PERSONAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 124, 24 April 1940, Page 8

PERSONAL.

Mr J. Holmes Rtmnicles. organist of All Saints’ Church, has entered upon his 25th year in that office.

Hon. W. Lee Martin (Minister of Agriculture), who is a patient in a Wellington private hospital, had a very good day yesterday. Tlie death occurred suddenly at Otaki this morning of Mr J. Gillespie, a well-known business man and keen sportsman.—Press Association. The death occurred in Masterton yesterday of Mr John Bowden, an early resident of Dunedin, in his eightysecond year. He had spent 79 years in New Zealand. For many years he was secretary of the Congregational Union of New Zealand, and was a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Reference to the death of Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage was made at the annual conference of the Wellington Division of tlie New Zealand National Party in Wellington yesterday. The chairman, Mr Cheviot Bell, said it was right at least that tribute be paid to a game little fighter, wlio fought for years to get Labour into office, and then (to keep it there) stalled off death to fight again for his side.

Mr W. Dincen, superintendent of the New Plymouth Gaol, died yesterday, aged 63, after nearly forty years of prison administration service, states a Press Association message from New Plymouth. Mr Dineen was born at Oamaru. He served through the Boer War and entered the Prisons Department in 1902. He was appointed to the New Plymouth post in 1924, and brought about many improvements in prison life.

The death occurred at Dunedin yesterday at the age of 90 of Mr Alexander Stronach Paterson, the wellknown and successful businessman in that city. He founded the firm .of A. S. Paterson and Coy. in ISB6. Mr Paterson was born at Kirkcaldy (Scotland) and arrived in Otago at the age of 17. He worked for various firms before joining the National Mortgage and Agency Cov., Ltd., as salesman, subsequently becoming local manager, a position he held until he established the well-known business on his own account. —Press Association. Mr Cheviot Bell, who has been chairman of the AVellington Division of the National Party for the past three years, did not seek re-election at the annual conference of the division yesterday. Eulogistic references were made by the Leader of the Opposition (Hon. A. Hamilton) by the Dominion president of the National Party (Mr C. LI. AVeston, K.C.), and by delegates to the conference to the magnificent service that Mr Bell had rendered to the party. Later Mr G. G. E. Harkcr, of AVaiwapa, moved a resolution of appreciation, which was carried with musical honours.

An official who has been responsible for the catering arrangements of all the special tours on the New Zealand railways since 1924, Mr F. Lindsay, comptroller of the refreshment branch, has retired on superannuation after 36 years’ service. Regarded as an officer of wide experience, Mr Lindsay was actively associated with the tour in 1927 of the present King and Queen, then the Duke and Duchess of York, and also with the Duke of Gloucester’s tour in 1934-35. Mr Lindsay also played a prominent part in tile arrangements made in Hawke’s Bay after the disastrous earthquake of 1931. High tribute to the long service given to the people of New Zealand by Sir Alfred Ransom, M.P. for Pahiatua, was paid by Mr Cheviot Bell, chairman of the AA’dlington Division of the National Party, at the annual conference in AA’ellington yesterday. Sir Alfred recently announced that it was not his intention to v .'contest the Pahiatua seat at the next election. Mr Bell traversed Sir Alfred’s distinguished political career, referring particularly to the distinction with which he had filled the position of Acting-Prime Minister and to his great popularity in the Pahiatua electorate. The conference placed on record its sincere appreciation of Sir Alfred’s service to New Zealand.