PERSONAL.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13656, 26 August 1916, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Cable advice has ueen received' that Captain.A. M. Trotter, son of Mr W. 1). S. Trotter, of Hillgrove, who was recently reported wounded, is not seriously wounded and is progressing favourably. Mr R, Henry, of South Oamaru, has received word that his son, Richard, died on the 17th inst. at St. Over Hospital from eerebro-spinal meningitis, Private Henry left with tjic Eleventh Reinforcements from Masterton. He was born at Waimale, and followed farming pursuits. He was thirty-eight years of itge, The llafaura Ensign states that Mr D, L. Poppolwell, of Gorc,<;has been decorated by the Pope with the Gold Cross *Tro felesia ct Pontifice." The cross is accompanied by a handsome diploma under the hand and seal of the Cardinal Secretary of State, This distinction, it is understood, is of a somewhat unique kind, and' ifcheW/by 'Very . few persons in Mew Zealand. Among the passengers from Vancouver by Ihe Makuraxon Afoinlay were three'doctors—two of them New Ze;.ilanders—who have been engaged in base' hospital work in various places, Dr W, Young, of Wellington, was for a while at Malta, where during the height of the -Gallipoli campaign there were twenty-five hospitals, in which u> total of b'o,ooo patients were accommodated. The death rate was 2 per cent. Subsequently Dr Young went 'to England, where he was assisting at various military hospitals, Dr It, Nairn, of Hastings, was engaged chielly in England, while Dr T. Simpson, of Sydney, and who went on to Australia liy tlie Alabra, was in France. All three held commissions in the R.A.M.C, On Monday evening last the friends of Mr Mark Weller gathered at his residence, Eden street, for the purpose of tendering.him n farewell prior t,o his going into training with the Twentieth Reinforcements. Mr .1. Rooney was voted to the chair. Mr D. Collet't made a presentation to the departing recruit of a silver luminous-dial wristlet watch and a set of military hair-brushes from his neighbours. Mr'Collott said he was sure their guest would make a good soldier. Air Weller, being .a married man, was making a big sacrifice in breaking up his home and leaving his wife and child to go to fight and help to "keep the old flag flying," He then wished him god hick and a safe return mid said he was sure he .was voicing the sentiments of those present., MiBerry also spoke. On rising! to reply, Mr Weller was greeted with "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," which was heartily suug.He thanked all for their good and useful presents and the speakers for their kind expressions. After supper the remainder of the evening was occupied in dancing, singing and playing cards. At a late hour the happy party broke up with the singing of'"Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem. The pleasure of the evening was enhanced by songs sung by Miss MeMahon and Aliss L. Collett, and a recitation bv Mr T. Berry.