PERSONAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 21, 22 December 1944, Page 4

PERSONAL

Mr L. E. Ellison, of Christchurch, has taken over the duties of district manpower officer in Palmerston North. Mr V. Holst, who has been manpower officer since Mr L. TV. Cozens took ill, has returned to Wellington. Mr L. W. Cozens, district manpower officer in Palmerston North, who has been seriously ill in hospital for some time, has improved to such an extent that he has now returned home. Some time will elapse before Mr Cozens will he able to resume his duties. Mr Cozens’s friends will be pleased to learn of his progress.

The death occurred recently at his residence in Tay Street, Woodville, of Mr Sidney S. Haigh. Born at Kaikofai Valley, Dunedin, on August 28, 18C6 he -was the second son of the late’Mr Sidney Haigh, who arrived in Dunedin from Yorkshire in 1860. For many years, Mr Haigh followed farming ’ pursuits at Burnside and Takapau, and in 1897 he married Miss Harriet Jane Thomas, of Woodville. Later, he owned the well-known property, Mount Zion, Mangaweka. About twenty years ago, he retired to Woodville. Mr Haigh was a well-known competitor and judge at New Zealand dog trials, was intimately connected with the Anglican Church, was a Justice of the Peace for many years, and was always interested in the welfare of children, being a life member of the Crippled Children Society and a member of the Plunket Society. He was noted for his generosity towards orphanages. Mrs Haigh predeceased him three months ago.

Brigadier L. Potter, D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., has assumed command of the Central Military District, vice Brigadier A. B. Williams, D. 5.0., R.N.Z.A., who is on leave, but is expected to succeed Major-General P. H. Bell, as commandant, Northern Alilitary District. Brigadier Potter served with the N.Z.E.F. in Belgium from 1916 to 1919 and was later stationed in Auckland till August, 1925, when he was attached to the British Army in India for two years. He was at Palmerston North from 1927 to 1934. He commanded the New Zealand Brigade in the operations at Vella Lavella in September-Octobcr, 1943, and also in the attack and seizure of the Green (Nissan) Islands group. Brigadier Williams served with the New Zealand Field Artillery overseas from 1915 to 1919 and was awarded the D.S.tL He was officer commanding R.N.Z.A., Southern Command, and brigade major, 3rd N.Z. Infantry Brigade, before the present war, and in December, 1939, was appointed commander, New Zealand Artillery, Wellington. He was absent in Canada and the United States for s\me time and after he returned to New Zi aland in September, 1943, he became district commandant, Central Alilitary District.

Air Neil William MacKenzie Forbes, whose death was reported on Wednesday, was one of tlie oldest and bestknown publicans in the Dominion. He was also an enthusiastic suppoitei of Highland piping and dancing. Born m Argyleshire (Scotland) 73 years ago, Ms MacKenzie Forbes came to the Dominion with his parents during the ’nineties. He served in the South An ican campaign and upon his return took up liis residence in Wanganui, where he conducted the imperial Hotel. While there he was host for the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George V and Cueen Alary) when they visited New Zealand at the beginning of this century. In later years he was the licensee of the Imperial Hotel in Palmerston North, and still later managed the Tavistock Hotel in Waipukurau. Air AlacKenzie Forbes won many prizes for national dancing, and on visits overseas lie judged competitions in Scotland. Canada, Australia, and the United States. He also judged in many parts of New Zealand. Air MacKenzie Forbes was also an ardent student of Scottish history. He is survived by his wile and one son. Mr N. AlacKenzie Forbes, who is a member of the Australian Forces, and two daughters, All's 1. Maclntyre (Aiangaweka) and Mrs W. G MacKenzie (Waipukurau). Mrs A. Wilson (Palmerston North) is a step-daughter.