Personal Items

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23946, 13 May 1943, Page 4

Personal Items

The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) visited Canterbury University College yesterday to see activities of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research which is connected with the college in carrying out research and development of national importance. Mr Fraser, accompanied by Dr. E. Marsden, Director of Scientific Development, was met by Mr A. E. Flower, chairman of the Canterbury University College Council. Mr C. C. Kemp, registrar, and Mr T. Pollard, engineer in charge of the work. Later, Mr Fiaser received a number of private deputations in the city. He returned north last evening. The Minister of Education (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) visited several schools yesterday morning, giving a sympathetic hearing to a deputation introduced by Miss Mabel Howard, M.P., at the Phillipstown School seeking a new open-air infant school. In the afternoon the Minister, accompanied by the Direclor of Education (Dr. C. E. Beeby), v'sited child welfare institutions. To-day the Minister will visit Mid-Canterbury, and will retqrn to Wellington this evening. The' Minister of Transport (the Hon James O’Brien), accompanied by his private secretary (Mr G. A. Kensington), arrived in Christchurch from Greymouth last evening. Prince Tuboutoa, Crown Prince of Tonga, and now Minister of Education there, has been granted the rank of major in the New Zealand forces. Mr Justice O’Regan returned from the West Coast yesterday. The Moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly (the Rt. Rev. J. G. Laughton) attended a meeting of the Christchurch Presbytery yesterday. Private word has been received in Christchurch that Lieutenant T. R. M Hobbs, of Christchurch, who was recently reported wounded in the Middle East, has been awarded the Military Cross. Mr W. H. Newton, of Auckland, Hie first life member of the Now Zealand Educational Institute, and president in 1008-09, was welcomed at the annual conference in Christchurch yesterday. Also present was Mr J. R. Wilkinson, of Rangiora. one of the original founders of the Institute in 1883. Mr T. A. Gates, who has been headmaster of the Wharonui School for the last 15 years, has retired after 48 years’ service to the teaching profession. He was given a farewell at the end of the school term, by pupils, past and present teachers, and residents of the Wharenui district. Mr L. Hopkins, who was appointed to the executive of the A hburton Returned Soldiers’ Association in 1917 and has remained on the committee lor 23 years, was appointed a life member ef the associrtion at the animal meeling last evening. The distinction of life membership cf the New Zealand Educational Institute has been confer ed upon Mr J. A. Valentine, a former president, and a member of the Senate of the University of New Zealand. Mr Valentine is chairman of the Taranaki Education Board. The Director of Army Education, Lieutenant-Colonel D. G. Ball, will be the guest oi the Now Zealand Educational Institute Conference in Christchurch this morning, when he will speak on Army education. Tribute was paid by the New Zealand Educational Institute in Christchurch yesterday to the memory of two former members, Mr Jamos Aitken, of Wanganui, and Mr James Armstrong, of Auckland. Mr Norman Wilson was, last evening, appointed honorary secretary of the Sanatorium Service Society, replacing Mr A. E. H. Christie, who will eave to-morrow to lake up residence in Auckland. A presentation was made to Mr Christie at a meeting of the society. Reference to the services of ftie president tMr F. S. Norric) to the Canterbury School Committees’ Association was made at a meeting pf the association last evening, when Mr C. D. W. L. Sheppard moved that a recommendation should be forwarded to the executive that Mr Norrie bo made a life member at the next annual meeting. Mr Norrie will retire from the presidency at the expiry of his current term of office. The motion was carried unanimously.