PERSONAL ITEAIS.

Mr. A. Pearce was on Friday reelected chairman of directors of the Kakaramea Co-op. Dairy Co. Mr. Evan Parry, the well-known ele> trical authority, left for Sydney on featurday, proceeding thence to Melbourne and subsequently to Colombo. The Rev. H. T. Steele, vicar of Helensville, has been appointed vicar of AVhangarei, in succession to the Rev, G. G. Cruickshank, who is succeeding the Rev. AY. Beatty as vicar of St. Mark's, Remuera. Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., of Palmerston North, will relieve Mr. J*. S. Barton, S.M., at the Hawera Court for a fortnight, to enable Mr.' Barton to overtake an accumulation of court work at AVanganui. The death took place on Saturday night at Awakino of the wife of Mr. Alfred Black after a long illness. Mrs. Black was a member of the well-known Lye family of Tikorangi, and spent the younger years of her life in that district. She had lived for 30 years in Awakino, where the Black brothers (AVilliam and Alfred) made their home. The death is announced by cable from Sydney of Mr. David Darcy, the coursing breeder. After winning the Australasian AVaterloo Cuo at AVarwick he journeyed to Geelong for the Victoria Cup and contracted a chill, pneumonia supervening.

_Mr AY. Morrison, chairman of the Waitotara County Council, is down with influenza*, and was unable to attend the meeting of the local body yesterday. ' ■ • . Mr Alexander Crabb. MRC V S formerly veterinary officer in. London in the Hisrh Commissioner's Office, has been appointed secretary in that office Wr r? iv . Thomas Edward Donne,' i,. M.(...wh0 recently retired from the position/ Private advice has heen received in Christchurch that Captain Alan W Duncan of the Gurkha Rifles, was awarded the D.S.O. for distinguished service m the recent Malabar campaign m India. Captain Duncan, whc has many friends in Christchurch, was a member of the Main Body, and saw vl:«on Gallipoli and *in France. After the battle on the Somme he secured a transfer to the Indian Army. Mr. Arthur Dudley Dobson, after whom Arthur's Pass is named, fully expected to be able to participate in the function m connection with the opening of the Arthur's Pass section of the lust and AVest Coast Railway Unfortunately on Friday Mr. Dobson, who had just recovered from an attack of influenza, slipped on the steps at his residence, and fell on the concrete, injuring one of his shoulders severely. 1 The death occurred on Thursday night last of-an old and respected resident <}f AVaitara in the person of Mrs. J G Christie, widow of the late Constable J. G. Christie, who was stationed at AVaitara for many years. Deceased, who was 72 years of ao;e, came to New Zealand some 50 years ago, and spent most :of her early life in Wellington and the Thames district. She had one daughter, Mrs. A. Tatton, who predeceased her some time back. Her grandfather, Major King, fought in the Maori war, and is buried in the old soldiers' cemetery at AVaitara.—Mail.

Despite the views expressed in regard to the work yet to be done, it seems to be generally accepted now that the Prime Minister will leave for the Imperial Conference in the Tahiti, which leaves AVellington on or about August 28 (says the Dominion). In such case Mr. Massey will be able to make a quick journey across the United States, and catch 'a* fast steamer leaving New York for England. It seems likely, however, that the session may not end before his departure, but will continue for come time afterwards. The Rev. T. F. Taylor, who has charge of the social service work of the Anglican Church in the AVellington;, diocese, will arrive in Hawera by themail train this evening, and will deliver an address at St. Mary's Hall at 8 o'clock on the "Social service work of the Church." The Rev. Mr. Taylor has a great number of friends throughout the Dominion, and no doubt many in Hawera will be glad to meet him again. A very old colonist, Mr. Charles Moeller, senr., died at the Te Kopuru Hospital, near Dargaville, last week at the advanced age of 97, as the result of injuries sustained through a fall while working in his garden a few days earlier. Mr. Moeller was born in Holland, and arrived in New Zealand prior to the commencement of the Maori AVar. He was engaged on active service right through this war, being present at the taking of Gate Pa, and later with General Cameron in the Waikato and at Poverty Bay. He was among those chosen for service in Taranaki, and was with the troops when A ron Tempsky was killed. After the war he was appointed as assistant signalman ,with the late Captain R. Paltridge at the Manukau Heads signal station, under Captain AVing, then harbourmaster at Onehunga. He remained in the lighthouse service for many years until his retirement. After the death of his wife, about two years ago, Mr. Moeller went to live with his son at Pouto. He is survived by his son, Mr. C. Moeller, jun., and his daughter, Mrs. Harrison, of Eltham, another son, who was at the landing at Gallipoli, having been reported as missing. Mr. Moeller always enjoyed excellent health, attributing this to simple living and hard work. ''■■'".'■' ' ■ \ ,