PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 149, 20 March 1925, Page 8

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. R. F. Billard) returned from the north yesterday afternoon. The lion. G. J. Anderson (Minister of Labour, Mines, and Marine) left last evening for the West .Coast, via Nelson, in connection with matters affecting several of the Departments under his control. Before returning to Wellington he will probably visit South Westland, and will be absent till towards the end of the month. Professor E. 'Rutherford contemplates paying a visit to his parents in Taranaki towards the end of this year.

Mr. A. F. Fitz Herbert, of Palmerston North, formerly, of Aorangi, died on Wednesday last, aged 61 tears. His widow is the daughter of Mr. C. Bull, of Aorangi. The late Mr. Fitz Herbert was a well-known settler in the Feildiug district. Mr. John W'ood, Inspecting Engineer to the Public Works Department, has been appointed an acting-member of the Main Highways Board.

Mr. C. T. Pleasants was yesterday admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court by the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) on the motion of Mr. A. T. Young.

Mr. W. A. Grenfell has been appointed agent for the City Council in connection with the proposed new award and . the Dairy Employees’ Union.

Mr. H. Lear, foreman of the tramway workshops, is to leave for Sydney about the middle of next month to take advantage of the offer of the New South Wales Government to allow him to study the “Insitu” process, which is said to add greatly to the life of steel tramway rails. “The death of Dr. A. K. Newman, in April last, was a keen blow to Rugby enthusiasts, for he was one of the best friends and most whole-hearted supporters of the game in Wellington,” states the Wellington Rugby Union’s annual report. “From its earliest days lie whs president of the Poneke b’ootball Club, and he had for many years been president of this union. In both capacities, and as otic of the Athletic Park trustees, he dijl valuable work for Rugby,’ and his demise leaves a gap which will be difficult to fill.”

The death occurred at his mother’s residence, Mantell Street, Seatoun, on Monday of Air. J. O. Weir. The late Mr. Weir, who was 39 years of age, left by the P'ourth Reinforcement and returned to New Zealand in August, 1916, suffering from war disabilities, from which he died. He was one of four sons who saw service during the war. The funeral took place from his mother’s residence on Wednesday afternoon, and deceased was interred in tlie Soldiers’ Cemetery, Karori, the Rev. Fry (vicar of St. Mark’s) perforin ing the service. Among those present at the graveside were His Worship the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. R. A Wright), Lieutenant Neville (representing G.0.C., New Zealand Defence Forces), Major Watson (local secretary Returned Soldiers’ Association), and a representative of the Pensions Department.

On the eve of his departure to take up the position of superintendent of Sydney station, Mr. R. J. Lea Wright, superintendent of the Eastern Extension Australasia and China Telegraph Co., Ltd., Wellington, was yesterday afternoon presented, on behalf of the staff, with a silver clock for himself and a silver-mounted cakestand and salad bowl for Mrs. Lea Wright. Mr. R. N. Gordon, electrician, said the supervisors, operators, clerical and ladv members of the staff had expressed the unanimous wish to in this way show* their appreciation and regard for Mr. Wright. During the three years he had been in charge at Wellington Mr. Wright had not only increased the efficiency of the station, but had also, bv his personality and many business friends in the city, increased the company’s traffic considerably. They had gathered together to wish him tbe best of luck in his new sphere, and hoped the happy relations that had existed betwen Mr. Wright and his staff would still continue when linked bv cable across the Tasman. Mr. Gordon then called for three cheers, which were heartily given. Mr. Wright in responding said be trusted to soon see in Sidney some of the young operators he had trained. lie thanked the staff for their co-operation that had made possible the good work that had been done.