PERSONAL ITEMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 1 August 1924, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr. E. Bary (headmaster of the Eltham School) is at present confined to his home through illness. Mr. C. E. Armstrong, district engineer at Gisborne, retired yesterday after forty years’ service.—Press Assn. Miss. M. Johnstone, who resigned recently from the staff of the Hawera Telephone Exchange, was presented by the Post 'Office staff with a gold bangle. Mis s W. Budge is filling the vacancy. Mr Frank Wilson, who is going home to England and later to California, was farewelled by a number of friends at the railway station yesterday morning. He leaves Auckland next Friday by the Uliniaroa for Sydney, it being his in tention to travel via Suez. The Duke of York was installed as Provincial Grand Master of Middlesex at an impressive ceremony performed by the Duke of Connaught" (says a London cable). There were 2500 Freemasons present including Mr. Featon (of New Zealand).

The friends of the Rev. W. and Mrs. Lee, of Auckland, will regret to hear that both of them are at present indisposed, the condition of Mr. Lee being somewhat critical. Mrs. T R. Richards, of New Plymouth, who is their eldest daughter, left bv the mail train yesterday for Auckland.

A very pleasant farewell and presentation was made to Mr and Mrs A. Kruse at the residence of Mr k! Hughes, Manaia road, Ivapuni, last week. The guests, who are leaving Kapuni to take up. their residence at Auroa,, were presented—Mr Kruse with a fountain pen and Mrs Kruse with a beautiful table cloth. Mrs Levings, of Ivapuni, in making the presentation on behalf of the many friends of the guests on the Manaia road and Kapuni, wished Mr and Mrs Kruse every success in their new home. Mr Kruse suitably Responded, and thanked Mrs Levings i t'be good wishes of their friends, also for the nice presentation to Mrs Kruse and himself, which they would always cherish. A splendid programme was submitted during the evening, consisting of songs, dancing, and games. One of the chief events of the evening was a jazzing competition, which was won by T. Evans and W. Evans. ■ A pleasant evening terminated with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and “For they are jolly good fellows.” Mr N. Madsen, who has resided in the Haweia and Eltham districts for about eight years, engaged m the occupation of farming, has decided to return to- his native country, Denmark, on a visit, and will be leaving Jtiawera on -Saturday next for Auckland, where he will commence bis homeward voyage on the Bth. Mr Madsen was one of the victims of the slump, and readers of the Star will probably remember his contributions to the paper some time ago bearing upon tne methods of finance which, coupled with the fall in the price of produce, brought about the downfall of many farmers. Coming from Denmark, which is generally regarded as the greatest dairying country in the world, and being a close, intelligent observer of farming conditions as well as a practical man, Mr Madsen’s opinion on farming in Taranaki is of more than passing interest, and, notwithstanding His unenviable experiences, lie holds a very high opinion of the land and people in this part of the world, and looks for great progress when finance and land , values become easier.' The benefit of his observations in South Taranaki may yet be presented iii a book, tliel manuscript for which has been perused by a. Hawera Star representative,, who found it most interesting reading. Allowing for the difficulties a man educated in Denmark encounters when endeavouring to' express his thoughts in a language' Inch to him is an inadequate medium of expression, the work is amazingly good. It is Mr Madsen’s present intention to return to New Zealand, and his iuam object in visiting Denmark is ‘o see his parents.