PERSONAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16665, 25 September 1914, Page 8

PERSONAL.

Mr J. M'Combs, M.P., arrived, from the north yesterday.

M. M. Allorge (Paris) went south yesterday by the midday express.

Mr G. Witty. M.P., arrived from the. north yesterday.

Mr F. Conn (Pnranui) and Mr H. Menkes (Menztes Bay) are visiting Christchurch.

Messrs D. Craig (Wellington), EWnlkley (Sydney), F. A. Raymond (Timani), F. M. Oldham (Dunedin) and F. S. Laycock (Dunedin) aro amongst the visitors to Christchurch. Mr- W. Scott, who announced that lie would retire from the position of employers' representative on the Arbitration Court, has reconsidered his decision, and will remain a member of the Court.

The Singapore "Press" of August 11 states that Captain G. R. H. Webb, Singapore R.E. (V.), took over the duties! of O.C. Electric Lights Singapore Defences on August 6. Captain Webb is a son of the late Colonel W. H.-Webb, N.Z.M. Among the visitors. to Hanrner Springs' this week are:—Mr W. Dawson (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs Talbot (Christchurch), Rev Fathers Hylano% Richards and MacCarthy. Mr S. Hurst Seager, Dr and Mrs Blackmore and child, Dr Alice Morelaud, Mr Bell (Ashburton), Miss Smith, Mr and Mrs Anderson and Mrs Lewton (Amberley), and Miss Pugh (Vancouver). A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the Harbour Board last night made two provisional appointments to the pilot staff consequent on the pending retirement of Captain Johnson (harbourmaster) and Captain Shilling (deputy). The new pilots are Mr J. Spence, promoted from the position of dredgemaster on the Whakarire, and Mr Alec Davis, chief officer of the steamer Arahura.

Lieutenant E. G. Bowen, who was wounded in the engagement between the marines and troops of the Australia and the German defence force at Herbertshoho, is thirty-two years of age, and has had' several years naval experience. Ho was born in Victoria, and occupied a responsible position at Thursday Island for tw-o years. He has a sister in New Zealand. Ho was married at Melbourne shortly before the departure for the South Seas.

Brigadier-General the Hon Christian Frederick Beyers, who has resigned his position as Commander-General of the Citizen Forces of the Union of South \frica, M.L.A., and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Transvaal, was born in Stellenbosch district in 1869, and educated at Victoria College. He served as a private in the South African war, and rose to be Assistant Commandant-General of the north district of the Transvaal. It was he who captured the British camp at Novitgedacht. He was chairman of the Vereeniging Peace Conference.

Mr J. B. M'Kinney has been appointed general secretary of the Auckland branch of the Y.M.C.A., states the "New Zealand Herald." He is an Aucklander by birth, and in 190(5 became the first general secretary of the Inyercargill branch. He.held that position for six years, and then visited America and England' for the purpose of supplementing his New Zealand training. Upon his return to Auckland, early in the present year, he was appointed acting secretary of the Association, and his service was so effective that ho has now received' a permanent appointment. Dr Charles M. Sheldon, of Kansas, U.S.A., will arrive in Christchurch this morning, and during his visit to_ the city will deliver a series of prohibition addresses in the city and neighbourhood. Dr Sheldon is well known as the author of a number of books, including "In His Steps." "Philip Strong's Crucifixion" and " His Brother's Keeper." On the lecture platform he is one of the best known men in the United States, and has been chosen as a member of "The Flying Squadron" which will conduct the American campaign for national prohibition. Ho will be entertained at luncheon by the NewZealand Club at one o'clock to-day.

At the Empire Cafe on Wednesday evening, P.E.P. Brother J. Swinnerton, P.S., of tho Pioneer Lodge, U.A.0.D., was entertained at a valedictory banquet, on tho occasion of his retirement from the office of secretary" after twen-ty-six years' service in that capacity. Brother H. E. Smith presided, and there Avas a large attendance of members and friends. The toast of " Brother J. Swinnerton" was proposed by P.A. Brother Gledhill, who paid a very high tributo to the services rendered to the Order by the guest of the evening, and was honoured with much enthusiasm. Brother Swinnerton in replying gave reminiscences of episodes during his lengthy period of membership. A number of other toasts were honoured, and the toast list was interspersed with musical items.

Lieutenant Harper Lepper, youngest son of Mr H. B. Lepper, of Lepperton, who recently qualified for a commission in the British Army, has now received notice of his appointment as a second lieutenant in the Middlesex Regiment (tho Duke of Cambridge's Own), states the Taranaki "Herald." This is the erstwhile_ 57th (the Old Diehards),"famous in New Zealand during the Maori War and in different other campaigns in other countries. The present 11th Taranaki Regiment is allied to the Middlesex Regiment, under the scheme by which New Zealand regiments are connected with those at Home. Lieutenant Lepper, who has for the past three or four years been a pupil at the local High School, has been ordered to hold himself in readiness to leave with the Expeditionary Force to join his regiment.

Professor A. P. \f m Thomas, of Auckland, had an exciting exodus from Switzerland, where he Was on the outbreak of the war. He bad joined his daughter in Geneva in the middle of July, and had' intended taking a fairly long tour in the country. The news of the position in Europe, howover, put him on the alert, and when Germany declared war against Russia he decided that it was time to leave. Jlie first train by which they purposed Jeaving was cancelled, but they were fortunate enough to get on the express for p ariS) by i nterlaken Berne and Pontadier. A great many passengers were left behind, and the sight of piles of luggage on the stations was quite a revelation to the travellers. 1 ossessing through tickets, they were able to get on board the other tram at Pans, and thev reached London safely.

Seaman G\ Williams, who was killed in the Australian attack on Herto *?«%-eight years of as a boy,, and became an able seaman on the steamer Westralia. He served a j so on the Loongana and the Paloona H 0 7f, Z and tTI ° n ' the watersides of Sydney and Hobart as well as in Melbonr«e. Jfr.gMd the Z .some tnne. ; ago, andfound employment in Melbourne G,ty C or , ,£/ « Works- iie was a member of the Roval Aus trahan JT Reserve, and had S more than trio, roi lr 0 f th f . .. , service, which was listmcnt. He Lad one more drill to attend for the compl 6 t ion 0 f SE.eS