PERSONAL ITEMS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16364, 8 November 1918, Page 7

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr S. Solomon, K.C., of Dunedin, is at present seriously ill. Mr Thornhill Cooper has-been seriously ill for some time with influenza and bronchitis. Mr J. F. O'Connor, of .Messrs Hutchinson and Co., Ltd., Sydney, is on a short visit to Christchurch. Another victim of the -influenza epidemic. is Mr E. S. Luttrell, who has been confined to his room .for three weeks. '. Prior.to his.leaving the Railway. Service to take up farming, Mr J. Behtori was yesterday presented by the local. Goods Department with a set of razors as 'a token of esteem in which he was held in the service. * Early yesterday morning Mr H. W. Bishop, ex-S.M., was attacked -by. a serious illness. Throughout the day .tie was in a critioal state, and last night it was reported that thero was no change -in his oondition. Mr A. W. Rutherford, of Mehdip Hills, who was in town for -the show, became seriously ill with influenza at Warner's Hotel. Yesterday his condition was* reported to be greatly improved. . A message from the official'war correspondent states that on the # nomination of . the Commandar-in-Chief, the Divisional Commander . (Sir • Andfew Russell) has been awarded the, Legion 'd'Honneur, Croix d'Officier. Mr W. Lints has, been engaged by the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association to organise a scheme for the raising of funds for the erection of the new club-house. Mr Lints will begin his duties early in March. At yesterday's meeting of the Canterbury Education Board, motions of sympathy and condolence were agreed to (members standing) with Mr A. Peverill in the death of his mother, and with Mr J. Maze in the death of.his brother, killed'in action. The Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister, of. Marine, who was to have, left for Wellington on'.Wednesday night, was unable to do, as' Miss Wilford fell a victim to influenza. As Mrs Wilford, arrive? to-morrow morning from Wellington, Mr, Wilford will leave to-night for lington. Yesterday 'Miss \\ ilford's conditionshowedsomo Blight improvement, ' Private'6eorge James Pitcher, mentioned as having, gained the Military Medal, is the eldest son of ;'Mr John Pitcher, London street, Richmond. .He was.. educated a.t the New . Brighton School, , on leaving ; which he was employed at; Messrs Ashby. Bergh and Co.'s for some -years. He joined the 17th Reinforcements, and,has seen some hard fighting. Latterly he has . been acting as a', battalion runner. He was .twice slightly wounded, but was able to.remain with his unit. •Mr ;S. G. Gordon, who for tho past 55 'years; has fteld" tne position of xiianager 'of.the Union Blank of Australia, •in 'Timaru, and' who recently resigned from that position,'and has aiso retired from the service of the.Bank, was lately the recipient of a letter from friends and former clients in? South" Canterj buryenclosing a substantial cheque, and expressing tho subscribers' high appreciation of •Mr 'Gordon's good qualities a'a bank manager, and also their personal-esteem, and goodwill, and-hop-uig-.Mr:and. Mrs Gordon iaight longen- . joy - a'well-earned res.t. . At-'a meeting of the Southland Preebytety, held on Tuesday, the foUowihg minute' of appreciation of the services of the Rev. It. M. Rybucn, now of St. Andrew's > Church, C'iiristchurch, was prepared; by the Rev. J. Collie,- and. j adopted this Presbytery places on record its appreciation of the great services rendered, by. the Rev. R. M. Ry burn, -M: A., to ■ the - cause of; Preebyterianism ■ and religion generally during over nihe years' ministry in Southland. As minister of-First Church,' Invercargill, Mr Ryburn has-filled the-leading position in our ..Presbytery : with marked ability-and-success. ' His relationships with his congregation have been most cordial and fruitful in good. His pulpit ministrations have Keen marked by robust common sense, evangelical earnestness and firm grasp' of Christian principle in regard .to. . great public questions. . his pastorate "' the progress of the congregation has ' been strikingly, marked by the erection of one of: the most fully equipped churches in New Zealand. During four years of war he-has worthily, represented pur church -on .-many public. occasions. •: In the work of the Prcsbytery his business capacity and wide experience have, made his help invaluable.. In; all matters affecting the welfare of the church a,nd the country.such as Christian education, - and social service. He has taken a foremost'part. His-fellow Presbyters in. parting with him desire to- express their, appreciation:. of the friendly; feeling he has invariably shown towards them.;and of! the help he. hfts willingly givenVto. the ] smaller charges throughout the . province." *.