Personal Notes

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIX, Issue 10, 5 March 1913, Page 5

Personal Notes

Hi K T the Christchurch Police Court J I last week Mr T. A. B. Bailey,. 4 J I S.M., and various members of the Bar took the opportunity of expressing their pleasure at the promotion pressing their pleasure at the promotion Of SUb-Inspector McGrath to be inspector at Auckland, and their regret at his departure. His Worship praised Mr McGrath’s methods in matters in his official work, and the careful way in which he prepared all his cases and attended to inquiries in court. His conduct of eases had been characterised by ability and absolute fairness. If there was a word for the unfortunate people who came before the Court, the sub-inspector was the first to put it in. Although they congratulated him upon his promotion, they were sorry that he should have to go. On behalf of the Bench, he would congratulate him on his promotion. He felt confident that wherever he might be he would be equally successful. Sub-Inspector McGrath thanked’ all for their good wishes and their praise of his work as a police officer. He was grateful to the Bench, the Bar, and the- officers of the Court for the consideration they had shown him during the time he bad served here. Especially he would thank the Court missionaries, the officers of the Salvation Army, and the secretary of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, all of whom had helped him greatly in his task of dealing with the flotsam and jetsam of the city. Sir G. Maurice O’Rorke, who is shortly leaving -on a visit to the Old Country, will be the recipient of a public presentation. before his departure. Sir Maurice arrived in New Zealand in the year 1854, entering the Auckland Provincial Council the following year, and for nearly 50 years he has been closely and continuously associated with the public life of the- colony. For twelve years he was speaker in the Provincial Assembly, and later filled Mr Speaker’s chair in the House of Representatives for two decades, his name becoming a household word for the dignity and decision with (which lie invested his lofty office. .Since 1904 Sir Maurice has been a member of the Legislative Council; for many years he has been chairman of the Auckland University College Council and of the Grammar School Board of Governors, while since 1879 he has occupied a seat on the Senate of the University of New Zealand. In August last Mr C. F. Goldie was commissioned by a representative committee to paint Sir Maurice’s portrait, and the work being completed, arrangements have been made to have the portrait presented on March 5, in the University College Buildings. Mr. P. Upton, inspector for the South Britsih Insurance Company, left by the Maheno for Australia last week on a tour of inspection, which will last several months.

Mr Benjamin Wilson, aged 70, an old and highly esteemed resident of Wellington, passed away at his residence in Tinakori Road, last week. The deceased for many years held a responsible position on the management staff of the Govern-

meat Printing Office. Ha arrived in Auckland from Londonderry with, his young wife in the stirring days towards the close of tha Maori war, in the early sixties. He was a representative type of the young colonist of that period—men of sterling courage, adventurous enterprise, and education —who laid the sound foundation of our present citizenship. For some years after hia arrival, Mr Wilson was connected with .the 'typographical staff of the “Daily Southern Cross,” at a time when it was the foremost political journal in 'New Zealand, and subsequently he spent some years at the Thames, in the glowing days of that goldfield, on the staff of the “Advertiser.” Soon after the removal of the seat of Government from Auckland, Mr Wilson went with his -family to the capital, then comparatively in its infancy, to take an appointment in the Government Printing Office, and for many years he was in a position of control, eventually retiring 'because of failing health. He was a man of most admirable personality, quiet and unassuming in manner, conscientious to a degree in .t'he discharge of his duties, and of strict integrity and uprightness in his private and business life. The deceased gentleman is survived by a widow and grown-up family, with whom there will be widespread sympathy in their bereavement.

Mr J. C. Hoyte, whose death at Sydney was -announced by cable last week, was recognised during the ’sixties and ’seventies as the best water-colour artist in New Zealand. Hia work may still be found in various collections in the Dominion, and furnishes some of the finest examples of artistic reproduction of New Zealand seenery extant. Mr F. F. Miles, of Knox College, Dunedin, who was awarded this year’s New Zealand Rhodes Scholarship, has received intimation that he has passed the examination for the M.A. degree, with double first-class -honours in mathematics and languages. It is understood that a similar success has 'been accomplished only once before in the history of Otago University.

Mr. Georges A. Streiff has been appointed Consul for Switzerland at Auckland.

