PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 57, 1 December 1923, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Hon. ,T. G. Coates and the Ministerial partv, according to advice received bv pigeon post, reached Maimgapohatu, Urewera Country, on Thursday night. Tho party (states a Gisborne Press Association message), re'uort that the tracks are in bad condition.

Tho Minister of Health (Sir Maui Pomare). accompanied bv the DirectorGeneral of Health (Dr. Valintine). will leave on Wednesday next for Auckland, North Auckland, and (possibly) the Waikato district. The Hon. R. F. Bollard. Minister of Internal Affairs is visiting the Hamilton district, and has been warmly welcomed and congratulated everywhere on his promotion to the Ministry. He opened the Horticultural Show at Raglan on Thursday, and (states a Press Association message) in an address referred to the excellent prospects of the country owing to tho improving situation all round. The Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) is expected back from Wanganui by the New Plymouth express to-night. Mr. Justice Reed will leave for Auckland to-day. Mr. Justice MacGregor left for Gisborne yesterday to preside at the Supreme Court sittings there. e Mr. H. Baillie, chief public librarian, has been appointed a member of the Book . Censorship Board. Captain MacDonald and the officers and crew of the auxiliary schooner Kaeo. which was wrecked at Niue Island in October, are arriving at Auckland on the island steamer Tofua next Thursday morning, having been brought from the Island to connect with the steamer at Apia by the Administration steamer Lady Roberts. Mr. C. L. Dearsley, of Christchurch, who lias been absent from New Zealand since the outbreak of the war. returned to Wellington with Mrs. Dearsley, a former resident of Wellington, yesterday. MT. Dearsley was inspector of munitions overseas during the war period. Mr. J. 11. Hardie, town clerk at Palmerston North, and Mr. J. W. Muir, assistant engineer to the Manawatu Oroua Electric Power Board at Palmerston North, who have been on a visit of inspection to Christchurch, spent yesterday in Wellington and left for home last night. Colonel Scatter, representative in Australia and New Zealand of the Canadian-Pacific Railway and Steamships, left by the Marama yesterday for Sydney.

Colonel Stanley, vice-president of the Church Army (London) left by the Marama yesterday for Sydney. After serving 27 years on the pilot staff of the Wellington Harbour Board, Mr. W. H. Meredith yesterday retired. At a large attendance of fel-low-officers and well-wishers around the water front at a farewell cteremony yesterday afternoon. Captain J. E. Dav.'son, harbour master, referred in eulogistic terms to the loyaly and faithful service of Mr. Meredith. Captain Munro also endorsed the remarks. On behalf of his fellow-officers, Captain Dawson presented Mr. Meredith with two upholstered chairs, inscribed in silver, a case of pipes, tobacco pouch, and a purse of money. Mr. Meredith, who is 65 years of age, went to sea in 1873 in the barque Omega, and was at sea. continuously until he was wrecked in the Union Steamship Company’s Matai on Richard Rwk, Bav of Plenty, on June 2. 1889. After that he <-ame to Wellington and joined tlie pilot staff.

Mr. L. A. Edwards, retiring president of the District Council of the Workers’ Educational Association, owing to pressure of business, did not seek re-election. Appreciative reference was made by delegates to tho great amount of valuable work that bad been done by Mr. Edwards during his three years of office and a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded him. Mr. M. J. Forde, who succeeds Mr. Edwards, lias been for the pas* three years president of the Wellington branch of the W.E.A., and was formerly actively associated with the movement in Southland. Mr. M. S. Galloway returned from Rotorua by the Main Trunk express yesterday. Hon. G. R. AV. McDonald, M.L.C.. of Svdncv. is on a visit to Auckland.