PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 51

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Dr Mary Harris Armor and Mr W. E. Johnson (“Pussyfoot”) left Wellington on the 19th inst. by the R.M.S. Tahiti for San Francisco. A London Press Association cable message reports that Prince George, who was operated on on the 19th for appendicitis, is doing well. At last week’s meeting of the Otago Hospital Board, Mr Francis L. Crosbie was appointed working engineer to the board. Mr Crosbie has held the position of engineer on the Harbour Board’s dredge at Dunedin for some time. Advice has been received by cable that Dr H. Kenrick Christie, who was lately De monstrator in Anatomy in the Otago University, and formerly a house surgeon in the Dunedin Hospital, has passed the examination for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, A London Reuter cable message states that the Maharajah of Coooh Behar died in a London nursing home. He had been ill for some time. The deceased was born on December 20, 1886, and was educated at Eton. Constable W. Brown, of the Central Police Station, has been appointed to take charge of the Polioe Station at North Invercargill. With the exception of two years spent on

active service, Constable Brown has been at tachqd to the Central Station at Dunedin for the past 10 years. The death took place at Port Chalmers on Thursday, 2lst ult., of Mr William Gowan Fail, in his 89th year. He was born in Surrey (England) in 1834, and he arrived at Port Chalmers in the ship Lightning 63 years ago from Victoria. After visiting the goldfields he returned to Port, and alter a time as waterman became shipping reporter for the Evening Star. In th s vocation he had many interesting experiences. After retiring a few years ago Mr Fail was a boTough councillor for several terms. He was one of the founders of the local Old Identities’ Association and was also one of the founders of Court Robin Hood, A.0.F., at Port Chalmers. Mr Fail has been a widower since August, 1913, and has enjoyed good health. He leaves a grown-up family —Mrs Young, Mr F. V. Fail, and Mr W. G. Fail. At the meeting of the Otago Hospital Board last week Miss Helen B. Brown was appointed matron of the Dunedin Hospital. Mss Brown received her training' in the Dunedin Hospital, and was one of the hospital nurses who won the Fraser medal. She was also one of the first 12 nurse 9 appointed by the New Zealand Government to enter the Australasian Nursing Force, with which she served at the front during the war. Since returning to New Zealand she has been matron at the Hanmer Military Hospital, which is now controlled by the Public Health Department. Miss Downes, who has resigned her position on the staff of the Otago Girls’ High School, was prior to her leaving entertained at an afternoon by the staff. Miss King, the principal, in presenting Miss Downes with a gold wristlet watch, referred to the very efficient service rendered by the recipient, and wished her good health in her retirement. Miss F. M. Allan, former principal, spoke at some length on the manygood qualities which had made Miss Downes so excellent a teacher. Miss Morton, who is to be absent in Canada for a year, was also the recipient of suitable gifts from the staff and pupils. A Nelson Press Association message states that Mr H. Atmore, M.P., was entertained by a large gathering of bis committees and presented with a gold-mounted fountain pen A Press Association message from London states that Lord Jellicoe's daughter Lucy is a passenger by the Ilemuera. which has sailed for Wellington. We learn from a Press Association cablegram from London that Sir James Mills is a passenger by the Remuera, which has sailed for Wellington. Mrs Walter Johnston, relict of Walter W. Johnston, of Highden. Awahuri, died in Wellington on Friday (wires our correspondent). She had been in poor health lately Her age was 77 years Sho had many relatives and connections in the North Island. Presentations of a handsome rug to Captain D. Spence, tugmaster, and a smoker’s outfit and pipes to Mr J. Ramsay, harbour master’s department, Port Chalmers, were made on Friday afternoon. Mr Bardslev (the secretary to the board), in making the presentations, referred in terms of approbation to the many years of faithful service which both recipients had rendered, and expressing the hope that they would enjoy many years of happiness in the future. Miss Downes, who has resigned her position on the staff of the Otago Girls’ HighSchool, was entertained by the staff prior to her leaving. Miss King, the principal, in presenting Miss Downes with a gold wristlet watoh, made reference to the very efficient service rendered by the recipient, and wished her good health in her retirement. Miss F. M. Allan, former principal, spoke at some length on the manygood qualities which had made Miss Downes so excellent a teacher. Miss Mor ton, Who will be absent in Canada for a year, was also the recipient of suitable gifts from the staff and pupils. Mr T. Feltham, a former well-known resident of Dunedin, died recently at Wanganui. He will be remembered as a clever cornet player in his younger days. The award of the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration to LieutenantColonel D Colquhoun, D. 5.0., is gazetted. Mr W. A. Stout, the well-known Invercargill solicitor, had the misfortune to fracture his right arm above the wrist on Thursday evening, when cranking his motor car. Mr Stout was leaving his residence in Filleul street, Gladstone, and was starting up when the engine back-fired, with the painful result indicated. Mr H. Miller, Masterton’s Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, has been offered the position of lecturer inr philosophy at the Toronto University, Canada, and a similar position in the Melbourne University. He has not so far decided which position to accept. Mr T. M. M'Donald, 8.A., son of Mr D. M. M'Donald, Mataura, has been appointed resident master on the staff of the New Plymouth Boys’ High School. Mr H. Coop, who has been traffic inspector for the Railway Department at Dunedin for some time, has been promoted to the position of chief passenger clerk at the Dunedin station, in succession to Mr 11. P. Stanawav, who has been promoted to goods agent at Dunedin. Advice has been received that Mr Wm. F. Barker, only son of Mr W. T. Barker, of Ravensbourne, has been appointed to the position of inspector of aviation landing stages in Australia, Mr Barker recently distinguished himself as clerk in charge of the erection of a wireless station on Willis Island, for the purpose of warning vessels of approaching cyclones. After the war (in which he served with the A.1.F., gaining the D.C.M.), he settled in Australia, holding various positions in the Federal Government-. His present position entails the inspection of all aerodromes in the various States.