PERSONAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9135, 7 February 1910, Page 5

PERSONAL.

Mr A. J. S. Headland, a well-known merchant of Oamaru, died on Saturday, aged 79. The Prime. Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) was much better yesterday, but has postponed his visit south 'for a few days. Whilo in Dunedin Lord Kitchener will ■be tho guest of the Fernhill Club, and will be bancjiietied by tho members. Mr C. E. Simmons, coaching foreman at the New Plymouth railway station, has received notice of transfer to Palmerston North.

The Council of the Northern Bowling Association has set up a committee to arrange for a suitable testimonial to Mr J. H. Mentijjlajfj who has been secretary to the association for 15 years. Mrs Scddou and her little grandchild. Miss Morice,. who have been staying in Palmerston lor a few days, returned to Wellington by the Auckland express today. Yesterday they went for a motor trip to Rangitikei,. and called upon Mr J. Stevens, late M.P. for Manawatu.

The members of St. Patrick's congregation, have dccided to present a purse of sovereigns to the Rev. Fathei O'Bierne in recognition of his labours in the parish, and Messrs F. Oakley, Seanlan, O'Reilly, Lynch, and Dallow have been appointed collectors. It is proposed to make the presentation after the annual concert on St. Patrick's night. Mr R. Dobson, who has for the past three years held the position of enginedriver on the Foxton-Palmerston North

I section of the New Zealand Railways, was on December 28th last retired under the Government's superannuation system, and intends leaving Foxton shortly. His fellow-employees on the line between Fox ton and Palmerston North did not desire to let Mr Dobson leave the district without in some way showing the esteem in which they held him, and on Thursday evening last tendered him a complimentary smoke concert and presentation [it the Manawatu Hotel. There was a large attendance of railway employees, and Mr }T. A. Rodie, stationmaster at Roxton, occupied the chair. The chairman, in an interesting speech, referred to Mr Dobson's capabilities as a driver, and also spoke of his integrity and straightforward actions. He then presented Mr Dobson with two handsomely upholstered casvchairs In replying, the recipient, on behalf of Mrs Dobson and himself, thanked them most, heartily for the handsome present, which he greatly appreciated, and would always treasure. He said that tho three years he had spent on the Foxton-Palmerston line had been one of

the most enjoyable periods of his career on the railways. Mr J. Gavey apolo-

gised for the absence of a representative from Palmerston North. It had previously been arranged to send one down, but at the last moment circumstances had prevented his They, however, asked. Mr Dobson to accept a. framed diploma from the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, of which he was one of the oldest members, and acted as delegate for the Wellington district at the Society's first conference. Mr Dobson suitably replied.