Personal Notes

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIX, Issue 17, 23 April 1913, Page 5

Personal Notes

THE resignation of Dr. Shand, Professor of Natural Philosophy at Otago University, was received at last week's meeting of the Otago University Council, the resignation to date from (March 31, 1914. Reference was made by several members to the splendid work Dr- Shand has performed in the University since his appointment in 1870. A motion of appreciation of Dr. Shand’s valuable services will be proposed at a subsequent meeting, and intimation of the resignation will be forwarded to the Otago Presbyterian Church Board of Property, with whom the appointment of a new professor lies, subject to the concurrence of the Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland.

Mr. D. A. Strachan, (M.A., at present Inspector of Schools for the Marlborough district, has been appointed AssistantInspector under the Hawke’s Bay Education Board.

Miss K. V- Edgerley, M.A., has been appointed by the Auckland Education Board as instructor in botany, at pupil teachers’ Saturday classes.

Mr F. C. Coombe, of the Public Trust Office, was last week presented by the Auckland staff with a silver-mounted handbag, suitably inscribed, the occasion being his transfer to the Napier office, for which he left by the Main Trunk train last night. The Rev. Father Maloy, who has been associated with the Roman Catholic Church at New Plymouth for some time past, is leaving on a visit to his sister. Countess Musil von Mollenbruck, and her husband, who is the Austrian Ambassador at Constantinople.

One of the earliest settlers of the Paeroa district died in Auckland last week in the person of Mr Frederick Cock, who passed away at the ripe age of 85 years. Deceased had resided in the Paeroa district since 1808, and in 1885 was elected as the first chairman of the Ohinemuri County Council. He was also one of the first directors of the Thames Valley Co-operative Dairying Company, which position he continued to hold up to the time of his death, which took place while he was on a holiday visit to Auckland. He is survived by a grown-up family. Mr Christian Helleman, the new conductor of the Royal Choral Society of Wellington, arrived from Sydney on Thursday by the Warrimoo. A pleasing ceremony took place, at the office of Wilsons Portland Cement Company, Limited, last week, when Mr George Elliot, chairman of the directors, made a presentation of an enlarged .photograph of the staff of the company to Mr W. M. Commons, who is retiring from the managership owing to illhealth. Mr Elliot referred to the happy relationship that had existed between ■Mr Commons and all the employees and to the prosperity of the company during his managership. Mr Commons, in acknowledging the presentation, expressed his appreciation of the loyalty of the staff. He felt sure that under the managership of Mr F. W. Wilson this spirit would continue to exist, and the company prosper. Mr Commons will spend a holiday in Australia. Mrs E. M. Dunlop and Miss Iris Dunlop have returned from Gisborne. The Late Mr. T. Finlayson.

Mr. Thomas Finlayson, an old and highly-esteemed resident of Auckland, passed away at his residence, Tiro Taa, Remuera last week, at the age of 65 years. His health, which had been indifferent for some months, steadily became worse till about three weeks ago it was recognised that but little hope remained of his recovery. The late Mr. Finlayson was a native of Glasgow, and arrived in New Zealand at an early age witn his parents, who settled in Dunedin. At the age of 1< he joined the firm of Sargood, Son and Ewen, in which lie rose to bo partner and managing director. When it was decided, over forty years ago, to extend the firm’s operations, Mr. Finlayson was chosen for the pioneer work of establishing the business in the North Island, nnd his travelling experiences in opening up relations with the country districts of the province were varied and often hazardous. later ho became in turn departmental and warehouse manager at Auck-

land, and about twelve years ago was admitted to partnership. When on the death of Sir Frederick Sargood, in 1907. the business was formed iuto a limited liability- company, Mr. Finlayson became managing director, which position he held at the time of his death. The deceased gentleman at no time took a prominent part in political affairs, but was keenly' interested in the progress of Auckland, and his assistance was always assured for any movement for the commercial or social betterment of the community. A retiring man by disposition, his kindly nature and sterling personal qualities made him popular with all classes, and the name of Mr. Thos. Finlayson was ever associated with the encouragement of all praiseworthy efforts connected with the progress of the city and the life of the citizens. He took an active interest in educational matters, and at the time of his death was chairman of the Remuera School Committee, while he was an enthusiastic patron of athletic sports, being an ex-president of the Remuera Bowling Club, and a patron of various athletic clubs. He was also ex-president of St. Andrew’s Society, in which he always took a prominent part, was a leading member of the Masonic fraternity', and among many positions of public confidence which he held was that of trustee of the Auckland Savings Bank. When the American Fleet visited Auckland some five years ago, Mr. Finlayson was one of the executive formed to arrange for the entertainment of Admiral Speary and his officers and crews. General sympathy will be felt for his widow and four sons: Mr. T. Finlayson, of Wallett and Finlayson. Ponsonby; Mr. F. Finlayson, who is at present managing the Gisborne branch of the firm of Sargood, Son and Ewen; and Messss. R. A. and C. Finlayson, who are now employed in the Dunedin branch of the business.

The deceased was buried at Purewa Cemetery. The obsequies, which were conducted by the Rev. V . Beatty, of St. Mark’s Church, were attended by a very large and representative number of citizens, some seventy-five vehicles following the hearse with mourners. The chief mourners were the sons of the deceased, Messrs T. Finlayson, F. Finlayson, R. A. Finlayson, and C. Finlayson, and his brother, Mr. J. B. Finlayson, while among other mourners were his Worship the Mayor (Mr C. .1. Parr), an ex-Mayor (Mr L. J, Bagnall, Messrs P. R. Sargood, C. H. Jones (warehouse manager), and most of the local staff of Messrs. Sargood, Son, and Ewen, Mr. J. S. Diekson (chairman) and members of the Remuera Road Board, Messrs Furness, Lusher, and Paterson (representing the Remuera School Committee). Messrs Munro (headmaster) and Mclnnes (first assistant), representing the teaching staff of the Remuera School. The Auckland Savings Bank was represented by Mr Rountree (manager) and a nuniber.of the trustees, while of other bodies with which deceased had been associated, St. Andrew’s Society, the Dilworth Trust, the Remuera Bowling Club, and the Masonic Brotherhood were represented, in addition to which leading men representing all the soft goods "houses of the eity and a large number of other commercial houses were present to pay a final tribute to the memory of the late Mr. Finlayson, besides many prominent citizens and friends. The bearers were six of the oldest employees of the firm with which the deceased had been so long connected.