PERSONAL

Evening Star, Issue 18020, 14 July 1922, Page 6

PERSONAL

On Saturday evening last at Greymouth the friends of Mr Robert Nelson assembled to hid him farewell and' also to present _ him with a token of esteem prior to his departure for Dunedin. Mr Nelson lias for the last seven years held ihe position of foreman of works in the Railway Department here, and was congratulated on his promotion io a similar position in Dunedin. Mr R. S. Kent, district engineer, touched on tho career of Mr Nelson. Mr Nelson was then naked) to accept a gold watch, suitably inscribed, for himself, and; also a, travelling rug for Mrs Nelson, from the railway staff of Westland', Westport, and' Nelson sections. Several other officers highly of Mr Nelson’s good qualities, and wished him every success in his future homo.

Sir William Beach Thomas, the war correspondent, who is making a world tour on behalf of ‘The Times’ and tho ‘Daily Mail,’ was a passenger from Vancouver to Sydney by tho Makura. Ho intends to return to New Zealand ip November, when he hopes to have some trout fishing, and he will then go to Malay and India and right through Africa. Sir Charles Davson, who is retiring from the positions of Chief Justice of Fiji and Chief Judicial Commissioner for tho Western Pacific, which ho has held since 1915, arrived in Auckland by the Makura. on Saturday. He arrived in Wellington on Tuesday, and was to leave by tho Rim 11taka for England to-day. Lady Davson accompanies him. Captain H. White-Parson, harbor master at Napier, is a. passenger for Melbourne by the Paloona. He is accompanied by Mra White-Parson and family, and) will bo absent from the dominion for six weeks. Captain While-Parson was formerly in tho service of the Union Steam Ship Company, and was in command of tho Monowai in (lie Dunedin-East Coast-Auckland service for some' time. Mr Beaumont, representing John King and Sons, window blind manufacturers, Glasgow, has been in Dunedin for a. couple of days on his way to Australia. Dr Arnold Gil ray, senior resident medical officer of the Napier Hospital, lias tendered his resignation to the Hawke's Bay Hospital Board, in order to visit the Old Country for further experience.

Mr David' Murray, now retired from the teaching profession-, is preparing to leave and settle in Auckland, cither in that city or in Whangarci. He will be missed. Ho has been a big man in primary school work, also in local Defence matters. He came from Victoria forty-two years ago, not fishing for a billet, but with an engagement in his pocket-book. Melbourne waa sorry to lose him, for ho had shown singular ability in the management of large classes at tho Bell Street (Fitzroy) School, and was officially informed before leaving that ho stood second to none in the Victorian service. His first appointment in Otago was at tho Outram School, but Ire is best known by his thirty-five Tears’ connection with the North-east Valley School, of which ho was head) master for twenty-five years. Ho is now out of the service, on superannuation; but he is not out of the minds of the thousands of bows and girls who passed through, his hands—they, with the community as a whole,' regard him with sincere respect. His military work with the Senior Cadets has been of great value. He still holds the rank of major on the Army List, and has the Territorial decoration. With bis wife, ho leaves here on the 26th hist. A London cable states that the Overseas Club tendered a reception to Sir James Allen and Lady Allen. At Messrs Lutterworth Bros.’, Ltd., last evening Mr A. J. M’Calhim was mot by members of tho staff on the occasion of las severing las connection with tho firm in order to cuter into business on his own account. Mr Crawley, in making a presentation, referred to tho many sterling qualities of tho recipient, aft'd expressed the wish that Mr M'Callum’s efforts in his retail business would bo as successful as they had been in tho wholesale. A Sydney Press Association cable states that Dr E. W. Ferguson, a native of Now Zealand, has been elected president of tho Roval Zoological Society of New South Wales.

At tho final meeting of the Port Chalmers District High School Soldiers’ Memorial Committee last night the committee, made a presentation to Miss Bessie Montgomery in appreciation of her services as secretary of the undertaking. Captain J. It. Crawford, who was in the chair, eulogised the capable assistance rendered by Ihe recipient. Messrs G. W. W'ood (BaMutha) and C. G. Martin (Tahakopa) have been nominated for the representation of South Ward (rural area) on the Otago Education Board. The. election takes place on the 19th inst. Mr Parker M'Kinlay, of Benhar, the sitting member, who is on a visit to the Old Country, is not available for nomination.