PERSONAL.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 11, 14 January 1910, Page 6

PERSONAL.

It lias been arranged tliat Mr W. R. Haselden, S.M., will temporarily take Mr H. W. Nortlicroft's late district. Mr C. C. Kettle, S.M., lias resumed liis duties in Auckland. Mr C. E. Torlesse, manager of the Hastings branch of the Union Bank of Australia, leaves Hastings within a fortnight to take over the management of the Waimate branch. Mr F. Gillanders, late manager of the Moupmaliaki Experimental Farm, had a sensational experience last week at Hastings, whither he had been oil a holiday. He was one of a motoring party of five, and turning a sharp corner on a hillside, the car left the road and turned completely over. All the occupants were thrown out, but, beyond a severe bruising and shaking, all fortunately escaped serious injury. Dr. Findlay has received information that Sir 'Robert Stout will leave England for New Zealand about th© middle of February. The operation lie underwent, which was serious, has had satisfactory results, and it is expected that Sir Robert will be fully restored to health soon after his leave expires. His Excellency the Governor being unable to be present to open the new wards in the basement of the Auckland Hospital, the Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister in Charge of Hospitals, is to be asked to open them about the end of January. It is proposed, subject to Lady Plunket's consent, to call the children's ward the "Plunket Ward." The Patea Presbyterian Church is forwarding a call to the Rev. R. S. Nixon, who visited Patea and preached in the local church some months ago. Mr Nixon is a late arrival from the Old Countiy, and his preaching made a very favorable impression when he visited Patea. The call has been largely signed. Colonel Head, officer in charge of the Permanent Force at Wellington, and Director of Ordnance, arrived in Nelson on Tuesday, to act as officer commanding the district during the absence of Colonel Joyce on holiday leave. Mr H. D. Bell, K.C., who has been on a ten months' visit to Europe, has returned to Australia, and expects to leave Sydney for Wellington on the .loth instant.

Amongst the New Year honors conferred by the President of the French Republic, is the nomination of M. R. Boeufve, Consul for France in New Zealand, as Knight of the Legion of Honour. Mr John Mason, the winner of the cliess championship (says the Wellington Post), is aged twenty-eight. He belongs to Wellington, and is a law student at Victoria College. He is regarded as probably the most consistent chess-player in New Zealand to-day. This is his eighth championship tourney, and he has been a prizewinner on seven occasions. His only failure to get a place was his initial attempt, made some ten years ago. At Dunedin, Christmas, 1902, he tied with three others for second prize. In the following .year he tied with Mr W. E. Mason at Wellington for the championship, but lost the deciding game. A year later, at Oamaru, he again tied with Mr W. E. Mason, this time for third place. The next tourney was held at Auckland four years ago, when Mr Mason tied with Mr' R. J. Barnes, but again lost the play-off. In the Exhibition tournament at Christ-church a year later, he tied with Mr Barnes for fifth prize. As lie was selected to represent Victoria College in the University debating tournament at Easter, he Avas unable to compete at the Wellington Congress. Mr Mason took up the running- once more a year ago, and fourth prize.