PERSONAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 171, 19 June 1944, Page 4

PERSONAL

! After 20 years' service, Mr E. Cleaver is retiring from the employment of the Palmerston North River Board shortly. At a meeting of the board to-day appreciation of his services was placed on record. At to-day's meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, Mr J. A. Nash was re-elected chairman for a further three years. Mr J. Hodgens, MP., proposed Mr Nash and Mr G. A. Monk seconded the motion. The death of Mr E. Beatson, of Marne Street, a member 'of the church session, was referred to by Rev. J. Hubbard in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, yesterday, the minister describing "him as a noble worker in the cause of Christianity. Mr Beatson had been possessed of an infectious personality and had won for himself. a high place in the estimation of others.

As an appreciation of his services as general secretary of the Y.M.C.A. over the past two years, the board of directors of the association, together with the management committee of the Y.W.C.A.. met Mr A. V. Pizzey recently and presented him with a wallet. Mr J. A. Grant, in handing over the gift, thanked Mr Pizzey for the services.he had rendered the association. He also welcomed back Mr C. Woods, the former general secretary, who had been serving in the Armed Forces and had been discharged. Among members of the R.N.Z.A.F. recently reported killed on active service was Sergeant Alec lan Miller, the elder son of Mr and Mrs W. G. Miller, of Auckland. Mr Miller is the Auckland manager of the Bank of New Zealand and formerly held a similar position in Palmerston North. Sergeant Miller, who was 19, was born in Palmerston North and was educated here and at King's College Auckland. Three years ago he joined an insurance firm and when he was 18 enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, in which he recently completed his training as an air-gunner.

The death occurred in Wanganui yesterday of Mr A. G. Bignell, aged 'B3 years. Mr Bignell was born in Essex, England, and came to New Zealand when 15 year's of age, residing for a time on the West Coast of tli'e South Island. Later he became one of the partners in the firm of Russell and Bignell, contractors. He first undertook public body work 45 years ago when he joined the Wanganui Licensing Bench, serving continuously till his retirement last year. Among positions he held at various times were Mayor of Wanganui, chairman of the Wanganui Harbour Board, chairman of the Wanganui Collegiate School hoard of trustees, and chairman of the Racecourse Reserve Trust. He was also a member of the "Wanganui Hospital Board, the Wanganui-Rarjgjtikei Fcswer Board, the Wanganui-Waitot-ira Patriotic Committee, the 'Gonvillc Town Board before it was amalgamated with the city, and the executive of the Harbour Boards Association.

A well-known AVellington citizen, Mr 1 Arthur Emerson Mabin, died on Saturday m Ins 77th year. Mr Mabin was a director of Levin and Co., Ltd., and for many years the head of its wool and flax* department. Born in Nelson in 1867, he was educated there at I Bishop's' School and Nelson College. He began his business career in the office of A. A. Scaife, Nelson, in 1880, and left there to join the staff of Levin and Co., Ltd.. Wellington, eight years later, His progress in that employ was steady, and early in the century he I became the manager of its wool and hemp department and its auctioneer., I He became a director of the company in 1931. 'and later managing director, from which position he retired only four or five years ago. Mr Mabin served other companies as a director. A keen golfer, he was president of the Miramar Golf Club for over 20 years. For eight years he was president of the New Zealand Woolbrokers' Asso- ! ication, and after the last war he, represented the Government in wool negotiations. He was a member of the New Zealand Wool Commission from 1921 to 1926, and .also a member of the Producers' Commission in the years succeeding the last war. His allegiance i to hemp, through its varying fortunes, i was manifested by the interest he took 1 ifi the development of the industry in the Makerua swamp country in the [Manawatu. He became managing direcI tor of the Tokomaru Flaxmill ComI pany and also chairman of directors of |Whitaunui, Ltd. Mr Mabin was also I a director of the Bank of New Zeai land. He was a member of the orig- | ina] Wellington Operatic and Dramatic Society, playing important parts in its | productions, and also of other musical organisations. Mr Mabin leaves. a I widow, ~ two sons, Mr Eric Mabin, I farmer, of Palmerston North. and Mr ■Maurice P. Mabin. of Wellington - , and .one daughter, Mrs Vida Williamson.