PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mataura Ensign, 25 January 1912, Page 5

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Bishop Neville, Anglican Primate of New Zealand, returned to the Dominion from England by the Taviuni, which reached Wellington yesterday (says a Press Association telegram). " Mr C. A. Pownall, barrister and solicitor of Masterton, of which town he was several times mayor, died yesterday afternoon at the age of 47 (says a Association telegram). | Mr W. Sibbald (Collector of Customs at Dunedin) is retiring from the servic© on superannuation at the end of this month. Mr Sibbald has been employed in the public service for the past 42 years.

The- 'Post' states that Mr F. Waldegrave (Commissioner of Police) is retiring from service on March 31. Mr Waldegrave, who has been 38 years in the service, will leave for England in April (says a Press Association telegram). Rev. A. H. Wallace, who was formerly secretary of the Congregational Home Mission in Melbourne, left last week for New Zealand. Mr Wallace, who was accompanied by Mrs Wallace, intends to reside permanently in the North Island. Mr Wallace, it will be remembered, was some years ago sta-j tioned at Gore.

The command of the cruiser Challenger, Australian squadron, is being vacated by Captain Guy R. A. Gaunt, and Captain F. D. Gilpin-Brown has been appointed his successor with effect from January 17, 1912. Captain Gilpin-Brown has served afloat since July, 1879. He was a midshipman of the old battleship Monarch in 1882, at the bombardment of Alexandra.

The Karl of Lai rest? r is a sub-post - master with a salary of £2o a year. His office, which transacts the ordinary business, includes .money orders and t( kgra:,i.s, is attached to Holkham Hall, Wells, Norfolk, and the Earl, who is under the supervision of the postmaster of Fakenliam, has to render the usual returns and sign for his quarterly salary on the official form in general use. It is not generally known that Mr Balfour is one of the cleverest farmers of the day. An adjustable feedingtrough for young animals in use at Whittingeliame is Mr Balfour's own invention, and a rabbit-trap which captures the animals mercifully'is another of his inventions. This latter he is said to have made when a small boy of nine.

Mr J. It. Hamilton, who unsuccessfully contested the Awarua seat against Sir Joseph Ward at the last election was entertained at a social gathering yesterday evening at Winton. The Mayor presided and among others present were Mr G. J. Anderson, M.P. Mi- Hamilton was presented with a gold watch and Mrs Hamilton with a silver tea and , coffee service. Mr Hamilton was also presented with an illuminated address. In the course of his reply Mr Hamilton said he hoped to be a candidate for Awarua in the event of another election taking place. The gathering broke up with cheers for Mr and Mrs Hamilton.