Personal Items.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18014, 5 March 1924, Page 8

Personal Items.

The Governor-General will arrive in Greymouth from Eeefton on Tuesday next and wll leave for Hokitika on the 13th. A visit will be paid to the Franz Josef glacier, where the party will remain until March 17th. On that date the return to Hokitika will be made, and his Excellency will leave next day for Christchurch. The Hon. W. Nosworthy left last night on his return to Wellington.

Canon Bean, who has been on a visit to Wellington, returned by yesterday's ferry steamer.

Mr F. W. Furkert, Engineer-in-Chief, Public Works Department, left for Wellington last night.

Mr T. E. Fraser (Christchurch) left Wellington yesterday by the Tahiti. After spending a holiday in the United States, he intends to settle in England. Mr C. Dash, late town manager at Rangiora, left yestorday for Timaru to take up his duties as secretary to the South Canterbury Electric Power Board.

Mr J. H. McAuliffe, who has been appointed town manager at Rangiora, arrived there yesterday with Mrs McAuliffe. Ho will take up his new duties to-day. Mr George Rox, touring manager of the Humphrey Bishop Comedy and Operatic Company, arrives in Christchurch to-day to arrange for the company's opening at the Theatre Royal on the 15th inst.

Mr W. D. Charlton, formerly of the literary staff of the Wellington "Evening Post" and "New Zealand Times," has been appointed editor of the "Tomuka Leader," in succession to Mr J. Bambridge. Mr Charlton has taken up his new duties.

Messrs 0. Tucker and Chas. A. Wilson (Auckland), J. C. Tucker, A. C. Low, E. A. Christie (Wellington), C. A. Hughes (Auckland), J. Roy Malkin (Burslem, England), E. Culverwell (Timaru) are staying at Warner's Hotel.

Messrs W. L. Spackman (Napier), J. Nicholson, J. Wilson, and J. L. Pees (Otahuhu), R. L. Absolum (Auckland), G. Stewart (Sydney), J. H. Verry, and A. A. Verry (Wanganui), and O. Clabburn (Wellington) are staying at the United Service Hotel. Mr Justice Sim tvplT leave Dunedin for Christcliurch on Saturday by the second express.. At Christehurch his Honour will preside over a special criminal sitting of the Supreme Court, On Saturday, 15th inst., he will leave for Wellington, to attend the Court of Appeal.

Mr Ove Lunn, Consul-General for Denmark in Australia and New Zealand, who has been visiting Dunedin and Qheenstown, returned to Christchurch last night. He goes across to the West Coast to-morrow, and will proceed via the Buller Gorge and Nelson to Wellington,

The Rev. E. W. Hames, of the Auckland Theological Training College, who has been relieving the Rev. H. L. Blamires, of Nelson Methodist Church, for the past year, was entertained at a large farewell gathering. Very appreciative references were made to his services.

„ The Rt. Hon. W. A. Watt, P.C., Speaker of the Commonwealth Houso of Representatives, arrived in Wellington yesterday on a short visit to New Zealand. He was tho guest of the Government at luncheon. Mr Watt entered the Victoria State' Parliament in 1897, and was State Premier when he resigned to enter the Federal Government. .

Mr F. M. L. Sheppard, who has been associated with the N.Z. Farmers' Co-op. for the past twelve years, and has resigned to enter into partnership in a local business, was met by members of the Btaff to make him a presentation as a token of the regard in which he is held. Mr J. 8. Duke, chief auctioneer, in qiaking the presentation, which comprised an office clock, desk calendar, and smoker's outfit, referred to Mr Sheppard's many sterling qualities which had earned for him the esteem of the whole of tl;e staff. There was a large gathering of members of the staff of the Agricultural Department last week-end to bid farewell to Mr Walter Miller, inspector of offices, who is retiring after 40 years' service. Dr. C. J. Eeakes,Direc-tor-General of the Department, presided, and on behalf of the officers of the Department throughout the Dominion presented Mr Miller 'with a silver tea and coffee service, a silvermounted oak tray, and a roller-top desk and chair to match. Dr, Eeakes referred to Mr Miller's lengthy and honourable career with the Department.

There was a full gathering of the staff of the Government Insurance Department in Wellington a few days ago to bid farewell to Mr F. B. Bolt, who, is severing his connexion with the Department after forty years' activo service. The Commissioner, in making the presentation, expressed regret at tha loss of such a valuable and efficient officer, who had filled various positions with great credit to the Department. In losing Mr Bolt, the Commkfioner stated, the Department was lostig a most valuable officer. The DeputyCommk>ioner and the Actuary warmly supported the Commissioner's remarks. Mr Bolt, in reply, expressed his high appreciation of the jjood wishes extended to him, and in reviewing his long association with the Department referred particularly to the high standard the business had attained. He drew attention to the fact that during his term of office aa supervisor the returns of the Department had reached record figures. The present handed to Mr Bolt was a very valuable one, comprising a full travelling outfit. Colonel-Commander C. W. Melvill, C.M.G., D.5.0., N.Z.S.C., the otticer commanding the Central Military Command has been appointed by Cabinet to be' General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces, in place ot Major-General Sijr Edwardt Chaytor, who will retire on March 31st. Colonel Melvill joined the New. Zealand btaii Corps in 1910 at the inauguration ot the Territorial movement, being Brigade Major of the Auckland Infantry, w'hen war broke out, lie was at the Staff College at England, and he went abroad after passing his examinations. He was with one of the earliest British Divisions that went across to France, and subsequently he went to Gallipoii, where he had commanu of the 4th Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. He was m charge of the "Brown Line" at the Battle of Flers, 1916, and on the death of Bri-gadier-General Brown took command of the Rifle Brigade. Later he had charge of the First Artillery Brigade and m September ,and October was in command of the. attack at Y r auxelles and Fontaine. He was in command of the New Zealand Brigade at the time of the Armistice. MajorGeneral Melvill, is about forty-five years of age.