PERSONAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 334, 22 October 1908, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The Prime Minister (Sir J. G. Ward), tho Hon. W. Hall-Jones, thp Hon. J. M'Gowan, end the Hon. Dr. Findlay aro in Wellington. Tho Hon. J. A. Millar will spend to-day at Ciiristchurcli, and the Hon. R. M'Nab at Hastings. The Hon. G. Fowlds is in Auckland, and. the Hon. J. Carroll is due at Gisborne. Captain Hennali, chief custodian of tho Government Buildings, returned from - a trip to Sydney by the Manuka yesterday. ' Mr. G. Hogben, thi Inspector-General of Schools, was at Palmcrston North yesterday, on his way to Auckland. He will not return to Wellington for a fortnight. Mr. Albert W. Wills, son of Mr. William Wills, of Mr. Geo. Winder's staff, died oil Monday last after a lingering illness. The deceased, who was a widower, was only 2G years of ago. Tho death is announced of Canon Dodd, of St. Paul's, Dimedin, aged 74. He was formerly vicar at Balclntha and in the Taieri. Deceased was occupied in the East Coast mission in 1881-83. Mr. Goo. Hatch, of Melbourne, goneral manager in Australasia for Messrs. T. Cook and Son, arrived from Sydney by the Manuka yesterday, 'and left for the South last evening. Mr. Robert Angus, of Auckland, the manager for New Zealand, vras in Wellington yesterday. Major Spencer, a North of Ireland gentleman, who has just retired from tho British Army, passed through Wellington on Tuesday en route to Christchurch, where he is to be married to Miss Acland, a member of the well-known Canterbury family. Major Spencer served with the colours right through tho Boer war. On the occasion of Mr. Geo. Troup's visit to tho municipal buildings in Glasgow, ho discovered in tne visitors' book the names of several New Zealanders. In conversation with tho custodian, he was informed that more visitors from- New Zealand had inspected tho buildings during the season than from any other couutry. Sir. Stuart Richardson, city tramways manager and engineer, returned by tho Manuka yesterday from Sydney, where he attended a conference of elcctric tramways engineers. Mr. Richardson, in conversation with a Dominion reporter, stated, that the conference was attended by fourteen engineers from all parts of Australasia, and a number of interesting subjects, moro or less technical in character, were discussed at length to their mutual benefit. The visitors to Sydney were treated with the greatest courtesy and consideration, and no one could oxpress a desire to sco any place or inspect any particular works ho was interested in without the wish at once gratified. Mr.. Richardson stated that ho was able to see everything that would bo of the slightest value to him in connection with the Wellington tramway service. From a purely social point of view tho visitors wore also splendidly treated. Mr. J. M. Geddis, of the "Hansard" staff, returned to the Dominion yesterday afterr noon by the Manuka, after, a ten months' tour of the world. Sir. Geddis told a brief story of his trip to 'a Dominion reporter last evening. It was a long piece of travelling, and included visits to the Holy Land, the liiver Nile, and pretty well the whole of Europe. At Cairo, Mr. Geddis saw tho Duke of Connanght reviewing 2-1,000 British troops. In company with Mr. F. W. llaybittle, of this city, he cycled through those parts of Scotland associated with tho name of Robert Burns. Before leaving tho Old World 'for America, Mr. Geddis was enabled to hear Madame Patti, Caruso, and other of tho pre-Snnt-day singers, besides seeing most of the Wagner operas. After a sojourn in America, Mr. Geddis caught tho Union Company's i Manuka at Vancouver, and this steamer 1 picked up tho crow of the steamer Aeon i wrcckod on Christmas Island, ' ,

Miss Ada Crossley, tlie eminent contralto vocalist, is to sing at the Town Hall in Wellington 011 January 18 and 19. Sir. Tlios. Pringle, of Lambton Quay, returned yesterday from a tour abroad. Mr. Wm. Boocock, another Wellington gentleman, returned from a trip to England yesterday. Mr. James Frederick Dawson, whoso death is announced, was a son of MajorGeneral Dawsoft, of Avenwrath, County Perry, Ireland. The deceased was formerly in the employ of the Bank of Ireland, and some years ago joined the National Bank in Melbourne. He was also for many years clerk to Mr. Frances Loudon, of this city, and about two years ago married the daughter of Sir William Ewart, of Belfast. Hp to the time of his death ho resided in Island Bay. He leaves a widow and one infant daughter. Mr. John Williams, who has just retired from the position of secretary to the Shipmasters' Association, after fulfilling the dutles for nine years, was yesterday presented by the members with an. illuminated address and souvenir. The presentation was mads by Captain W. Cook, in the absence of the president (Captain J. T. King). Mr. Williams suitably replied, and several toasts were drunk, the other speakers being Captains Baldwin, M'lntyre, and Croucher. The illuminated address refers in complimentary terms to the work done by Mr. Williams as secretary of the association, and expresses regret that pressure of private business has compelled him to relinquish the position.