PERSONAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18414, 21 May 1920, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Then” Excellencies the GovernorGeneral and the Countess of Liverpool are in Christchurch to say “ good-bye ” to the Prince of Wales on tho conclusion of his New Zealand tom*. A oable message from Sydney states that General Birdwood’s departure for New Zealand has been postponed till May 27.

The appointment is gazetted •of Percy Muter, F.1.A., London, as Deputy-Government Insurance Commissioner, as from May 10. # Mr. Cecil Hutton, organist and choirmaster of St Mary’s Church, Mornington t Dunedin, has been appointed to a similar position in Trinity Church, Timaru.

Mr H. Rhodes has been appointed secretary of the Canterbury Football Association in succession to Mr E. Audibert, who recently resigned, owing to pressure of business. Mr H. B. Sorensen, chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board and Danish Consul at Christchurch, is among the ■guests invited to dine with the Prince of Wales on H-M.S- Renown to-night. A Wellington Press message states that private advice has been received of the death in Sydney of Mr William Holliday, for many years a partner in Messrs Robert Holliday and Co., booksellers, of Wellington. Mr T. H. Fewings, of South Crescent ltoad, whoso death is announced, was a native of Sydney. He came to Christchurch in 1890 and founded the business of Messrs,!'. H. Fewings and Co., retiring from active association with it in 1914. Deceased was a member of tho Sydenham Bowling Club for many years, and was also a member of the Beckenham Club.

In addition to Rifiemau H. V. Croxton and L. Love day, Now Zealand will have a third representative at the Bisley rifle meeting in the person of Rifleman W. H. West, of the Blenheim Rifle Club. At tho 1.919 and 1920 Dominion Rifle Association meetings lie was runner up for the championship rifle belt. The proposal that lie should ho sent to Bisley emanated in Marlborough and the necessary funds for t.ho purpose were subscribed in that province. A London cable message states that Mr Andrew Fisher presided over a large meeting of city men and officials to arrange a farewell to Sir Thomas Mackenzie. Sir Peter M’Bride, AgentGeneral for Victoria, said they regarded Sir Thomas Mackenzie as a man with whom they always had been able to consult oil difficult problems affecting Australasia and the Empire. Mr Lloyd George wrote regretting that, owing to the state of his health, ho was unable to preside at the banquet. Lord Milner agreed to preside. Tho banquet was fixed for June 10 and an influential committee was appointed, including Lords Harcourt, Northcliffe, Bui^nham. Beaverbrook, lnchcape and Carmichael, the Lord Mayor and councillors.

At the close of flic business meeting of Ridgley Lodge, 1.0.0. F. (N.Z.), on Wednesday, members and visitors entertained Brother E. T - T. Eldridge at a ‘arewell supper. Brother W. Hunter, P.G.M., on behalf of the lodge, presented Brother Eldridge with a cheque for a substantial amount, and referred to tho high esteem in which lie was held in the lodge ami friendly societies of Christchurch; and also the splendid services'die had rendered the lodge while secretary, and holding other official positions in the lodge and on tho North Canterbury Board of Control. Brothers W. Simmons (Washington), MHitehen (Star of Sydenham), and several members of Ridgley Lodge also spoke, and the toast, the health of Broil ior Eldridgo and his wife and family, was enthusiastically honoured. Brother Eldridge briefly thanked the lodge for the present, and said he would always look back with pleasure io his work in the Ridgley Lodge.

An old New Zealand identity, and one of the few remaining members of tho old Indian navy, Mr Charles Allan Wray, died peacefully at his residence, Ards, Talbot Avenue, Bournemouth, on March 28 in liis 80th year, (writes the London correspondent of the “Lyttelton Times.”) Born at Ron.Tavr, France, on October 11, 1840, he was the fion of Captain Luke Henry Wray, R.N., and Eliza, daughter of Commander Edward Burt, R.N., and grandson of Captain Henry Wray, R.N., commander of the Royal yacht. He joined the Indian navy in 1850, served in the Persian war (1850-57) and tho Indian Mutiny (1857-59), and retired on tho abolition of the Indian navy in 1863. Tho next year ho wont to New Zealand, where ho served during tho hostilities with the Maoris in 1868-69. Ho was appointed to tho New Zealand Civil Service in 1869) became Resident Magistrate at Patea in 1877 and was afterwards Stipendiary Magistrate with extended jurisdiction at,' Timaru. He held . many other public positions, including those of .sheriff, coroner and recorder of the Native Land Court, and retired from the Civil ervice* in 1909, when he leturncd to England with his family. His widow, one # son and three daughters iiurrivc him.