PERSONAL ITEMS

Otago Witness, Issue 3292, 18 April 1917, Page 39

PERSONAL ITEMS

Information has boon received in Masterton that Lieutenant-colonel Hart, of Carterton, has been promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. Dr Kenneth M'Konzio and Dr C. J. Rougher (says the New Zealand Herald) have volunteered for service at the front, In response to an appeal for more military doctors by Surgeon-general R. S. F. Henderson "They have applied to the Hospital Board to bo relieved of duty at the hospital. Mr Thomas E. Robson, of Christchurch (says tho Lyttolton Times), has received advice that his son, Hector H. Robson, has been appointed by the Admiralty senior and chief engineer, H.M.S. . Mr Robson, who is 29 years of age. relieved a man of 52, and, furthermore, is the youngest engineer in command of the ships of this class.

Tho Rev. W. A. Sinclair, of Wesley Church, Fitzgerald avenue, Christchurch, the president of the Methodist Conference, has been appointed general secretary of Foreign Missions in connection with the New, Zealand Methodist Church. Pie will not enter actively upon the work until after the war, when a separate mission field will be established in the Pacific (says tho New Zealand Times). In the meantime Mr Sinclair is removing from Christchurch to New Plymouth, being- appointed to the charge of the Whiteley Memorial Church. Mr A. Gow, stationmastor at Ngahauranga, retires on superannuation in May (states the Railway Officers' Advocate). Mr Gow has 42 years' service to his credit. It was his. intention to retire two years ago, but owing to the war he was requested to remain in the service. Mr D. M. Kennedy, of lire street, Oamaru, has been informed by- the Minister of - Defence that his late son, Private A. Kennedy, previously awarded the D.C.M., has had his bravery recognised by the C:ar, who has conferred the Medal of St. George of tho Third Class. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that at a meeting of the .Board of Directors of the Bank of New Zealand on the 13th, Mr Harold Beauchamp was re-elected chairman of directors for the current financial year.

On Easter Monday Mr John Handy, an old resident of New Plymouth, dropped dead while pruning one of his fruit trees. He was born in England, but had lived in America before he settled in Taranaki 40 years ago. For many years he was in business in New Plymouth as a storekeeper. He was 83 years of age. Lieutenant K. Gold, of Napier, who has been successful in qualifying for the aerial service, leaves shortly for England to enter tho Flying Corps. Dr Marshall Macdonald has been offered, and has accepted, tho position of consulting neurologist to the New Zealand Military Hospitals in England, with the tempoi*ary rank of captain, and will leave the dominion in tho course of the next few davs. Mrs Macdonald will again proceed to "France and resume tho duties she previously performed on war service in the hospital of the American Ambulance in Paris. _ Quite a shook was experienced hi Reefton (says the Inangahua Times) when it became known that Mr Thomas J. W. Ferons, manager of the National Bank of New Zealand, had passed away suddenly. The deceased has been in ill-health for tho past two years, and had been granted a twelve months' respite from work. He returned to the bank's employ in the latter part of last year, and though not by any means well.' was able to discharge his duties as usual. The late Mr Fcrens came to Reefton about 20 years ago, and, although of a retiring disposition, he made many friends, his sterling qualities endearing him to all; and his well-known business ability and clear-sightedness enabled him to befriend manv. He was a Past Master of the Pacific Lodge, E.G., and took much interest in the local Presbyterian Church. The deceased, who was 51 years of *ag.e., was a native of Oamaru, and he leaves a widow and four daughters to mourn the-- loss of a devoted husband and father. On March 20, 1917, there passed away at Nurse MTntyre's Private Hospital, Balcluthn, one of the fast dwindling pioneers of Otago in. the person of Mr George Farquharson, farmer, of Claudelands, at the age c-f 65 years. Mr Farquharson was born of Scotch parents in the County of Galway, Ireland, and as a youth removed to Australia, and about 47 years ago he came to New Zealand. Amongst other places, he was employed on Ida Valley (Station about 40 years ago. and while there was married at Ophir to Miss Janet Murray. He "afterwards shifted to Claudelands. where ho took up a bush section, which he occupied up till tho time of his death; and there he reared a large family of four sons and 10 daughters—namely : Thomas George (Waimahaka). Lowther (Gorge Road), David John (at the front), Allan fct homo), Mrs T. Bain (Wyndham). Mrs Thomas Davidson (Mataura Island). Mrs William Gregory (Clifton), Mrs Gcorso Todd (Edcndale), Mrs H. List (Chaslands), Mrs M. Wardell (Timaru),- Mrs Thomas Chalmers (Chaslands), Mrs John Tflford (Ratanui), and two sina-le daughters. Widespread sympathy is felt for Mrs Farquharson and her family in the loss of a good husband and a loving father, a strong, well-built, man of 20st wei<rht. who was quite hale and hearty until within a fortnight of his death. Something over 12 months ago Mr H. G. Hill came to Nelson on the invitation of loading growers for the purpose of organisation work in connection with the fruit industry. As the result of energetic efForts. lie succeeded in bringing a large number of growers to a common basis of thought regarding actual stops to be taken, in the organisation of the industry, and the formation of the Nelson District Fruitpaekers (Ltd.). was the direct outcome of his offovfs. It is recognised on all sides that Mr Hill's tireless energy and organising ability have been very largely responsible for the progress made. Unfortunately, however, illhealth has overtaken Mr Hill, and he has now resigned the general managership of the company. The directors accepted his resVnation with-groat regret, and passed a resolution placing on record thoiv appreciation of tho excellent service, ho had rendered in organising the fruit industry in the district '