PERSONAL

Evening Star, Issue 19931, 30 July 1928, Page 8

PERSONAL

Tito president oi tlio Dunedin Hibernian Social and Debating Club j.Alr A. J. Dowling) presented to Mr F. Dawson, who will leave tomorrow on t muster to Wellington, a silver cigarette case, suitably inscribed, its a token oi lho esteem in which ho is held by hifellow club members, and wished him every success in his new sphere. Severn! oilier members also spoke of the many good qualities ol Mr Dawson and the loss to the club oi one ot its most popular members. Tiro death is announced of Mr Samuel dames Bolton, who had been postmaster at Dannovirke for the past three years and a-hall. 'J he deceased took a. keen interest in military matters, having been connected with the Volunteers and Territorials lor many vears, lie was a lieutenant-colonel in the Army Pay Corps of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, serving on Callipoli and in Egypt, France, Germane,'and at base, records, .England. Ho wits awarded the 0.8. E. for bravery in the danger zone, and was gassed while on active service. He leaves a widow, a .sun, and a daughter. Mr Walton Turtle, of London, :s to arrive in Dunedin to-morrow to give a private view of flic film ‘Keeping Race with .Printing Progress,’ which has aroused deep interest amongst tlto craft. , . ... A pleasing function took place m the George Street School on Friday alteriinon w on the occasion of the retirement of Mr C. F. J. Bell, first assistant of the school, after lot tv years’ ‘-endec under the Otago Education Board. MiBell was the recipient ol several presents from the children, stall, parents, and Sehoal Committee. .Mr Patterson, on behalf of the children, Mr George Wilson, for the committee, and Air Miller, for the staff made tiio presentations, and all spoke of the good qualities ami work of the recipient. Air D. Forsvth spoke lor the ox-teachers. Kcftlving, Mr Beil thanked alj present for their"good wishes and gilts, and referred "to the loss to the. committee of three members who had t passed away since Ids appointment nineteen years previously. The death oi Air John Thomas, ol Aloniington, on Saturday, matte the passing of a veteran engineman of the New Zealand railways. Air Thomas was born in Newport, Alonmontbsbiro, in 18-14. Ho entered the service of the Great Western Pailway Company at an early age, and live years later joined the London ami North-western Railway Company. In 1871 be took part in the tests of Robert Eairlie’s patent locomotives, and upon completion of these he signed articles of agreement (through Robert Fairlie) to proceed to New Zealand with the sister engines, the Rose and Josephine (now exhibit in the garden fronting the Early Settlers’ Hall), for Proudfoot, Oliver, ami Ulpb, owners ol the Dunedi’n-Port Chalmers Railway. After their arrival at Port Chalmers in August, 1872, tin engines and rolling stock were erected, and Mr 'Thomas brought the first train to Dunedin with the Josephine on the official opening on January 1. 1873. He continued in the service until the Provincial Government took over the Port Chalmers lino and equipment. _ As sooi ns the main north and south lines and Otago Central linos were completed Alt 1 Thomas had charge of the locomotives for the opening runs. Ho had a particularly successful career of continuous footplate service with many clas.se; of express engines, and eventually re tired on superannuation in 1907. H< leaves a family of four sons and one daughter, all married. His wile pro deceased him sixteen years ago. Late arrivals at the. Grand Hotel include Air Edward Howchins (San Fran cisco), Air and Airs D. H. Phillip, All L. IV. Archer (London), Air F, J. Can (Afelhournc), Mr and Mrs A. E. Wil son (Auckland), Alcssrs IT. Hendersor ami E. Himlmarsh (Wellington), AT and Airs G. P. Hunter (Otautau).