PERSONAL.

Wairarapa Age, 12 December 1918, Page 5

PERSONAL.

I Mr L. S. P. Free, S.M., returned f to Masterton from "Wellington yesterday. Mr T. B. Handloy has been appointed managing editor of tho Woodvilto "Examiner." Private J. T. O'Kanc,. of Whakatalci, who has been a prisoner of war in Germany, has been repatriated. Word has been received in Masterton that Gunner C. P. Kedman will return to New Zealand with Draft 200. Messrs W. J. Tennent, J. T. Watson, and W<m. Perry leave for Wellington to-day to attend 9 conference relating to the forthcoming licensing pollMr E. P. Nealo, M.A., LL.B., who is on the staff of the Otago Boys' High School, has been appointed Compiler-in-Charge of Statistics of Finance at Wellington. The death has oociirred at Waihi of Mr John Newth, a very old resident of the district. Deceased was a member of the first Waihi Borough ,1 Council, which was formed in 1902. |j Archbishop O'Shea, who celebrated " the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church recently, was to have hod a public celebration, but owing to the epidemic the gathering was postponed indefinitely. Mr Robert Riley, Parliamentary reporter of the "Donedin Star," has been appointed an additional secretary to the Ministerial delegation, and it is understood that he will be entrusted with the task of writing an official story, from the New Zealand viewpoint, of the Versailles Peace Congress. Another victim to the epidemic ia Mr Gordon Murray, of the Bank of New Zealand staff at Ohura. When members of the Ohura staff were all attacked by the influenza, Mr Murray, although only on the threshold of manhood, took charge, having previously worked in the department. He carried on Until, at last attacked by the epidemic, a promising; young life waa terminated. About eighteen months ago Mr Murray saved a boy from drowning in the river at GreyP Mrs W. Hercock, who passed away Taumarumii recently, and who was a sister of Mr William Reid, of the Makino, was the first white giri born amongst the emigrants on Petone ißeachv Her father and mother (the late, Mr and Mrs Thomas Reid) arrived in Wellington Harbour on the Bengal Merchant on February 16th, ISO. Mrß Hercock, who was 75 years of age, had been, a widow for ten years, and she leaves five daughtors, five sons, some thirty grandchildren, and about ten great grandchildren. Three of her grandsons were killed during the war, and three others have been or are still on service.

At the Methodist Synod at Wellington feeling reference was made to the loss the Church had sustained through the death of the late Rev. S. Sorpell, for some years in charge of #th© Taranaki street Church, and also at Masterton/ and the following motion was carried in silence:—"This Synod expresses its Binoere regret at the passing the Rev. 8. J. Serpoll, a former minister in this district, and for many years tho district chairman. Wo bear him in affectionate memory as a brother beloved, a gonial spirit, a wise administrator, and a faithful preacher of the Divino Evangel. Wo convey to hia daughter and son our heartfelt sympathy in the loss of a father so kind and good and beloved."