor in Dunedin, and an equal period in Timaru as collector. His next station was Napier, where he served as collector for eighteen months. At the end of that period he was appointed Collector at Wellington. Two years later lie was appointed Inspector to the Department, amt ho has been Collector of Customs at

Wi llington and Inspector of Customs for the Dominion tip to the time of his retirement. Mr. S. B. Dodge. at present engineer to the Greymonth Borough Council, has been appointed to'a similar position nt Te Kuiti. Mr. Dodge lias had a widely variid experience in all branches of engineering, having been engaged as assistant engineer in various boroughs in Enggland, including Torquay, Hove and Harrogate, while for a term he was acting district engineer in the Federated Malay States. Mr. Dodge was also engaged in the Public Works Department of the Dominion for live years, and left the Department to take up the position as borousfh engineer at Greymouth. Mr. William Perry, of Penrose, Masterton, will shortly pay a visit to Australia. Mr. Perry will act as one of the judges of sheep at the Melbourne Show. Mrs. Waleote Wood and Mrs. Peter Wood, of Christchnreb, are at present on* a visit to their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Brett, at Lake Takapuna. A pleasing little function took place at the Napier Club last week, when Mr. J. Parker was the recipient of a purse of sovereigns from a number of his friends in view of his approaching marriage. The presentation was made by

Mr. John McVay in felicitous terms, wishing the prospective bride anil bridegroom all the good fortune and happiness possible. Mr. Parker made appropriate acknowledgment, and his health was toasted with musical honours. Friends of Mr. John Searle, a promi-

nent Taranaki settler, will remember tiiat two or three months since whilst that gentleman was on a brief visit to Csunbridye, Mrs. Searle died suddenly in the hot water baths at Te Aroha. Curiously enough Mr. Searle has also now suddenly passed away, having been found dead at his residence at Fitzroy a few days ago. Mr. Israel Johns, a very old resident of Nelson, who for over fifty years carried on business as a baker, in Trafalgar street, passed away recently. For over 30 years deceased 'was a director of the Permanent Building Society, and at one time he was a < ity Councillor, and a member of the Licensing Committee. - The deceased leaves a widow ami grown-up family e'f seven daughters and three sons, the latter being Mr. C. Johns, of Murchison, Mr. F. S. Johns, manager of the New Plymouth branch of J. If. Cock ami Co., Ltd., and Mr. A. Johns, of Auckland. The Wanganui Borough Council ap-

pointed Mr. C. N. Staveley, of Christchurch, to the position of Borough Engineer.

Dr Carolan, who was relieving Dr Fullerton at Te Kuiti during the latter's absence in England, has returned to Avondale and reslimed practice there. At the Wellington Supreme Court, before the Chief Justice (Sir Robt. Stout), Mr G. M. Spence, son of the Rev. G. W. J. Spence, of Palmerston North, was admitted as a solicitor, on the motion of Mr. R. McCallum, M.P. for Wairau, in whose oflice in Blenheim Mr Spence is managing clerk. Mr W. Arundel Orchard, the appointed judge for the musical section of the Auckland competitions, which commenced on Monday, arrived from Wellington by the Main Trunk express on Saturday. The adjudicator in elocution (Mr W. L. Paine) arrived from Sydney by the Wimmers on Sunday.

Dr Frengley, Dr Champtaloup, and Messrs F. Armstrong and W. H. C. Swaim, ail of Dunedin, have been appointed a board of examiners under the Dentists’ Amendment Act. Dunedin is nominally the head denial centre of the Dominion, the New Zealand Dental College being located there.

At the annual meeting of the congre

gation of S't. David's Presbyterian Church the Rev. Jon. M. Saunders (the minister) was presented by Mrs J. Robb, on behalf of the ladies of the congregation, with a handsome pulpit gown. Mrs Saunders was the recipient of a book. Mr Saunders thanked the ladies for their kindness to Mrs Saunders and himself. The death occurred at Nelson last week' of Mr. Gilbert Rutherford Selby after an illness of some weeks. Mr. Selby, during his residence in Nelson, made many friends, his unostentatious manner and kindly- disposition endearing him greatly to those who had the privilege of his friendship. He was for many years secretary of the Town Schools Committee, ami he was an elder and prominent member of the Presbyterian Church.

Bishop Crossley left Auckland last week to pay a visit to Taranaki. He will conduct services there at Stratford, Inglewood and New Plymouth.

Mr. J. S. Dickson, M.P., arrived in Auckland by the express this morning-. He intends returning to Wellington on Wednesday evening. Dr. Hardwick Smith, medical superintendent of the Wellington General Hospital, has been granted six months’ leave of absence, to date from early

newt year, that he may pay a visit to Britain. The Rev. John Wilkinson, 8.A.. senior curate at St. Mary’s, New Plymouth, has been a regular visitor, and, in conjunction with the other ininirders of the town, has conducted service at the New I’lv’month Gaol. Mr. Wilkinson leaves at'the end of the month to take charge at Kpsom, Auckland, and the inmates of the prison have presented him with an illuminated address as a mark of Their esteem. This perhaps unique presentation reads as follows: —‘"The prisoners of the New Plymouth Gaol take ithis opportunity of wishing Mr. ilkinson everv happiness in his new home. —ll/8/12”'

. <Mns. C. Langsford, of Ponsonby, who died Ist week at the age of seventy-eight years, was one of the very early settlors of Auckland, for she arrived with ilier parents, Mr. and Mrs. Osborne, in ithe ship Oriental Queen in 1849. >She »•« then only fifteen years qf ago, having been born in Ireland in 1834. Mrs. Langsford married young, and is survived. by her husband, five daughters, ■and two sons. One of the latter is Mr. <J. A". Langsford, the we.lkknown secretary’ of the Auckland Rugby Union. The appointment of Lieutenant T. E. R. Symons. Grenadier Guards, as extra aide-de-camp to llis Excellency the Governor is gazetted. Mr J. L. Young, of Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane, ‘who, with Mrs Young, has been on a three months’ visit to the Islands, returned to Auckland last week. The Rev. Howard Elliott, of the Mount Eden Baptist Church, who recently un ?erwent. a serious operation was among lie passengers by the Sydney’ boat on Monday. He intends to visit Queensland, and subsequently Melbourne, where lie has relatives. This trip, which is taken under medical advice, will last about two months. A large, handsomely-framed photograph of the late Mr. T. K. Taylor, exM.P., which was presented to Parliament iby the New Zealand Alliance, was unveiled in the General AssemlJy' Library’ last week. Tire pUrotofgraph Ibears a goldpainted tablet ‘Air. T. E. Taylor, M.P. mine years, and Mayor of Christchurch ‘1911.” In making the presentation to •the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. L. M. Isitt. M.P.. made'reference to the noble qualities possessed Iby Mr. Taylor. Sir Arthur Guinness said he was pleased to receive the photograph of a former member. Mr. Taylor had been one oif the keenest critics and ablest debaters they ever had in the House. It was fitting that the picture should be hung in that corner of the library, where Mr. Taylor- had spent inwc-lt of his time gathering knobvleqge WliiQi fitted him to discharge so a.oly Iris ■Parlianren-'taj-y duties. < . . . ; The Presbytery of Ulutha has. agreed ito nominate the Rev. .1. Kennedy lellrott, of Wellington, as moderator of the assembly 'for next year.

Mr.' Petherick, of Taicri, lias (been appointed manager of Mr. Ernest ‘Short’s tetud farm at Almadale. Mr. Pefcheriek is at present Home on a honeymoon trip.