PERSONAL ITEMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 21 April 1928, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Members of the Girl Guide organisation and the Women’s National! Reserve-, together with other friends, combined in according an enthusiastic taiewell to Miss D. A. Cbnrigan, who rett by the south express this morning eri route to Auckland. On Monday Miss Corrigan leaves Arjckfiaaidl as a passenger on the Niagara for Sydney, and from 'there will proceed on a visit to JiAirope and America. Keen regret was expressed last night that Air S. Thrush, president of the Tokaora Hall Committee, was prevented by the serious illness of his father from being present and taking ibis place in the conduct of the annual meeting held in the hall. The acting-chairman (Mr H. 11. Taylor) said that the committee could not wish to work .under a -better chairman.' When it was known that Air Thrush did not intend to stand for re-election, a deputation consisting of Messrs J. Finlay, H. E. Batten, .and H. J. Finlay was deputed to wait on hjm and to ask him to reconsider his decision. “He kept us all up to the mark,” was the comment of the secretary.

Mr J. 'S. Barton, S.M., who presides at the routine sessions of the Hawera Court leaves Wanganui on Monday to proceed to Auckland where he is to officiate as chairman of the Transport Commission, which opens its inquiry on Thursday. The other members of the Commission are Messrs Alfred Edward, of Sydney, who is already in New Zealand, and W. 'G. T. Goodman, of Adelaide, who is expected to reach Auckland on Tuesday. During 'his absence Mr Barton will be relieved at Hawera by Mr R. W. Tate, S.M., of New Plymouth.

The Carlton tea rooms were the scene of a very pleasant function, last evening, when'members of the Old Girls’ Association, together with the combined Boys’ Clubs, met to bid farewell to Mr. Stan. Lay. The programme of songs, other musical items, and speeches was much enjoyed. During the festivities several presentations were made to the guest of the evening. Mr. Lay feelingly expressed his appreciation for the many vainable presents which he had received, and also extended his heartfelt thanks to the people of Hawera for the manner in which they responded to the cause of the Dominion in connection with the Olympic Games. The death, announced yesterday, of Mr.- Alex. Strachan at the age of 82, removes one of the pioneers who formed a link with Wanganui’s early days, when an intrepid band of men and women, beset by the perils of the Maori Avars, laid the foundation of Avhat was afterwards destined to be the fifth- city of. the Dominion (states the Wanganui “Chronicle”). The late Air. Strachan was born at Comrie, Scotland, in 1846, and wa.s six yeans of age when he arrived in the colony with his parents, the late Mr. and! Mrs. David Strachan. Avho settled at “Lornty,” Olcoia. His boyhood was spent- amid the perils which faced the early settlers,' and he saw much- of the struggles between pakelia and Maori for mastery along this coast, lie himself serving the colours in the ranks of the Alexandra CaA-alry. Later in life Mr. Strachan purchased a farm at Waverley,' and l>eeame an active member of the community in sport, and. public affairs. Right up until within a few months of his demise Air. Strachan led a very active life despite liis years. His wife predeceased him by some 12 years, and he is survived by three sons, Stewart, Douglas and Wallace, and two daughters, Mrs. J. Wells, and Miss Alix Strachan, of Wanganui. Another son (Lawrie) was killed in action after being awarded the D.C.M.