PERSONAL MATTERS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue LXXXIV, 23 September 1912, Page 7

PERSONAL MATTERS

VICE-REGAL. His Excellency the Governor attends the Early Settlers' and Historical Associations' gathering at the Town Hall this evening. On 3rd October His Excellency will lay the foundation-stone of the Wanganui V.M.C.A. Mr. George Cooper (F. Cooper, Ltd.) has left Wellington, on a visit to Australia, The Rev, E. 0. Blamfres, superintendent of the Central Mission, returned on Saturday night from a three weeks' .Visit to NeJsoti. Mr. E. A. Richards, who is returning from a trip to the Old Country, will arrive here by the Maunganui on Wednesday. The late Mr, A. J. Walsh, first president of the Wellington Letterpress Printers' Union, was the subject of v, memorial tribute at the annual union dinner on Saturday night. A resolution of sympathy with the relatives of the deceased gentleman was adopted, all present standing. Passengers by the Corinthic from London included Rev. 0. Price, who has joined the teaching staff of Wanganui College; also Ml. J. A. Macdonald, a member of a Chesterfield engineering 'firm, and Mr. D. Macfarlane, of Macfarlane and Robinson, hollow-ware manufacturers, who are both making a trip round the world. An advance copy of the awards in the "National Competition, 1912," held in London in connection with the schools of Art throughout the Empire, is to hand. It shows that of the eleven awards won by pupils of Wellingtori Technical School, six have been won by Wilfred Nelson Isaac, son of Mr. £. C. Isaac, Inspector of Technical Schools. They are as follow :— Two book prizes for (1) shaded studies of animals from Nature : (2) shaded studies of trees from Nature, and "commended" for the following :— (1) Memory sketch of nude figure; (2) shaded -studies of animals from Nature • (3) Time sketches of figures from the nude j (4) water colour painting of a figure from life. The only book prizes .won this year by students from, the Art schools of the Dominion have ' been secured by a student of the Wellington Technical School. An important appointment has just been made by the Wellington Board of Management of the Young Men's Christian Association, viz., that of Mr. A. Varney, of Wanganui, as its general Secretary. Mr. Varney was very highly recommended for the position, and when in Wellington a few days ago had an interview with the board at a special meeting convened for the purpose, with the result that it was resolved to ofier him the position, winch he accepted. It is understood that Mr. Varney desires not to enter upon the duties ot his new office for a couple of months or so yet; in fact may not do so before the end of the present year. The opinion of his abilities and attainments,' and the esteem in which he is held by those amongst .whom he has been residing for the past few years is given expression to in the local press. The Wanganui Chronicle refers to the appointment in the following terms: —-"During his official connection with the Technical College, Mr. Varney established a record of which any man might justly feel proud. Of his work the chairman of the Board of Education, Mr. Fred Pirani, publicly declared that he had "infused such life, spirit, and energy into his work that the school has no equal in the Dominion," and the chairman's eulogy will be endorsed without reservation by all who are acquainted with the history of the school. Mr, Varney has also taken a prominent part in the religious life of the town, fie has been a local preacher and office- bearer in the Dublin-street Primitive Methodist Church, a moving spirit In the organisation and management of several important missions, and an ever willing worker in any cause making for the religious, moral, and social betterment of tho community. The Wellington V.M.C.A. is indeed fortunate in securing as its general secretary a gentleman so eminently qualified for the position, and we feel sure that the institution will not be long in reaping material benefit as the result of his exceptional Qualifications as organiser.