PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3595, 6 February 1923, Page 51

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Our Christchurch correspondent wires that Mr William Murray, managing director of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, has announced that he will retire on October 31 next. A London Press Association cable message records the death of Lord Northbourne, who, as recently announced, gave a bullock for distribution amongst the poor to celebrate Mr Lloyd George’s retirement. The deceased was born in 1846, and succeeded his father in 1893. He took no active part in public life. The family seat is at Betteshanger, Dover. A Sydney Press Association message announces the death of Mr Alfred Richardson Holdship, solicitor. He was a native of Auckland, and captained the New Zealand cricket team against the Australian Eleven some years ago. A Christchurch Press Association wire says that Mr Janies Jamieson, accountant at the Chiei Post Office, Christchurch, died on Monday afternoon. He was on one month’s sick leave. Before coming to Christchurch he was accountant at. Hamilton Rost Office, and he had also been stationed at Wellington and Gisborne. He was 50 years of age, and leaves a widow and five children. A Greymouth ('Press Association message states that Mr James Hutton, head master of the Southbridge (Canterbury) High School, has been appointed director of the new Greymouth Technical. School. There were 24 applicants. A Christchurch Press Association message Says that at a meeting of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College, Mr T. M. Shanahan, 8.E., B.Sc. (Sydney), was appointed senior demonstrator in electrical engineering at the School of Engineering, and Mr J. H. Pennington, B.E. (Livrpooii. junior demonstrator in mechanical engineering, both appointments dating from March 1. A Reuter cable message from London states that Major P. C. Bridgeman, eldest son .of Mr F. O. Bridgeman, of Dunedin, will shortly- be married to Lady Gladys Honor Ward, eldest daughter of the Earl of Dudley. Mr Bridgeman served in the Flying Corps during the war. He is now general manager of the British Dyes Corporation in India, and is at present in England on business. Our Queenstown correspondent wires that Mr J. B. Mackay, clerk and treasurer of tile Lake County Council and the Queenstown Borough Council, has resigned. Mr Mackay was previously district manager of the Ocean Accident Insurance Company at Dunedin. Four months ago he Was appointed to the dual position here in succession to Mr G. B. Burns, now clerk and treasurer of the Wallace County Council. Writing on December 16, our London correspondent says: Dominion readers will not be surprised to know that, at New Zealand’s stall at the Christmas fair at Claridge’s Hotel, in aid of H.R.H. the Duchess of Albany Memorial Fund, Lady Allen and her committee of New Zealand ladies achieved their object. of making it a great success. Indeed, the workers nave the gratification of knowing that the stall vwis responsible for taking almost twice as much as any other individual stall. Lady Allen was able to hand oyer £75 to the charity, while the next in importance contributed about £4O. Next week Sir James and Lady Allen go north, first to Northampton, where the High Commissioner is presenting the prizes at the Northampton Girls’ School, whose head mistress is Miss C. M. Taylor, formerly of Wellington. They then proceed to Montrose, where, at Mr Massey’s request. Lady Allen is performing the christening ceremony at the launching of the Muritai, a ferry steamer for Wellington. Lady Allen and her family will be staying at Looe, Cornwall, for a fortnight at Christmas time. This is where Sir James recently spent 10 days, and he was so pleased with the locality that he secured a cottage for the school holidays. Dr Harrison, formerly of Dunedin, has decided to commence the practice of his profession at Omakau. Word has been received that Mr W. E. Puddy, of the Chief Railway Engineers’ Drafting Office, Wellington has passed the studentship examination for the Institute of Civil Engineers. Mr Puddy is an old boy of the Otago Boys’ High School. Mr G. W. M’lntosh, manager of the National Bank at Dunedin, left for the north on the Ist inst. He will relieve the bank’s manager at Auckland for about three months. Mr H. S. Hammond will be in charge at Dunedin during his absence.

