PERSONAL ITEMS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 24 May 1917, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

A London cabls states chat Major Valentine Fleming, M.P., has been killed in action. A London cable reports that MiLeopold de Rothschild, third son of Baron Lionel de Rothschild, M.P., is seriously ill. Advice has been received in Hawera that Gunner Horace Robinson (formerly of Mr J. Foy's office) has been wounded in France. Les Darcy, the Australian boxer, is in a critical condition, states a Press Association cablegram from Memphis, U.S.A. His physicians say that only his wonderful vitality will save him. Mr W. P. Kirkwood, of Stratford, has been appointed chairman of the Taranaki War Relief -Association in succession to Mr C. H. Burgess, who did not seek re-election, owing to pressure of business. Mr R. W. Dalton, British Trade Commissioner; will arrive in Hawera on Monday night next to commence arrangements in connection with the exhibition of British goods for the Winter Show. English papers^ chronicle the death early in March at Strathkinnes, of Mr Robert Martin, who was golf champion in 1876 and 1885 at Home. He was associated with the St. Andrew's links the whole of his life, and, as a proof of the quality of his play, went round those links on three occasions in 75 strokes. A recent hospital progress report contains the following: Reported as severe case, Private Mana Lewis (Rahotu); not reported as severe cases, Private E. M. Gatton (Stratford), Private E. C. Hone (Waverley), Private G. T. W. Stanley (New Plymouth), Private W. O'Neill (Manutahi). News has been received that Mias Rosina Buckman, who is well-known in the Patea and Waverley districts, sang the part of Santuzzia in "Cavalleria Rusticana," and also the garden scene (which includes the Jewel Song) from "Faust" in Manchester on February 3. The Musical Herald says that Miss Buckman sang with remarkable fluency, and shared the honors of the evening with Sir Henry Woods, the Queen's Hall conductor. News has been received by Mr W. P. Kirkwood that his brother, Major J. G. Kirkwood, who some time ago was awarded the D^S.O., has been promoted to lieut.-colonel. Lieut.Colonel Kirkwood, who was a resident of Stratford some ye^rs ago, served in the Boer war as a private, earning hi*promotion to lieutenant. From Africa he went to England on the outbreak of war, and was given a commission as captain in the 10th Gloucester, proceeding to France with Kitchener's first 100,000 men. He was badly wounded at Loos by shrapnel, and also by a rifle bullet. After five montha in the hospital he returned to the front, where he has remained ever since, and obtained his commission a« major previous to his latest promotion. Lieut.-Colonel Kirkwood is now in command of the 10th Gloucester Regiment. Our Normanby correspondent tele, phoned to-day that Mr John Gillespie's niece, Daphne Morrison died in the Hawera Hospital last night. The news has caused sincere and widespread regret m Normanby, where the little gir] was well known. The reader will remember that when Mr Gillespie was driving the other morning to the factory accompanied by his little niece, the horse bolted, with the result that tfche trap capsized and both occupants were thrown out. Mr Gillespie was t? ?■ brulße<J. but- nioet unfortunately the little girl fared much worse, having one arm fractured and bjpr head badly hurt. She received every attention, but medical skill proved unavailing, for, as eta-ted, Bhe passed away last night. ~T,h e cv* G• W. G. Spence, who died at Auckland on ISunday night, beftan his ministry at Wairoa, Auckland district, in 1879, and in 1882 he was appointed to North Shore, Auckland He subsequently continued his labors at Gisborne, Oamaru, Dunedin, Napier, Greymouth, Rangitikei, Blenheim Auckland East, Wanganui district, and Ihames. He was district chairman of the Wanganui district from 1910 to i.JI3 and was elected president of the Methodist Conference in 1911. In March last year he was superannuated on the ground of ill-health, after a ministry of 37 years. Tbe Methodist Conference passed a resolution deeply regretting his inability to further continue his active service, and expressed Its deep sense of the value of the work he had rendered to the Church during the long period mentioned. 'His ministry has been ft all times marked," stated the resolution, "by unFelfish devotion and untiring zeal and has been attended with much success; and as a preacher, pastor, and administrator he has earned a good degree." Courtesy and kindliness were marked features of his nature. Captain Spence, of the hospital ship Maheno, is a son, and Mrs Battey, wife of the Rev. Percy Battey, at present in the Awaimni Camp, is a dau_diter.