PERSONAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16600, 25 January 1916, Page 6

PERSONAL.

At a largely attended meeting of the Morningfcon Presbyterian Church congregation last evening it was decided to gave a call to the Rev. W. Trotter, of Greymouth.

The Hon. W. G. Ashford, Minister of Lands and Agriculture, New South Wales, arrived at Aueldand by the Makura yesterday. The principal object of his visit to the dominion (a Press Association message states) is to observe what tho Government is doing in regard to afforestation. Prior to their departure from Westport on transfer to Riverton, Captain Sawyer and Mrs Sawyer, of the Salvation Army were tendered a social, at which the Mini's-, ters' Association in the town was represented. Many tributes (says the Times) were paid to the departing officers. Mr H F. Davie, who has been appointed conductor of the Kaikorai Band, is well known. He started in the Kaikorai Band as a boy, and has been with the band for a number of_ years. As a horn player he has been singularly successful. He has also been a member of the band's quartet party at several contests, and with the other members of the band has scored laurels in Australasia. He_ has also done yeoman service as drum-major, and at more than one quickstep contest has led his band to. victory. Mr Davie has done a considerable amount of orchestral work lately, and occupies the position of honorary conductor to the Orphans' Club Orchestra.

At meeting of the Southland County Council Mr James Fullarton, who (says the News) for 34 years occupied tho postion of clerk and treasurer of the Wallace County Council, and recently retired, was presented with an illuminated address as a mark of the esteem in which he had always been held and in appreciation of the faithful services he had rendered throughout his long period of office. The Wallaco County Council the same day placed on record its appreciation of Mr Fullarton's work.

The Rev. R. M. Ryburn, in the course of his sermon in Frist Church, Invercargill, on Sunday morning, referred in sympathetic language to the late Mr W. G. Mehaffey (says the Southland Times). He said: ":It is fitting that I should take this opportunity of referring to the great loss our church has sustained in the death of our esteemed elder, Mr W. G. Mehaffey. He Ims had a long connection with First Church, and for 19g years ha 3 been an active elder. He was a member of the Deacons' Court for the three years previous to his appointment as an elder. His quiet manner, capable judgment, and power of ready speech will be greatly missed in the congregation. 110 was most attentive to his duties ae elder, and was in demand each year for an address at several of the Bible classes. lie possessed a calm, even temperament, was always a Christian gentleman, and expressed helpful opinions upon matters under discussion. Of his place in the community it is unnecessary to speak at length. His great work as head teacher of the Middle School will not be forgotten, and besides ho was always' ready to use his gifts for the public good." Mr H. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary of Publio Works, who has resigned, joined the service in 1873. He was born in London, and was educated at Brighton (Sussex). Ho afterwards received 6ome mercantile training, mostly in his father's business. With his father he came to New Zealand in 1871. Mr Blow, sen., started a leather manufacturing business, assisted by his son, who, a little later, accepted an appointment in the office of Mr W. J. Candy, of Wellington. In July, 1873, Mr Blow entered the accountants' office of the Public Works Department, and has since remained in tho civil service, practically all the time being with the Public Works Department. Among positions he has occupied axe record clerk of the Publio Works Department (1878), Assistant Under-secretary (1885), Undersecretary for Public Works (1891 and since), and in addition Under-sccrctary for Railways (1895). He was created a Companion of the Imperial Service Order in 1911. In private life Mr Blow is an enthusiastic bowler, being a past president of tho Newtown Bowling Club. He married, in 1875, a daughter of the late Mr G. R. Russell, of Wellington, and sister of tho Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs.