PERSONAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 125, 28 April 1941, Page 6

PERSONAL

The Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) was re-elected chairman of the Palmerston North Eire Board at its annual meeting to-day.

Mr Harold Piorard, who found it necessary to enter a private hospital in order to undergo n minor operation, i.s now making good progress.

The condition of Mr A. H. Manson. secretary of the Manawntu Trotting Club, who became ill at the club’s meeting last Wednesday, now shows a slight improvement. Mr A. D. Murray, manager of flic Eketahiuia branch of the Bank of Now Zealand for the past 15 years, i.s retiring on Wednesday. He will be succeeded by Mr W. D. Hart, from Raetihi.

His friends will be pleased to learn that the condition of Air R. K. Abraliam, who underwent an operation a short time ago, shows some im-

provement. He is making .slow progress towards recovery.

At tire request of the Justice Department, Mr F. K. Hunt, who retired in 1936, lias been reappointed a Stipendiary Magistrate for three months as from May 1. This is due to the retirement of .Mr W. It. McKean, senior Stipendiary Magistrate, and the absence of Mr C- It. Orr-Walker as chairman of the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board.—Press Association.

Lieut.-Colonel F. S. Varnliam, whose name appears among those wounded on active service, lived in Palmerston North prior to the last war and after hostilities began joined the Wellington Infantry Battalion, being subsequently awarded the Military Cross for bravery. For sonic time past lie lias been connected with the commercial department of the Taranaki Herald, of which lie was appointed manager about three years ago. Mr Laurence Frederick Watkins, formerly organist and choirmaster at St. Mark’s Church, Wellington, died on Saturday. The late Mr Watkins, who was 77, was born in Akaroa and educated at Canterbury College, where lie graduated as bachelor of music, being the first organist and second musician in New Zealand to attain that distinction. Members of the family beside his widow arc -Major Wynne Watkins, of the 2nd Echelon. N.Z.E.F., and Rev. Neville Watkins, vicar of St. Luke’s, Wades town.

Gunner R. L. Gaskin, or Palmerston North, who figures in tiie casualty list of the 2nd NZ.E.F.—he is suffering from shrapnel wounds in the right arm —was born in Palmerston North in 1918, the youngest son of Mr P. W. Gaskin, ot Bourke Street. He received his education at the Central School and later was employed by the Ka.iranga Meat Company. Being always interested in the Army, Gunner Gaskin was a member of the old Bth Field Battery and prior to his enlisting lor service overseas was a noncommissioned officer in that, unit for a considerable time. The Dominion executive of the New Zealand National Party has announc- j ed the appointment of Mr T. G. . Wilkes as general secretary to the party. Air Wilkes joined the staff of the Wellington* division as organiser on the formation of the party in 193(1. Subsequently lie was attached to Dominion headquarters for special duties and acted as chief organiser of the Auckland division during the 19381 election campaign. For the last 18 ] months Air Wilkes has successfully filled the position of secretary-organiser ! of the Wellington division, which i comprises one-third of the electorates ' in the Dominion.