PERSONAL MATTERS.

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 39, 16 February 1925, Page 8

PERSONAL MATTERS

The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) is reported to have made further progress towards recovery in the last few days. The sciatic pains have now almost left him, and his medical advisers may allow him downstairs shortly. With the prolonged confinement to his room, it is natural that Mr. Massey has become weakened physically by inactivity, and before he is able to move about he will require to build up his strength again. It is hoped that he may be able to pay a health visit to Australia before the Parliamentary session commences. In the meantime, Mr. Massey's official duties are being shared by his colleagues of the Cabinet. Sir James Parr (Minister of Education) returned from Auckland this afternoon.

Sir Maui Pomare (Minister of Health) was a passenger by the ferry steamer from the South yesterday. Mr. Justice Frazer was a passenger by the Wahine from Lyttelton yesterday morning.

Dr. Thacker, of Christchurch, arrived in Wellington by the Wahine yesterday morning.

The Rev. E. A. Weeks, the new minister of the Terrace Congregational Church, will arrive in Wellington from Sydney by the Marama to-morrow.

The City Engineer (Mr. A. J. Paterson) and the engineer in charge of waterworks and drainage (Mr. J. M. Morice) are attending the annual conference of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers at Christcburch.

Back from a twelve months tour of the Empire, Mr. G. D. Portus, Director of the Newcastle Steel Works Band arrived here yesterday. This band which established several unique world's records in London last year is to play in Wellington shortly.

The Rev. H. J. Fletcher, Presbyterian missionary at Taupo, has handed in his resignation to the Presbyterian Church authorities, after having spent thirty years in the district as Maori missionary.

The Minister of Labour, Mines, and Marine (Hon. G. J. Anderson) will leave for Auckland on Wednesday evening. On Thursday he will accompany representatives of the Auckland and Hamilton Chambers of Commerce on a trip down the Waikato River, for the purpose of inspecting the Waruku canal scheme. He will arrive in Auckland on Thursday evening, and will on Friday open Sandford's new works, erected at Freeman's Bay, in connection with the fishing industry. On his return journey Mr. Anderson will visit New Plymouth in connection with operations in search for oil. He will be absent from Wellington for eight or nine days. The death is announced of Captain Arthur Irvine at Timaru on Saturday. Born at Larwick, Shetland Islands, in 1835, the late Captain Irvine was a wellknown [well-known] figure in the New Zealand coastal trade some years back. He went to sea at an early age, and arrived in Australia in 1856, and in. New Zealand four years later. For nine years Captain Irvine was with the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, Wellington, and during that period rose to the position of chief mate. In 1872 he took charge of the Wanganui-built vessel Tongariro, and later was in the Egmont. He was appointed pilot at Wanganui in 1878, and shortly afterwards became harbourmaster [harbour-master] and pilot there, a position which he held for a number of years. In tennis circles opportunity was taken on Saturday to farewell Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Melody, who leave shortly for London, where Mr. Melody will spend a year teaching. At the Kelburn Club Mr. C. Earle, president, presented tokens of esteem on behalf of members. He referred to Mrs. Melody's fine record in New Zealand tennis, the fact that she held the singles and doubles championships of New Zealand this year, and the fact that she had done a great deal for the Kelburn Club while she had always set an example of sportsmanship. Referring to Mr. Melody who had assisted the club greatly in the past, the speaker said his main field of operation was outside the club with the junior players in encouraging whom he had shown enthusiasm and energy resulting in great success. Late in the afternoon at the Wellington Club's courts, Mr. A. Fair on behalf of members presented Mr. and Mrs. Melody with a travelling rug, and added good wishes to those of the Kelburn Club.

The death took place at his son's residence, Ngaio, on Saturday last, at the age of 71, of a well-known figure in the printing industry, in the person of Mr. E. Hicks. The deceased was for many years in the employ of Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs as factory-manager, and some years ago he severed his connection with this firm to join the late Mr. Ferguson, now known as Ferguson and Osborn. Some few years ago illhealth [ill-health] caused him to retire from this firm. He subsequently took up the position of secretary of the Master Printers' Association, and for some years served this body with conspicuous ability until he was laid aside through an illness which culminated fatally on Saturday morning. The deceased was of a very likeable disposition, and his death will be sincerely regretted by all shades of the printing profession throughout the Dominion.

The death occurred suddenly this morning of ex-Sergeant Michael Murphy, a former well-known and popular member of the Police Force. For about twenty years Sergeant Murphy was stationed on the Wellington waterfront, when he earned the reputation of being one of the most capable men of his day. Of kindly disposition, he made a large circle of friends who will learn of his death with regret. He was of strong physique, and was quite a "terror" to the firemen from shipping who sometimes attempted to take charge of the port. About seven years ago he retired,, and was in illhealth [ill-health] up to the time of his death. He was a single man.