Mr. William Tuck was admitted as a barrister and solicitor at the Supreme Court last week before Mr Justice Cooper on the application of Mr. A. Peak.

Mr. H. W. Northcroft, the recentlyappointed Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands, left Wellington fpr Rarotonga last week. Mr. Ralfe, who has been appointed to assist him in the administration of the Islands, will not be able to leave Wellington for some weeks. His Excellency Lord Liverpool has signified his willingness to become patron of the Auckland Golf Club, in reply to a communication from the secretary, Mr S. Ruddock. The club’s season opens on Saturday, March 15, the course being in excellent playing order, while in the offseason some extensive improvements have been made to the links at Middlemore.

Mr. William Graham, of Hobart, formally Tasmanian Government Printer, arrived in Auckland last week from the South on a visit to his son, Mr. Percy Graham.

Mr. Benjamin Wilson, an old Wellington resident, who held a responsible position in the Government Printing Office He waa the father of Mr. B. M. Wilson, director of tourist resorts. An old resident of Auckland died at his residence, Franklin Road, Ponsonby, last week, in the person of Mr. Charles Grey. Deceased, who was associated with the firm of T. and S. Morrin, Ltd., for over thirty years, and for fifteen years was on the staff of the New Zealand Insurance Co., leaves a widow, five sons, and two daughters. The following have been added to the list of officiating ministers under the Marriage Act:—Revs. J. W. Robinson and H. M. Rogers, Church of England; Rev. H. Clark, Presbyterian Church. His Excellency the Governor has approved the following appointment? and promotions of staff officers: —Major William Garnett Braithwaite, D. 5.0., Imperial General Staff, General Staff Officer, Auckland district, » granted the temporary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel whilst so employed. Major James Kilvington (behrane. Imperial General Staff, Director of Military Operations, is granted the temporary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel whilst so employed. Captain the Hon. Richard Heun Collins, D. 5.0., Imperial General Staff, to oe Adjutant-General to the Forces (temporary), vice Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary Colonel: George Ceeil Burleigh Wolfe, transferred to the Reserve of Officers, and is granted the temporary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel whilst so employed. Second-Lieutenant Arthur Tabu Gravenor Rhodes. Grenadier Guards (Special Reserve), to- be arde-de-eanrp to the General Officer Commanding New Zealand Military Forces.

At the annual meeting of the Auckland Orchestral Society. Mr J. B. Mac farlane was elected chairman.

Mr. F. L. Titus, a settler of North Auckland, was a passenger from San Francisco by the Aorangi, which arrive! at Wellington on Thursday. Senior-Sergeant Dart, who is leaving Timaru for Auckland, and Mrs. Dart, received a presentation from the Timaru police force last week as a token of esteem.

Mr. Justice Edwards, accompanied by his associate, Mr. R. N. Bothainley, left for Wellington by the Main Trunk train last night. Mr. Justice Cooper left for Gisborne by steamer this afternoon.

Mr. J. Stewart'Dawson, of the firm of Stewart Dawson and Co., arrived by the Main Trunk train from Wellington on Saturday, accompanied by his son. Mr. N. Stewart Dawson, ana his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann. The party are touring New Zealand, and while in Auckland are staying at tne Star Hotel.

Mr. W. W. Hill, Mho has been associated with the Grafton District School for twenty-one years, four years of the time as first assistant, and seventeen years as headmaster, was presented with several valuable tokens of esteem by the pupils and teachers on Friday at a gathering to bid him farewell. The gifts were handed to the recipient by e.r. J. Burton, chairman of the School Committee, who eulogised the splendid work done by Mr. Hill during his long association with the school, and wished him every success in his new charge at the Mount Eden School. The gathering closed with hearty cheers for Mr. . and the committee.

Mr. E. Justin Mahoney, LL. 8., until recently managing clerk to Mr. W. ballon, solicitor, of Auckland, has com menced practice as a barrister and sober tor, with offices in the new Imperial Buildings, Queen Street.

The award of the colonial auxiliary forces’ long service medal has been made to Private Michael Tobin, 3rd (Auckland) Regiment (“Countess of Ranfurly’s Own”). Second Lieutenants R. Simpson and W. L. Ranstead, of 4th (Waikato) Mounted Rifles, have been promoted to lieutenants, and Captain R. G. Cox, of 3rd (Auckland) Regiment, becomes major.