PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 29

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mr B. M. Haoket, night editor of the New Zealand Herald, has been appointed editor of that journal. On the 22nd inst. a social was held m the Otokia School Hall to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Beer and family, who are leaving the district. Mr A. Lobb presided, and there was a large attendance, testifying to the popularity of the guests of the evening. Mr and Mrs Beer were made the recipients of a monetary gift from their many friends. Supper was provided by the ladies of the district, and a dance terminated the proceedings. Mr Arthur Milne, for some time past associated with the National Mortgage and Agency Company at Milton, is under transference to Dnnedin. His successor will be Mr Alex. Byars.

The death is announced of the Rev. S. J. Garliek at the age of 69 years. The lato Mr Garliek was a minister of the Methodist Church, and was well known in the tiiatt Valley. A Press Association telegram from Auckland reports the death on the 31st of the Rev. Thomas F. Robertson, a retired Presbyterian minister.

Mr B. Irwin, who for a number of years has resided at Middlemarch, has taken up his residence in Dunedin. Prior to his departure from Middlemarch, the Soldiers' Farewell and Reception Committee presented him with an inscribed silver-mounted walking stick as a mark of their appreciation of the services he had rendered while a member of that body. Mr W. D. Mason made the presentation, and wished the recipient long life and prosperity in his new home.

At a meeting of the Gore High School Board of Governors Mr Wm, E. Walton, of Dunedin, was appointed science master in succession to Mr J. K. Straohan, M.A., who was recently appointed rector of the Rangiora High School. Mr Walton has had 12 years' experience as a teacher, during the last six of which ho has been second assistant at tho Macandrew Road School, Dunedin.

Two former members of the reporting staff of this paper, brothers who left the dominion on active service, have recently obtained commissions in the Expeditionary Force. Gunner J. R. Byrne, who left with tho Main Body, served in Egypt, was at the first landing at Gallipoli, and after tho evacuation went to Egypt and went with the first of the New Zealand troops to France, has become a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery, and Private Arthur Byrne, who left New Zealand with the 14th Reinforcements, has secured: a commission as second lieutenant in the infantry. A brother, Corporal V. J. Byrne, is also serving in France. Their father, Mr F. M. Byrne, formerly a resident of Lawrence, is now the proprietor of the Waimate Witness. Manaia.

The appointment of Mr Alexander M'Lennan as a trustee of tho Palmerston Public Cemetery, vice Mr D. M. Philp, resigned, is gazetted. The last Fnglish mail brought news of the death of Sir Joseph Lyons, the wellknown London caterer. For years Sir Joseph Lyons was tho caterer for the Lord Mayor's banquet, and most of the great State dinners and social functions hold in the metropolis. He was, when a young man, an optician, and was the inventor of tho patent eombinat'on chromatic stereoscope. It was exhibiting his optical inventions at exhibitions that gave him the idea of revolutionising the catering business, which he certainly rlid. Mi3s J. M. Murdoch, of Mospciol. has been appointed first assistant at Hawca Flat School.

Mr Alexander Cross, whose death at the nge of 71 is announced, was a well-i.-nown figuro in Tnvercarffill business circles in the early days (states tho Southland Daily News). He arrived in Southland about 50 years aero, and was for some time ->Tountant, with the firm of M'Pherson and Co., wholesale merchants, who carried on business in Tav street. On the retirement of Mr M'Pherson, tho late Mr Walter

Aitken, in conjunction with Mr Cross, took over the business, tho firm being known as Aitken, Cross and Co. Subsequently he removed to Sydney, returning to Invcrcargil) five years ago. For a considerable time he had suffered from an internal complaint, which confined him to his room. Mr Cross was an enthusiastic bowler and a life member of the Northern! Club.

A correspondent writes: "Quite, a gloom was cast over the St Bathans community on Thursday, August 23, by the sudden and unexpected demise of Miss Maggie Dillon, daughter of Mr and Mrs Stephen Dillon, very old and respected residents of the township. Tho deceased was of a bright, amiable, and cheerful disposition, and beloved by all who knew her. Tho long cortege which followed her remains to the Roman Catholio Cemetery was a striking tribute of sympathy and respect, not only to deceased, but also to her bereaved relatives.