PERSONAL NOTES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 July 1918, Page 5

PERSONAL NOTES.

— Mr Joseph Healey, a well-known marine engineer, formerly of the Marine Department, and formerly of Ross, who has been on active service for twelve months, is back in Wellington on holiday leave. Mr P. C. Webb, a prisoner at Kaing.aroa, was visited recently by his successor in the Grey seat, Mr 11. E. Holland, M.P., says a northern exchange. “H c is looking stouter and better than I have ever seen him look,’ states Mr Holland. “He says he was never so free from worry as he is now. Hc is reading industriously, arid is seeking to, take advantage of the leisure hours compulsorily imposed on him to enlarge his fund of knowledge and further fit himself for the time when he will onc e more take his seat in the Legislature.” At the hospital, on Wednesday last, there passed away on old and respected citizen of Gieyraouth, in the .person of Mr J. Askenbeck, at the age of 81 years. Hc was born at Stockholm in 1827. After some years of commercial activity in bis native country, the late gentlemen went to sea, and subsequently landed in Sydney in anticipation of obtaining command of an intercolonial vessel. At this time the ambition for goldmining was perco. laling through the souls of most colonists, and being of this spirit the lata Mr Askenbeck fourid himself in the Otago province. From Otago lie journeved to the West Coast, where he has resided np to the time of his demise. The late pioneer leaves a widow and three children tho latter of whom comprise Mr G. C. Askenbeck, Mrs L. McAuley (Orwell Creek), and Q.M.S. Askenbeck, now with the Forces in England. Captain Hales, who has been wharfinger for the Union Steam Ship at Greymoutli for 11 years, has received notice of his transfer to Sydney. Prior to coming here, Captain Hales had charge of th e Red Funnel steamer Mahmapua, and prior to that he was m command of the Moeraki and Oonah. During their stay in Greymonth, Captain and Mrs Hales have taken a keen interest in the • affairs of the town. Mrs Hales has been very prominent in musical circles, bic has been very successful as a teacher, • and was for a. short time conductor ol , St. Patrick’s Church choir, and of a , •juvenile orchestra. She has been veiy ( energetic in promoting concerts for bene- . fit purposes. Both Captain Hales and Mrs , Hales are very pleased with the transfer, < which means promotion for the captain, . and Mrs Hales will be in her nntive ■ land. Captain Hales leaves for Sydney about August 6th. The worthy couple will he greatly missdd in Greymonth, ana they will carr'v with them the host wishes of all for their future happiness and prosP American papers report the arrival in that country of nine British Amy oVcers on a military mission. The Mew York Times” says that the officers will he attached to the staff ftf the British Embassy and Special HigTi Commission. All of. the officers have been at the front, some of them having been in con tinnous service) from the beginning of tho war. The officers are Sir V . Leth-rido-e, Bart., Grenadier Guards; Captain James Hutchinson, London Irish RJles and Royal Air Force: Captain T. Sect don, M.P., a son of the late Right Hon- ‘ ourable Richard Se'ddon, Prime Minister of New Zealand; Major Eric Lanketer, Honourable Artillery Company; Captain Dudley D. Haskard, Royal Garrison Artillery Major Ferguson Royal Field Artillery; Cantata Frank Edwards.' Rovn.l Fusiliers; Major Sanford, Royal Field Arti/llerv; Captata Abcr.cromby, Roval Air Force. The mission, adds the “Times.” will he concerned, not merely with military matters, hut with shipbuilding, financial, and social activities.