Personal Notes

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIX, Issue 4, 22 January 1913, Page 5

Personal Notes

zy\R. T. M. WILFORD, M.P., re 411 turned to Wellington last week A IF from the Hot Lakes district, f where he spent a week at Rotorua and about a fortnight at Lake Taupo, trout fishing. During that time his party caught 168 fish on the fly, weighing 1,210 pounds. Mr. Wilford, who for many .years has taken a deep interest in the sport, is not too favourably impressed with the fishing outlook at Rotorua and Taupo—there are too many fish and no feed, he says, in effect. The fish, in his opinion, have greatly deteriorated, and unless the Government does something very quickly the fish in five years’ time will not be worth having. During his stay in Rotorua Mr. Wilford introduced a deputation of tourist fly-fishers to the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes on the subject. Mr. J. A. Inkster, sub-editor of the Wanganui "Chronicle,” left by the P. and O. Maloja, from Auckland, en route for England and the Continent. Mr. Inkster was accompanied by his sister, Miss A. Inkster, M.A., B.Sc. Prior to leaving Wanganui he was the recipient of farewell souvenirs from the staff and the proprietors. Mr. J. C. Campbell, manager of the Bank of New South Wales in Napier, has received notice of transfer to the Dunedin office, where he will succeed Mr. Salmon, who has been appointed inspector for the southern district of New South Wales. Dr. Randall Woodhouse, senior resident surgeon at Wellington Hospital, will act as medical superintendent during the absence of Dr. Hardwicck Smith in England, with Dr. Ewart as consulting medical superintendent. Mr. John Hughes, chief officer of the 'Athenic. who has been in ill-health, left by the Zealandic for London last week. ■ Mr. A. J. H. Benge, 8.A., of the Education Department, has been appointed to the position of secretary to the Publie Service Commissioners.

Mr. A. Hobson has been appointed president of the Pharmacy Board of New Zealand for the ensuing twelve months. At last week’s meeting of the Auckland Presbytery the Rev. R. L. Walker, of St. James’ Church, was granted eight months’ leave of absence, in order that fhe might visit the Old Country. The (Rev. Hugh Beggs is to fill the pulpit in [the meantime.

Mr. A. J. H. Benge, who lias been appointed Secretary of the Education Department, is the eldest son of Mr. Alfred H. Benge, headmaster of the Waihi District High School, and was educated there. He also attended the Auckland Grammar School.

Mr. A. W. Mann, postmaster at Waihi, has lieen transferred to Westport, and will be succeeded at Waihi by Mr. G. S. Smallbone, of Marton. Since Mr. Mann’s arrival at Waihi eleven years ago the office has made great strides. The staff then numbered only eight. The present staff is twenty, and the general 'business has increased threefold.

The Hon. C. E. Frazer, Commonwealth Poptinaister-Gcneral, and Mrs. Frazer Were entertained at luncheon in

Bellamy’s on Friday by the Hon. ’R. H. Rhodes, PostmasterGeneral. The function was attended by- all the Cabinet Ministers in Wellington. The guests numbered about foyty-five. On the eve of severing his connection with St. Patrick’s choir, after a connection extending over twenty-seven years, during the greater part of which he acted as conductor, Mr Hiscocks was presented with an address from the choir, and Bishop Cleary presented him, on behalf of the subscribers, with handsome pieces of silverware of exquisite design. His Lordship said he had learned with pleasure that Father Holbrook had made arrangements to retain Mr Hiscocks’ services for at least a time. To replace him was no easy task. Others spoke eulogising the work of Mr Hiscocks, who duly expressed his acknowledgments. The Very Rev. Dean Mahoney, of Onehunga, returned last week by the Malcqa, after an eleven months’ trip to Europe, via the Far East and Siberia.

The Rev. Father Holbrook, administrator of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, left by the Maloja last week on a visit to the Holy Land, Southern Europe, France, the United Kingdom, and America. He will attend the Eucharistic Congress at Malta in April. The Rev. E. D. Rice, who has just returned from a two-years’ visit to England, I has gone to Tauranga to take office as vicar of Holy Trinity Parish, in succession to the late Canon’ Jordan. The Hon. W. D. Johnson. Minister for Public Works in West Australia, who is now on a holiday visit to New Zealand, is an old Eltliam resident. Mr. Johnson intends to meet representatives of the Labour organisations at Wellington, and to attend the Labour Conference on January 31st. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Fire Underwriters’ Association, Mr H. P. Kissling, manager of the New Zealand Insurance Company, was elected chairman, and Mr C. E. Palmer, manager of the Ocean Accident Corporation, vicechairman for the ensuing year.

