PERSONAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10134, 11 June 1924, Page 4

PERSONAL

Mr C. M. Ollivier, managing director of the Woolston Tanneries, Ltd., hasannounced himself as an. Independentcandidate for Christchurch Norths

Mr S. Grant arrived in Ashburton' to-day to make arrangements for the appearance of "Pharus,the Egyptian/** the modern miracle man, at His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, June 18, 19,. and 20.

In recognition of the services rendered by the member for Eden, the Hon. C. J. Parr and Mrs Parr on Monday were tendered a complimentary banquet by the electors (states a Press Association telegram from Auckland)The Prime Minister paid a tribute to the good work done by Mr Parr as Minister of Education. He said that' in his 30 years' experience Mr Parr had been a most enthusiastic holder of that portfolio, and was doing his--duty to the country faithfully and well.

Mr Justice Chapman definitely retired from the Supreme Court Bench and also from the Public Service on Saturday. On reaching the retiring: age in March, 1921, his Honor officially relinquished the office of Judge of the Supreme Court, but in October of the same year he accepted a temporary Judgeship, and has held various other commissions, including that of compiler of statutes.

The eighteenth anniversary of the death of the Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon, for 13 years Prime Minister of New Zealand, was marked at Wellington yesterday by a memorial ceremony at his statue in Parliament grounds, under the auspices of the West Coasters' Association. Eloquent tributes to the deceased statesman were paid by two of his former colleagues, Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon. Roderick McKenzie. Another ex-col-league, the Hon. Sir James Carroll, M.L.C., was also present. At tho conclusion of his speech Sir Joseph. Ward laid a wreath of remembrance* from the West Coasters' Association at, the foot of the statue. After theceremony many of those present proceeded to the residence of Mrs Seddon to remind her of their kindly foeling*for members of the. family of the late Mr Seddon.

Mr S. J. Irwin, headmaster of the ; Ashburton Borough School, has received notice of his appointment to the position of inspector of schools, and h© will have charge of the Westland district. Mr Irwin's headquarters will: be at Hokitika. He has a teaching experience of 24 years. After Jristraining at East Christchurck, Mr Irwin went to Sydenham School, wherehe was assistant master for eight years. He afterwards went to Doyleston as." headmaster for two years, following" which he was for five years on the* staff of the Normal School, Christchurch. Prior to receiving the appointment of headmaster at the Borough School, he was for a year organising teacher in this county.'- Mr Irwin: has been at the Borough School for over three years. He' expects to take up his new duties at* the beginning of next month.

It was mentioned in Christchurch yesterday that the Mayor, Mr J. A. ij Flesher, was likely to. be a candidate -. f6r Christcluirch, North at the next . election, in view of the decision of the* sitting member, Mr L; M. Isitt, not to stand again. When seen on the matter yesterday, Mr Flesher said it had been y suggested to him that he should become a candidate, but he had for the present crane to rib^decision

!at all. There were eighteen months ! still to go before the election, assuming there was no dissolution in the meantime, and there was plenty of time to- think over the • suggestion. It might hapnen that his Mayoral workr was not then finished, and that he would not be free to engage in general politics. " What party would you attach yourself to ?" he was asked. "Personally I would prefer to be an independent," he replied, "but I realise that although political independence is the ideal' state theoretic-, ally, yet in actual practice it leads nowhere. However, I am quite satisfied that it is only a matter of time

when there will only be two parties in politics, and a candidate will either be

with the Labour Party or against it."