PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3382, 8 January 1919, Page 23

PERSONAL ITEMS.

A Press Association cable message from London states that General BirdNvood Is likely to visit Australia and New Zealand at the invitation, of the Governments in 1919.

Mr M. I. Fyfe, of Dunedin, has received a cable from Cheltenham, England, stating that his son, Cadet Colin Fyfe, has secured his commission as lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. Colonel A. S. Herbert, N.Z.M.0., who has been Government balnealogist at R'otorua for' 16 years, has resigned. The resignation will take effect at the end of the present season, when he will leave for England.

Prior to his departure from Middlomaroh, Mr Thos. Lonie, inspector of permanent ways, who has been transferred to Milton, was met by a large number of railway employees on Friday, 27th ult. During the evening Mr H. L. Gibson, speaking on behalf of the service from Wingatui to Clyde, expressed the pleasure of the staff at Mr Lonie's promotion, but at the same time the staff regretted the necessity of the change. Ho asked Mr Lonie to accept a gold chain and pendant, suitably inscribed, as a. mark of appreciation from his many railway friends. Mr Lonie suitably responded, and expressed thanks to the staff generally for their loyalty and support, his 10 years' residence.

Advice has been received that Staff Sergeant Gordon Leedon, Ist Otago Regiment (Main Body); left Bombay for London, en routo for New Zealand. He had continuous service in Egypt,' Gallipoli, and France, and in January of the present year left France with a small secret service expedition to Persia. This expedition had a most trying experience in a 700 miles journey through Persia to Baku, on the Caspian Sea. Tho town was occupied by British troops, but later, upon the defection of the Armenians, upon whose aid reliance had been placed, was surrendered to superior Turkish forces. Staff Sergeant Leeden was only 18 years of age when he left New Zealand. Lieutenant D. Leeden, Ist Canterbury Regiment, who returned on duty furlough by the Tofua. left New Zealand with the Main Body, and had considerable service in Egypt, Gallipoli, and France. He was among the first New Zealanders to obtain a commission at the Officers' Training Corps, Oxford, and commanded a company in the Canterbury Regiment. Lieutenant Leeden, who is a son of Mrs Leeden, of Mosgiel, has had continuous service in the Expeditionary Force, and left France only three weeks before the signing of the armistice. His brother. Lieutenant A. G. Leeden, Ist Otago Regiment, who, having been gassed, has been invalided to New Zealand, left the dominion with an early reinforcement. He obt ined his commission at the Officers' Training Corps, New College, Oxford. Whilst in command of the Bth Southland Company he held the temporary rank of captain. A "Press Association cable message from New York, reports the death, at San Diego (California), of Dr Henry Tanner, who won fame by fasting for 42 days. A Napier Press Association telegram reports the death of Lady Isabella Whitmore, relict of Major-general SSr George Whitmore. :''..',/•••;. The Rev. E. Street, vicar .of. Roxburgh since 1915, will leave at the end of January to take up an appointment in England. The death occurred at Lambeth Infirmary, on October 26, of Dr ,H u ffh J- M'Caw, M.D., F.R.C.S.E., of Invercargill. Dr M'Caw was a son of Dr H. M'Caw, of Invcrcargilil ; and qualified at Edinburgh University m 1911- The death was due to influenza pneumonia. The friends of Dr Wallis, late Anglican Bishop of Wellington, will regret to hear that the state of his health has compelled him to resign the Archdeaconry of Sherborne, which he has held since its formation two years ago.' Bishop Wallis has been working in Sherborne diocese since 1911, and the Bishop of Salisbury expresses his deep regret that he has to retire. The death is announced of the famous Alpine . guide, Mattias Zurbriggen, who spent some years in New Zealand as guide 11 Major E. A. Fitzgerald in the Southern Alps." Zurbriggen was born in 1856 at Saas-Fce, and after trying his hand at several trades began his professional career as a oiimber in 1889. He had experiences i.i the Alps, Himalayas, Andes, and the Southern Alps, and was one of the moat famous of Alpine guides. Our London correspondent advises that Mr D. G. Macpherson, of New Zealand University and University College, has passed the final examination for the degree of L.R-.CP. Dr Macpherson is wellknown to followers of football as the University and Otago three-quarter back of several years ago. Captain S. A. Moore, N.Z.M.C., of Dunedin, wno has been stationed at Hornchurch Camp, England, for some months past, has passed the examinations for tho qualification of L.R.C.P London. Our London cori'csopndent advises that Captain J. R. Kirk <Gisborne), Wellington Infantry Regiment, under whose direction the education scheme in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force was established, will shortly return to New Zealand on duty leave, and the office of Director of Education will be filled by Lieutenant-colonel 11. Stewart, D. 5.0., M.C., Canterbury Lifantry Regiment. Mr Gerhardt Ulrich, of Dunedin, has taken his discharge from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, after four years' service and expects in a few weeks (reports our 'London correspondent, writing on November 7) to leave for Bolivia, where he will resume practice as a mining engineer. Mr Uirich was an old boy of the Otago Bovs' High School, and of the School of Mines, came to England in 1913, and'joined th". British section of tho N.Z.E.F. on the outbreak of war. He was invalided from the Dardenelles and has almost ever since been in hospital, having returned to England from New Zealand a few months aeo for further treatment. Mr Ulnch will probably be accompanied to Bolivia by Mr W. A. Minchin, formerly of Christchurch who was born in Bolivia, but haa lived almost all his life in England. Mr Minchin is getting his discharge from -tho Munitions Department to go abroad. It is possible that Captain M. G. R. Newbould, of tho Now Zealand Engineers, will also get his dischargo and go to Bolivia. A well-known farmer at Riverside, Clutha district. Mr John Hall, died suddenly from heart failure on the 28th ult. in his sixtyfifth year. The deceased, who was a native of Ireland, came to New Zealand m. 1875 and in 1882 took up land on the Waimea

