PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 5, 1 October 1917, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Major Sleeman returned to' Wellington yesterday by che Pateena from kelson and Picton.' .

The death is announced from ilnnedin of ex-Inspcctor Mallard, in his eightysecond year. Mrs. Jackson, Treritham, has just toceived news that .her Q.M.&. J. Jackson, who left with the bixth Eainforcem'ent in August, 1915, has been awarded the Military Medal j for an. sot of gallantry in the field" during the Messines battle.

Captain Brocks, an officer of the Worcestershire Regiment, "vvho has had iow> teen years' Imperial service, .and was specially selected by Brigadier-General Richardson, N.Z.S.C., after consultation with the War Office, as an'. expert m bayonet fighting and the physical trainof recruits, has arrived from tho Uld Country. Captain Brocks served through the whole of the Gallipoli campaign, in which he was wounded, and afterin nrds in Egypt and on the Western front. For conspicuous service on Gallipoli., ana in France he was awarded the Mi.iiary Cross.

At the supper held on Saturday night by the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society to celebrate the close of, the successful "La Mascotte" season, occasion was taken to present Mr. V. B. S. Mere-, dith, a recent member of the committee, one of the founders of the society and a valued performer, with a handsome souvenir of his connection wKli the Wellington Society, to mark his regretted departure from Wellington for Auckland. The presentation, which consisted of a richly-bound 'leather album of photographs of the principals (in character) in the various operas the society has staged, tho co-founders of tho society (Messrs. H. Plimmer and E. B. Vance) and - Mr. Tom Pollard. The presentation was made by the vice-president of the society (lilr. T. M. Wilford, M.P.), who' referred to the many artistic performances Mr. Meredith had. given, and his keenness and love for tho work of the society. In returning thanks Mr. Meredith said that the standard of the performances of the society were non such that it justified the liberal support of the public. Mr. Meredith's health was drunk' with the heartiest musical honours.

I Advice has beon received of the death of Lieutenant Robert S. ,Ross from wounds received in France. Lieutenant Ross, who is a brother of Mr. Frank Ross, director of the Boys' Institute, came to New Zealand from Scotland some ten years ago, and on arrival he joined the firm of Messrs. W. Crabtree and Sons, Wellington, as accouniunt. In Scotland 110 had been connected with the Territorials, and in Now Zealand he held a commission in the Boys' Institute Senior Cadets. When war broke cvt, he paid his passage Home and joined up in the ranks with his old regiment, the stli Scottish Rifles, preferring to vork his way up again from the ranks. Ho was all'through the Somme fighting, and on one occasion found himself as senior Sergeant in charge of the company, all the officers having, been killed. For five days they were outside a strongly-fortified village, and at last their determined assault proved successful. Sergeant Rosa was recommended for a commission, and later lie was transferred to the 4t,h Scottish Rifles (regulars) as a lieutenant. He had been about seven weeks at the front with this regiment when ho was wound- ' ed. 1 Mr. Tom Pollard, who has been controlling tlio production of "La Mascotte,", will leave for Christchursh, en route for Greymouth, this evening. Mr; Robert Home, manager of the Bristol Piano Company at Christcliurch, is visiting (Wellington on holiday leave. With his wifo he Ttill leave for Auckland anA the Bay of Islands to-daj. >