PERSONAL ITEMS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15463, 16 December 1915, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Staff Sergeant-Major E. M. Kennedy has been promoted to warrant rank. Major Norton Francis, N.Z. Forces Motor Service Corps, has been temporarily attached to the general staff at headquarters. The Rev. E. Evans, of the Napier Baptist Church, has intimated his acceptance of a unanimous call to Iho pastorate of the Potonc Church. Wellington. Major Craig, former]* Medical Superintendent of Waihi Hospital, who has been at the Dardanelles, returned to New Zealand by th© Mooraki oa Monday. Mr Charles Frairdseii. on the eve of Ins departure fo r Trentham to join the Eleventh Reinforcements, was'tfic recipient of a wristlet watch and a set of military brushes from his followworker.s at Suckling's, Ltd. Mr Gordon F. Drayton, eldest son of Major Drayton, of Christchurch, left for Trentham last evening as an N.C.O. in the 13th Reinforcements. Another son, Trooner R. F. Drayton, left with tlio Sth Reinforcements/ Mr W. Wright, who loft for Trentham yesterday, was presented with a case of pipes and tobacco, also a cheque for his wife and family, from the firm of T. and E. J. Hatiierley and their employees. The main- friends in New Zealand of Captain 'P. J. Stopford. R.N., will bo interested to learn that ho left H.M.S. Canoius in September last to take up the important duties of ''Beachniaster' at Mudros. Mr E. D. Reid, a member of the teaching staff of the Secondary Department of Gilby's College, who hag offered and bren accented for service at the front, was on Tuesday afternoon presented by his present and past students with a wristlet watch. Mr J. V. Wilson, M.A.. an old pupil of the Boys' High School. Who attained doublo firsticlass honours at Canterbury College, ahd three senior scholarships, has given up his position ua lecturer in classics nt Auckland University College, and enlisted. He goes to the N.C.O. camp. Mr J. A. Clements, who has been professional coach of tho Christchurch .'.nd Auckland Golf Cltlus, has been appointed to ix similar capacity under the Miramar Golf Club, rico Mr K. S. Douglas, who has enlisted. Mr Clements'formerly hold tho professional jjolf championship of Now Zealand. Lieutenant Blake, reported to-dav as killed in action, was the son of Mr'V. Blake, of the Gishorno Lands and Survey Office (says our Gisborne correspondent). Lieutenant Blake was a purveyor in Auckland . When he enlisted. lie left .Now Zealand with the Sixth Reinforcements, receiving ,- a commission jiiftfc prior to hU departure.

Mr P. O'Shea, who is well-known in athletic circles as a champion cyclist, and who left last ni;jht for camp-, was on Saturday entertained by a number of friends and motor enthusiasts at Hanmer Springs, and presented with a gold wristlet watch. Mr E. -W. Pidgeon made the presentation, and referred to the many good qualities of the recipient, and wished him tho best of luck and a safe return to the Dominion.

Yesterday Mr A. C. Mftftwcll. headmaster of the Fisherton School, and well known in connexion with the C.D.C., received word that his eldest sor,, Signaller James Welsh Maxwell, had died of wounds at the Dardanelles. Signaller Maxwell was born in the Ashburton County, and educated nt the Kast Ohristchurch and Tai Tapu schools, also at the West Christchureh District High School, and studied engineering at Canterbury College. Previous to joining the' Reinforcement;:, he was with the firm of Messrs P. and D. Duncan, and on tho voyage to the front ho celebrated his nineteenth birthday.