GIFT COMMISSIONER APPOINTED

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 146, 15 March 1940, Page 10

GIFT COMMISSIONER APPOINTED

Patriotic Fund Board SERVICE OVERSEAS WITH NEW ZEALAND FORCES Tiie appointment is announced of Mr. James Melling, town clerk of Auckland, as gift commissioner to represent tlie National Patriotic Fund Board witli the* New Zealand Expeditionary Force overseas. It is understood that Mr. Melting will have tlie rank of major. He will have charge of all gifts dispatched by tiu* board for the troops, and cash will lie placed at his disposal so that lie will lie in a posh ion to make urgent purchases on behalf 01. tlie lion id for the comfort and welfare of tlie men wherever they may be stationed. it is stated that the board desires that Mr. Melling shall go with the Second Echelon, and it is hoped that arrangements can be completed in time for this to lie possible. Mr. Melling has had considerable administrative experience, which should enable him to carry out his new duties with success. He was born in Wigan. England, 62 years ago, and, after receiving private tuition, attended St. Michael’s and All Angels College nt Wigan. He entered the service of tlie London and North Western Railway Company as a cadet, serving witli this company for 17 years, at the end of which lie came to New Zealand.

At the age of .17 lie began his militiirv career as volunteer witli tlie Manchester Regiment, witli which he remained for four years, then transferring to tlie Lancashire Hussars. He came to New Zealand in 1909, and, on the outbreak of war joined tlie 4th Waikato Squadron of the Auckland Mounted Rilles, in which lie gained the rank of sergeant, lie served in Egypt and on Gallipoli, where he was severely wounded. After a long period in hospitals in England, he was invalided to New Zealand in 1916. Shortly after his return to the Dominion. Mr. Melling entered the service of tlie Auckland City Council and became records and committee clerk in the town clerk's department.. He was appointed assistant town clerk in 1923. and on the retirement of the town clerk. Mr. J. S. Brigham, in April, 1936, was appointed town clerk. Mr. Melling is a Fellow of the Clmrtered Institute of Secretaries of England. A son. Second Lieutenant S. Melling, with the sth Field Company, New Zealand Artillery, is proceeding overseas with, the Second Echelon.