PERSONAL MATTERS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 141, 15 June 1923, Page 8

PERSONAL MATTERS

VICE-EEGAL.

Her Excellency Ladjr Jellicoe has undergone a slight operation, and is regretfully compelled to cancel all her engagements for the next three weeks at least. Sir Alfred Pickford, Boy Scouts Commissioner, who is at present in the South Island, will return to Wellington on Tuesday, and will be a guest at Government House until his departure from New Zealand. The retirement on superannuation is announced of Mr. William Devenish, Collector of Customs, Nelson. Councillor A. W. Parton has been elected a member of the By-Laws Committee of the City Council. Mr. H. L. Wigley, managing director of the Mount Cook Motor Co., Ltd., is at present on a brief visit to Wellington. Messrs. J. Allan (Nelson), T. C. Brash (Nelson), and H. Turner (Otago) were yesterday appointed directors of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation. . Constable Le Fevre, of Upper Hutt, has been transferred to Lyall Bay, to replace Constable Wallace, who has been transferred to Upper Hutt. Mr. J. R. Brunt, J.P.,' of the Christchurch "Press" Company, _Ltd., having served 50 years with the firm, has been granted several months' leaVe of absence. Mr. Brunt was a passenger from Lyttelton by the Wahine this morning, and left by the Marama for Sydney, where he joins the P. and O. s.s. Ba'lronald for London. Mr. 11, Digby-Smith, wh~b is leaving Wellington to take' up the position^ of Registrar of Pensions at Auckland, was met by the staff of the Pensions Department yesterday and presented with an attache case. In. making the presentation Mr. G. C. Fache, Commissioner of Pensions, referred eulogistically to Mr. Digby-Smith's service in the Department extending over several yearsAt the annual meeting of the Parliamentary Press Gallery yesterday afternoon, Mr. A. V. O'Brien ("New Zealand Times") was elected chairman, and Mr. K. Swiney ("Evening Post") vicechairman. A motion of condolence was passed to the relatives of the late Mr. F. K. Reeves, who represented the "Post" in the gallery for many years. A Press Association message from Dunedin last night states that Mr. Alfred North, G4 years of age, who has |'been prominently identifies! with" local politics in South (Hugo, died suddenly during the afternoon. He represented the South Molyneux riding on the Clutha County Council for many years, and was chairman last year. He was also a member of the South Otago Hospital Board, and was its first chairman. Deceased is survived by a widow and a family of nine children, seven of whom are married. Members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery yesterday passed a resolution ex-/ pressing regret at losing three members, Messrs. W. Freeman and G. P. Natusch ("Evening Post"), and. E. C. S. Marshall ("Dominion"), who have accepted appointments to Sydney newspapers. The departing pressmen were congratulated on the fact that they would have wider scope for displaying their ability, and every good wish for their future success was expected." Later, they were entertained to dinner at Bellamy's by the Press Gallery. Mr. Leslie R. Freeman, who recently resigned from the literary staff of the "New Zealand Times" to take up an appointment with the new Sydney journal, the "Daily Guardian," was farewelled by his former colleagues yesterday afternoon. Mr. R. A. Loughnaii (associ-. ate-editor), who presided, in the course of a happy speech, wished Mr. Freeman every success in his new sphere, and expressed regret at the loss of such a capable man. Mr. J. A. Shand (sub-editor) and representatives of the various departments also spoke in appreciation of Mr. Freeman, who suitably replied. The departing journalist was presented by Mr. Loughnan, on behalf of the staffs, with a travelling rug and a gold-mount-ed fountain pen. The death occurred in Wcstport recently of an old pioneer, Mr. Francis M'Lean, at the ajte of 83. The late Mr. M'Leuri was a native of Scotland, arid came out to New Zealand when he was 19 years of age. He participated in the Gabriel's Gully gpld rush in Otago, and during the Maori war linked up with Major "Yon Tempsky, being wounded in the shoulder. Later he went to the Coast,' and followed mining rushes there. He served in the Police Force at Charleston for some time. He then took up residence at Cape Foulwind, and was one of the first men engaged at tho quarries for Westport Harbour construction. He had lived in Westport for some years up. to tile iiniri ot Ins .tesrh., Mr. -md Mrs. M'Lean were married at Catlin's, Otago, and had a family of twelve, all of whom are alive and married. They are Mrs. W. Lahore, and Mrs. Gibbons both of Wellington), Mrs. W. Shadbolt and. Mrs. George , Shadbolt j(Hokitika); Mrs. W. MilligaD (Kanieri); Mis. Jenkins (Karamea); Mrs. Kearns (Blackball); Mr. W. M'Lean (Christchurch); Messrs. Frank, Charles (Buller representative and All-Black footballer), and Jack M'Lean, 1 all of Westport; and Mr. Tom M'Lean, oE Wellington. Mrs. M'Lean survives her husband.