PERSONAL ITEMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 22 January 1926, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P. for Hutt, and “father of the House,” has retired to a quiet spot in Devon to rest after his recent illness. Sir .James Allen (High Commissioner vpr New Zealand) states definitely that he has decided to return to Nov Zealand when his term as High Commissioner expires. Whether he jemains there will depend upon events (sajs a London cable message). Many freinds in Mangamingi district and all over South Taranaki will deeply regret to hear of the death at Hawera of Mr A. M. Bod die, eldest son of Mr and Mrs James Boddie, of Auckland. He had spent many years at Mangamingi, having been one of the early settlers when conditions there were pretty rough. He had been ill ior some time.* Mr Boddi e leaves a widow and two children, who are left to mourn their loss. With them and with Ilia relations will he felt deep sympathy in their sorrow. The Rev. A. H. Collins, Baptist minister at New Plymouth, who is shortly to retire to Lower Hutt, was farewelled by his congregation on Wednesday evening, when some touching tributes were paid to the very great service he has rendered during fifty years as an ordained minister, and sixty as a preacher of the gospel (says the Herald). Presentations were made to Air. and Mrs. Collins and Miss Collins by the church, and to Miss Coilins by the Bible Class girls, and fitting references were made to iae love and esteem in which they are held by all who have been associated with them during their five years’ stay at New Plymouth. Mr. G. A. U. Tapper met the staff of the (Bfanlc oif New Zealand, Christchurch, and received a presentation in view of his approaching retirement. Mr. W. G. Miller, the accountant, who made the presentation on behalf of the staff, referred to Mr. Tapper’s service of 40 years with the bank, the greater part in Christchurch. Mr. Tapper expressed his keen appreciation of the goodwill and esteem shown, and briefly traversed the course of banking events and conditions during the past 40 years, from the points of view of the bankers and of the public. A distinguished visitor to New Zealand, Major-General iSir Ivor Philipps, D. 5.0.. arrived at Auckland from Sydney by the Niagara. Sir Ivor Philipps represented Southampton in the House 7 of Commons for 16 yeans up to 1922, and was Military' Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry for Munitions in 1915. His early military career brought him much adventure and experience, for he served in the Burma campaign of 1887-89, he was with the Chin Lushi Expedition of 1889, the Miranzai Expedition of 1891, and the Is-azai Expedition of 1892. He saw further service on the North-West Frontier of India, in 1896, was in the Tirah campaign of 1896-97, and was a, member of the China Expedition of 1900-01. He commanded the 38th Welsh Division in France in 1915-16. Although he has spent many years out of England in the course of his military career. Sir Ivor had never been south of Colombo before making his recent journey to Australia (states the New Zealand Herald). He expressed a desire to see as much of New 'Zealand as possible in the two months at his disposal, and will spend some of the time fishing.