PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 218, 9 June 1921, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Tho Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Mines, arrived at Reefton on Tuesday afternoon (states a Press Association telegram), and received deputations. He was entertained at dinner in the evening, and had an enthusiastic reception. He left at 9.30 yesterday morning for Westport, anil was to inspect the coal mine in the Buller Valley while passing through.

Mr. A. AV heeler, assistant general manager for tho Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, arrived in Wellington yesterday morning from the south.

Dr. R. Neil Guthrie is now on his way back to New Zealand, after an absence of some fifteen months. He took, a roureo at Cambridge University, where he obtained his diploma in radiology and electro-therapy. _ Since he qualified he has been occupied in tho Lindon Hospital, especially St. Bartholomew’s, where he held an appointment, doing practical work in the branches indicated above. Dr. Guthrie proposes speoialistng in radiology and electro-therapy in Christchurch.

Captain Burke and Air. M'Kay, of the Auckland Merchant Service Guild, with the secretary, Mr. V. Ryder, are in Wellington for the Merchant Service Guild < ‘oidere.iKe. Mr. Harold Smith is down from Napier for the conference. The main work of the conference will be the revision of rules.

Air. Ernest Drake, the New Zealand tenor, who has been in England for nearly two years, has arrived back in Auckland. Air. Drake has. according to all reporta, been signally successful on the English concert platform.

Mr. J. AV. Harding, of Taranaki, is visiting Wellington.

The New Zealand Club will entertain at luncheon on Wednesday next Sir Donald M'Gavin. C.M.G., D. 5.0., and Sir John Luke, C.M.G., M.P. •

Mr. T. Beck, who for the past ten yeses has been coaching foreman in tho Railways nt New Plymouth, nnd who is retiring on' superannuation after 35 years in the service of the New Zealand Rail-

ways, was entertained by the railway staff on Saturday evening, Mr. J. O’Shea, stationmaster, presided. Mr. O'Shea spoke of Mr. Beck as a thoroughly capable and conscientious railwayman. He first joined the railway service in Scotland when 16 years of age, and remained in the service therq for 12 years, occupying at the time he refifjned to come to Now Zealand, 35 years ago, the position of guard. When Mr. Beck came to New Zealand he joined the Railway Depart menl. at Dunedin, and had, as the result of efficient service, occupied different positions until eventually he was promoted to that of coaching foreman, one of tho most difficult positions to fill iu the railway service. He had, however, always fulfilled his duties admirably, and while the interests of the Department had been 'his first consideration he had, also studied as far as he possibly could the interests of the men, with tho result that he had held the confidence of tho Department and of the men under him. Mr. O’Shea added that, personally he was very sorry indeed, as stalionmaste". to, lose the services of Mr. Beck. Air O’Shoa, ou behalf of the local staff, presented Mr. Beck with a solid leather suit case and a handbag for Mrs. Beck* expressing the hope that they would be spared for meny years to enjoy their superannuation. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., Guards Winter. Bowie, and Inch, and' Air. Neal and' others also expressed their deep regard for Mr. Beck and joined with Mr. O’Shea in the hope that he would long enjoy his well-earned retirement. The death is reported of the Rev. J. A. Al’Nickle, formerly principal of Te Ante College, Hawke’s Bay. At the annual meeting of the Hataitai Municipal ' Electors’ Association last evening a motion of sympathy with Councillor W. J. Gaudin in the recent death of his father was passed. Reference was made at last night’s meeting* of tho AVellington branch of the N.ZE.I to tho recent retirement from the teaching profession of Mr. A. Erskine and Aliss P. Alyers. The chairman (Air. A. C. Blake) said that. Air. Erskine had occupied every position in the branch besides important positions in the N.Z.E.1., while Aliss-Alyers had been one of the first members of the Council of Education. A motion was adopted expressing regret at. the fact that the institute was losing the services of Air. Erskine and Miss Alyers, and recording appreciation of the distinguished services they had both rendered to the profession generally.

The late Mr. William Andrew Webster, who died at Rawene, Hokianga. last week, at the age of 61, was a member of an old New Zealand family. His father, the late. Mr. William Webster, came to New 'Zealand from Scotland in 1840, with the New Zealand Company party of settlers which, was headed by Air. Edward Gibbon AVakeiield, and Colonel William Wakefield.

Inspector J. Johnston, of tho Auckland headquarters staff, will retire from the Police Force at the end of this month after a long and varied career, extending over a period of 43 years. He was a sergeant at St. Albans, Christchurch, in 1905, and w - as subsequently station sergeant at Christchui’ch. He Was later transferred to Auckland as subinspector, and in 1915 was appointed to a similar position at Gisborne, theiico returning to the city station at Auckland.