PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 271, 10 August 1920, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Mr. Robert M'Kenzie Watson, Chief Justice of Samoa (son of Mr. W. Watson, of Wellington, is returning to New Zealand to take up a position as a Stipendiary Magistrate, 'Mr. Watson, wlio was born at Colombo, Ceylon, studied law with Findlay and Dalziell, in Wellington, and went to Samoa with the Expeditionary Pores in 1914. Prior to going there he was in partnership in Wellington with Mr. V. R. Meredith, now of Auckland. ATic-r being in Samoa for four years he returned to New Zealand in order to go to the front. While in camp at Trentham iu 1918 lie contracted influenza, and before he recovered the Armistice was signed. He then entered the office, of tho Solicitor-General (Sir John Salmond, now a Supreme Court Judge), and while there was appointed a Stipendiary Magistrate for New Zealand, but consented to go 'back to Samoa and act as Chief Justice for a time: His successor in that position is Mr. J. E. Wilson, one of the Stipendiary Magistrates at A uekland.

Captain W. Manning, for many years in tho Union Company's service, who ft acting'as harbourmaster at Picton, until Captain Barn6dale, of the Amokura, can take over tho duties from him, was in Wellington for the week-end. Ho returned to Picton by tho Pateena yesterday. The funeral of the late Mr. Herbert E. Smith, of the A.M.P. Society's staff, look place on Sunday. The Rev. Feildcn Taylor conducted the service at tho graveside. The Orange Institution, with which the deceased had been connected for a great many years, was represented, as was also the A.M.P. Society. Mr. Smith left a widow, two sous—Mr, G R. Smith (Wellington) and Mr. F. B. Smith (Wanganui)—and seven daughters—M(bdames M. Niccol, A. Davis, J. Brodic, C. Rayncs, F. 11. Brittain, and Miss G. Smith (Auckland), and Mrs. E. F. Ilsley (Wellington). The death of Mr. John Reid, a wellknown Auckland merchant, at the age of 78 years, is reported by Press Association message. Mr. Reid was for some years President of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. At. last night's meeting of the Lower Ttutt Borough Council the Mayor (Mr E. P. Rishworth) welcomed Councillor h. .1. Gumess, who for. a long period had been absent through illness and oppressed pleasure at seeing him restored to health again.