Miss Jessie M. Orr, who arrived from England and took up her duties as Lady .Superintendent of the Auckland Hospital on 3rd January, was personally welcomed by the members of the Hospital Board last week, the occasion being the first meeting of the members since Miss Orr’s arrival in Auckland.

The Rev. G. Mann, who was the New Zealand delegate to the English Conference of Primitive Methodists, is returning, accompanied by Mrs. Mann, by the Remuera, due at Wellington about the 3rd of next month. This will enable him to be present at the Methodist Union Conference to l>e held at Wellington on 6th February.

Captain Northcroft. ex-Stipendiary Magistrate, has been appointed Resident Commissioner at Rarotonga. A wire of acceptance was received uy the Prime Minister while on tour, and he made the announcement at a Paparoa gathering. Mr. Massey said that he was very pleased at Capt. Northcroft’s acceptance, as con-

siderable difficulty had been experienced in finding a suitable officer for tlie position.

Mr Grey Thorne George was a passenger by the Maloja last week. He will spend some mouths in England and on the Continent.

Mr. George Paradise, a resident of Wellington for over thirty years, died suddenly at his home in Brougham Avenue last Friday morning, aged 57. The deceased gentleman served -an apprenticeship to a leading firm of booksellers in London, and entered the service of Messrs. Lyon and Blair, on Lambton Quay, soon after he arrived in Wellington from the Old Country. When that firm sold its business to Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs he retained his position—that of manager of the book department in the establishment. Subsequently he was associated with Oscar Hewitt -and Co. He has left a widow, but no children. For over twenty years Mr. P-aradi.se was connected with the Wharf Open-air Mission, besides being actively associated with the Kent Terrace Presbyterian Church and the A.M.C.A. He was also secretary for the Ceylon and Indian General Mission. Mr. Leslie H. Reynolds has been appointed consulting engineer to the Nelson Harbour Board in carrying out a scheme of improvements now in progress.

Mr. T. G. Lowe, a prominent figure in labour circles in Wanganui, died last week.

Several staff changes have been made in the Public Works Department consequent’ upon the recent appointment of Mr. C. E. Bennet to the position of accountant, vacated by Mr. G. J. Clapham. It is not proposed to maintain the office of assistant accountant, vacated by Mr. Bennet, but Mr. C. E. Crawford will take up the work formerly done by Mr. Bennet. Mr. F. P. Manson, of the Wellington district engineer's office, will become chief bookkeeper in the head office. Mr. W. T. Wiggs, of the Nelson office, takes Mr. Mansqn’s place in Wellington, and Mr. F. H. S. Ibbetson, from Blenheim, succeeds Mr. Wiggs. Mr. W. Southeran, of the Wellington office, goes to Blenheim. His Excellency the Governor has consented to preside at the public meeting in the Wellington Town Hall on February 6, when the union of the Australasian and Primitive Methodist Churches of . New Zealand will be consummated and the deed signed.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of his marriage, the Rev. J. E. McFarland, vicar of St. Barnabas’ Church, Mount Eden, was presented by his congregation with a cheque, and at Sunday morning's service Mr. McFarland expressed iiis appreciation of this act of kindness. Mr. J. A. Smith, an inspector in the service of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board, intends resigning from his position shortly. He will then leave for England, where he will reside in future. Mr. Smith has been connected with educational matters in Hawke's Bay since 18S0, when he joined the service of the

department ;w finst assist mt master in the Napier Boys’ High School. He w is subsequently headmaster of the Port Ahtiriri and Hastings schools For some years lie liars acted ae aos’stant inspector to the board. Mr. an I .Mrs. Smith will leave Napier in May. The Chancellor of the University of New Zealand (Sir Robert Stout)’ re ported in his annual address to the Senate that since last meeting the following Fellows who had retired try

