Personal Notes

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 22, 27 November 1912, Page 6

Personal Notes

'IS. J. <». FRASER, an old and iI k respected resident of Povil r e, *fy Kay, died last week. X / The deceased lady went to Gisborne over forty years ago, and took a prominent part in defending Tolaga Bay when Te Kooti descended on that settlement, and is, indeed regarded as one of the heroines of the raids. Colonel Porter, in his book, says that Mrs. Fraser did Spartan duty in arming herself with a gun and doing everything possible to instil a spirit of courageous defence into the defenders until relief arrived. Mr. 11. E. Abraham, who for the past four years has been manager tor Messrs. ■Abraham and Williams at Levin, has resigned his position with the firm in order to take over the management of Air. Newton King's auctioneering business in Taranaki. Great interest was taken by many old friends and scholars in the 63rd anniversary service in collection, with the Alexandra Street Primitive Methodist Sunday School, Auckland, as it celebrated Air. 1). Goldie's 50th year in connection with the Sunday School.. Air. Goldie was born in Tasmania, and came to Auckland in 1862. He served as a member of the Provincial Council until it was abolished, afterwards being elected a member of Parliament. For 14 years Air. Goldie was a member of the City Council, and also served his term as Mayor. He has also been a member of many local bodies. For 40 years he has served the Primitive Methodist Church in many ways, and in recognition of his services he was presented during the afternoon with an extensively signed address. A large portrait of himself was also presented to him. The Afayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) spoke in eulogistic terms of Air. Goldie's splendid work for the city. Mr Herbert William Burridge, of Dunedin, was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in the recent Colonial examinations in connection with the University of London. Sir .lames Mills. general manager of the Union Steamship Company, arrived at Auckland by the Mara ma from England. He lias been absent from the Dominion for about 18 months on business connected with the company. Dr A. \V. Izard, who has accepted a three-years’ appointment as chief medical ollicer to the King of Tonga, leaves Auckland to take up his duties at the end of next month. Mr R. S. Florence. S..M. at Blenheim, has been transferred to Gisborne, where he- will take up the duties of district land registrar, and act as an assistant magistrate when his services are required. Mr Stewart McPhail, who is leaving the sugar works, Chelsea, was presented by Mr R. Thompson, on behalf of the employees, with a handsome silver tea pot as a token of their esteem. Mr McPhail has been connected with the sugar works for over twenty years.

Mr and Mrs Wm. Holdsworth, of Armadale Road, Remuera, celebrated their golden wedding last week. Mr Holdsworth was born on May 15th. 1840, at Lisnakea, Ireland, and married on November 19th. 1862. Arriving in Auckland by the ship British 'Trident on November 3rd, 1864, he followed his trade of carpenter and builder for several years. In 1872 he founded the well-known business of Wm. Holdsworth and Son, Ltd. There were ten children born to the marriage—live sons and live daughters—ami there are eight children ami 28 grandchildren still living. One of the .sons is Air W. J. Holdsworth, exMayor of Grey Lynn. '1 he successful candidate for the New Zealand Rhodes Scholarship, Fredk. .Fi-dier Miles, of Otago University, was 20 years of age on August 3rd, and is a ami of Mr. Jas. Miles, manager of the Bank of Australasia, Inyercargill. He was educated at Southland Boys’ High School* and in 1908 gained a junior university scholarship at the University. He completed the degree of B.A. in 1911. On the social side, he is vice-president of the Students’ Association, president of the Art Faculty, editor of the “Otago University Review,’’ ami was the representative of the Arts Faculty in the inter faculty debate, 1912. In athletics he represented his school at cricket, football, ami •hooting, and was fives champion in 1908.

