PERSONALITIES

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7321, 3 September 1930, Page 6

PERSONALITIES

JACK ELDER, OF WOODVILLE.

New Zealand has many men who had their birth in Scotland, and, upon reaching years of discretion decided, upon thinking things over, that a journey overseas to one of the younger countries was a good and seemly thing. Of this company is John Elder, of Woodville. Masterton was his iirst residential location and there he prospered as a contractor. In time Jack changed his address—ho went to Woodville. There he took over a farm in addition to his contracting and much success has been his portion. It is one of his boasts that he bred a cow which became a champion at the Royal Show. Although a busy man, Jack finds time to aid all movements in his adopted town and district, being a member of the Dannevirke Electric Power Board and treasurer of the Woodville District Jockey Club. For a number of years he was a valued member of the Woodville County Council. Now and again ho finds time to “hac a wee crack” at a golf ball. While holding cherished memories of the laud of his birth, Jack thinks it takes a lot to beat the laud of the moa and the silver fern.

Messrs A. D. Massey (Dunedin) and J. A. Brailsford (Wanganui) were welcomed as visitors to the Palmerston North Citizens Lunch Club yesterday. Mr E. Kandcll, of the Pahiatua Post ar.d Telegraph stale has received notification of his transfer to the Palmerston North office. Bert Hinkler has arrived in New York cn route to Australia. He will spend a month in the United States (says a cable). Sergcan'. Major Harvey who is at present seriously ill in the Palmerston North Public Hospital was reported to have been slightly better last evening. The death is cabled from Adelaide at the age of 54 of Sir Archibald SDong, a brilliant English scholar and author. Ho was professor of English and Literature at Adelaide University. Six names were announced as the New Zealand eclipse expedition which is to take observations of the total «I ipso of the sun next month at the Island of Niuafou. The expedition will be led by Dr. C. E. Adams, F.R.A.S., Dominion Astronomer. He will bo accompanied by Dr William C. Burns (Tima.ru) and Messrs W. R. Do Mon talk (Wellington), P. Gawith F.R.A.S. (Eltham), P. W. Glover, B.Sc., F.R.A.S. (Wellington), and C. B. Michiic (Kaitaiu) All are enthusiastic astronomers. The party leaves Auckland by the Niagara on September 23. Mr. L. F. do Berry, for many years headmaster of Central School, Palmerston North, who has resigned the headmastership of tho Normal School, Dunedin, to assume a similar position at the West Christchurch District High School, received a number of farewells in Dunedin, including ono from fho members of tho Otago Education Board. The chairman (Mr. Wallace) referred to Mr. do Berry as one of “the” men among the teachers in New Zealand today. During his stay in Dunedin lie had put a new spirit into tho school of which he had been head. A certain esprit do corps was apparent there today that was lacking before. “We appreciate exceedingly the work Mr. de Berry has done for hducation in Dunedin an'd Otago,” continued Mr. Wallace, “and we are all quite satisfied that he will carry that enthusiasm to Christchurch.” Tho Dunedin Normal School staff also farewclled Mr. de Berry, the chairman, Mr. George Watts, remarking that he had done a great work in remodelling and refurnishing tho school so that to-day it stood second to none in the Dominion as far as equipment was concerned. But he had done a greater thing, and that was to infuse a new spirit into the school, so that to-day it was a proud boast to bo a pupil of the Normal District High School. Mr. de Berry had been a leader, and it was a great joy to be associated with him. Presentations were made by the school staff, the infant department, the secondaiy department, tho primary school, Form 11. girls, and the Dunedin Training College.