PERSONAL ITEMS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 29 May 1919, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

A London cable message states that Mr Lloyd George is visiting the Rhine. A recent army list notifies the promotion of Sergt. J. G. Grant, V.C. (Hawera) to be eecond-lieutenant. Lady Ward is expected to leave England in about a fortnight, and will probably arrive in New Zealand about July 21. A Press message from Christchurch states that the Rev. 11. S. Gray, pastor of the Hanover street Baptist Church for the la6t six years, has resigned in order to assume the position of Dominion organiser for the prohibition campaign. This step was taken at the request of the New Zealand Alliance and the League. Rev. Knowles Rempton, of the Auckland Tabernacle, succeeds Rev. Gray. The King of the Belgians has conferred decorations on a number of Brtiish subjects associated with Belgian relief work. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, N^Z. High Commissioner, has been made a Grand Officer of the Order of the" Crown. Our Matapu correspondent writes: Miss Syimans, who has been 'assistant (teacher i&t Mjaitapu for 'ithe past edglh/t years, is leaving to take sole charge of the Fraeer Road school. Miss Sy- ! mans ha®, during her 'term of resi- | dence here, earned the esteetm and re--1 speot of pupils and residents, who, >w_le regretting her departure, ex•tend their hearty congratulations and best washes for her future welfare. In the personal paragraph published yee. erd&y referring to the late Mr Thomas Graham, mention was made of the firm of Easton and McGregor. Mr George Easton, of Hawera is a son of the Mr E-stton mentioned, who died 38 years ago. Mms Easton, however, is still living,' and has reached the age of 78 years. She is ait present making a trip to tthe North Island from Durjedin, and is due to reach Hawera in a few days to see her son. The old 'lady enjoys good health. It is five years since she was last in Hawera.

The Argus reports that at Eltham on Tuesday evening a farewell social was tendered the: Rev. R. H. Hobday, who is leaving for Wellington. The Oddfellows'" Hall was well) filled with friends of all denominations. Speeches were delivered expressing the general regret at Eltham. losing the services of the reverend gentleman by Adjutant Scotney, Rev. Hoskin (Methodist), Rev. Cam obeli (Knox Church), and Messrs T. B~ Crump, W. A. Curteis, F. K. Tarrant and F. SilvCfr, representing the parishioners in various parts of the district. In replying, the Rev. Mr Hobday thanked all present for the loudness extended to Mrs Hobday and himself during their stay in Eitham. Several songs were contributed, the evening proving a most enjoyable one.

At the meeting of the Technical School Committee on Wednesday, the chairman (Mr J. B. Murdoch) saidi that this was the first meeting since the appointment of Mr.-Gray as principal.' He moved that the committee express its appreciation to the Board for the appointment of Mr Gray in charge at Hawera. He said he felt it was ah excellent move and would be a great advantage to the town. In seconding the motion Mr Hooker said he considered the school was fortunate in having the services permanently of Mr Gray. In regard to the merging of the two schools, while it was anticipated there might be some trouble, it proved that the whole work was carried out smoothly and with good effect. The motion was carried unanimously.