PERSONAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 220, 15 August 1927, Page 7

PERSONAL

Cr. D. Low’s wide circle of friends Will hear with pleasure of his steady progress towards good health as ho is now able to bo about at home k)r a few hours daily. “ Dr. T. W. J. Childs, a former Palestinian, who has been studying in English hospitals, specialising in mental cases for the past eight years, returned to New Zealand last week by the Ituakine from London.

After a lifetime of 82 years spent in Now Zealand, Mr I*'. S. Shepherd passed away at his home at To Atatu, near Auckland, last week. Mr Shepherd was one of tho oldest Manchester Unity Oddfellows in the Dominion. He joined the order at New Plymouth in 1860.

Dr. Chilton, principal and professor of biology at Canterbury College, Christchurch, has resigned his position arid will take up his residence in Nelson early in the new year. The Cawthron Institute Trust Board has unanimously accepted Dr. Chilton’s request to be allowed to work in the (Jawthron Institute as an honorary research student with tho object of making a special study of the Crustacea brought back by the Scott, Shackleton and Alawson Expeditions.

A New York cable announces the death at Owosso, Michigan, of Mr James Oliver Curwood, the well-known author. Mr Curwood was born on June 12, 1878, and was a descendant on his father’s side of Captain Marryat, the novelist. Before turning his attention in 1907 to writing the novels dealing with the great NorthWest, and through which he earned a world-wide name, he spent seven years as a journalist- Ho was one of the foremost authorities on matters pertaining to the Canadian Northland,, and he spent several months each year in the wilds, travelling as far north as the Arctic coast. He enjoyed the distinction of baing tho only American ever employed by the Canadian Government as an exploratory and descriptive writer.

The late Mr It. Clement Kirk, chairman of the New Zealand Golf Council, who died last week, was the eldest son of the Bov. W. Kirk, of Petone, and after being articled with Messrs Bullcr and Gully, Wellington, was admitted a barrister and solicitor in 1884. From youth ho took a keen interest in the management of all affairs with which ho was connected, and after being some years a member of tho Petone Borough Council was elected Mayor, served in that office for many years, and played an important part in laying down the foundation on which its present prosperity is based. He was chairman of Hospital Board, and at one time lieutenant - commanding the Petone Navals. In 1904 he held the rank of major of the Garrison Artillery. The public offices he has filled have been numerous, and it may be said that to all he brought keen interest, vision and integrity. His'connection with sport goes back 50 years. In 1882 ho was a prominent figure in Bugby and played wing three-quarter against New South AVales when Wellington was beaten for the second time on tour by eight points to nil. Moreover, he was a keen gun man, and was credited with being a very good shot. But it will be for his services to New Zealand golf that deceased will bo best remembered. He might be said to have floated the governing body when it sprang into being some 10 years ago, and since its inception he has been chairman of its council. More to him perhaps than to any man does the game owe its present prosperity and popularity. Ho has been in a way father and mother, sister and brother to it, and no trouble was too great on its behalf. He was a prominent "figure on the links throughout tho Dominion, and by his death New Zealand golfers lose a great friend and ardent worker. Mr Kirk was joint donor of the now famous Kirk-Win-deycr Golfing Cup, which is competed for annually by teams representing Australia on the one side and New Zealand on the other. When the home players played this season for the trophy in Australia the late president accompanied them, and, so to speak, helped to prepare the way for their victory and help blaze the trail socially. Mr Kirk was, before going to Wellington, a student at the Auckland Grammar School, and when not 16 developed into a long distance runner. In 1882 he joined the Athletic Football Club at Wellington and represented the province as stated previously. He was also a keen cricketer and angler, and for sixteen years was a member of the Petono Navals. He took up jjjoli at the age of 40, and ten years later was on the scratch mark.