ARMY AND NAVY

INTERESTING PERSONAL ITEMS.

(rnou our own correspondent.)

LONDON, 23rd September.

When Admiral Visiount Oellicoe, in November, 1916, took with him to the Admiralty from tho Grand' Fleet one of liis secretaries, Paymaster-in-Chief H. H. Share, to act as "Additional Naval Assistant," he established a precedent, which has sin'ji been followed. It was extended in 1917-18, and at the Armistice five out of the seven naval members of the board had accountant officers as their secretaries. With the appointment of a naval secretary to the Third Sea Lord in February last all the Service members came into line in this respect, and now that certain of the Sea Lords are leayiag the Board to take up commands, their secretaries are accompanying them. Admiral Sir Montagu Bi owning hoists his flag as Commanderin Ohief at Devqnport, and when RearAdmiral Sir William Nicholson assumes command of the Second Battle Squadron, they will have as their secretaries the same officers who were with them at th© Admiralty when they held the posts of Second and Third Sea Lords respectively. Pay-Captain H. R. Russell, CM.G., will accompany Admiral Brovvning to Ply, mouth, and Pay-Commander H. Rogers, 0.8. E., will join the flagship Barham, with Rear-Admiral Nicholson. ■ These appointments carry a stage further the practice originated during the war to provide continuity of employment, for "admirals' secretaries, to obtain a greater representation of officers of tho accountant branch at the Admiralty, and to ensure that the experience gained by such officers at Whiten ill should be afterwards utilised in the Fleet or at the- naval bases.

The Gazette publishes tho transference of Major W. Bruce, 0.8. E., M.8., from tho New Zealand Medical .Corps to tho Army Medical Service, with the rank of Captain, dating as from 18th November, 1918.

The name of Acting Sub-Lieutenant W: C. Eykyn, R.N., who was in H.M.S. New Zealand during Viscount'Jelliooo's tour in 'southern waters in 1919, appears in the list of those officers who havo succeeded in passing their engineering examination. ' Acting Sub-Lieutenant St. J..A. Mioklethwaite, who was appointed to H.M.S. Veronica, has succeeded in passing his examination in engineering. Captain P. M. R. Royds. C.M.G., R.N., has been appointed to the President as Director of Physical and Recreational Training.

Engineer-Commander J. Hughes has been posted to H.M.S. New Zealand.

Paymaster Sub-Lieutenant H. M. ■Homo R.N. (in H.M.S. Renown with tho Princv of Wales) has been appointed to H.M.S. Barham, as secretary's clerk.

Mr. H. L. Bond, formerly of the literary staff of the Auckland Star, who came H£me in February last to; take up the appointment of private secretary to Major Sir Robert Walker, Bt., # Sand Hutton, has; received a commission in tho sth York-. shiro Regiment.