PERSONAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 645, 2 March 1923, Page 5

PERSONAL.

A London message announces the death of M. Francois Fleming, the famous French painter, aged 67 years. Mr J. Brackenridgo, of the local Post and Telegraph Office staff, who has been on sick leave for the past three months, has resumed duty. The Hon. D. _ H. Guthrie, Minister for Lands, arrived in Palmerston North from Wellington at midday to-day, and this afternoon attended the Whakaronga school picnic at AshhUrst domain. 'iho Sydney County Council appointed Mr Norman Barnett Weeks, of Rockdale, England, as city surveyor. Mr Bush, of Auckland, remained in the ballot till the fourth from the last. A message from Sydney announces that the Rev. T. Frederick Potts has been appointed president' of the Methodist Conference. He previously had charge of various suburban parishes in Sydney. In response to the request of a large deputation of citizens, which _ waited upon him yesterday, Mr R. S. Tingey, Mayor of Feilding, who had intimated his intention not to seek re-election, has decided to offer his services for a further term of office. Mr J. E. Stevens, Director of the School for the Deaf at Sumner, retired from that Esition this week and will leave for Engnd with Mrs Stevens. Mr Stevens, who bjs retired on superannuation at his o,wn request, has studied the science of speech for 36 rears, 'and remarkable success has been achieved at Sumner, where Mr J. M. B, Crawford succeeds him as director. A London message states that Mr N, Elmslie, assistant director of the Oversea.? Trade Department, has. been appointed Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, lie spent 12 years in the engineering profession, including four in Australia, served in the war from 1914 to 1918, and then became section director in the Ministry of Munitions. He will sail on March 3. At a meeting of the stewards of the Foxton Racing Club, the resignation of the secretary, Mr L. R. Freeman, was received and accepted with regret. Various speakers expressed on behalf of the-club the appreciation of the excellent sendees rendered during Mr Freeman’s term of service, and, wliilst greatly regretting his departure from Foxton, ’ wished him every success in Auckland, Mr Henry Silvester Podmore, an old resident of the district, died yesterday at Woodville, at the advanced age of 80 years. Deceased, who was predeceased by his wife 13 years ago, is survived by two sons and three daughters—Messrs C. H. Podmore, of Foxton, J. S. Podmore, of Kati Kati, Mesdames Hudson, of Palmerston North, Parsons, of Melbourne, and T. Mills, of Woodville. Mr G. Hammer, who has for the past 17 years been a member of the Postal Department at Palmerston North, left yesterday for the south, having been transferred to Kaiapoi. On Wednesday afternoon ho was presented by his brother officers with a travelling rug as a token of their esteem. The postmaster, Mr R. Martin, in making the presentation, referred to the guest s many fine qualities, Mr Hammer had seen active service during the South African War and for many years had been a prominent figure in football and hockey circles. The death, following a brief attack of pneumonia, occurred at Levin yesterday of Mr George Edward Thomas, a member of tile Chronicle staff. Mr Thomas was, prior to going to Levin, employed on the literary staff of the “Standard,” and while in our employ he proved himself to be a conscientious , and painstaking journalist, who ahvayk gave his best services in the interests of his employers. During his residence here deceased made many friends, who will learn with regret of his demise at a comparatively early age. We deeply sympathise with Mrs Thomas and her children in the bereavement they have sustained.