Personal

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 157, 5 July 1945, Page 4

Personal

A gathering of between 500 and 600 European and Maori residents of the East Coast honoured Sir Apirana Ngata on the occasion of his 71st birthday, at a social at Ruatoria. Responding to appeals to him to renow his political activities, Sir Apirana declined. Only if the electorate failed to produce a younger man qualified b3 r education, personality and absolute honesty of outlook, would he return to the political field.

Members of the R.N.Z.A.F. from Palmerston North and district who have returned to the Dominion include Flight-Lieut. J. R. Cammock (Dannevirke), Flying-Officers Iv. R. Kelly and K. L. McDonald (Palmerston North), Pilot-Officer S. R. McLaughlan (Dannevirke), Flight-Lieut. K. R. .Simpson (Palmerston North) and L.A.C, M. P Walsh (Dannevirke). W.O. W. M. McLeod (Palmerston North), who has also returned, is a former prisoner of war.

The death has occurred of Mr. Basil L. Donne, chairman of directors of the North Island Motor Union Insurance Company, aged 58 years. Mr. Donne was a son of the late Captain T. E. Donne. C.M.G., formerly head of the Tourist Department, and a nephew of the late Mr. A. E. Donne, formerly manager ot the Wellington Woollen Company. Mr. Donne leaves a widow and one daught-

er, Mrs. Arthur Barker, of Belmont. His only son, Graham, lost his life while on active service with the R.N.Z.A.F. One of the best-known outdoor sportsmen in South Taranaki, Mr. Francis Edward Rae, patrol officer to the Automobile Association (South Taranaki) Incorporated, and well-known to many Manawatu motorists, died suddenly at a private hospital at Hawera on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Rae, who was aged 50 years, was cutting wood at Dalzieil Road, Eltharn, in the morning when he became ill. After being attended by Dr. D. H. Saunders, Eltharn, he was taken to Hawera but died soon after o o ’clock.

The death occurred at an early hour yesterday morning of Mr. William Thomas Hooker, of Victoria Avenue, who was well-known in Palmerston North through his association with the Magistrate’s Court and in former years, the Police Force. Mr. Hooker joined the force during the last war, and about 20 years ago was appointed a bailiff and Court crier at Palmerston North. Later he became maintenance officer, and subsequently was appointed probation officer. Toward the end of last year Mr. Hooker entered hospital for an opera tion, but his ailment proved more serious than was then expected. Mr. Arthur Hawke, who passed away recently at Levin, had been postmaster there from 1921 to 1924, when he retired. Mr. Hawke, who was born at Greytown 76 years ago, joined the Post and Telegraph Department in 1883. His service included periods at Marten, Marton Junction, and Foxton before he went to Levin. He was a member of the Levin Bowling Club. Mr. Hawke was married in IS9I to Miss Annie Maude Henderson, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Henderson, of Marton, and she predeceased him two and a half years ago. Ho is survived by his two daughters, Mesdames K. C. McKenzie (Rotorua) and R. H. Robinson (Foxton). Rev. P. H. Warren, of the staff of All Saints* Church, has been called suddenly to take charge of t.ho parish of Island Bay, Wellington, left vacant because of Rev. F. O. Ball being sent away for chaplaincy work overseas. "Mr. Warren has been on the staff here for nearly three years, and during that time he has served the Church faithfully and won many friends," says All Saints’ Parish Magazine. "He has taken special interest in the work of the young people and identified himself with the Young Anglican Movement. He takes with him the good wishes of us all for his work in his first sole charge, and our gratitude for all he has done for us in his service here." Motor Fatalities During the six months ended June 30 there were 59 road deaths involving motor-vehicles, according to the reports received by the Transport Department. During the corresponding six mouths of 1944 there were 71 deaths. Analysis of tho figures shows that this year pedestrian victims numbered 19, cyclists 5, occupants of motor-vehicles 28, and motor cyclists and pillion riders 7. In 1944 the corresponding numbers of deaths were pedestrians 20, cyclists H-, occupants of motor vehicles 30, motor cyclists and pillion riders 9, and one other. There were 15 persons killed on the road in June, inclusive of six pedestrians. Two of the accidents occurred at Auckland, one (involving four deaths in a level crossing smash) near Huntly and one each at or near Thames, * Tauranga, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Woodville, Havelock North, Wellington, Christchurch and Culverden. In June, 1944, 13 were killed.