PERSONAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17097, 21 February 1916, Page 9

PERSONAL.

Tito Hon James Allen. Minister of Defence, arrived in Christchurch from Wellington Yesterday afternoon. Later in the day lie left by motor-car for Hanmer, where he will inquire into soldiers' grievances. He will return to Christchurch this afternoon, and will leave for Diuiedin to-morrow morning. The Hon. Dr. M'Nab, Minister ot Justice. arrived from the north on Saturday. Captain Hawkins arrived from the north on Saturday. Judge Haselden arrived from Wellington on Saturday. Mr (-1. O. 1). Mcares returned from Wellington on Saturday. The Hen J. T. Paul. M.L.C., arrived from Wellington on Saturday. Mr D. H. Aiken, general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company, arrived from the north on Saturday. The Rev F. J. Fleming was a passenger by the Maori from Wellington on Saturday. Paymaster-sergeant F. M. L. Shoppa rd arrived by the Maori on Saturday and will return to Trentham this evening. Sir John Findlay, K.C.. arrived in Christchurch from Wellington yesterday to attend the sitting of the Supremo Court in this city to-day. Amongst the visitors to Christchurch on Saturday were Messrs J. M'Donald, 11. J. Wynne. C. A. Piper, G. Gore, and A. Johnston (Wellington), T. S. Culling, and C. M. White (Auckland), W. Scatterthwaite (Timaru), J. G. Budd (New York), K. Hudson (Dunediu). J. O. Bennett (Blenheim), and F/. F. Xicoll (A,shburton). Mrs M. Knudsen, v. 1.0 went lo Egypt as a member of tho Volunteer. Sisterhood, cabled from Cairo to her son in Christchurch last Saturday stating that she is employed in the Giza Hospital and is well. Mrs Knudsen asked that tiie Midhurst people, whose representative she is under tho scheme of subscriptions to the Sisterhood, shoul* be advised of the position. Private F. O'Connor, who was presented with the D.C.M. at the Masterton show on Wednesday last by the Minister of Defence, is a son of Mr P. O'Connor, of Middle Road, Allenton, Ashburton. Private O'Connor was born and educated in Ashburton, but left for the front with the Wellington Battalion. He was invalided home minus an eye, and has since received his clischargc.

Mr C. H. Lynch, who for the past twelve months has occupied the position of cashier in the Christchurch branch of tho Mutual Lifo and Citizens' Assurance Company, Ltd., has been promoted to the company's Wellington office. Mr Lynch was entertained by the staff on Friday evening, and gratification was expressed at his well-earned promotion. On behalf ot the local staff, the district manager, Mr 0. Anderson, presented Mr Lynch with a travelling bag and expressed the staff's good wishes for his future success.

Fourteen returned C.Y.C. men assembled at Freeman's Cafe on Friday to welcome back Sergeant-Major Webb, Quartermaster-Sergeant of the C.Y.C. Squadron since its despatch with the Main Body. Apologies for absence were read from Sergeant H. M. Cotton and Trooper W. Starky. After refreshments had been served Sergeant Seed, on behalf of the returned C.Y.C. men, presented Sergeant-Major Webb with a suitably inscribed silver cigarette case as an ; expression of good feeling to their quartermaster, who had been a "father" to the boys throughout the campaign, and who was very highly respected by all. There diffld at Taiporohenui (Taranaki) on February 15, writes a correspondent of the HaTrera "Star," a very old Maori chief, To Awarua, who was said to be over a hundred years ot age and was descended from the Hamua, Hapotiki, Ngatitancwai, Ngat.iawa and other Taranaki tribes He was one of the very old school, and was noted for his knowledge of ancient Maori lore and the, genealogical tables of his people. To Awarua in his day had been a great warrior, having fought against the pakeha in the battles of Otapawa, To Ngutu-o-te-Mami, Turutiiru-Mokai, Tauranga-ika, Nukumani, and various other battles. He appears to have borne a charmed life, for. strange to say, though fighting'in the thick of every battle of his time, he escaped without a scratch. He leaves a family of two sons and one daughter, besides'several grand and great-grandchildren. The Gisborne "Times" states that the local council's beach caretaker, Mr Tiios. Hanlon, although sixty-three years of age, has been sent for by the War Office, and lie proceeds shortly to Loudon to take, up a position on the Recruiting Staff fo* the English Expeditionary Forces. Mr Hanlon spent twenty-seven vears in the Imperial Armvi and took his discharge at 'Calcutta with the rank of Sergeant-Instructor. Referring to his age, he said that age did not count now ; it was a man's service papers that were responsible for an appointment, for a position could be found for every competent Imperial man. The War Office has sent Mr Hanlon £IOO to pay the passage money of himself and his wife Home. He was attached to the 55th (Cumberland) Kegiment and went to India in 1875. and was through several frontier engagements and the Afghan War. He also took part in the Delhi Durbar in 18.6 at the proclamation of Queen Victoria, and later participated in several small punitive expeditions against rebellious tribes. During his service, sometimes the Imperial troops were on marches lasting three and four months. Most of his time was in the Punjab, round Benares, at Lucknow, finishing up at Calcutta, where he took his discharge and returned to London. Hoping to make a fortune, he came to New Zealand about seven years ago. "But the trouble is," said Mr Hanlon, "that I brought more ( gold with me than I am taking away."