PERSONAL ITEMS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13160, 6 July 1908, Page 7

PERSONAL ITEMS.

* Tlie Hon. C. C. Bnwen. Mr A. Kidd, M.1., and Mr H.uuer-Brown arrived from Wellington by the Mararoa yesterday. ■Mr" T. K. Sulcy. M.P., -r Beainijaiiip. and Mr .1. W. Joynt left tor \\ by the .Maun on urdty night. .Mr T. Brown h'fi for Auckland by th-j Waikare un Saturday night. Captain Lluu-h.i.u.-. A .juta.-ii Siiarp (S A.i. Mr X tteai-.ii uti<,_.(&, M.1.. Air .). Aii.r... Ml.. Mi I. K. Sidey'. .M.1.. Mr (•. l-...;rei.v , : . M.1., aim .ur 1). Bi;<_:<>. M.1.. arrived iroui \\eiiington by tiie .Maori on ."Mitiiniay. .Mr ",ir.d Mr 11. jl. Son-i.s-en arrivid from the .North by tlie V\ immera on Sa.urd:;y. .Mr I. I. Sniail, lay evangelist, com-menc<_-'t a on Eoiuctlay. Arrivals in town on Saturday and yoten.ay included Messrs H. (i". Ln.-J; (Sydney). 11. 11. Norton. G. R. Hutchinson (Auckland;. U. V. Walton. i:. (;. Sniitii, c. w. N: t -] Sl .|,. j. t-.^iii. J. B. A. S. (Welling;* -n). Frank Thornton (London,;. A. Be.i.sack, A. E. Staines (Duiiedini.' ii. \ an Ascli (Bangiora*. 11. F. .Alom-o (Bleniieim;, and I. A\. Eiby (Timaru;. A presentation was made on Saturday to Mr Shirres (who has been .;■, years in the railway sen a-.-) by his lellow v.orkruen. on ilie occasion of his retiring on superannuation. Airs Shirres was presented with a silverinouiitod oak tray.

It was announced at Trinity Congregation.d Church yesterday that the Rev. W. J. L. Closs. B.A.'. of Ip--wich, Queensliind. formerly a New Zealuutj hoy and a teacher in the Normal School, Dunedin, had cabled his acceptance of tlie members' unanimous call to the Pastorate. ]),_ is expected to arrive in Christchureh at the end of next month.

Mr B. 11. Paticce, who has taken up the position of Resident S.cretarv for New Zealand of the Australian Widows' Fund Life Society, has had a long lifo insurance experience. Entering tiio service of tho Equitable Life Society in Melbourne at the beginning of \SSii, as shorthand writer, lie was quickly promoted to cashier, and when the Society's business was extended to Tasmania, towards tho end of 1889, he wa.s appointed local manager. Three years afterwards he took charge of South Australia, whilst in 11KMJ lie became joint manager for Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Two years later, he accepted the position of Chief Inspector for Australasia, and in successive years paid three visits to New Zealand. After the Equitable Lifo Society discontinued business in Australia about two years ago. Mr Pascoo, who at that time was manager for Victoria, wa.s elected a mcmlxy of the Stock Exchange of Melbourne, and still retains his seat.

Saturday's ''Southland Times" says: —The many friends of Mr G. K. Totton in rowing, footbaU, ami social circles will be glad to learn that he has been appointed manager of tho New- Zealand Insurance Company for the Kmpire of Japan. Mr Totton left the local office of the Company some four years ago for the East, where the progressive New Zealand institution has a large and growing field. He has done so well that he has now received the appointment of manager, which carries with it, we understand, a handsome salary for so young a man. Mr Alexander McKay. GovernmentMining Geologist, who is about to retiro from the Public Service under the provisions of the Superannuation Act, has been in New Zealand since 18(53. After working on various South Island goldfields he went to New South Wales and Queenfland. ro+nrni"" +o f, '-~ "~--i----try in 18GG. In former years ho was .Associated with tho late Sir Juliiu yon Haast and the late Sir J.-unes Hector in various scientific expeditions in New Zealand, and ho has written valuable works on geology. Mr McKay, who joined the New Zealand Government t'orviee in 1874. is a fellow of the London Geographical Society and is also a member of several other well known scientific bodies.