PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 241, 29 June 1918, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS

Cable advice has been received by tho Defence Department that 10731 LanceSergeant Frederick Collctt Matthews luis been awarded the Military. Medal tor gallantry on the field of action. His next-of-kin is his father, Mr. F. O. Matthews, Ngutuwera, Waverley. Second Lieutenant Humphrey. G. Machell, who is reported to have died in France/on May 12, was the youngest son of Mr. 11. L. Machell, of the staff of Messrs. Chapman, Skcrrctt, Tripp and Blair. He and his eldest- brother (2nd Lieutenant L. Machell) were ill tlie Border Regiment, which had been raised and trained about.a year ago iiiul was let into action by their' uncle, Colonel Machell. The colonel was shot dead at the head of his men, find Lieutenant.L, Machell wis badly wounded. . Mr. D. Hebenlon, who organised the, Wairarapa Patriotic Society and the Wairarapa Farmers' Union, lias been discharged from camp owing to defective eyesight. Mr. Hebsnton ; ha? had one brother killed in Franco and another ivoumled; onp brother died in liitlifl* mid another is still" in the Indian Arniyy white another brother,is. with the Ceyloir forces. Mr. Hebenton is resuming his position with the Farmers' Union in the Wairarapa. At the meeting of the Wellington Land Board yesterday, on the motion of the Commissioner of Crown Land's (Mr. G. 11. M'Clure), the following resolution was carried:—"That the members of the Wellington Land Board deplore the tragic death of M.r. William J.',Price, Crown Lands Hanger, and wish Iq place on record their appreciation of the very thorough and conscientious manner ■in which ho carried out his duties during his service of eleven years. They ofier their sincere condolences to Mrs. Price and her children in their bereavement." All the members of the board spoke in high appreciation of the excellent service rendered by tho late Mr. Price. Mr. H. W. Pilcher has been appointed to take charge of. Johnston and Co.'s (Ltd.) insurance department, vice Mr. J. Stevenson, resigned, and takes up his duties.on July 1. Mr. Kxley, of Roseneath, a director of the Wellington Woollen Company, is reported to be rather seriously ill.

There tlietl in Christchureli recently another old colonist: in the person of Mr. Thomas AVilsoltj of AVaiidle' Downs, AV'aiau. The lute 1 Air. Wilson was born in County Down,'lreland, in 1850, and came out to' New Zealand with- his parents, arriving in, Lyltelton by the Charlotte Jane. For mini}" years Air. Wilson was t\ member of the South Wriimakariri River Board, and the North Avon Road-Board. He was also a member of the New Brighton Trotting Club, and held the position of starter at many meetings. When the Highfield Estate was cut up about fourteen years ago, Mr. Wilson acquired a block of . that estate, where he took un sheep fanning, and resided till the time of his lost illness. He leaves a widow and a grownup family.

One of Wellington's early settlers, in the person of Mrs. W. F. Richards, of Jiiddiford Street, died on Tuesday afternoqn. Having been in indifferent health for' only a short period, her somewhat sudden death came as an unexpected blow to her husband and family. The I late Sirs: Richards, with her parents, arrived in Wellington in'the year-IS. 1 )! in the ship Pudsy Dawson, from England. Her father the late Air. T. 'V. Aston, was in business on Lambton Quay as far back as 5858. On April 2.3. 1870, fdie married Air. W. i\ Richards, another of Wellington's early settlers. The deceased lady, who, except; for short periods of absence, has lived in Wellington all her life, was well and favourably known, particularly in Wellington South. She leaves a family of two sons-.and three daughters. The. sons are All'.. W. T.Richards (Afasterton), Air. .T. B. Richards (Uisborne.), aiu.l the (laughters are Airs. John Burns (Karori), Airs. R. H. Taylor (Upper llutt), jind Airs. J. W. Jones (Wellington), i Her only , unmarried daughter died in Deccm'.bsr last. The funeral took place yesterday at Karori.