At the University lie played erieket for Otago against Canterbury College in 1910. In 1911 lie was picked for the Southland representative trials, and in 1911-12 he was a member of the Invereargill senior eleven. He has also been in the Otago University representative teams for football, tennis, and hockey, and was a member of the Officers’ Training Corps in 1910. He has been in residence at Knox College since 1909. Mr J. C. Sampson, of the District Asylum, Inverness, lias been appointed assistant medical officer under the New Zealand ’Mental Hospital Department. Mr. A. Al. Mowlem, of the legal firm of Messrs. Neumegen and M-iwlein. Auckland, has just received word by the mail that he has been appointed a notary public. An illuminated address in book form, with handsome covers made of New Zealand woods, has been presented to Daily Islington by the members of the Victoria League and oilier societies in Mellington. Mr E. Rawson, Stipendiary Magistrate at Westport, and for a good many years Clerk of Court at Masterton, under the late Mr. W. P. James, S.M.. has been offered, and has accepted, the position of S.M. in the Waikato district, with Hamilton as headquarters. Mr. Wyvern Wilson has been appointed S.M. and Warden at Westport, in succession to Mr. Rawson. Mr J. W. Povnton (Secretary to the Treasury) has, it is understood, handed in his resignation, on account of illhealth, but so far it has not been accepted by the Ministry, ao a report from two medical men has been asked for. Mr Poynton wishes to go to Germany to consuit an eminent specialist. He was for some time head of the Public Trust Department, leaving that position to assume charge of the Treasury. Many people will regret to hear of the death of Mrs. AL A. Hobbs, wife-of Mr. Hobbis, of Stratford. She was verywell known and much respected throughout Taranaki. In recent years Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs have retired from farming. The deceased lady, who was a direct descendant of Dame Mary Banks,, who in the Middle Ages defended Corfe Castle during the absence of her husband, w-as born in London in 1839. The family emigrating to Tasmania, her father became there principal of the first Boyes’ Public School. She was married in 1803, and eaiue to New Zealand 14 years later. Her husband. six daughters, and three sons are left to mourn her. The daughter., are Mrs. G. Wilson (Auckland), Mrs. W. Wiloon (Ebthain). Mrs. Caverhill (Canterbury). Miss Hobbs. Mrs. A. Babbage (Kawhia), Mrs. Alhusen (Kapongaj; the sons are: Messrs. 11. Hobbs (Kaponga), J. C. Hobbs (Eltham), and G. S. Hobbs (Stratford). Mr. James Gardiner, an old resident of New Plymouth, and a business man for 19 years, died suddenly last week. He was 02 years of age, and was a Victorian by birth. He is survived by Mrs. Gardiner, and by a son and daughter. Dean Grogan, the well-known Catholic priest, died suddenly at Meanee, Hawke’s Bay, last week, of heart affection. Deceased filled the position of parish priest at Napier and Wanganui, and on Dr. Kennedy's transfer to Wellington he assumed control of the Meanee Seminary. The Very Rev. Dean McKenna, who completed his twenty-live years as parish priest of Masterton this week, contemplates taking a trip to Ireland early in the New Year, accompanied by his brother, the Rev. Father Ale Kenna, of Pahiatua, and expects to return about the end of the year. The Dean is making the trip Home with the .primary object of seeing his mother, who is now in her eighty-third year. Miss Estelle Nolan is the guest of Mrs. Leslie Nolan in New Plymouth. Mr. and Mrs. IV. E. C. Moss and their two little boys arrived from Western Australia last Friday by the Mongolia, and are the guests of Mrs. E. G. B. Moss. Claybrook Road. Parnell. Their stay in New Zealand will probably be limited to six mouths. Mrs. Maurice Cohen (Pamenston North) and her sister, Miss Nathan (London), are making a .short stay here. Miss Una Buddle, who has been visiting friends in Wellington and Christchurch, returned to Auckland last week.

Sergeant W. W. Alatngay, 40th Waikato Mounted Rifles, has been awarded

the Colonial Auxiliary Forces’ long service medal.

Mr Max Montesole, formerly of the Wykeham-Nable Comedy Company, has accepted an appointment as organiser for the Reform party-in Hawke’s Bay. Miss Maediarmid, eldest daughter of Dr R. C. Maediarmid, of HuntJy, was amongst those who received the M.A. degree recently- at Edinburgh University. Mr. Claude H. Weston has been appointed Crown Prosecutor at New Plymouth, in succession to his father, who recently passed away. Dr. Crossley and Mrs. Crossley left last week by train, en route to Christchurch, where the Bishop will conduct a “retreat” for clergymen. Many old commercial travellers will regret to learn of the death, at Palmerston North, of Mr. Samuel Taplin, who represented Johnston and Co., Wellington, for over a quarter of a century. Mr. Taplin took part in the troublous times of t'he early sixties, under Colonel Whitmore, and was one of the few remainingsurvivors of the battle of Weraroa, fought nehr Waverley, 44 years ago. The retirement of Mr. Richard Cameron from the position he so long held as manager of the Auckland Savings Bank, has resulted in the promotion of Mr. Stephen Gilbert Rountree to that position. Mr. James Muir Barr being raised to the post of accountant vacated by the new general manager. These recommendations of the trustees have just been formally approved by his Excellency- Lord Islington.

The death is announced, by a London cable, of Mr. William B. Tegetmeier, journalist and naturalist. Air. Tegetmeier worked for many years with Darwin, who published the results in his work on variation. For fifty years he was employed on the staff of the “ Field ” during which time he accomplished a useful work on the extension of the poultry. Mr. Tegetmeier, who was 90 years of age, was the first secretary of the Savage Club. He published a number of volumes of natural history. Mr. James Mackay, a retired business man of Wellington, returned to NewZealand by the Mongolia. Mr. Mackay went to England for the Coronation, ami subsequently visited Scotland and the Canary Islands, making a six months’ stay in the last-mentioned locality. “In fact, I 'stayed so long,” he remarked to a Press interviewer, “that the income tax authorities regarded me as having become a permanent resident of England.” He added with a chuckle, however, that he silenced them by emphatically stating that his domicile was in Wellington, New Zealand, and that he would immediately return thereto.

Captain I. MacDougall and Captain T. E. A. Symons, both Grenadier Guards, accompanied Lord and Lady Islington to Auckland. The former rejoins his regiment in England, and Captain Symons will go on to India with Lord Islington. Mr A. Guise (private secretary) and Alr<s Guise accompanied the party, and go on to London. Mr Day, assistant private secretary and accountant, will remain in New Zealand.