PERSONAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 151, 8 April 1930, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Mr H. Pike, of the railway locomotive staff, Otira, has been transferred to Ashburton.

A New York telegram states that Mr William P. Harding (ex-Governor of the Federal Reserve Board) died at Boston yesterday from heart disease.

Mr S. Webb, instructor in physical drill for the Canterbury Education Department, is in Ashburton, and will conduct the massed drill display at the Mid-Canterbury primary schools’ sports meeting on Saturday.

Mr C. L. Hardie has been anpointed Reform organiser for Canterbury. His district will cover*the nine electorates in the province. Mr Hardie is a son of Mr C. 1). Hardie, librarian at Canterbnyr College, and late Inspector of Schools, and at one time headmaster of the Borough School, Ashburton.

After nearly 21 years’ service, Mr John Dobbin" last night tendered, to the Ashburton Borough Council his resignation from the works staff, on account of his health. The Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) and members of the Council referred to the excellent work done by Mr Dobbin, to whom the Council extended wishes for his happiness and long life in retirement. It was agreed to give Mr Dobbin three months’ leave of absence on full pay.

The practical examinations under the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music,, London, will be conducted this year by Dr. R. 0. Beachcrcft, M.A. Dr. Beachcroft, son of Judge F. P. Beachcroft, of the Bengal Civil Service, w;s born in the iPunjab, India, and was educated at Rugby and at Worcester College, Oxford. He received his musical education as an exhibitioner at the Royal College of Music, studying under Sir Walter Parratt, Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, Mr Franklin Taylor and Sir Frederick Bridge; and as organ scholar at Worcester College, Oxford (under Sir Henry Hadow), where he graduated Mus. Doe. For a short time D'r. Beachcroft considered composition a possible career, and was encouraged in this by Sir Charles Stanford and Sir A. Sullivan, but later he concentrated on the educational side of music. He held for many years, until his retirement in 1926, the appointment of Director of Music at Clifton College, also at Clifton and Redland High Schools, and was connected with the Bristol University. Dr. Beachcroft has a wide experience as conductor, performer, lecturer and adjudicator, also. in giving orchestral concerts, producing choral works and in mass-singing. He is now mainly occupied with examination work for the Associated Board of the R.A.M. and R.C.M., both at Home and abroad.