PERSONAL ITEMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 September 1924, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr Russell Hardley, who has recently been in business in Hawera, left this morning for Auckland, where he expects to go into business. L

Pr. T. W. Leys, for many years part proprietor and solicitor■ to' the Auck land Star, died this morning after a‘ short illness. —Press Assn.

A Paris cable .states that Chaliapin, the famous Russian singer, left a nursing home after a successful slight operation. The surgeon declared that he can now sing better than ever.

Members of the staff of all departments of _ the Hawera Star / assembled m the editorial room yesterday to bid farewell to /one in whom everyone, from the directors downwards, placed implicit confidence, Mr W. Willliams. Mr Williams has for four and a half years been sub-editor of the Hawera Star, and during that period his unfailing courtesy; tact, and ability have won for him the respect and esteem, not only of those with whom he has been immediately associated, but readers 'who, though they may not have known him nevertheless appreciated the efforts he made to uphold the splendid traditions of ‘the Star. Mr E. Atkin, editor of the Hawera Star, who made the presentation, referred to the cordial .relations that had always existed between himself and Mi- Williams. The break was one that he felt personally, .and while appreciating the fact that Mr Williams had been appointed managing-editor of the le Arolui News,- he felt that Hawera would be the loser and Te Aroha a big gainer. Other heads of the various departments of the Star also spoke eulogistically of Mr Williams’ services, and the general consensus of opinion was that Mr-- Williams would prove an energetic, loval and able man in his new position. If the staff whom he, will control will not do better work than ever before it will not be the fault of Mr Williams. Me carries with him the best wishes or the colleagues immediately associated with him.

-The death occurred in Wellington on Friday last of Mr. J. C. Butler, who lor many years was a. prominent figure in musical and artistic circles in Wellington, and who was generally esteemed for his kindliness of disposition and general- helpfulness to his fellow man. Mr. Butler, who was a native of Southampton, England, came out to Wellington about forty-two. years ago, and for some vear.s was engaged' as a builder. He was a very able performer on the double bass violin, and was tor a number of years collected with the old Wellington Orchestral Society and other orchestras. Some twenty years ago lie purchased the business known as McGregor-Wright’s, on Lambton Quay, a studio for the exhibition and sale of local and imported pictures of all kinds, being attracted to the business by the talent of his gifted son, Mr. George Butler, now of Felixstowe (England), an artist (in oils) of assured position and high standing. About eight years ago Mr. Butler retired from the business, which is now conducted by his son-in-law. Mr. Alex. Paterson. Deceased leaves a family of six daughters—-Mesdames B. E. Beaglehole, H. Osborne, H. W. Monaghan (wife of the vicar of Hawera), W. E. Jackson, A. Paterson, and Miss Butler, and one son, Mr. George Butler. The late Mr. Butler was for many years a strong adherent to the Taranaki Street Wesleyan Methodist Church.—Dominion.