PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2565, 13 September 1915, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Prime Minister (the Pvt. Hon. W. P. Jlassey) left for Taihape by the Main Trunk express last night. He lays tlie foundation-stone 'of tho now < freezing works there this .if tor noon, and roturns to Wellington to-morrow morning. The Hon. J. Allen (Minister of Defence) left for the south by. Saturday, night's boat. . A Dunediii correspojidont states that private advice has loeen received from Auckland that tho (ionditioii of the Hon. J. A. Millar; M.L.C., is critical. .

Private Bert Facho, of tho Otago Mounted Rifles (Main Body), who returned by the Tahiti oil Saturday, is brother of Mr. Geo. Faclie, Superintendent of Old Age and' War Pensions. , Mr; Frank V. Blandford, of Dunedin, who was a member of tho Field Ambulance Corps with the Main Body, and who returned among tho invalided troops who arrived by tho Tahiti oil Saturday, was formerly a member of the Ocean Accident Assurance Co: in Wellington. He was a popular entertainer and a member of tbe Wellington Savage Club. A' Press Association message, from Sydney states that Leslie Hewitt, the Now Zealand jockey, has returned, after nine years 1 absence in Europe. Mr.» Walter Freeman, of Molcswortii Street, has been informed by the Minister of Defenco that his son Georgo Roxburgh (Jack) Freeman has been woundou. Only a few days ago Mr. Freeinan received a very cheerful letter from' llis son, who appeared to be thoroughly appreciating the excitement of ■his war experiences. ' . '' .

Private L. H. Ranald Martin, reported killed in tho Dardanelles,' was the only son of George H. S; Martin, of the Union Steam Ship Company, Ltd., Wellington. Ho was descended from! a well-known military family, was the grandson of the late Major J. R. Martin, Royal Artillery, India; and a great grandson, of the late Sir James Ranald Martin, Physician to the Indian Council and" a noted Army surgeon. He was also a near relative of tlie* late FieldSlarshal Sir Donald Martin Stewart, Commander-in-Chief of India. Private Martin was on 6 of the first to join the main body of tho New Zealand Expeditionary Forces.

Tlio theatrical profession is doing its part in the war. Many hundreds'.of actors ' ill England hav'o gone to the front, a lid tho ranks of the Australian forced include many who formerly, earned their living within the four walls of tho theatre. Among - tho latest enlistments in Wellington are-Mr.-Phil Percival, the clover musical comedian, whose performances on the Fuller circuit have been so much: enjoyed lately, and Mr. L. Probert. the capable drummer of His Majesty's orchestra, who as a -timpani-player has rendered valuable assistance to the Wellington Professional Orchestra. r

Mr. David Miller, of Napier, left on Saturday for. Wellington, en ronto to England, where he intends to offer his services for. the front. Mr. J. Farrell, representing J. 0. 'Williamson, Ltd.'; arrived from Auckland yesterday, eh route for" Christchurch/to make arrangements for the production there of "The Mail Who Stayed at Home." Mr. Arthur Sidey, of Dnnedin,' is spending a holiday in Napier. The Timatn Hospital Board has selected Df. Ewen, at .present,one of the hoilse surgeons at Wellington Hospital, for-the post, of resident medical officer at Timaru Hospital, as from the end of this month.—Press Association.

A pleasant little ceremony took place recently at Mt. St. Gofard, • Tvhen. Mr. F." W. Crombie, secretary of tho Confraternity of the Holy Family, attached to that church, was presented with a gold cross and chain by the Very Rev Father Roche, G.S.S.E., on behalf of the 1 Confraternity. Mr. Crombie lias joined the Bth Reinforcements, and is at pfiseht with his regiment in camp at Trentliam. The Rev. Father Roche, m makin* the presentation, referred in eulogistic terms to th 6 work done by Mr. Crombie as secretary of the Confraternity for the past sis and half

years. ■ . ■ , • , information has been received in Christchufch that-Mr; H. Fnedlander, of Ashburton, who underwent an operation in Sydney, is making good progresa towards reooverj*. . A remarkable reputation has been earned by Private E. R. Ja°k> maclnneguli section' of the Auckland Infantry Battalion. He is a son of Mr. N. 1. Jack, of Henderson, and a brother to•Lieutenant Alex. D.Jack, who basforwarded the following account ot linn to bis father:—"Ned has a great reputation. He has more Turks to bis gun than any other man, and is called tha 'machine-gun fiend.' One of the officers, told me that if he lives through it he oteht to be mentioned, for ' some decoration. They say he keeps- Wonderfully cobl and has .liover been seen flustered." Private Jack is only .20 years old, and has refused promotion 'in order to. retain his place in the section When Lieutenant Jack wrote oil August 1 lie was in Egypt, but suico then he has proceeded to, the front with tho Fifth Reinforcements,- and has been wounded. : ■ . v

Mr. Harold" Gregson, the well-known Auckland orgauist, and musical adjudicator, made his first appearance.on grand organ at the Panama-Pacihc Exhibition at San Francisco on, August 10. He was enthusiastically received by-; a largo audience in the - auditorium ot Festival Hall. Competent critics speak liirrhly of his temperamental' powers and great oxecution. Mr. Gregson was enca"ed to give a large nuiiiber of lecitals between August and October, and the authorities desired to extend his .engage, ment after that date, but ho returns W New Zealand by the Marama, sailing on October 13. y . ;