PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 47

PERSONAL ITEMS.

A New York cablegram states that Madame Melba has madu a successful tour. Miss Stella Power, the Melbourne singer with her, had an enthusiastic reception.

According to a Press Association message from Nelson, tho death occurred suddenly on the Bth of Mr Thomas Field, founder of tho Wilkens and Field Hardware Company; aged 85. He was a well-known- citizen of Nelson and tho West Coast in tho early days. Tho deceased was on a visit from Auckland, where ho has been living- for some years past. Ho was the father of Mr Thomas Field, M.P.

Mrs Burdekin. wifo of Mr E. B. Burdekin, of the Public Trust Office, Wellington, died at Nelson last week. Deceased who was the second daughter of the late Mr J. B. Sadd, lived in Nelson for many years, and subsequently at Napier and Wellington. She had two sons—Sergeant-major Cyril Burdekin, of the Head Offico Staff, London, and Sergeant Hugh Burdekin, of the Thirty-fourth Reinforcements. Tho death occurred recently at Tauranga of Mr A. 0. H. Tovey-Tennant, at the ago of 84 years. Born at Montreal in 1833, ho entered tho British army, joining the 70th Regiment, and securing his commission at the age of 18. In 1859 he married, and left almost immediately for India.' From India he came direct to New Zealand, arriving at Auckland in the ship Daniel Rankin in 1861. He saw much active service in the Waikato and Taranaki districts.

Mr John Mackay, for many years Government printer, has returned to Wellington from an extended trip abroad. It is understood (says tho Mataura Ensign) that the Rev. A. M'Neur, of the Knapdale Presbyterian Church, has accepted a call from the Winton congregation. A Press Association message from Wellington states:—Mr W. H. Hagger, Conciliation Commissioner in the Wellington district, is to have charge of the Canterbury and Otago districts. He will be sue-, ceeded hero by Mr W. Newton, who has just been appointed to the vacancy caused by the death of Mr J. R. Triggs, of Christchurch.

Mr Peter Stewart whose death occurred on the 6th at his residence, Milton Lodge, Levin, at the ago of 87, was married to Miss Dalrymplo, the daughter of a well known Otago gentleman who played a not inauspicuous part in the early history of this province. His wife predeceased him by some years. He leaves a son, Mr William iStewart, of Levin, and two daughters. Private advice has been received in Christchurch (says the Press) that Mr A. E. Cooper (of Sims, Cooper, and Co., Ltd.) has been appointed Chief Live Stock Commissioner of Great Britain under the Ministry of Food. The live stock section has been formed to control the movements of all stock, and for the purpose of the control of the country has been split up into 19 areas. Mr Cooper will be responsible for looking after the working of these areas. In addition to these duties Mr Cooper has an important post under the War Department's wool scheme, and his services have been lent to the Ministry of Food on the understanding that he is to return to Bradford on Mav 1 and keep in touch with the wool purchase business. On the evening of the 4'th a large number of residents of Morton and surrounding districts met in the Merton Schoolhouse for the purpose of saying farewell to Private Arthur Ritchie, who was on final leave. Mr John Allan, who occupied the chair, spoke in eulogistic terms of the guest, and, on behalf of those present, handed him a money belt as a small token of the esteem in which he is held in the district. Private Ritchie responded, and those present sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." A lengthy programme was followed by a dance, and the whole proceedings closed with " Auld Lang Syne," and three hearty cheers for Private Ritchie and his parents, v News has been received by cable that Lieutenant-colonel R. B. Neill, third son of Mr P. C. Neill, of this city, is included in the list of recipients of New Year honours, having been awarded the D.S.O. Colonel Neill nad retired from the Imperial Army, with the rank of captain, some time before the outbreak of the war, having acquired a sheep station in Canter-, bury. Gn the declaration of Avar Colonel Neill immediately offered his services to the War Office, which promptly accepted them, and he accompanied the first New Zealand War Contingent to Samoa as adjutant. Being recalled to New Zealand, he was given command of the Fourth Reinforcements, which he took to Egypt._ Ho was ordered to England to rejoin his old regiment,' the Royal Irish Fusiliers, with which he had served in the Boer war, and for 11 years in India. Subsequently Colonel Neill, whilst in command of the West Yorks, was severely wounded in action with them on the Somme, and was mentioned in despatches. On recovery from his wounds lie was given the command of the Second Battalion of the Royal Munsters.

A Sydney cable states that Mr H. Taperell has resigned the news editorship of the Daily Telegraph. Before joining the staff of the Sydney paper Mr Tapcrell -was assistant editor of the New Zealand Times.

Messrs Dalgety and Co. have learned by cable of the death of Mr E. W. Van Senden, of Adelaide, which occurred on the Bth inst., after a brief illness. Mr Van Senden has had chargo of the company's South Australian business since its establishment. Prior to his joining Messrs Dalgety and Co. and for some years subsequently, ho regularly visited the dominion to attend the wool sales, and his many friends in the woollen industry in Dunedin will regret to learn that he has passed away. Lieutenant G. Gallaway has relinquished his appointment as assistant infantry instructor, and has been attached to the Headquarters Staff. Trcntham Camp, for. duty. Second Lieutenant Wilfred B. Fitchctt, who returned to New Zealand on Saturday, is a son of Dr F. Fitchctt, of Auckland. He left with the Main Body as a trooper in tho 4th. Waikato, Mounted Bides. He won his stripes on Gallippli, and later in Franco was promoted on the field to commissioned rank. Lieutenant Fitchctt was wounded during the Somme battle, and was gassed at Armentieres, beinsr then invalided to England. Colonel G. W. S. Patterson, officer commanding tho Auckland military district, is being temporarily relieved by Colonel G. J. Smith, of Christchurch. After a short furlough Colonel Patterson will proceed to Apia, where he will act as Administrator of Samoa while Colonel R. Logan is on furlough. Colonel Smith, who lias taken over the charge of tho Auckland districti was formerly a member of tlie Legislative Council. Ho left New Zealand in

Juno, 1916, and placed his services at tho disposal of tho Imperial Government. For some timo ho was in charge of Sling camp. Colonel Smith returned to New Zealand last September in charge of a draft of returned soldiers.

Mr J. D. Perrett, artist, of Auckland, is at present in Dunedin taking part in the dominion bowling tournament, at the conclusion of which he will probably do some sketching in tho Lakes district. Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, arrived in Dunedin on Saturday night to attend tho annual session of the Senato of the New Zealand University, of which he is Chancellor.

Tho Rev. R. S. Gray has received a cable message stating that his son, Lieutenant R. N. Gray, who was wounded on December 3, has completely recovered, and has been transferred to the base depot in France.

A pleasant gathering, attended by over 100 persons, took place at Otahuti, Southland, on Wednesday evening last to ■welcome homo Private A. M'Kenzio, of Mains o' Blair, who has been invalided home on account of wounds received in France. Private M'Kenzio enlisted with the Twentythird Reinforcements, and, while on active service in France, received severe- wuonds from shell explosion, which caused him, after hospital treatment in England, to be returned to New Zealand. Mr D. M'Farlane, who presided, welcomed the guest of th>3 evening. A v varied and pleasant musical programme was carried out.