PERSONAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIII, Issue 25, 29 December 1942, Page 4

PERSONAL

Colonel J. W. Craven, who was medical superintendent of the Auckland Hospital and later commanded the Alexandra Military Hospital at Singapore, was officially posted missing early this year. His wife has now been advised in a cablegram from the Under-Secretary of State for War in London that he is a prisoner of war in Malaya. Mr AVilliam Marcus Wright, formerly well-known in the Public Service in Wellington, died on Saturday, aged 76. In 1896 he joined the Civil Service in the Registrar-Gen-eral's Department, and was for some years one of the compilers of the New Zealand Official Year Book. In 1922 he was appointed registrar of friendly societies and retired from the service in 1930. '

Squadron-Leader F. L. Park has returned to New Zealand after three years' service in the Middle East. During that time he served in Iraq, Persia, Syria, and Libya. SquadronLeader Park is the elder brother of Air Vice-Marshal Sir Keith Park, coiimander of the air defences at Malta. When in Cairo, the brothers met for the first time since they were together in Flanders in 1917. After 30 years' service in the Palmerston North abattoir Mr J. Dempsey lias retired. Reference to his long and faithful service was made by the manager (Mr A. M. Spilman) when making a presentation on behalf of the staff. Mr Spilman stated that during Mr Dempsey's long term of service he had only two holidays and these had been forced on him through injuries. Mr Dempsey N will continue to live in this city.

The death has occurred in Auckland of Mr Hendry Luke, aged 69, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board since 1939, and a member since 1935. When a younger man, he was officer in charge of the board's works, .and 20 years ago' he went into business on his own accqunt. Mr Luke was a member of the Waikato Coal Mines' Control Board, which was set up on October 10, 1942, after the strike had been settled and the mines declared under State control. The death has occurred at Auckland of Mr G. E. Thymic, aged 54, He was formerly manager of the Taumarunui branch of Messrs Abraham and Williams, Ltd. Mr Thynne was a resident of Taumarunui for 16 years until 1935, when he. was transferred to' Palmerston North. Since his retirement, owing to illhealth, he had lived in Auckland. He saw service in France during the last w,ar. He is survived by his wife, three married daughters and a son who is in the Royal Navy.