Plains, where ho remained farming until about nine years ago, when he removed to Riverside, where he went into partnership with his sons on a farm. He is survived by his widow and three sons and four daughters. Mr T. B. Herd, chief clerk of the head office of the Customs Department, accompanied by Miss H. T. M. Herd, is proceeding to London by the Arawa to take up his new appointment as dominion customs representative in the metropolis. Captain J. B. Hine, M.P. for Stratford, has been gazetted major. A very pleasing coincidence is that almost at the same time his son-in-law, Captain Murray Urquhart, was also appointed a major. Both officers have seen service in Egypt and Palestine, Major Urquhart having also served with distinction on Gallipoli and in France. The death occurred on the 30th of a well-known and esteemed resident of -Bluff, Mr Q. R. Waddel, who had been associated with the history of the town from the early days, at the age of 62 years. Mr Waddel was an active business man, and had been connected with many enterprises making for the development of Bluff and the eouthern fisheries. He was for many years a member of the Bluff Harbour Board and of the Borough Council, besides taking part in various local movements, and his genial nature soon won him many friends. For some time Mr Waddel had not been in good health, and the end was hot unexpected. He is survived by his widow and a family of two sons and four daughters.

Miss Winnie Robinson, of Dunedin. won the championship in Highland and national dancing at Hokitika oil New Year's Day, securing four firsts and two seconds in six events. Her brother Edward gained the special prize at Tiniaru the same day for most points in his class, scoring one first, two seconds, and one third in four events for boys and girlsl Advice has been received that Alex. ■> Macartney (son of .Constable Macartney, of Mornington), who left New Zealand with the Eighteenth Reinforcements and who has been a candidate at Oxford for his comrhis-' sion, successfully passed his final examinations and received his commission in September last.

Dr J. Hardie Neil, lieutenant-colonel in the New Zealand Medical Corps, D.S.O. and Croix de Guerre, is returning to New Zea? land with the next draft, No. 203. Before leaving New Zealand Dr Neil was practising in Auckland, and was for a time commanding at the Medical Camp at Awapuni. Countess Lavinia Magri, better known a« Mrs Tom Thumb, has celebrated her seventyseventh birthday (says a New York message of the first week in November). The Countess Magri was a beautiful American girl, just 32 inches high, when she married General Tom Thumb, a perfectly-propor-tioned man of 31 inches. The death is announced in the English papers, from complications following on influenza, of Lord Ebury, chairman of directors of the National Mortgage and Agency CompanyNews from the Friendly Islands tells of the passing away of the wife of the. Rev, J. B. Watkin, Free Church, of Tonga. Mrs Watkin was born' in Sydney on June 20, 1844, and passed away on November 24, 1918,. at the age of 74 years. With her. husband, then a Weeleyan missionary, she arrived in the. Tongan Islands on May 31, 1866, where she has. resided ever since, and whefe she was much beloved by Torigans and Europeans alike. The death is announced in Victoria of Mr William Snowden, who was one of the crew of brought out the schooner Rip, of 91 tons, from # Halifax (Nova Scotia) to Melbourne, the trip occupying over five months. He joined in the gold rush, and subsequently became a surveyor, being engaged first at Shepparton and afterwards in New Zealand, where ho opened up many roads in remote and unknown parts of both islands. He entered the service of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works in 1880.

