PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2806, 26 June 1916, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Rev. G. C. Cruickshank, chaplain to the forces, who has been camp chaplain in charge of the Church of England Institute at Featherston for tho pact eight months, will sail with tho l«Ii Reinforcement.

On Saturday a presentation was mail in the library of the General Assembly to Mr. Peter M'Coll, a member cf the library staff, who is leaving for the war with tho 14th Reinforcements. Ih?r9 were present: Mr. G. J. Anderson, M.P.(Chairman of the House and Joint Library Committees), the Hon. A. 1. Maginnity, M.L.C. (Chairman of the Legislative Council Library Committee), Mr. Charles Wilson (Chief Librarian), and the library staff. In the unavoidabi-3 absence of tho Hon. W. D. S. MacDonaid, Minister in Charge ot tho Library, the presentation of a suit-case and sm'Ul mementoes from the Chief Librarian and staff was made by Mr. Anderson, who expressed the pleasure tho committee had felt when they learned that a member of the staff had volunteered his services for the defence of the liberties and privileges they all enjoyed under the flag of the Empire. He said he felt sure Mr. M'Coll would bear himself, as Shakespeare has it, so that the opposed would beware of him, and lie lMuld find on his return, in good health, as it was hoped, and full of honour, that the committee had kept his place ready for him. The Hon. Mr. Maginnity siiid that his advice would be that of one who had spent tho best years of his life un; der the colours, and Tie aso expressed his appreciation, of Mr. M'CpU's action in volunteering for the services of his countrv. Mr. Wilson spoke m commendatory terms of Mr. M Coll. as an officer of the staff, where he Lad served well for twenty years, and lie said that feelings of pride were mingled with regret when ho learned that Mr. M Coll wished to leave the staff to enter active service.

Mr. Percy Bolton, minister in charge of the Hutt and Pctone Churches of Christ, lias been compelled, owing to nerve trouble, to relinquish, the work. Mr E. J. Marshall, of Motueka, hai been appointed to succeed Mr. Bolton. Mr. J. Fitzgerald, Officer .Commanding tho Army Service. Corps, .National Reserve, and members of the. corps assembled in No. 1 Committee Room Town Hall, on Friday evening to say farewdl to Sergeant-Major Willis, ot the 14tt Reinforcements. Dunns the evening Mr Fitzgerald presented Sergeant-Hajor Willis with a toilet outfit, ana members spoke of the excellent work done by their departing comrade. Advice has been received to the effect that Lieut. Alister M'Lean Thomson was killed in action in France on Saturday June 17. The late lieutenant was tho eldest son of the late Rev Alexander Thomson, and was about 24 years ot age. For eight years he was connected with the legal firm of Findlay,. Dalziell, and Co., Wellington, and during that time ho attained his LL.B. degree of the University of New Zealand, and became a barrister of the Supreme Court. Memorial services were conducted in connection with Lieut. Thomson's death at St. David's Presbyterian Church, Pctone, yesterday morning and evening by. the Rev. J. Comrie. At the conclusion, the "Dead March" was played by the organist, and tho National Anthem was sung by the audience.

Mr. G. W. Wyles, who has been ap; pointed to tho position of assistant signal engineer to the New Zealand Railways, will arrive in uTe Dominion shortly Mr. Wyles lias had considerable experience in signal engineering on th» Indian railways. BiSeman Royle B. V. Challiner, Ist Battalion New Zealand Bine Brigade, who was seriously wounded on the western frontier of Egypt, has been transferred to Headquarters Staff, and comes to Wellington to-morrow, evening to take np his duties. Major T. B. Brown, O.C. Uth.KoTforcements, has arrived, at Trentham camp.

Sergeant A. W. larsen, of tho 11th Field Engineers, has received a commission.

Captain Eric Buckingham Alley, who was reported to havo died of wounds, is a son of Mr. F. J. Alley, of Kiccarton. Ho was 23 years of age. He left with tho Main Expeditionary Force as a lieutenant, and was shot through both knees at the Dardanelles. He was invalided to England, and returned to Egypt early this year, where ho was transferred to the infantry with a captaincy. Captain Alley went to France some two or three months ago.

News has been received in Ashburton that Sergt.-Maior Otto A. Friedlander, who had been with the New Zealand Field Engineers since the Gallipoli lauding, has now received a commission in the Itoyal Engineers, and is at present stationed at Chatham.