PERSONAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 27, 1 February 1910, Page 6

PERSONAL.

Mr. A. J. Shappere (Sydney) is staying at the Star Hotel.

Air C. Hndson (chairman of the Old Hauraki Company) visited the mine today.

Mr J. B. Maefarl-ane, of Auckland, has been added to the Board of Directors of the New Zealand Portland Cement Company.

I'he Hon. T. Mackenzie (Minister for Agriculture), after visiting the West Coast intends to visit the North of Auckland. To-day he opened the Nelson Show.

Mr W. B. Braj-, Inspector of Apiaries, has been transferred from Christchurch to the North Island. He is to be succeeded by Mr E. G. Kenny, of Palmerston North.

Dr. J. S. Purdy was entertained at dinner last evening at the Marine Parade Hotel, Devonport, when he was presented with a handsomely-illuminated address by the staff of the Health Department in Auckland. Inspector Bennett proposed the health of '"Our Parting Guest," which was duly honoured. Complimentary remarks respecting Dr. Purdy's many good qualities were made by Messrs J. W- Taylor (who was in the chair), E. C. Cutten, S.M., R Grieve and B. A. Franklin. Dr. Purdy and his wife left by the Main Trunk express last night for Wellington and the Bluff, en route to Hobart to assume his duties as Chief Health Officer for Tasmania. Several boy scouts, in charge of Scoutmaster Stebbing, were at the station to tender a send-off to Dr. Purdy, who was the chief inspector of scouts for Auckland.

After 20 years' service in the Kawlce's Bay district, Constable T. E. Creeks, who, by the way, is Chief-Detective Marsack's brother-in-law, has been transferred to Auckland to fill the important position of Inspector of Weights and Measures. The popularity of this officer and the esteem in which he is held in Hawke's Bay isNtestified by the fact that on the eve of his departure he was entertained at a public meeting in Olive, and was presented with a handsome testimonial. Mr Creeks arrived in Auckland with hia family a few. days ago, and commences bis duties to-morrow. His son, Mr Charlie Creeks, was a prominent member of the Napier Amateur Athletic Club, and will be an acquisition as a sprint runner in Auckland running circles.

ilr. G. H. Edwards, late first assistant teacher at the Ellerelie public school, and Mrs. Edwards were entertained at a social function in the Elierslie Parish Hall last night. Mr. J. S. Dickson presided, and presented an address, signed by over 200 parents and guardians of children at the school, to Mr. Edwards, expressing the appreciation of the Elierslie people of his labours, and regret at his departure, which was Ellerslie's loss and Grey Lynn's gain, for Mr. Edwards has been transferred to the school in the latter district. A concert programme was gone through, the contributors being Misses Austin, Alley, Andrews, Mrs. Johnston, and Mr. Recitations were given by Messrs. F. •Lawry, M.P., and Dilworth Mossman. After the concert a dance was held.

Among the distinguished visitors to New Zealand at the present time is Brigadier-General Edgard Aickin Win. Stewart, C.8.. Oflicer commanding the Bth Brigade of the 111 th Division, Devonport, and late of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Kegiment). General Stewart, who was born in 1852, has seen a great deal of service throughout a varied career. He served throughout the Transvaal campaign in ISSI. was all through the Egyptian expedition in 1882, and was present at the battles of Kossassin and Tel el Kebir, in which campaign he gained the bronze star and the brevet of Major. He was again in Egypt with the expedition of 1884-"), and commanded the Queen's Own Regiment in the Boer war of 1899-1901, being mentioned in dispatches twice, and gaining the medal with four clasps. In company with Mr. L. Maitland Kirwin. General Stewart is trout-fishing at Lake Tokoanu.