PERSONAL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3715, 28 December 1912, Page 7

PERSONAL NOTES.

Hon. Captain Tucker lias recovered from liis l’ecent indisposition. I he Mayor (Mr W. Pettie) has now arranged tb leave for Auckland on Wednesday. The engagement is announced of My J. M. Bor ham, of Gisborne, to Miss Gardiner, daughter of Captain Gardiner, of Wellington. Captain Rainey, marine superintendent for the Tyser Company, arrives in Gisborne by the Taravera this morning. Mr George Warren and family, of Te Karaka, are staying in town, having spent the Christmas season at Wainui. Rec. Father Lane leaves for Tolago Bay cn Monday to open a Roman Catholic Bazaar, which will he opened <Oll New Year’s Day. Mr W. D. S. MacDonald, M.P.. proceeds next week to the Bay of Plenty, where he will meet Hons. W. Eraser and W. H. Harries at Tauranga and accompany them along the Coast to Gisborne. Mr. J. C Woodward, president of the Gisborne branch of the N.Z. Teachers’ Institute, left for New Plymouth by the s.s. Takapuna last night, in order to attend the annual conference of New Zealand teachers, which will be held in the Taranaki capital ■during the holidays.

Master Dudley J. Jeune, son of Mr J. F. Jeune, of Gisborne, was successful in annexing the gold medal ■presented by the Nelson Chamber of Commerce for proficiency in bookkeeping at Nelson College. The competition was open to all members of the commercial forms at the College, and was awarded for the best work for the year, an examination being held at the end of each term. The young Gisborneite is to he congratulated on winning the handsome medal, whic h is of chaste design. At the annual “break-up” ceremony at the Ormond School, Miss Pickering, rvho has acted as relieving mistress in the infaiat department for some months, was the recipient of a writing case from the teachers and scholars. The headmaster (Mr J. MciLeod), spoke in the highest terms of the diligent manner in which Miss Pickering hud carried out her duties. Mr J. E. Benson, chairman of the. committee, made the presentation, aiad spoke of the pleasure afforded the committee by the knowledge that everything had worked so harmoniously during the past year. The Rev. EW. Walker congratulated the teachers and scholars on the successful year’s work, and urged the pupils to come back after the holidays with a determination to do their best nextyear. Several musical items were Tendered bv the children.

An interesting case was heard in Taumarunui the other day, in a milk case, in which the question was how soon after calving the milk of a cow is fit for human consumption. A dairy expert stated that one of tlie best tests was to drop a little of the milk into boiling water. If the milk curdles it is still unfit for use, and vice versa.

Curious specimen of English discovered in a Dutch bulb catalogue recently sent out: “Encouraged through the many accounts of contentments which received again last year, we recommend us in your appreciated favor and shall try to send exclusive best quality "bulbs and plants. Those amateurs to whom we have not had the pleasure to send bulbs or plants we kindly invite voki to send us a trial order and next year you shall send her again to us.”

A correspondent of the “’Wanganui Chronicle” commends the following cutting from the Australian letter in a recent issue of the Otago “Daily Times” to the careful consideration of Sir Hubert Stout, as having an important hearing upon the system of religious instruction for many years past in vogue in that State. “The New South Wales Minister for -Justice had on his hands no less than 26 gaols which are no longer required, principally because of a reduction in the number of persons* legally qualified to become occupants. Ten years ago there were 2SOO lodgers in these 26 gaols, but now the number has so largely decreased, notwithstanding a big increase in population of the State, that the small balance is most economical] v distributed among other gaols, ilie Minister is anxious to find sdme way of utilising the empty buildings.”

It is well known amongst officials of charitable institutions that miners have a sense of independence and honesty of rare quality (says the Southland “News”). Years ago a digger of the Waikaia district, who was then in straitened circumstances, fell ill, and was for some time an inmate ot the Southland Hospital. A balance of £2 remained unpaid on his hospital account, and at his request the trust, as it then was, wiped the amount off the books. Recently the old fellow died, and, having prospered in the interveningyears, lie- wa-s able leave *an estate worth about £3OO. the beneficiary under the will, another old Waikaia digger, in going through the deceased’s papers came across the communication acceding to the request that the £2 be wiped, off He at once instituted inquiries, and Undine: that the amount had never been paid, sent a cheque in satisfaction thereof.