PERSONAL MATTERS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 40, 15 August 1918, Page 6

PERSONAL MATTERS

Mr. Oscar G. Kember has been elected one of the auditors of the Wellington Meat Export Company.

Mr. M. C. Barnett, Chief Accountant of the Public Trust Office, underwent an operation in a Dunedin. private hospital on Sunday last, and' is reported to ba making good progress towards recovery.

Mr. W. M'Naught Craven has been promoted from the staff of the Money Order and Post Office Savings Bank Department, Christchurch, to the position! of District Accountant at Invercargill.

Mr. Thomas Vaughan, who has been organist and choirmaster at St. Patrick's Church, Masterfon, for some time, and who goes into camp this week, was recently entertained by the choir, and presented by Monsignor M'Kenna, on behalf of the congregation, with a cheque as a mark of esteem.

News has been received by Mrs. D. Gray, Brittomart-street, Berhampore, that her son, 2nd Lieutenant R. H. Gray, R.F.C., was reported missing on 15th July. Previous to Lieutenant Gray entering the Auckland School of Flying he was in the employ of Messrs. Joseph Nathan and Co., Wellington.

The death has occurred of Mr. Alexander Murray Bonar Duff, of Palmerston North. For the past 29 years Mr. Duff had been connected with the New Zealand Defence Department, and was an expert in several branches of gunnery. The late Mr. Duff joined the Permanent Artillery at Wellington at the age of 17 years. He was afterwards attached to the Defence Office staff, and was stationed at Christchurch and Nelson

Sergeant R. Phillips, of the 3rd Battalion New Zealand Rifles, (died of injuries accidentally received) was the fifth son of Mr. George Phillips, of Temuka, and brother of Sergeant-Major H. F. Phillips, of the Defence Staff, Raagiora. He was born in Temuka 34 years ago, and was educated at the Temuia High School. Prior to his enlisting with the 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade he- . was in partnership in a sawmilling business in the North Island, and before that he was employed on the New Zealand Railways.

The death occurred n Sydney recently of Mr. J. J. O'Brien, who in years gone by was one of New Zealand's leading contractors. The deceased was about 90 years of age. He was at the Thames in the early days, and later on he was engaged in contracting work in various parts of the North Island—principally in. the Auckland district. For some time he lived in Wellington, and was associated with Te Aro reclamation works. Mr.

Arthur O'Brien, of Opunake, who is connected with local bodies in Taranaki, is his son, and one of his grandsons is Mr. Vincent O'Brien, of the literary staff of the Dominion.

_My. Alexander George Ashby, who has died at Kaiapoi, was one of the. bestknown and most respected Civil servants in North Canterbury. Born in- Cbristchurck 59 years ago", he joined the. Jus. tice Department parly in life, first'serving on the staff of the Magistrate's Court at Dunedin. Later he was on the staff of the Suprame Court, and eventually served for some time as receiver of gold revenue at Riverton, and an officer of the Magistrate's and Warden's Courts. At the time of his death he had filled the position of Clerk of Court, Registrar of Electors, secretary of the Licensing; Committee,' Registrar of Old-age Pensions at Kaiapoi and Rangiora-. He bo came interested in the firm of Ashby, Bcrgh, and Co., Ltd., on the death of his brother, Mr. E. C. Ashby, but recognising the dearth of senior members on the staff of the ( Justice Department, refrained from resigning during the war peinod. Ho leaves a widow, four sons, mid three daughters, s. Mr. John Tait Bolt, a member of the Wellington City Solicitor's staff, died at an early hour on Tuesday, aged 47, after an illness extending over two months, during which period he underwent two operations. The deceased, who was a single man, was the third son of the lato Hon. W. M. Bolt, M.I/.C., and was born and educated at Dunedin. He was in the Valuation Department in Welling-, ton for 6ome time. Studying for the law, I he passed the solicitor's examination, and began practice at JFeilding, afterwards going to Wyndham. About a year ago he became a member of the Wellington City Solicitor's staff. Deceased was a brother of Mr. Prank Bolt, of the head office of the Government Insurance Department, and of Mr. W. M. Bolt, also of Wellington. One of this sisters is Mrs. J. T. Home, of Wellington. His mother died some time ago. The funeral took place this morning, the interment being made at Karori, where the Rev. J. Reed-Glasson officiated. The City Council staff was represented by Mr. Robert Tait (Assistant Town Clerk) and Mr. James Doyle (Chief Inspector). The Corporation Staff Club, of which Mr. Bolt had been an active member, sent a wreath.