PERSONAL ITEMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 23 January 1926, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr G. Strotz left on Thursday last by the R.M.S. Maunganui en route to Switzerland.

Mr. and Mrs. Newton King returned to New Plymouth from Wellington by the mail train on Thursday night. Mr. King had sunicientiy recovered from his recent illness to be able to attend business as usual. '

Friends of Mrs. K. Barleyman, or Kaponga, will regret to learn that private advice, received to-day notified the decease of her sister, Mrs. J. McCarten, of Taihape. The late Mr?. McCarten had been suffering from an illness for some time past and recently went for treatment to Rotorua, where her death occurred this morning.

Mr. 11. B. Ryder, who has ‘been a member of the inspection staff of the Wanganui Education Board for several years past, retires from his position on August 31.St next, with six months’ prior leave of absence. He therefore terminates his duties at the end of next month.

The death, took place at New Plymouth Hospital! on Thursday of Mrs. Sorenson, wife of S. Sorenson, of Opunake. Deceased, with her husband, had resided in the Opunake district for 45 years, farming for a long period. She was of a, retiring kindly nature and highly esteemed by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. Deceased had been ailing for isome time past and the end was not unexpected. She leaves a husband and two daughters, Mrs. A. T. Harvey (Opunake), Mrs. G. Clegg (Arawhatta), and a, son Wilfred (Opunake). A notable birthday celebration took place in Auckland on Wednesday, when one of Auckland’s earliest and most highly-respected pioneer citizens, Major Benjamin Harris, of Eipsom,. celebrated his nintieth birthday. Major Harris hais lived a life unusually full of adventure and activity. He was bom in Lisburn, Ireland, in 1836, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1847. His boyhood was spent at East Tamaki, and when about 22 years of age the young man went to Piikekohe and, began to farm a 400-acre block of land, most of which was forest. When trouble with the Maoris broke out in 1861 he at once joined the Otahuhu Cavalry’ Volunteers as a trooper, under Goilonei Nixon. He raised a troop of cavalry at the request of Colonel Nixon, and was appointed to its command during the progress of the Waikato War. The major was several times under fire, and subsequently received the New Zealand War Medal. He also holds the Long Service Medal. Major Harris has taken a keen interest in civic as well us military matters, and served on the Auckland Provincial Council from 1874 to 1876. In 1879 he was elected to Parliament as member for Franklin, holding the seat until 1896. In 1897 he was appointed to the Upper House, and resigned his appointment only three years ago. after 26 years’ sendee.