PERSONAL MATTERS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 119, 23 May 1925, Page 8

PERSONAL MATTERS

Professors Algie, Robertson, Perrin Johnson, and Worley arrived from the South by the Mararoa this morning.

■ The Rev. Howard Elliott, who has been ill and confined to bed for some weeks, is now convalescent, and hopes to resume his duties in the course of a few days. -

Mr. Fergus M. Doig, of the hydroelectric branch of the Public Works head office, was a passenger on Thursday by the Ruahine for England. Mr. Doig is being sent from his Department to°the Metropolitan Vickers, "Manchester, to undergo, a special two years' course of training in electrical engineering.

Mr. Sydney Thompson,' the New Zealand artist, has just concluded an exhibition of his work in Sydney, where two of his pictures were acquired for the. National Gallery of ...New South Wales. Mr. Thompson has left Australia for France, where he lives most of his time.

"The Post" is advised by Mr. E. H. Watts, managing director of Combined Buyers, Ltd., that the personal paragraph which -appeared in last night's "Post" stating that Mr. T. Taylor, late of the Farmers' Co-operative Society, has been appointed .general manager of Combined Buyers, Ltd., is incorrect. The position is that Mr. Taylor is joining the staff of Combined Buyers, Ltd., under Mr. Watts, the present managing director and general manager.

The death occurred with unexpected suddenness at Palmerston North on Thursday evening of Mr. John Baptist Bassett. He was at Johnsonvillo 68 years ago, and was believed to have been_ the first white man born in that district. Coming to the Manawatu 46 years ago, he acquired land at Ashhursi and farmed there successfully till a few years back, when he retired from active |.fe, and went to reside at Palmerston xiorth. Until the past few months deceased enjoyed the best of health. He is survived by .a widow and family of seven.

A Press Association telegram from Blenheim announces the death of Mr. Henry Sylvester Bush, aged 94 years. Mr. Bush landed at Nelson in the ship China in 1854, and in the same year went to Australia, where he lived" for four years, and then returned to New Zealand, settling at Wairau. He was proprietor of the Old Beaver Inn, and later the Masonic Hotel. For some time lie kept a store at the Whakamarina diggings. He was a very old Mason, one of the first members of Lodge Wairau, and until incapacitation by sn accident was a. very active member cf the Blenheim Bowling Club.

Dr. J. S. Elliott has received a cable message from Dr. M. MacEachern, of the United States, stating that owing to circumstances connected with his work and family it will be impossible for him to be in New Zealand next month. He lias, however, booked a passage for November. Dr. MacEachern, who is a Canadian, and is - recognised as • the greatest authority in the United States on hospital matters, has been invited by the Victorian Government to visit that State and report on their hospital system. While on his way to Victoria, Dr. MacEachern will spend a few weeks in New Zealand, and will bo treated by the New Zealand Government as a distinguished guest.

The late Mr. George Innes, for many years postmaster at Palmereton North, was one of the oldest settlers in the district. He had been in failing health for some time past, and became seriously ill about a fortnight ago. He probably was the oldest surviving member of the State Department, with which he spent so many years of useful service. He was born at Parish Raine, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, 85 years ago. He came to Dunedin in the ship City of Dune•din in 1864. Two years later he married and joined the Post and Telegraph Dejjartmcnt. Shortly afterwards Mr. Inness was transferred to Wellington, thence to. Otaki, as poslmasier. After spending some five years at the coastal settlement, ho was appointed to a.like position in Palmerston North in 187S, when the post office was situated on the southern side of tho Square. A little over 20 year 3 ago ho retired from- the Service, and had since lived in Palmerston North. His wife predeceased him i.ist year. It is interesting to note that one oE the deceased gentleman's shipj mates, the late Mr.. J. K. Logan, was Supervisor of Telegraphs for some years. Mr. Innes took a keen interest in bowling, having been a member of the Palmerston Club. A family of five daughters (Mesdames W. Rutherford, F. D. Opie, and Miss Innes;. Palmcrslon Norlh, Mis. G. H. Scott, Wellington, Mis. A. M.atheson. Johannesburg), and three sons (Mr. J. P. Innes, ■Palmerslon North, •did Messrs. George pud Dudlpy Imics, Auckland), arc left t.v niuiiru itieir iues.