PERSONAL

Evening Star, Issue 23553, 17 April 1940, Page 8

PERSONAL

—Ministerial.— The Minister of Public Works (Mr Semple) and the Minister of Labour (Mr Webb) left Queenstown yesterday morning and travelled over the Crown Bangs to Wanaika on their way to the Haast Pass road, where they inspected the progress of the works. They then returned to Hawea Flat, where they spent the night. During their tour yesterday they were' accompanied by Mr W. A. Bodkin, the member for Central Otago. Sir Harry Batterbee, High Commissioner in New Zealand for the United Kingdom, left for Timaru this morning. From there he goes to Christchurch, where he will spend the remainder of the week. He will be present at the Akaroa Centennial celebrations on Saturday, after which he returns to Wellington. Sir Harry was last night guest of honour at a mayoral reception, which was of a private nature and was attended by a representative gathering of men in public life. Mr W. ,J. Dyment, manager in New Zealand for the' Canadian National Railways, left this morning for Wellington.

Detective-sergeant E. Thomas, of Timaru, returned north, this morning. A motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Pilot-officer M. E. F. Barnett was passed at last night’s meeting of the Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, the president (Mr C. W. Clark) stating that Pilot-officer Barnett had been one of Otago’s most promising junior athletes. Reference to the death of the late Prime Minister was made at last night’s meeting of the Otago of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, those present expressing their sympathy. Sympathy with Sir Louis Barnett and Dr Geoffrey Barnett was expressed by members of the University Council yesterday in respect of the death of Pilotofficer Michael Barnett while serving in Britain.

The Council of the University of Otago yesterday passed a resolution of sympathy with, the relatives of the late Mr Parker M'Kinlay, a former member of the council and a great supporter of educational movements.

A motion of sympathy and of respect to the memory of the late Prime Minister (Mr Savage) was carried in the customary manner at yesterday’s meeting of the Council of the University of Otago. The Chancellor (Mr W, J. Morrell) also moved: “ That the council offers its sincere congratulations to the Hon. P ; Fraser on his appointment to the position of Prime Minister- of the Dominion, and its cordial good wishes for his continued hpalth . and vigour in the- discharge of the arduous duties of his high office amid the difficulties of the present war.”' Mr James Wallace, in seconding the motion, said that he had never yet met a Minister of Education who had a better, understanding of what was required of a man holding that office. It was suggested that the council should express the hope that Mr Fraser would see his way to retain the portfolios of Education and Health. .The Chancellor said., that this would he done, and the motion was carried unanimously. A motion of sympathy with the re-, latives of the late Mr Parker M'Kinlay was carried at this morning’s meeting of the Education Board, the chairman (Mr _ James Wallace) stating that Mr M'Kinlay had been a member of the board for about 20 years. The Chairman intimated at to-day’s meeting of _ the. Education Board that congratulations had already been conveyed to the Hon. P. Fraser oh his becoming Prime Minister, and the hope was also expressed . that " he would retain the portfolio of Education during the Government’s term of office. Regret of the death of Mr Savage was expressed at to-day’s meeting of the Education Board, and it was reported that the board’s sympathy had already been conveyed to the Government.

Mr F. G, Craig; chief clerk in the transportation superintendent’s' office, Wellington, who has been promoted to assistant district traffic manager at Dunedin, joined the railway service here as a cadet in 1902. He served in various capacities in the Otago and Wellington districts, and in 1910 tvas appointed to the chief traffic manager’s office, Wellington. In 1920 he was appointed stationmaster at Otorohanga, and in 1925 was promoted to traffic inspector at Ohakune. After a short term in the district. traffic manager’s office, Wanganui, Mr Craig was promoted to passenger agent, Wellington, in 1927, and five years later received further . promotion to the position of business agent, Wellington. In the following year he was appointed business agent, Auckland, and after serving four years in this capacity he was promoted to chief clerk in the transportation superintendent’s office ? Wellington, a position he has held until his present appointment at Dunedin. The St. John Ambulance Brigade last night held a dance in honour • of Mr A. G. Johnstone, district'secrctary, who left this morning for Trentham to take up his position as staff sergeant fos the New Zealand Base Hospital. Mr W'. D. Pirret, 5.8., S.J., assistantcommissioner for the Otago district, said that since Mr Johnstone,had arrived from Auckland four years ago he had proved himself ,to be the best secretary the district had ever had, and under him the work had grown, and prospered. He then presented Mr Johnstone with a wristlet watch on behalf of the staff and district, and wished him a safe return. Mr G. Swanson, on behalf of the Social Committee, presented him with a Rolls razor, and Mr A. Rankin, on behalf of, Pat Harbrow’s Band, also handed him a small gift. On behalf of the St. John Ambulance Association, Mr H. L. Patterson spoke of Mr Johnston’s activities and wished him a safe return. ■ *

Mr A. F. M'Murtrie, chief inspector of primary schools, becomes assistantdirector of education at the end of this month. He will be succeeded by Mr G. E. Overton, now senior inspector at the head office. Mr D. G. Ball, _ senior inspector of Native schools, will succeed Mr Overton. —Wellington Press, Association.

Registrations, at the City Hotel include Mr H. B. Lamont (Boston, U.S.A.), Mr W. A. Chambers, Mr J. Franklin (Wellington), Mr J. E. Sewell (Christchurch), Mr W. B. Naylor, Mr J. D. Edgar (Tapanui), Mr H. S. Stewart (Invercargill). Guests staying at the Excelsior Hotel include Mr'C. Donovan (Auckland), Mr A. V. Just, Mr B. O. Priddis (Christchurch). Mr. J. H. : Mitchell (Studholme) , Mr W. M. Cooper (Kakanui), Mr and Mrs L. W. Goodall (Tuakau), Mr and Mrs E. Morgan (St. Bathans), Mr H. Windle (Gore), Wain’s Hotel guest list includes Mr E. Clapham (Auckland), Mr and Mrs M. E. Sampson (Wanganui), Dr T. L. Paget (Wellington), Mr and Mrs 11. M. Stephens (Christchurch), Mr J.

Bennetts. Mr E. Pinder (Roxburgh), Mr H. W. Sadlier (Invercargill). _ . The following have booked in at the Carlton Hotel: Mr C. Stewart (Wellington), Professor and Mrs t*alu (Timaru), Miss Garthwaite (Pembroke); Mr M. Davies (Cromwell), Mr P. Tamblyn (Roxburgh),