The death is reported from Melbourne on January 1 of Major John M. Mehaffey, second son of Mrs MehaffW, and the late \V. G. Mehaffey, of InvercargilL From school he went to Otago University, and then to the London Hospital to complete his course in medicine. While at Home he distinguished himself in Rugby football, cap. taining the London Hospital team and playing in many important matches. He was recognised as one of the leading forwards in England. After completing his coarse Dr Mehaffey returned to New Zealand and commenced practising at Nightcaps. Subsequently he acted as locum tenens for Dr R: H. (now Major) Hogg, at Tnvcrcargill, and then went to New South Wales. Upon the outbreak of war ho offered his services to the Commonwealth Government and went with tho first expeditionary force to German New Guinea. lie was wounded in the landing and also contracted malaria. A few days ago Mrs Mehaffey received cable advice that Major Mehaffey was in hospital seriously ill. and on Wednesday word was received of the major's dea£h at) the early ago of 32 years. His was widely known as head master of the Middle School and as a candidate for the Mataura scat at the last general election. A Press Association cable message from Panama announces that Mr Massey and Sir Josonh Ward have arrived there, en route for England. It was announced at the annual meeting of the National Insurance Company that Mr Henry Williams, the general manager, was voluntarily relinquishing office. Mr Williams's retirement took effect on the 31st ult., and ths board of directors has appointed as* his successor Mr John Mallard, who has been 30 years in the service of the National Insurance Company. For 10 years he was chief clerk in the Melbourne office, and- was then promoted to the management of the Wollinprton branch. Ho was sulsequently appointed secretary to the head office, a position he has held for the past five years. Mr Mallard is a son of the late Mr Fred Mallard, at one tamo inrpector of police in this city. He was educated mainly at the Otago Boys' High School.

Mrs J. George, New Brighton, Christchurch, and formerly of St. Andrew street, Dunedin, has received advice that her son, Private «T. T. George, 74658 Machine Gun Section, is returning to New Zealand with the- transport arriving at Port Chalmers at the end of the present week. Private George, who left with the ill-fated Fortieth Reinforcements, was, just prior to leaving England, an inmate of Hprnchurch Hos- * pital, suffering from an attack of influenza. Mr B. Chimside died at the Wairoa Hospital on December 14- from influenza at the age of 34 .years. The deceased, who leaves a widow and two young children to mourn their lose, was a very hardworking man. He was born at Balclutha, aiyl started in business at Wairoa aa a earner about 13

months ago. He rendered excellent service from the commencement of the epidemic, and practically grave his life for the Maoris at the Clydo Hospital where he was assisting the staff. Dr Hallwnght, in his reply to the Hospital Board, referred *o the good work done by. Mr Chirnsido among the Natives. A Press Association cable message trom Now York reports that Mr Lawrence Philip, who is described as one of the world s greatest pianists, has died at California ot 1 A Brisbane telegram to the 'Melbourne Ago states that Mr Elliott Coleman, one of the best known sheep classers and wool men in Central and Northern Queensland, was struck dead by lightning in Mildura whilo classing sheep. Mrs J. A. Miller, Maungatua, has received intimation from Sir James Allen that her husband, Lieutenant James A. Miller, has been awarded the Military oross for gallantry, on the field. Lieutenant Miller is expected to arrive home in FebrUMr John Geoffrey Denniston, the youngest son of tho Hon. Sir John Denniston, who has been offered and accepted a position upon the staff of Christ's College Grammar School, is a passenger by the Briton, which sailed from Devonport on December 27. Mr Denniston, who was born in Christchurch in 1890, was educated at Christ's College, where he gained a Somes Scholarship, and afterwards at Canterbury College, where he took his degree as Bachelor of Arts in 1912. He was for a short time an assist-' ant master of the Lower School at Christ's College, a position which he gave up in 1912 to enter as an under graduate at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. '■ At the date of tho declaration of war he was in camp as'a private in King Edward's Horse, in which regiment he remained until fighting ceased. He left England as sergeant in the first draft of the regiment which went to the front. With other old Christ's Collego boys he was offered and accepted a commission in the, regiment, and went to England for training. Lieutenant Denniston spent some time in Ireland, and his regiment was the first to enter Dublin in tho rising of 1916, tho regiment being fired on and two officers killed. Lieutenant Denniston's troop . had been despatched to Longford two days before. He was subsequently promoted to a first lieutenancy.