PERSONAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19288, 27 September 1924, Page 10

PERSONAL.

Vice-Regal. The Governor-General, Viscount Jellicoe, was accorded a civic farewell at Nelson rrid entertained at various gatherings, which were largely attended despite the bad weather (says a Nelso.i Press Association message)- His Excellency presented his trident to the Iron Duke Sea Scouts, at the same time congratulating Nelson on having th© champion sea scout troop in New Zealand and the champion cadet company. He recalled (hat on his previous visit he had presented the Riddiford Cup to the Nelson Colleg-aCadets. It was also mentioned that Nelson held four trophies competed for by youths throughout the dominion. Yesterday afternoon Lord Jellicoe opened tho scriptorium at Nelson College a massive brick building erected as a memorial to the old boys who leu in the war —and unveiled a war memorial containing 120 names. It was mentioned that over 600 old boys of Nelson College served in the war. Lord Jallicqe returned to Wellington last night. Mr R. B. Tennent, of the Department of Agriculture, has gone to Wellington on a short business visit. A Router message from Capetown states that Mr J. S. Smit, a Nationalist legislator, will succeed Sir B. Walton as High Commissioner in London. _- Lieutenant-colonel M. M- Card ner, D.S.O. (Director of Artillery), visited Dunedin on Thursday on a tour of inspection, during which he gave an instructive lecture to th© officers of the district at the Officers Club. He left yesterday morning for Oamaru, where he will attend a p artillery practice by the cadets of tho Waitaki Boys’ High School. At an interval m the proceedings at tho annual meeting of the Co-operative Fruit Growers of Otago at Alexandra on Thursday, a presentation of a case of pipes was made on behalf of the Central Otago Association to Mr Harold Stevens. In making the presentation, Mr Wing (president of the association) said they desired to show (heir appreciation of the services of Mr Stevens, who had carried out the duties of auditor for IQ years without remuneration, and who had always assisted the association in every way possible. By the express for Ihe north to-day there will b s an exodus of Oamaru residents who have been in Dunedin for the Competitions Society’s festival. The Oamaru North School party comprises Mr and Mrs A. Robertson, Miss V. Slater, Mr G. Whale, Mr G. Ei Wilkinson, a number of parents, and 69 children composing the band and the choir. The Middle School comprises Mr and Mrs R. Brin’gans, Mr C. Davie, and the school band. The Oamaru schools have had remarkable success at the competitions, and will carry away with them no fewer than three silver cups. Oamaru North School won both the choir and B grade band contests. Oamaru South, who will leave on Monday, won the A grade band competition, and in addition Oamaru Middle tied for second place in the B grade band competition. A large gathering of members of the various staffs of t!ie Otago Daily Times Company met in the library yesterday morning to bid farewell to Mr Albert Keast, of the commercial staff, who will leave Dunedin this morning for Christchurch to take up a position in that city. Mr W. 11. Sinclair, in presenting Mr Keast with a suitcase and a travelling rug on behalf of his colleagues, made reference to Mr Keast’s qualities both in business and in tho field of sport. Mr Keast was well liked by all who knew him, and had- captained a representative cricket team — though by representative he meant teams representing the night and day staffs of the company. Mr Ling, night clerk, also spoke a few words, and Mr Keast made a brief reply, thanking Mr Sinclair and those present for their expression of goodwill and their gifts. At the annual meeting of the Co-opera-tive Fruit Growers at Alexandra on Thursday the chairman (Mr Ashworth) made special reference to the valuable services rendered by Mr John Bennetts, who occupied the position of chairman of directors for several years. Mr Ashworth said there was not the slightest doubt that during the years , Mr Bennetts was chairman of directors and during many other years as well he had done a great deal of arduous work. -Ho had spared neither time nor money in advancing the interests of the society. The integrity and enthusiasm shown by Mr Bennetts were known to the

shareholders,’and the money spent by hln in bringing the society to a prospered condition was deserving of their heartiest appreciation. He would move that Mr Dennetts be accorded n very hearty vote of thanks and appreciation for the manner in which he had conducted the business.— (Applause.) Mr Webb, who seconded the motion, said he bad realised for a considerable time that but for Mr Bennett? they would have no co-operative society at present. Mr Bennetts had stood up at r, critical stage, and had put his hand in hit; pocket in order to enable them to carry on. Though members had differed from him at times they must realise that he had been the main prop which had supported the society since it had come into existence. The motion was carried by acclamation. ■ln returning thanks Mr Bennetts said he had regarded it as hi: duty as chairman of directors to do wha! he had done for the society, and he had simply done the best he could in the interests of shareholders. The success of his efforts had been very largely due to the loyal support he had received from the other directors and from a very competent staff.