PERSONAL

Evening Star, Issue 25037, 2 December 1943, Page 4

PERSONAL

—Ministerial. — ', The Minister of Defence (Hon. Fi Jones), accompanied by his private seci retary (Mr F. M. Sherwood), left byV the express last night for Christchurch« The Minister of Labour and Mines (Hon. P. C. Webb), who arrived .iujj Dunedin last night, was engaged this* morning in a discussion, with the Rah-* bitskin Committee and in hearing deputations. This afternoon the Minister left for Christchurch, en route to Westport, where the Railways Department will take over from the Puiblio Works Department the Buller-Westpor's railway line. Mr Webb will return i». Wellington on Sunday.

—Air Passengers.—

Passengers from the north yesterday! were:—-Mrs J. Woolley and infant,, and Master IR. Woolley, Miss I. Wright* son (from Auckland), Mrs H. Miller,, Mrs E. M. Finlay, Mr S. G. Turner,, Mrs R. Rattray. (from Wellington) * Mrs L. Ferguson, Mrs E.iMunro, Mrf J. Jones (from Christchurch)'. ' Passengers by the north-bound airliner to-day were:—-Mr J. F. Fletcher! and Mr W. Fisher (for Christchurch),; Mr H. E. Thomas, Mrs J. Traynor, Mrs H. Bohm, Mrs M. Massey, and! Mr J. Kirpal (for Wellington), Miss B. McGarth, Miss M. Rushton Palmerston North), Mrs F. Andrews and infant (for'Auckland).

On brief leave from a forward area a Lieutenant G. Lindsay Rutherford,, brother of Captain A. M. Rutherford* M.C. and bar, arrived by the /express: last evening. The Leader of the Opposition.. Mr S* G. Holland, and Mr F. W. Doidge,, M.P.s., returned to Auckland yesterday; from a visit of ono month to Australiar to study war-time conditions and political questions. They visited Sydney,Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle, and Adelaide.

Mr B. F. Waters, director of thai Social Security Department, Welling' ton, is visiting Dunedin. Official word has been received by hi* wife that Captain J. F. Baker, of St* Olair, who for some time has been a» prisoner of war in Italy, has been transferred! to Germany. The new General Manager of Railways, Mr J. Sawers, has been assjstauti general manager since 1940. He joined, the railway service in 1906 as a cadet, and served in the Otago district until his transfer to Wellingtou in 1924. He was appointed information officer iu. 1928, and held that position until his appointment as goods agent at Christchurch in 1936. He was promoted 'to district traffic manager at Auckland in. 1938. He served in the last war, and later was attached' for some time to English railway companies. He wenl? abroad in 1935 on railway business. A farewell gathering was held on, Tuesday afternoon in honour of Mr G.; C. Claridge, chief mechanician in the automatic exchange, who has retired after completing 40 years' service in tha Post and Telegraph Department, tha last 24 years of which were spent in Dunedin. Mr A. A. Bollons, district engineer, making a presentation from the combined staffs of the district office and the three exchanges, sketched tha recipient's career in the department, and expressed the hope of all those associated with Mr Claridge that he would have a long and happy life-in retirement. Several other speakers also wished him every success in the future, particularly in bowling, and Mr Clandga responded. The lady members of tha staff, provided afternoon tea.