PERSONAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 161, 9 June 1939, Page 6

PERSONAL.

Sir Harry Batterbee, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand, is at present a visitor to the city. He was accord'd a civic reception to-day and was the guest, later, at a civic luncheon. This evening Sir Harry will be the principal guest at the .annual dinner of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce. To-mor-row he will declare open the Winter Show of the Alanawatu and West C oast A. and P. Association. Lady Butterbee could not, unfortunately, accompany her husband, on account of indisposition. Rev. A. L. Dixon, of St. Paul’s Church, Feilding, lias been elected moderator of the Presbytery of Wanganui for the ensuing 12 months, in succession to Rev. John Hubbard, of St. Andrew’s, Palmerston North. Formerly branch manager of the Bank of New Zealand in various parts of New Zealand, Air .Stanley Thomas Norton, aged 63. died at Auckland. Mr Norton entered the service of the hank in Christchurch, and was associated with it till about six years ago, when lie resigned his position a.s manager in Paparoa. Rev. John Paterson, of Stratford, formerly of St. Paul’s Church, Wanganui, is seriously ill. A motion of sympathy was conveyed to him by the Wanganui Presbytery, this week. AH Paterson has on numerous occasions preached in St. Andrew’s Church, Palmerston North, of which he was interim moderator for a period. The former New Zealander, GroupCaptain Arthur Couiiigham, 1).50.. AI.C., D.F.C.. A.F.C-, has been appointed to command No. 4 Group ol the Royal Air Force, says a. London cablegram. Group-Captain Coningham was promoted to that rank early in 1937. He formerly commanded the Royal Air Force in the Sudan. He married, a few years ago. T.arlv Naneye Frank, widow ol Sir Howard Frank, of London. Prominent in business, local body administration, and aquatic sport in Auckland for many years, Afr John Hislop. former Mayor of Devonport, has died after a brief illness, states a Press Association message from Auckland. Born in Dunedin in IS7C. A 1 r Hislop married Miss Gertrude Hudson, daughter of Air Richard Hudson. He was the founder of the Sanders Memorial Cup contests in 1921, and of the Cornwell Cup contests. The friends of Air Eric R. Edmunds, eldest son of AH and Airs H. E. Edmunds, of Awupuni, will be pleased to learn of liis appointment to the Royal Air Force on a short service commission. He will sail for England at the end of this month. Mr Edmunds, who is 19 years of age, was educated at the Central School and at the Palmerston North Boys' High School, where he matriculated, after which he was for a period in the dispensary at the Palmerston North Hospital His friends will wish him every success in his new position An announcement that Cabinet approval had been obtained for GroupCaptain L. AL. Jsitt, A.D.C., Air Alcmber for Personnel on the New Zealand Air Board, to proceed to the United Kingdom in October for a short term of duty at the Air Alinistry and to attend the Imperial Defence College during 1940, was made last evening bv the Minister of Defence. “The visit of Group Captain Tsitfc to the United Kingdom necessitates other staff changes,” said Air Jones, “and arrangements have been made for Squadron-Leader E. G. Olson. Officer Commanding the Royal New Zealand Air Force Depot at Hobsonville, to be transferred to Air Force Headquarters from July 1 for staff duties. SquadronLeader H. B. Burrell. Inspector of Reserves, will take over the command of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Depot at Hobsonville, and the inspection of reserves will he undertaken by officers of the Flying Training School, AVigram.”