eflluxion of time had Lecn re-appointed: lion. Dr. Collins ami Mr. Cordon (by the < Joverrior-iirt’ounvil). lion. Mr. Allen, Hqu. Sir ( harles Boweb, Hon. Sir Robt. Stout, ami Hon. Mr. Tole (by the goveriwng bodies). Professor J. M. Brown and Mr. Tibbs (by the district Courts of Convocation), and Professor Chilton (by the ProfessoriaT Board of Canterbury College). The Hon. Mr. Allen subsequently resigned, and the Rev. w. Hewitson, 8.A.. was elected in his place, ihe following new Fellows had been elected: Professor Benham (by the Professorial Board of Otago University), Professor Hunter (by the middle district Court of Convocation), and Professor Marshall (by the Otago Court of Convocation). Three of the members who sat in the last Senate, namely. Mr. Cohen. Professor Salmond, and Professor J. H. Scott, did not seek re-election, and their absence would be much regretted. Referring to several gentlemen who had -been connected with, the University, and who had died since the last meeting of the Semite. the Chancellor observed that Dr. Henry Sweet was one of their examiners on several occasions. iiis eminence in the scholastic world was well known. The Rev. R. Stewart had been a supervisor of examinations in Grey-mouth for the past twenty years, ami had performed his duties with credit to himself ami with benefit to the University, and Mr. A. R. Barclay, LL.D., was a distinguished student who h id been a lecturer at Otago University and Clerk of Convocation. The Chancellor also referred to two professors of affilated colleges- Professor Black, of Otago University, and Professor Haslam, of Canterbury College—who had retired after bearing the heat and burden of the day. the former since 1871, and the latter since 187!). Sir Robert Stout stated his assurance that e Senate wished them wadi in their wenearnctl leisure. Death of John Bryce. A one time notabh figure in New Zealand politics in the person of the Hon. John Bryce died at h's residence, Guyton Street. Wanganui. on Friday last. By tiie death of Mr Bryce there ifi removed mir of Wanganui’is in fact, one of New Zealand’is must distinguished pionceiH. The late Mr Bryce, then a child, arrived in New Zeil.!nd in 184(1. He took an active part in the Maori War, and in this Conner, .ion figured in a im.tfl sensational incident. In Ru«sden’»s “History of New Zealand’’ it was alleged that Mr Bryce, when in charge of a troop of cavalry, dashed upon native women and children, c.it ting them down gleefully ami with case. Air Bryce went to England. to vindicate his honour, and in <r libei oiit recovered <1 a magus. The late Mr Bryce was returned io Parliament as representative for Wanganui in 1871. He was then an Independent member, but when the Hall Ministry was formed in 1879 he wars offered and accepted the .portfolio of Minister for Native Affairs. r l'hin position lie gave up, owing to a diflcrcnce of opinion with his colleaguiK on a question of native policy, but in 1882 hr again joined the Ministry vhen it bad been reconstituted under Sir Frederick \\ hit! aker. and he cont inued jn office under the Premiership of Sir Harry (then Major) Atkinson until 1884. when the Stout-Vogel Ministry earn* into power. In 1882 Mr Bryce brought in and ipa.-ved through Parliament his hill entitled 1 he West, t'oart Peace Preservation Bill, which was the of breaking dowi the mana of Te Whiti. Under flie authority of thio Act. Te Whiti and Topi l were made pr : eomer<s for illegal aHspiirbling. and were kept under control for a coE'siderable. period. Mr Bryce al«o brought in and parsed a bill during the same eet<don to grant an amnesty to nativiK who had committ»• 1 *i'im>. during the wain. . In 1890 Mr Bryce wa« elected for the Waikato, ami became Leader of the Opposition when the Ballance Ministry iwas in power, but resigned hits seat in Ihe House under dramatic ciirumstain it-, and b.i« not since entered Parliament.. Throughout In* life he < ujoy<*<i the iiniveiKal ro-peet of lr<s fellow colonists. Though in retirement for over 20 year.-, he did not cea-r until quite recently to lake a keen int end in political affaire, nnd in all matters affecting the wellbeing of the Dominion. The following are the member* of the late Mr Bryce * f.imilv surviving: Mm W. McKenzie, Marton: Mrs G. E .lack>n, Hamilton: Mm T. Oairrae, Bniinewick; Mm A. Diithir. Ohingaiti; Mr T. Bryce, Kiwitea; Mr .1. J. Bi;yce, I’einbeiCon; Mr A. R. Bryce, Martonj Mi J. A, Bryce, Cambridge.