PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 267, 5 August 1920, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

His Excellency the Governor-General elect, Viscount Jellicoe of Scapa, and Lady Jellicoe, are to leave London this week for Now Zealand. It is not known yet whether Auckland or Wellington will bo tho first port of call for tho Corintliic. The death occurred in Wellington oil Monday night of Captain Charles Frederick Bnckstrom, a master mariner who had been associated with tho shipping in New Zealand for a great many years. Tho late Captain Baokstrom was born in Sweden 70 years ago, and was Hie son of a pilot, lie arrived in Auckland 4S years ago, and for a quarter of a century was in the service of the Union Steam Ship Company, ne retired from the sea and went to live at Wallaceville, but rejoined the company's service during the war, owing to the shortage of marino officers, and was then with the company for about a year. _ He also did work at Trentham, relieving a soldier there who was wanted to go oil active service. Deceased has left a widow, a son (Mr. Edward Backstrom), and a daughter (Mrs. Alexander Allan, of tho'Upper ll'utt). The funeral took place yesterday, Canon Ifeildcn-Taylor conducting the service at Karori Cemetery. Mr. R. Booth, who is retiring from the position of superintendent of the Dunedin Telegraph Office, after 16 years' service, has had in -ill only one month s sick leave during the whole of that time He ioined the Telegraph Department on February 15, 1874, and. after being stationed at Blenheim for 21 years, was transferred to Christchureh, where he remained for live years. He was then appointed senior supervisor of telegraphs at Auckland, in 1908 ho went to Nelson ns assistant superintendent, and ffom there was transferred to Dunedin in a similar capacity, succeeding to tho eupcrintendency in 1917. Rccent appointments to various State Departments include tho following:— House surgeon, Rotorua, Dr. P.J. Monaglian; district electrical engineer, Canterbury, Mr. A. C. Owen: inspector of mines, Huntly, Mr. P. Hunter; investigating accountant, Board Trade, Christchureh, Mr. G. H. Christie; assistant district Health officer, Dunedin, Dr. J. E. L, Siincox; chief clerk, Public Works Department. District' Office, Wellington, Mr. J. Thompson. Mr. Jr C. Forsyth, of Auckland, has been appointed assistant electrical engineer by tho Chrisfcchurch City Council. Tho funeral of the late Rev. J. S. Ponder, which took place at Wallacetown on Saturday, was very largely attended, friends of tho deceased clergyman being present from all parts of the district. The Rev. James Baird presided over an impressive service in the church, being assisted by the Revs. 11. G. Gilbert and J. L. Robinson. Tho Rev. John Collie conducted the scrvice at the graveside, prayer being .offered by the Rev W. Gray Dixon, of Eoslyn, an old friend of the deceased.

Information has been received at Dnnedin that Captain W. H. P. M'Kenzie, of that cfty, has been appointed general secretary of thej Australasian Student Christian Movement, with headquarters at Melbourne. Captain M'Kenzie is a son of Mr. A. M'Kenzie, of the Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association, and has not yet returned from the war. lie served with distinction in Palestino with the light car patrols and the nrtillery. The remains of the late Mr. David Ziman, of Hokitika, were interred in tho Jewish cemetery at Karori yesterday afternoon. The Rev. H. Van Staveren conducted the service. Constable Litt, of Wellington South, has been transferred to Blenheim, and loft yesterday for that town. At last night's meeting of the Philosoplitcal Societv, a vote of congratulation to Mr. C. Gifford on his appointment as an lion, associate of.the Hector Observatory was passed by acclamationThe funeral of the late Captain D. J. Watson, formerly secretary of the Merchant Service Guild, left his la'-e residence at Khandallah for tho Karori Cemetery at 2 p.m. yesterday. Captains Maclndoe, Atwood, Bates, Carlson, and Gibson, and Messrs. A. G. Bagßett, and G. Turksman represented the Merchant Service Guild. The harbourmaster (Captain J. E. Dawsonl, members of the Harbour Board and staff, and representatives of the various shipping companies were present.