PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 239, 27 June 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Tho Hon. G. W. Russell, who is going 'to Napier to-day to preside at another conference in that town similar to that held the other day in Wellington regarding 'tho levies demnnded by flic Hospital Don r<l, is not nt once coining back to Wellington, after tho conference is over. He is going on to Auckland and'Rotorun, and he expects to be absent from Wellington for about a fortnight. Mr. I'. V. Fruzer, S.M., hns been appointed choirmnn of tho Public Service Board of Appeal, in place of Mr. Peter Burr, who is incapacitated through illnefls. The death of the late Hon. Sir Charles Johnston wns mentioned at the meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board last night. ■ Tho chairman said that Sir Charles Johnston had been a member of the board. from December, 1889. to December, 1800. The fccretary of the board had conveyed to tho family the board's condolences. Included in the latest list of those who have been awarded the Military Cross is 2nd Lieutenant D. J. B. Walker, Infaiitrv, who took command of his company when ho was tho only officer left, and reoreanised the company, which, had lost direction, and led it to tha objective. He consolidated the position with great skill, and repuked three Muuter-attacks. lift showed great initiative .and determination." Before enlisting Lieutenant Walker belonged to the staff of the Auckland Post Office. He was a keen Territorial, and obtained his sergeant's stripes prior to joining the Expeditionary Force. Advice has been received that Lieutenant Lewis Hancock, K.N.Y.R., of tho Motor Boat Patrol, took part in the Taid on Zeebrugge. Lieutenait Hancock was an employee in the CnristcHurch Post Office before leaving New Zealnd. H« was a keen sportsman and a motor-boat enthusiast. Mr. Charles Smith, of Park Road, •luckland/ has received advice from the Uiirh Commissioner ■in London of the safety of his son, Sub-Lieutenant George 1 , . Smith, R.N.R., who was on this merchant cruiser Paten when she was torpedoed. Sub-Lieutenant Smith, who ia 20 years of age, was an engineer in tho New Zealand Shipping Company, and was on the Rotorua when she was torpedoed in March. 1917. He passed for a commission in the R.N.R. shortly ■ afterwards, and has been on naval service ever since. The death occurred in the Gisliorno Hospital recently of Mr. William Tarr, who is believed.to have been the oldest iiuropcan resident in tho district. Mr. Tarr, who was 83 years of age, arrived in Gisborno. with his parents in 18i5. He was a bachelor, and is survived by four sisters.

Mr. E. S. Overend, proprietor of the Gippslnnd "Times" for over thirty-fivo years, died at Halo on Juno 19, aged 57. For. eight yenrs he was a member of the Sale Borough Council, having twice occupied tho mayoral chair, and he had been identified with other local public bodies. Mr. Overend had occupied offices of president of the Victorian Provincial Press Association and president of the Australian Provincial Press Association. Major Clyde M'Gilp, D.5.0., formerly of tho Post and Telegraph Department, is at present on leave in Wellington. Mr. J. Orchiston, MI.E.E., who is now enjoying leave of absence- prior to retiring from the service on superannuation, is (says the "Katipo") one of Hie beetknown figures in the sorvic:. With forty-four years of good and faithful service behind him he has marked most of the notable changes that have taken place in the department consequent upon its remarkable expansion during that period, and also on the wonderful steps that have "been taken in' telegraphic and telephonic science. A postmaster at tho age of seventeen, Mr. Orchiston 6oon turned to the outdoor life, and an opportunity offering, he joined tho lino staff in the Taranaki district. The many friends of Mr. James Heron, for fome years telegraphist in. Wellington, and latterly acting-officer in charge at Wakapuaka, will bo eorry to know he is now an invalid in a private hospital in England, where' lie has been incapacitated for over two years. Hβ was (says the "Katipo") retired on superannnation some six years ago, and went »o England lor medical advice. Ho improved wonderfully for the first two or threo years, and was able to get about and eeo a good deal, but eventually had to take to his hed.

Mr. W. E. Spencer lias been appointed secretary to the Council of Education. Previously Mr. A. Bell has acted, but recently Mr. Bell has been appointed to the position -of Secretary for Education, and ho is now unable to sparo the time for this extra work. Private S. E. Bales, who was lulled in action in ' France in' May Inst, was a member of Hie permanent; staff of the Wellington Harbour Board. He wne a single man. 20 years of age, with no tplativcs in New Zealand. The death was mentioned , with regret by the chairman of the l board last night. The Rev. J. Lawson Robinnon, of Col' umba Presbyterian Church, Oamaru, who wi»s recently called in tlio ballot; has been offered and accepted tho post of Presbyterian chaplain at Featheralon Camp, and will report for duty on June 21), Mr. Robinson expects to bo_ sonic time in Featherston Wforo proceding to tho front (says the "Mail").