PERSONALITIES

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 54, 6 March 1935, Page 6

PERSONALITIES

Colonel F. B. Crcswcll, of Christchurch, has been elected the lirst life member of the National Rifle Association, in recognition of his outstanding services to the rifle-shooting movement. Colonel Creswel), who has boon president of the association for several years, retired from that position at the annual meeting of Ihe association. — Press Asssocialion.

The death has occurred at Nelson of Mr Robert Ellis, who established the electric light and power lines in Waimca, now taken over by the Power Board. Mr Ellis was a midshipman aboard the Britannia when King George was a midshipman, and was instrumental in saving the future King from a serious accident by catching him when falling us the midshipmen were climbing a ladder and wore suddenly ordered on deck. Mr Ellis was formerly engaged in shccpfarming, but visited England when electrical developments were taking place and returned and completely hydro-electri-fied his house. He was then seized with the idea of supplying Wuimca with hydro-electric energy and succeeded despite opposition from all quarters, including local bodies.

A Dunedin telegram says that O. MeLachlan, the national mile champion, will not compete in the, New Zealand athletic meeting, having been badly spiked last Saturday.

The president of the New Zealand Badminton Association, Mr A. Foclcn, of Wellington, has received word from the Canadian champion, J. F. Devlin, that it will bo possible for him to come to New Zealand. His finance suggestions are reasonable, and Mr Foden hopes to arrange a tour.

Exhaustive inquiries, so far unsuccessful, have been made by the Hamilton police to identify the body of a man, aged between 50 and 60, which was recovered from the Waikato river at Hamilton on January 11. The body was seen floating on the river al Cambridge in the previous afternoon and had been in the water for about five weeks. The police have circulated a detailed description of the man. Ho was sft Sin in height, oi strong build, clean-shaven, and probably bald. He boro tattoo marks on both arms and some rosary beads were found round his neck. When the body was recovered the fact that the hand? and feet were lied suggested foul play, but this theory is definitely discounted by the police. Criticism of the quality of the ammunition issued to rifle clubs by the Defence Department was voiced at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association and members of the rifle clubs ’at Trentham on Monday night. It was stated at the latter meeting that, owing to the faulty ammunition on issue, it was difficult to retain the enthusiasm of the members, with the result that the attendances at the weekly shoots were decreasing all over the country. The speakers at the meeting of the National Rifle Association contended that the poor quality of the ammunition issued to the clubs was largely responsible for the entries for the national meeting at Trentham not being greater. Eiflo club members capable of good performances became discouraged with their continual failure to achieve results and did not consider it worth while attending national events.