PERSONAL ITEMS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13095, 21 April 1908, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The Hon. J. MoGowaa leaves Auckland for Wellington to-day to attend Cabinet meetings. . - '

Very general regret was expressed on the Riccarton racecourse yesterday afternoon wben it became kntwn tEfct Mr Geo. G. Stead had been taken suddenly ill immediately after ihe conclusion of ihe race for the Champagne iStakee, which was won. by Golden. Slipper, a filly from N hia stable. Mr Stead was on the Steward stand watching the wiinner being bi ought in after the race, when he vas seized with a sudden attack of pain ai»d! faintness. Medical assistance having been summoned, ho was taken- to his home, and on enquiry last night we were informed by his medical attendant Dr. Palmer, that the patient was suffering a good deal of pain, but otherwise was going on quite satisfactorily. He added' that tiie impression on tire course that Mr Stead waeecdzed 1 with some form of paralysis was incorrect, as his indisposition is entirely due to a ohill, and! not connected , with any form of paralysis. Mr Granville Hicks, of Wellington, formerly a member of the Waihi "Daily Telegraph" 'staff, has been asked ta stand for the Ohinemuri seat. A num-ero'jsly-eigned petition in favour of Mr Htcks's candidature has been forwarded to the Prime Minister. Mr Hicks will be a supporter of the as is Mr H. Poland, the sitting member. On Friday afternoon the passenger staff at the Christchurch station assembled in the parcels offioej and on their behalf Mr P. L. Payne, efcationmaster, presented! a silver coffee service to 'Mr E. Rackley, who has been mi charge for the (past four years. and -who is under transfer to To Awanmtu to take un the position of stationmsster there. Mr Compton is taking charge of tho parcels office till Mr llackley's successor arrives. Advantage was taken of the occasion to present Mr F. L. Bromley,' until recently one of the parrels office staff, but who has been, transferred to the Goods Department, with a set of brushes and a tobacco pouch. The presentation was made by Mr Pavne.

After rot-orning from Fort Jervoia yesterday afternoon-, the officers of the Lyttelton artillery division and the potty officers of the Lyttelton Navals met to say farewell to Lieutenant Mayno, who is leaving to-night for Waipawa. Captain Foster, of the Lyttelton Navals, expressed the great regret felt by all the members of the company at losing the services of eucli a cenable officer. The toast of the Riiust's health was honoured enthusiastically. Afterwards the petty offioers assembled to say fareweJl to Lieutenant Mayne. and Serjeant Knight, of the Royal N.Z. Artillery, also expressetl the regret of that company at the departur" of Lieutenant Mavno.

Mr and Mrs G. T." Booth gave an "At Home" at Littlcovcr vpsterday to enable the friend« of Mr Winter Hal! t-o meet him. The invitations were nrgolv r«s]>or!dod to, and a number of MY Hall's friends personally offered their eonq;rj»tulation.<! on his success in his profession. A very pleasant afternoon was spent by tho>e present.