PERSONAL ITEMS

Sir George Clifford returned to Christchurch by the Maori last evening. Mi\ W. J. Dickie, M.P., went south by the ferry eteamer last evening. Lieutenant' l. M. I!. (Lan) Studholme, son of Major I. Studholme, has passed through the Royal Military College, and now lias a commission with the Canterbury Mounted Bifles. He was an old pupil of the Robin Hood Bay School, Mariborough. Lieutenant Studholme ie going to Egypt. Word has recently been received in Wellington that the Rev. Father Ahenw, C.5.5.8., a Bedeniptprist chaplain on the Western front, lias received' Hie D.S.O. distinction, and also that ar.orher _Be-demptorfst-chaplain serving un the Western i'rant is the Rev. Father Ha;?, C.S.S.E. Father Haig is a convert to the Catholic Church, and a brother of General Sir Douglas Haig, Commandor-in-(Jhief. "I am informed that George Willis, formerly lieutenant in the Johnsonville Eiiles, is now a major in the Canadian. Army and making a name in the neld, writes Sergeant F. J. G. Moore, of Johnsonville, in a letter from Palestine. •His three brothers are also in France with the New Zealand Forces, and his sister is assistant matron in one of the MewZealand hospitals, so Johnsonville is well, represented in the war." Sergeant Moore, also stated that the bullet wound on ni3 arm was now quite healed.

The Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) yesterday telegraphed as follows to the president of the Ormondville Patriotic Society: "I understand that your society is to-night farewelling Private K. Benbow, who if- the fifth son of Mrs. Benbow to join the New Zealand Lxpeditionary Force. Will you please convey to Mrs. Benbow ray hearty congratulations upon tho splendid example of patriotism and self-sacrifice set by her tntnilv, coupled with my renewed sympathy in the sad loss of her two sons who have given their all in this horr.b e war The available evidence points to the fact that the enemy's defence is weakening, and the necessity is therefore greater now than ever for maintaining the maximum pressure against him in order to hasten the successful termination of hostilities. Anv slackening of our efforts can only prolong the struggle, and realising this I feel sure that-the majority of .the people of this Dominion are determined to L that our obligations to .the Mother Country in the matter of reinforcements are fiiily met."

A presentation of a pair of niotor-gloves Jda photograph of the Eastbourne Bowline green was made to Mr.H. A. AV ArKeiirie, on Thursday evening by the. Sasibburne Bowling Club.