PERSONAL MATTERS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 4, 5 July 1926, Page 11

PERSONAL MATTERS

The Minister of Education (tho Hon. R. A. Wright) roturned yesterday morning from Napier, where he opened the new Napier Boys' High School. Dr. P. Marshall was a passenger for Wellington by the Mnkura this morning. <k Mr. P. Nathai* arrived at Wellington by tho MaVura from San Fraiicisco this morning, accompanied by Mrs. Nathan. The Rev. W. Sadlior, D.D., Bishop of Nelson, is a passenger by the Tainui, which is due at Wellington about tho middle of this month from Southampton. Tiio body of Mr. James Ames, who died in Sydney recently, was brought back to Wellington by tho Maunganui to-day. Mrs. Ames also returned by tho steamer. Mr. C. Zachariah, who retired from tho position of District Public Trustee at Wellington about a year ago, owing to ill-health, was a passenger oy the Makura from San Francisco today. Mr. A. Gordon Sanderson, branch manager in Christchureh for Thomas Brown, Ltd., died there after a short illness on Saturday, at the age of 38. He leaves a widow and two young children to mourn thoir loss. Ho was well and favourably known throughout Now Zealand. Mr. W. H. Chittey, of Comptroller of Stores Staff, Railways, Wellington, who retired on superannuation on 30th Juno after 40 years' service, was presented by Mr. E. J. Guiness, Comptroller of Stores, on behalf of the stores staff, Wellington, with a suitcase and gladstone bag. Mr. Guiness referred to the many sterling qualities possessed, by Mr. .Chittey and the high esteem in which ho was held by the staff. Others present also spoke of the excellent service rendered by Mr. Chittey. Mr. G. W. Otterson, Parliamentary Committee Clerk for the past twentyfive years, and son of Mr. Henry Ottorson, G.M.G., who was Clerk of the House of Representatives for many years, left on Saturday by the Ruapehu for London. Mr. Otterson, jun., has been in very indifferent health for some years past, and it is his intention to Consult a specialist in England. Mr. Otterson expects to return to New Zealand to resume his duties in Parliament House in about six mpnths. Major C. D. Pitt, a well-known figure in Auckland and Povorty Bay in the early days of the colony, is dead, aged 82 (says a Press Association messago from Gisborne). His grandfather was commander of the forces in New Zealand in 1847. His father (Colonel I Pitt) assisted in tho formation of tho first Waikato Regiment in 1864. Major Pitt served in tho Waikato campaign, and later in tho West Coast, Urewera fighting, and was promoted in 1870 to inspector of the Armed Constabulary, He afterwards went into farming and commercial pursuits. Among recent transfers to the permanent list of the Royal Navy of officers who held temporary commissions as instructor lieutenants is that of Mr. C. R. Benstead, M.C, 8.A., writes "The Post's" London correspondent. Entering the service in September, 1922, he was appointed in July of the following year to tho Hood, and servjed in this battle-cruiser during the Empire cruise, on the conclusion of which he published an entertaining vol- ! umo entitled "Round tho World with the Battle-Cruisers." Ho was a member of the Rquadron 's cricket team, and was their principal bowler. In January he was appointed to tho Royal Naval Engineering College at Keyham. The funeral of tho late Warrant Officer W. E. Moore, of Bidwell street, which took place yesterday afternoon, was largely attended. The R.N.Z.A. was represented by Lieut.-Coloncl Pilkington, Lieut.-Colonel SymOu, and Major Vine. Officers aud brethren of the Masonic Order (Lodge Leinster) wero present. Wreaths were received from officers and staff of the R.N.Z.A., Lodge Leinster, Soldiers' and Sailors' Hostel, Mrs. R. J. Seddon, the National Council of Women, the Pioneer Club, the Telephone Exchange, and numerous frionds. The pail-bearers were brethren of tho Masonic Lodge. Tho service was conducted by Mr. Rusdan Salt, of the Unitarian Church. The Masonic burial service was per formed at Karori Cemetery. Mr. Edward Guest, who died at Picton on 25th June, waß one of Marlborough's oldest and most respected residents. Ho was 76 years old When he died, and had spent very many years of his life in the district. He was born in Auckland, and came to Nelson with his- parents at a very early ago, later residing at Blenheim. As a young man he was employed on the Kokerangu Station, and later was manager of Weld's Hill Station and Moles worth Station. He was overseer at Avondale for 15 years, and afterwards resided at Spriuglands. Ho then went to Koromiko to enter tho employ of the late Captain Dalton. After leasing a farm at Speed's "Valley for about 17 years he retired and went to Picton to reside. A story told of the late Mr. Guest was that he once swam the Awatere river in high flood at one of the back stations to save tho life of a man named James White, who had been lost in a snowstorm, and he was very wellthought of by all the station owners for whom ho had worked. Much sympathy is felt for his widow and tho family, which consists of Arthur Guest (Wellington), William James (Picton), Mrs. Binning (Wellington), Amy (Picton), Norman (Koromiko), Muriel (Picton), Hubert (Wellington), and Allen (Picton). The late Mr. Bees Watkins, whose death has just been reported, was born in Swansea, South Wales, and came to Now Zealand in 1874. He was a guard on the Great Western Railway for nine years. On his arrival in New Zealand applications wero called for the position of guard on tho Hawkes Bay Railway, and ho was the successful applicant out of 240. Ab each length of railway was laid lie took the first train, and continued in that capacity for 20 years. For health reasons ho had to discontinue his railway service, and he mado a trip to his native laud. On his return ho took a position as orderly on the staff of the House of Representatives, a position he filled for 15 years. Ho was a very familiar figure about the House, and was particularly wcllknown to frequenters of tho Ladies' Gallery. On his retirement he took up his rcsidenCo in Levin. He was a prominent member of tho Orange Lodge. His first wifo died 25 years ago. Both Mr. and Mrs. Watkins were well known in musical and church circles in AVollington. Mr. Watkins left thrco sons and four daughters. The sons are Councillor G. Watkins (Shannon), Mr. L. Watkins (Napier), and Air. J. Watkins (Levin). The daughters aro Mesdames A. James (Lovin), J. Much (Te Aroha), H. James (Palmers-ton-North), and R. Bishop (Shannon).