PERSONALIA

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12249, 22 September 1925, Page 6

PERSONALIA

Mrs 3. Ames is at Auckland. Mr C. A. Whitney, of Auckland, fs visiting Wellington. Mr R. W. Gibbs, a director of the Bank of New Zealand, is in the north. Mr E. A. Shrimpton, chief telegraph engineer, arrived back from Auckland and proceeded to Dunedin. Messrs H. A. Lewis, S. Shires, and W. B. Lacy, of Wanganui, are at Auckland. Mr Fred. D. Baxter, solicitor, formerly of Auckland, has been elected unopposed as president of the Chamber of Commerce, Apia, Samoa. Mr F. Cooper, of Sydney, Mr C. Dentgen, of Melbourne, and Mr F. Nathan, of London, are touring the Dominion. Amongst the recent visitors to Christchurch are Messrs H. W. Moss, E. Henrys, and W. B. Ballinger, of Wellington. A Press Association cable message from Sydney announces the death of Mr James Thomas Hutchison, indent merchant, who was born in New Zealand forty-nine years ago. A vote of sympathy and regret at the death of Major-General Melvill, late general officer commanding the New Zealand forces, was passed at the annual meeting of the Petone Rifle Club, The death occurred yesterday of Robert Johnstone, an early settler, at the age of 85, states a Press Association message from Masterton. He leaves a daughter, Mrs H. W. Lee, of Weraiti. Mrs Johnstone died some years ago, as well as a son. Information has been received that Mr F. B. Stephens, of Dunedin, is to be presented by the Australasian Institute of Secretaries with a gold medal as a result of his securing the highest marks in Australasia at the recent examination held by the institute. This is the fourth ( year in succession that tliis prize has been won by a New Zealander.

The many friends of Mr J. H. Fletcher will regret to hear of his death, which took place at the Wellington. Hospital on Friday last, after a short illness. Deceased was wellknown in business circles both in Palmerston North and Rangiora, and had resided in Wellington for the past five years. He is survived by a widow, a son, and two daughters (all of Wellington). A pleasant little ceremony took place at the annual meeting of the Thorndon Cricket Club. A silver-mouuted salad bowl was presented to Mr B. L. Salmon, club captain, on the occasion of his marriage. The chairman (Mr H. Buck), in making the presentation on behalf of the club, referred to the valuable services Mr Salmon had rendered to the club, for which all present and past members were grateful. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Referees’ Association, Mr G. Bradley and others paid tribute to the services rendered to the association, and to the game by the president (Mr Fletcher) and the secretary (Mr H. S. Leith). The value of referees to the game was also stressed by members of other bodies, special references being made to the sportsmanship, efficiency. and fairness of the referees, as well as to the fact that these officials had played no small part in placing Rugby in its high position. Mr W. E. Pawson, president of the Petone Association Football Club, and Mrs Pawson, have just been the recipients of a pleasing appreciation of the help and encouragement they have given to the game in the Hutt Valley for the past ten years. A social function was held to celebrate the wind-up of the season, and the members took the opportunity to present Mrs Pawson with an afternoon teaset, and Mr Pawson was presented with a tobacco pouch. The club was congratulated on a successful season, and although it : had not won any championships it had gained high places in the third and fifth grades. Mr Pawson is president of the Petone Central Bowling Club for the ensuing season. A happy function took place at the Wellington Bowling Club’s pavilion yesterday afternoon, the occasion being the celebration of the natal day of Mr Samuel Williams, an old member of the club. Mr H. Meyer, president, in proposing the toast of Mr Williams. wished him a continuation of good health, and that he would long he spared to enjoy the company of his fellow-bowlers whose,esteem and affection he had gained by his sterling qualities Mr Williams suitably replied. and those present were his guests at afternoon tea. During the afternoon Mr Williams was presented with a walking-stick j.c a memento of the occasion by the president on behalf of the members. The death occurred at Maunu of Mr Matthew Watson Armstrong, aged 84, an early settler in the Whangarei district. Born at Malham, Yorkshire, m 1841, he served his apprenticeship a 3 a builder, «nd came to New Zealand at the age of 21. He followed his trade for some years in Auckland, and served in the militia during the Maori war. He then went to Hokianga and built bush tramways until 1566, when he moved to the Thames goldfields, being one of the shareholders in McIsaac's claim at Tapu creek. After that he became a farmer, settling at Pnriri Park, Maunu, near Whangarei. He successfully farmed five different places, and during that time became chairman of the Auckland Land Board, tho Maunu Road Board, the Maunu School Committee, and the Maunu cemetery