PERSONAL NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3718, 2 January 1913, Page 5

PERSONAL NOTES.

A Sydney P. A. cable states that Speaker Willis is a passenger by the Wimniera for New Zealand. On Christmas Eve, Mr. and 3!is. G. A. Beere, of Gisborne, celebrated their golden wedding, having been married at Pieton in 1862. The Hon. E. Mitchelson. who is now recovering from protracted and -severe illness, has decided to take a tour of Britain and Continent, which will extend over a period of nine months.— P.A. message.* Air unfortunate affair happened at the Waikouaiti races yesterday. Mr H. B. Mountney, whose soil had a horse running in the Second Trot, dropped dead while watching the horses , going on their preliminary. Deceased gentleman was an old resident of Otago.—P.A. A Wellington P.A. wire says that Hon. W. I). Johnson (Minister for Public Works in West Australia) arl’ied last night by the steamer Kivinana, partly on a pleasure trip and partly to inquire into departmental methods of interest to .his Government, particularly local option. ! The New Zealand Shipping Co. advise having received cable advice of die death, on the 23rd inst., of Captain Forsdick, late of the s.s. JTuninui. Captain Forsdick had been hi the service of the N.Z.S. Co. since 1876, arid was in command at verio.is periods of the old clippers. Dr George Wilson, a well-known citizen of Palmerston North, and a most successful practitioner,* who has been in practice in Palmerston for 20 years, died on Tuesday evening. He was operated on for ’appendicitis on Sunday afternoon, but the trouble had been allowed to go too far. His death is verv sincerely regretted.— P.A. '

Early on Saturday morning Lieut. Col. Becgingliam, of South Canterbury, died, aged 55. Deceased came to Timaru with his parents as a youngster. /He began volunteering as a cadet of C Battery over 30 years ago, and had been in the volunteer service until transferred to staff, and under the new defence system lie was given charge of the infantry in the South Canterbury sub-district. He leaves a widow, a son, and four daughters. —P.A. message. On Tuesday last Mr Piper, late teacher at Te Puia Springs, was married to Mr and Mrs H. M. Fairlie’s daughter (Aggie) quite a large gathering assembling to do honor to the occasion. Rev. Mr Wilson officiated at the Church. The wedding breakfast was partaken of in the *arge dimng room at Wai/aa. The usual toasts were drunk and responded to. Mr and Mrs Fairlie were just splendid as host and hostess. The newly married couple left for 'Christchurch. Quite a display of presents were on view.— ‘■'Own correspondent.” Captain John Watson, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Port Chalmers, died on Tuesday afternoon (says a P.A. wire). Deceased was born in Scotland in 1834, and in 1848 went as an apprentice on a barque to Victoria and to the Arctic regions. He got his mate’s certificate in 1854, and made twelve voyages in that capacity in the Arc-' tic. He was master of the barque Perseverance in 1856, and was appointed ice master of the Dolphin (216 tons, 4 guns) the same year in a search for minerals in Greenland. The expedition was successful. Later he went on further expeditions in the Arctic whaling, and was twice wrecked, once returning in open boats till picked up by the Emma, also fast in the ice, and taken to England four months later: and -once living many months with Eskimos. Afterwards lie entered the Australian service and commanded several sailing vessels to Australian ports. He came to New Zealand during tlie Maori war and commanded the barque Collingwood, which was sent to the Chatham Islands two weeks after the escape of Te Kooti. He brought back 160 Maoris and landed them in Taranaki. A few years later be entered tlie pilot service at Taiaroa Heads, and for 18 years was secretary of tlie Otago Dock Trust.; He then retired and two years ago revisited England, but since Ills return‘has been ailing.