PERSONAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22816, 27 February 1936, Page 10

PERSONAL

A Press Association telecram from Wellington states that Sir Francis Bell is seriously ill. Mr J. W. Smeaton was a passenger by the second express yesterday for Christchurch.

Mr Richard Hudson left by the midday express yesterday, en route for Wellington. The Auckland, Hawke's Bay, and West Coast teams to compete in the New Zealand athletic championships at Dunedin to-morrow and on Saturday arrived from the north by the first express yesterday. Mr D. J. A. Little, who has been accountant of the Gore branch of the National Bank o£ New Zealand for the past eight years, has been transferred to the head office at Wellington. He will be succeeded at Gore by Mr T. L. Hitchon, of the Invercargill branch, who is a former member of the Gore staff. Prior to their departure from Karitane, Mr G. Burton, headmaster of the local school, and Mrs Burton were entertained at a social and dance in the Puketeraki Hall. Mr D. Harper, chairman of the School Committee, presided, and spoke of Mr Burton's excellent work in the school for the past six years, and of the many activities of Mrs Burton in the district. On behalf of parents and residents the chairman presented Mr Burton with _ a handsome silver tea service, suitably inscribed. Mr Burton acknowledged the gift in. appropriate terms. Colonel Francis Braithwaite, who was military A.D.C. to the Governor of New Zealand (Lord Plunket) from 1904 to 1910, is at present visiting the Dominion. Colonel Braithwaite (then captain) w'as one of the most popular figures in Vice-regal circles during the last years of the old Government House in Bowen street. His fellow A.D.C. in those days was the Hon. Arthur Maurice Robert Bingham, of the sth Lancers, who is now the sixth Lord Clanmorris. of County Galway, Ireland. Lord Plunket's secretary was Mr H. C. Waterfield, who was killed in the Great War. A Press Association cable message from' London states that the King has approved the appointment of Sir Arthur Richards. Governor and Commander-in-chief of Gambia, as Governor and Commander-in-chief of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, in succession to Sir A. G. M. Fletcher, who has been appointed Governor and Commander-in-chief of Trinidad and Tobago. After serving for 25 years with the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, Ltd., for whom he has held command of no fewer than 24 steamers, Captain Donald M'Donald is retiring from the sea. During his service with the company Captain M'Donald received the King's Silver Medal for gallantry. The medal was awarded for heroic rescue work on board the Tahiti at San Francisco in 1922, when some of the crew were overcome by fumes from cyanide used for fumigating one of the ship's holds. Two deaths resulted. Born at Stornoway, Outer Hebrides. Scotland. 51 years ago. Captain M'Donald served his time in various sailing ships and steamersas ordinary and able seaman before joining the. service of the Union Steam Shin Company as third officer of the Komata on March 27. 1911. He was appointed master on November 2, 1923. his first command being the Kakapo. It is understood that Cantain M'Donald intends to reside in Auckland, where lie will devote himself to various business interests.