PERSONAL ITEMS.

T , . —~ Mr F. Kear, the newly-appointed conductor of the Stratford Citizens' Band, with Mrs Kear and iamily, have ULen up their residence in fctratford. Mr W. Scannell, who hag been on the staff of the Public Trust Office in Hawera for about six years, has received notice of his promotion to be district agent at Levin. The death of Sir William MacEwen,' the celebrated Scottish surgeon, is announced in a London cable. Sir William, who wa« professor of surgery at Glasgow University, and the author of numerous medical publications, was 76 years of age. Captain Simmonds, the champion rifle shot, who won the King's prize at Trentham last week, returned to Wanganui last night, and was given a warm reception by a large number of people.— Press Assn. The Rev. H- G. Blackburne, vicar of All Saints'' Anglican Church, Palmerston North, has announced his resignation owing to ill-health. Mr. Blackburne has been at All Saints' for nine i years. Mr. F. C. Cullen, who has been stationmaster at Eltham for the past two years, was farewelled by the staff on Saturday" night and Dresented with a : smoker's outfit. Mr. Qualter,. of Cross , Creek, Wairarapa, replaces Mr. Cullen. j Mr A.. M. Burns, sub-editor of the | Christchurch Press, has beeti appointed j assista-nt editor of the paper, but will j retain control of the sub-editorial dej partment.—Press Assn. Mr. E. H. Brooker, who has been

supplying the pulpit of the Fitzroy j Methodist Church for some months past ' left yesterday for Auckland.. He will take up hi s appointment in theHauraki Plains circuit (Upper Thames),, at Ngata early next monthMr P. C. Cullen, stationmaster at Eltham during the past two year^, was farewell on Saturday evening, by the staff. He was presented with a case of pipes and tobacco pouch by Mr J. j A. Luhra, on behalf of th« staff, and _ in doing sp Mr Luhrs referred to the i excellent relationship that had always existed between them. Mr Qualter, of Cross Creek (Wairarapaj succeeds Mr ! Cullen as atationmaster. Mr . Cullen i left yesterday for Wanganui to take up his new appointment. : The death occurred at Wanganui on I Saturday afternoon of Mr Alexander Mackie. The late Mr Mackie came to New Zealand from Wales when a boy, .settling with his parents in Mosgiel. At ! the age of 17 he joined the railway ser- ■ vice at Dunedin, and late;r was stationed consecutively at Napier,. Palmerston 1 North, Wellington, a*m, during the last : three years, at Wanganui, holding the ! position there of locomotive foreman. ! The deceased had been in failing health i for some time, and this necesistated his retirement from the railway service a few weeks ago. The late Mr Mackie was a prominent member of the Baptist Church Choir and the Wanganui , Male Choir.