PERSONAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2321, 14 October 1908, Page 2

PERSONAL.

Alessrs AV. Morgan and G. Darton return from Napier this morning. The Elton Comedy Company arrives from South this morning by tlie s-s-Talune.

A public meeting of citizens was held in Christchurch last night (says a Press Association message) to bid farewell to Mr. Will. Reece, the first chairman of the Christchurch Tramway Board, who is about to visit England. The Mayor presided, and the speakers included Hon. C. C. Bowen, Speaker of the Legislative Coiiiicil. A presentation of a valedictory address was made to Mr. Reece.

Mr. T. A. .Murphy, whose retirement on pension, from the Custom’s service is announced by our Wellington correspondent, was one of the oldest and most', respected officers of the Department, in which, it is understood lie served for nearly 40 years. For several years past he was officer in charge at Lyttelton. Previously he had been in charge at Grevmoiilh, New Plymouth, and elsewhere. Still earlier he was employed in the old Customs boat at Auckland. Mr. Murphy was an officer who did his duty with strict attention to the country’s interest, and, at the same time, with every regard to the right and feeling of the travelling public, and his departure from the post lie so long occupied caused great regret in Lyttelton where lie was recently presented with a valuable silver salver as a' token of the esteem in which he is held by the residents.

It. is understood that Captain R. England, who was in command of the Antartic.vessel Nimrod when she conveyed Lieutenant Shackleton’s party to the south polar regions, is returning to settle in New Zealand. He was married in Christchurch some months ago. hlr. and Mrs. P. A. Elworthv (nee Miss Bertha Julius, daughter of the Bishop of Christchurch) are spending their honeymoon touring the North Island in a motor-ear.

There passed away at the Rotorua Sanatorium recently . a notable high chief, named Alatenga AVaharoa, of Tie Ngati Rangiwewelii tribe of Aivahou. Deceased, who was ono of tho .few remaining rangitiras Q f the old school, was a prominent figure among his race, and occupied a high and exalted position in his particular tribe. During the recent visit of Admiral Sperry and his officers to Rotorua, AA aliaroa was a conspicuous figure in their reception, and during the Duke and Duchess of A’ork’s visit he was also prominent in tho various Alaori ceremonies given in tlfoir honor.