PERSONAL ITEMS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 92, 16 October 1934, Page 11

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom), who underwent a slight operation at Dannevirko this morning, is reported to be progressing satisfactorily. The Rev. P. R. Paris, of. St. Kilda, Dunedin, has been invited by the Taranaki Street Methodist Circuit to succeed the Rev. T. R. Richards as minister of Wesley Church. Mr. Richards retires early next year after forty years in. the Methodist ministry, and Mr. Paris will, subject to conference appointment, commence his ministry at Wesley Church, in April next. Mr. J. Russell Hancock, of Wellington, who has been on a visit to the United Kingdom and Europe, arrived back by the Monowai from Sydney yesterday afternoon. Mr. G. E. Simcocks, a prominent Sydney dog judge, who is to adjudicate at the Hawke's Bay Show at Hastings this week, arrived by the Monowai yesterday afternoon. Mr. W. Higgins returned from Aus> tralia via Auckland today. Mr. W. Crawford Burt was a passenger from Sydney by the Monowai, which; arrived yesterday afternoon. Dr. S. W. Hogg, of Wellington, secretary of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, returned by the Monowai yesterday "after a short. visit to Sydney. Mr. L. B. Sceats, late of Victoria University College, left for Dunedin last night to take up a position as junior broadcasting announcer there. Sir Arnold and Lady Theiler arrived this morning from the south. Sir James Allen was a passenger from the south this morning. Mr. J. W. Beaumont Pease and the Hon. Mrs. Beaumont Pease, who arrived from New Zealand yesterdaj', are the guests of the Governor and Lady Game, states a Press Association cable from Sydney. A permanent commission in tliß Royal Artillery, England, has been allotted Lieutenant J. A. Mars, formerly of the 18th Medium Battery, Regiment of -'New Zealand Artillery, Auckland. In referring today to the appointment, the Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe) said that Lieutenant Mars, a New Zealander, was educated at Mount Albert Grammar School and the Auckland University College. He took a science course at the University College. He excelled in athletics, shooting, and Rugby football, and obtained his v "blue" in 1932. In December, ID3O, he was granted a commission as a 2nd, Lieutenant in. the 21st Field Battery (Onehunga), but was transferred to the ISth Medium Battery (Auckland) in August, 1931. In April, 1033, he proceeded to England, and there continued his studies and became attached to the 18th. Battery,- 6th. Medium. Brigade, Boyal Artillery, with which he carried out practical training, eventually qualifying by examination for a commission in the British Army under the scheme extended in. the United Kingdom to university students. Mr.-D. M. Dickson last evening took his place as a Petone borough councillor. The Mayor (Mr. A. Scholefield) said it gave him great pleasure to welcome Mr. Dicksoii to the council table. Mr. Dickson returned thanks, but said that the pleasure of his appointment was tempered by regret at the circumstances that made it possible—the death of the late Mayor. The late Mr. McKenzie, he said, was one of Nature's gentlemen. Mr. Dickson was appointed to the works, finance, Korokoro street widening, and appeal committees, positions on these committees having been occupied by Mr. Scholefield prior to Ma appointment as Mayor. Mr. and Mrs. C. Bell, of Christchurch, who have been on a visit to-the East, returned yesterday afternoon by the Monowai from Sydney. Mr. H. F. Wood and Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Murphy returned to Wellington yesterday afternoon from Sydney by, the Monowai Mr. F. W. Platts, of Hamilton, who has retired from the position, of Stipendiary Magistrate for the Thames circuit and who is now en final leave, has been appointed a permanent Coroner. He will also preside-over future sittings of the Children's Court in Hamilton. Mr. Platts is the son of the late Rev. F. C. Platts, who was for 25 years vicar of Port Chalmers. He was educated at the Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne, and at the Otago Boys' High School, Dunedin, and later he became a student at theOtago University, where he graduated LL.B. in 1S!)5, and was for a time assistant lecturer in constitutional law and history. Mr. Plntts practised law at Port Chalmers and Dunedin, and was at one time a member of the Otago Harbour Board and Mayor of Port Chalmers. In 1915 he was appointed Resident Commissioner of Earotonga and Chief Judge of the Cook Islands. The appointment was renewed in 191 S. Htj resigned in 1921 and returned to New Zealand. Mr. Platts was awarded the C.M.G. for his services, an 3 was appointed a Stipendiary Magistrate. His headquarters .were in Hamilton, and his jurisdiction extended over the King Country towns for some years. The area was later extended and included Thames, Coromandel, and Whakatane. For 10 years he_ was warden of the Hauraki mining district. Mr. Platts will continue to live in, Hamilton. Dr. C. E. Beeby, who will leave Canterbury College shortly in order to take up his appointment as Director of the New Zealand Council of Educational Research, was presented with a leather suitcase by members of the college council and staff at their annual dinner on Saturday evening. Mr. F. E. Hutchinson, who was lecturer in forest utilisation in the School of Forestry, and who has been appointed to the Forest Products branch of the Australian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, was presented with a i clock. Appreciation of the work of Mr. Hutchinson and Dr. Beeby was expressed by Dr. J. Hight, Eeetor of the college, and Mr. C. T. Asehrnan, chairman of the college council.