PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3395, 9 April 1919, Page 37

PERSONAL ITEMS.

At its meeting on the Ist the Dunedin Presbytery decided to nominato tho Rev. J. M. Snnpson, of Gore, as Moderator of tho next Synod of Otago and Southland. A Press Association message announces the death on the Ist, at the age of 58 years, of Mr Thomas Wilson Walker, town clerk at Invercargill. By his death the municipality of Invercargill has lost a valued and highly respected servant. The late Mr Walker was identified with muncipal affairs in Invercargill for over 40 years. He entered the services of the borough as a boy, and rose by stages to the highest position—that of town clerk, tho duties of which he has capably filled for over 10 years. He leaves a widow and two children

Tho Dunedin Presbytery on the Ist. on the motion of the Rev. J. Kilpatrick, extended its hearty congratulations to Professor Dickie on receiving the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Aberdeen.

A Press Association message from Perth states that the Treasurer of Westialia (the Hon. J. Gardiner) has resigned. The Hon. G. M. Thomson has left for the North Island on private business. He will be absent for some weeks.

A Press Association message from Invercargill states that Mrs Walter Henderson, sister of Lady Ward, died on tho 2nd inst. Miss Gertrude M. E. Stokes, of Maori Hill, has received intimation that she has passed the first section .of the B.A. degree examination.

A Press Association message from Palmerston North reports that Mr Edward Howard Morrah. local manager of the Bank of Australasia, died on the 2nd inst. after a brief illness, aged 54 years.

Mrs A. Mills has received word that her husband, Sergeant A. C. Mills, has been awarded the D.C.M. for gallantry in the field. Sergeant Mills left Dunedin with the Main Body. Prior to enlisting he was employed on the New Zealand Railways.

We are informed that the nine students resident in St. Margaret's College who went up- for the recent degree examination have all received unofficial notification of success. Miss C. Macindoe passed for M.A., with second class honours in history. Miss P. Rogers passed the first section of B.Sc. Misses P. Durward, M. King, D. Austin, E. Oddie, E. Virtue, M. Smith, and V. Sheddan have passed the first section ot BA.

Mr J. Robispn, who has been acting at tourist agent in Christchurch for about 12 months, has arrived in Dunedin to tak<> charge of the local tourist office, in succession to Mr T. Quin, has left for Wellington* A Press Association message from Hokitika announces the death of Mr John Robert one of the earliest pioneers of Westland, after a lingering illness, aged 79 years. He had filled many public positions in former years. Mrs R. J. Seddon and Miss Seddon will leave for England at an early date. They will be accompanied by v Mrs Woods, the youngest daughter of Sirs Seddon, whose home is in Great Britain.

' Mr J. B. Reid, of Elderslie, leaves <h:s month on a visit to England. Richard J. O'Connell. a pupil of the local Christian Brothers' School, secured ■ first ; place in the, dominion in the recent Junior National Scholarship exafnination. Another pupil of the school obtained first place m Otago in the Senior National Scholarships. i A Rress Association cable message from London announces the death of Sir James Mackenzie Davidson, at the. age of 62. He was one of London's leading ophthalmic surgeons, and- since 1896-had devoted j much attention to X-ray work, being the ! inventor of a precise method of locating , foreign bodies in' the eye and other parts • of the bodv.

On Friday the scholars and teachers of St. Clair School assembled in the e'chool gymnasium to bid farewell to Mr Pope, who has been head master of that school for the past 23 years, and who now retires on superannuation. In the unavoidable absence of Mr L. D. Ritchie (chairman of the committee) Mr C. J., Moody presided. Master T. Thomson wished Mr Pope a long and happy retirement, and asked him to accept, on behalf of the scholars, a gold chain and pendant suitably inscribed, as a token of the respect and esteem in which he was held. Mr and Mrs Pope and members of the committee were afterwards entertained at afternoon tea by the teachers, who presented Mr Pope with a silvermounted umbrella and fountain pen. Mr Pope replied. A farewell social was given to Mr Pope on the 11th ihst., • when the gathering was a large and representative one. Mr L- D. Ritchie presided, and in the course of the evening presented Mr Pope, on behalf of the ex-pupils and residents of the districts, with a well-filled purse of sovereigns. He mentioned that Mr Pope had been headmaster since the school was opened 25 years ago. Short addresses appreciative of Mr Pope's services were given given by Messrs J. Wallace (chairman Education Board), T. Walker, and T. K. Sidcy, M.P. Mrs. Pope was presented with a handsome lady's dressing cap. An enjoyable musical programme was submitted. Mr A. P. Green,* inspector of the chief branches in New Zealand. Australia, and Fiji, who has been appointed manager of the Auckland branch of the Bank of New Zealand, vice Mr H. Buckleton,_ appointed general" manager. Mr Green joined the service of the Bank of New Zealand on February 1, 1875, and he has acted as manager of branches in many of the larger centres. He was appointed inspector for the Norbh Island in 1904, and was at subsequent intervals manager of the Dunedin and Wellington He was appointed senior inspector in 1916. A pleasant social evening was spent at Highcliff on the 31st to enable the residents to say farewell to Mr and Mrs W. J. Henderson. On behalf of the residents, Mr J. Bishop (chairman) presented Mr Henderson with a pocket wallet and a goldmounted fountain pen ; while Mrs Henderson was made the recipient of a lady's handbag. In presenting- these tokens, the chairman spoke concerning the loss of one who had taken so forward a part in the affairs of the district for tho past 41 years. Mr D. Robertson also spoke. Mr Henderson responded. During the evening' items were given by Miss Matheson, Messrs Robertson and Jack (songs), Miss M'Kenzie (piano solo), and Mr Smaill (violin solo). The dance music was supplied by Messrs Farquhar and Jack ; while Mr J. Farquhar aoted in the capacity of M.O. His relatives have been advised that Major "Archie" C Macdonald, M.C, left England on March 17 by the s.s. Remuera gn his homeward journey. Although ho

enlisted in Canterbury and became a gunnej in the artillery of the Main Body, Major Macdonald lived the greater part of his lifo in Invercargill. He won his commission orf Gallipoli, and has since then steadily adr vanced in his military career. Of excep* tional physique—he was ever noted in thi< respect with the men of the Main Body, where stalwarts were the rule rather than the exception—and keen initiative, it was not surprising that he ( .became a valuable soldier. In his early youth, and up to tha day of hia entry into the great war gamehe was well koown as & successful amateu* athlete and noted Rugby footballer. As a boy at the Invercargill Park School he was a forward in the finest primary schools' representative team ever put-into the field by Southland, and from the Inveroargill Football Olub he subsequently became a senior representative of the province. Ha also represented Otago, then being a member of the Pirates Club. On transferring l to Christchurch he became prominent as a three-quarter for Christchurch Footbal| Olub, and later on represented Oanterbur) and the South Island