ORDER OF ST. JOHN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 151, 28 June 1945, Page 7

ORDER OF ST. JOHN

N.Z. KNIGHT COMMANDER

SIR C. NEW ALL APPOINTED PA. WELLINGTON, this day. Advice has been received from Earl Clarendon, Sub-Prior of the Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Order of St. John, that his Excellency the Governor - General, Sir Cyril Newall, has been appointed to succeed the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes as Knight Commander of the Commandery in New Zealand. The following appointments of executive officers have been made in the Commandery in New Zealand for the triennial period commencing on June 24, 1945:—Lieutenant and deputy Knight Commander, Lieuten-ant-Colonel Sir James Elliott; chaplain, Archbishop West-Watson; treasurer, Mr. W. Appleton; director of ambulance, Mr. J. Heaton Rhodes; Commandery commissioner, Mr. F. W. Ward; hospitaller and almoner, Lieutenant - Colonel J. H. Graham ! Robertson; director of ceremonies, | Mr. D. F. Mackay,

Previous to the formation of the Commandery in New Zealand, Sir Heaton Rhodes was head of the Dominion council, which had existed for many years. The Order in New Zealand was first established in Christchurch by Sir William Jervois, the then Governor, and Sir Heaton was one of its early members. He was made Knight of the Grace in 1912 and in 1930 was admitted as a Knight of Justice. When the Commandery was formed in 1931 Sir Heaton became its first Knight Commander, an office which he has held ever since. During the last war he was appointed Red Cross Commissioner overseas. Sir Heaton was born in Canterbury over 80 years ago and throughout his long life there is hardly a field of social activity in which he has not shown an active interest, especially in the care of the sick and suffering. He has travelled extensively in the interests of the Order.