PERSONAL.

Mr F. E. Jenks, a member of the Parcels office staff at the Palmereton railway station, has been transferred to the relieving staff. Mr K. L. Bethune, well known in' Palmerstori and surrounding disti.cts, has been appointed postmaster at Oroua Downs, vice'Mr H. Hartley, resigned. Mr J. C. Lane, secretary of the Manawatu A. and P. Association, is now on a visit to. Taranaki, where he is attending several shows. Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Poore, of the Australian Squadron, was a visitor to Palmerston last evening. Sir Richard returned to Wellington to-day. Mr H. Burling, the Waikanae centenarian, has been v very ill with bronchitis, b6 is now making a speedy recovery, and, as he terms it, getting ready for the next football season. The police authorities in Christchurch were informed yesterday that Mr Archibald Orr, dairy farmer at Little River, ■died suddenly on Sunday afternoon. It is believed that heart diseases was the cause of death. Messrs Caleb Whitehead and A. E. Whitehead, of Palmers; on, are expected to return to Palmert. ;n on Saturday from their trip to t 1 ...' Old Country. They are on board the ainui, which arrived at Hobart yesterday. ' Advice has been received from London that Mr Robert Stout, son of the Chief Justice, has, in addition to degrees formerly granted, obtained the degrees of B.M. and B.S. from the London' University., Mr Fred Mowlem has received word that his son, Mr Len Mowlem, who recently left for England, is at present studying to pass the necessary examinations to qualify him to take a position as a wireless telegraphist. Mr Mowlem was in Liverpool when the last mail left.

Miss Buick, daughter of Mr D. Buick, M.P., has been, particularly successful with her beautiful deerhound Cloverlea Wolf at recent shows. Not only did the animal win a number of prizes at Palmerston, including the bracelet for the best dog in the Show, but at Wafflganui he secured two firsts, the New Zealand Kennel Club's championship, and three trophies, besides the award in. the ladies class. This is a splendid record, hardly equalled by any other representative of the breed in New Zealand. Miss Jessie Furrie, only daughter of the late Mr C. V. Furrie, one of Foxton's earliest settlers, was married this, morning to Mr John Kay, of the Railway Department. The newly-married couple left by the Auckland Express on a brief honeymoon trip. The bride was very popular in Foxton, particularly in Church circles, and prior to her marriage she was made a presentation by the members of the Presbyterian Church of a handsome silver tea and cofiee service in recognition of her honorary services as organist for a number of years. Mr A. C. Bradfield underwent a rather serious operation at Nurse Linton s private hospital this morning. Mr Bradfield came through the ordeal well and his condition is satisfactory. His illness has come at a particularly unfortunate time, for he is the local representative of the National . Sweet Pea Society oi New Zealand, whose first show is to be held in Palmerston early next month. Mr Bradfield was making strenuous preparations for what was anticipated would be one of the most notable floral exhibitions ever held in New Zealand, &nd if the Society's initial effort is to be a success the local horticulturists will need to step into the breach and push on the work which has been so ably commenced.

The death is announced of Mr James Stevens, formerly of ' "Pendarvis, _ Petone, and latterly of Wellington, m his 84th year. Mr Stevens, who was born in Cornwall, arrived in New Zealand in 1874. He had undertaken large engineering works at Home and in Cuba, and on arriving in New Zealand took up land at Korokoro, where he had resided until a short time back, when he came to Wellington to be near his medical adviser. Mr Stevens leaves a widow and a family of nine-Messrs J. Stevens (Melbourne), M. Stevens (Pahnerston), Mrs P. H. Lynch (Kumeroa), Mrs U. Donald (Maste'rton),.Mrs Gower (Pendarvis), Mrs Curtis (Petone), Mrs Steadman (Melbourne), Mrs Townshend (Karori), and Mrs Rickards (England).