PERSONAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1336, 13 January 1912, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

——- Tho Hon. T. Mackenzie and the Hon. D. Buddo nro at Christchurck, and tho Hon. A. T. Ngata at Port Awanui. Tho Hon. J. A. Millar left yesterday for Taupo. The other Ministers aro in town. Sir Arthur Guinness, M.P., is in town on Departmental business conncctcd with his constituency. The Hon. J. A. Millar left Wellington yesterday for a holiday in tlio Taupo district. • Cabled advice hsa been received in Wellington that Mr. E. M. Litchfield, who left for London in July Last to study medicino at Guy's Hospital, has passed the first year's professional examinations of the oonjoint examining board of tho Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons of England, held in London at tho begin--ning of tliis month. In tho New Zealand Society of Accountants essay competitions, in Section A, Mr. H. C. Kobinson, of Auckland, was first. In Section B, won by Mr. F. A. Allen, of Wellington, Mr. J. A. Duucan, of Auckland, was second. Mr. Spencer Hampson, Nelson, was the judge. Mr. P. G. Page, who has boon in charts of the fancy department at Rirkcnldie and Stains, has boon appointed manager for that firm. _ Mr. Sidney Kirkraldie leaves on a visit to tho Old Country this month. Some of the executive of-tho New Zealand Competitions Society met yesterday afternoon to make M,r. C. N. Bacyertz a small presentation in recognition of his valuablo assistaneo at the first carnival. Besides Mr. Bacyert?!, there wore present: Messrs. W. 11. A hick, J. Dykes, D. M. l-'indlay, Dr. Arnold Izard, and tho Rev. Father nicksDii. Everybody hoped that Mr. Baeyertz would long lx* associated with the society, and that lie would le able to offer his services in future. Mr. Baeyert/. thanked tho committee for all that thoy had said and done, and for tho pretty things they had given him. The giftfl wore a eilvor taken]ish, and a cakctta&d, frith. soiiaUq iompjtkaiJL,

It is anticipated that Sir Joseph and Lady Ward will leavo for Taupo on Monday. Tho death is announced of Father John Denis O'Dwyer, of Loeston, on Sunday evening last. He was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in ISI7, and was educated at Black liock College and ill Paris, being ordained in the latter place in 1871. He spent many years ill the archdiocese of Wellington and tho diocese of Auckland, and also in Tonga. lie went to Christchurch in 1000, and did duty in Kumar a, Waimate, and latterly at .Leeston. At tho funeral Bishop Grimes stated that the deceased clergyman had been a very devoted priest, ami possessed a keen sense of duty. Great zeal and earnestn«>s had always characterised his work everywhere ho had been. He started tile iirst Catholic newspaper published in New Zealand, and was its first editor. After a long and honourable career ho had come to Leeston to 'piepare for death. , i Mr. Thomas J. Lawlor, lato of Valparaiso, Chile, who lias been 011 an extended visit to Wellington, left yesterday by tho Mocrnk! for Sydney. Mr. Joseph Maiulel, of Wellington, has received cablo advice that his son, Dr. Mandel, who has been on tho staff of Guy's Hospital tor somo time, has just taken his 11.1). degree. Mr. W. C. Kensington, 1.5.0., UnderSecretary for Lands and Immigration, is retiring at tho end of February on superannuation. 110 has purchased a property at Marton where ho proposes to take up his residence. Mr. Kensington was bom in North Wales in 1615. lie arrived in New Zealand in November, 18112, and entered tho Government service in 18G1. He took part in the Maori War, serving in tho Bay of Plenty and East Coast campaigns from 1803 to 18l>5 being rewarded with the New Zealand War medal. Ho was gazetted ensign in tho First Battalion Now Zealand Militia in 1805, and became captain of the Auckland Itiile Brigade in 1871. Appointed Under-Secretary for Lauds in lilOl, Mr, Kensington was decorated with tliu Imperial Service Order (awarded for distinguished service to tho State) about two years ago. Among tho important works which have been carried out under his administrative control are tho Piako and Kaugitaiki drainage schemes. The folio-,ving appointments to the n«w day Technical Collego at Invorcargill were made yesterday:—Principal, M,r. D. E. Hansen, M.A., M.Sc.; assistant, Mr. Oliver Dud ; instructor in agriculture, Mr. J. Moodic — Press Association. Tho new Town Board offices at Upper Hutt' will, it is expected, bo completed in time for the next meeting of the board in February. Prior to that date, ail official opening ceremony will take place, and a public meeting will be held shortly to consider what steps should be taken to this end,