.The Rev. V. G. Bryan King received advice from England on the 31st that he has been selected for admission as an Honorary Associate of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in England, and that his admission has received the sanction and approval of the King, Aho is the Sovereign Head and Patron of the Order. Accompanying the announcement is the eilver medal of the order, and the diploma will follow. Prior to his departure from Catlins district, Mr C. S. M. Johnston, public works overseer, was entertained by the residents of Kahnika and surrounding districts at Kahuika on Monday, 29th ult. During the course of the evening he was presented wiui a purse of sovereigns by Mr -Joseph Halt. Mr Johnston has been in charge of roads and bridge work since 1915, and has now been transferred to T e Kuiti. Dr O. G. Evans, of Shannon, whose death occurred m a private hospital at Napier last week, was born at Homewood, Otane and vva s educated, at. the Napier Boys’ High School, Knox College, and Edinburgh University, where he obtained his F.R.C.S. degree. He served in the Royal Medicai Corps as a captain in France, and afterwards in Palestine with the 53rd Division under General Allenby. While in Palestine he developed sleeping snukness (enrephaAt ’ * rom which he never really recovered. Afterwards he went under a serious operation in a London military hospital. On Monday, 2Sth ult,, presentations were made by the staff of the Perpetual Trustees Company to Mr P. B. Foote, who, after five years’ service at the head office, ha? been appointed district manager of the Pimaru branch of the company, and to Mr E. J. Leslie, who has been appointed officer in charge of the Southland agency. The general manager, Mr J. A. Park, after making some remarks concerning the ability, industry, and integrity of the departing officers, presented Mr Foote with a fine travelling rug and Mr Leslie with a suitcase. The recipients suitably responded. TTi e same evening the Executive Committee of the Otago Hockey Association met 1 1, the Y.M.C.A. to bid farewell to Mr Foote, who is one of their vice-presidents. Mr J A. Park (president), on behalf of the members, presented Mr Foote with a set of pipes, and referred in eulogistic terms to the work of the departing vice-president. A Blenheim Press Association message announces the sudden death of Mr i*ewis Griffiths. Deceased was very prominent in Marlborough public life, and occupied many public positions. He was secretary of the Racing and Trotting Clubs, the Wairau Road Board, the Marlborough County Council, the Blenheim Building Society; and at the time of death was a borough councillor end Deputy-mayor of Blenheim, and vicepresident of the Operatic Society, lie was a prominent sportsman, and formerly a representative footballer and cricketer. He also took a great part in amateur theatricals. In business he was managing director of the firm of Griffiths Bros. (Ltd.), auctioneers ana estate agents. An extremely enjoyable evening was the general verdict of those present at a social gathering at Middlemarch, the occasion being the Rev. Mr Bloomfield’s departure from the district after four years’ ministry. The function was held m the A. and P. -nail, over 250 being present. The proceedings were opened with a speech by Mr I . W. Wise, who presided. A most appropriate programme* was then entered upon, commencing with a selection by the Middlemarch Band, of which Mr Bloomfield has been president for some time, besides being a playing member. Vocal items were rendered by Mrs Finlay, Miss B. Robertson, Misses Wiilstead, G. Horn, and Robert?haw, and two anthems were eoptributed by the choir, all of which were keenly appreciated. On behalf of the church members, adherents, and residents, the chairman presented Mr and Mrs Bloomfield with a substantial cheque. Eulogistic reference to Mr Bloomfield’s services were made by Mr Sullivan, a student from Hindon and adjoining districts, and Mr M’Clintocli, on behalf of the band. Air Bloomfield, on betiaff of himself. Mr s Bloomfield and family, responded, and expressed his regret that circumstances necessitated his resignation, ihe remainder of the evening was devoted to games and social intercourse. Recent news fronr England reports that the Right Rev. Dr Cleary, who is undergoing treatment in a London hospital is very much improved in health. The Bishop was (the Auckland star says) to leave in January for Paris in order to visit Monsignor Ceretti, formerly Apostolic delegate for Australasia, and now Papal Nuncio to the French Government. He will then go on to Rome in order to present his report of the Auckland diocese to Pope Pius XI and he hopes to leave Italy early in April for Auckland. The death occurred at Napier last week of Dr Owen Glendower Evans, younger son of Mrs Robert Evans, of Otane. Dr° Evans was born at Otane, and was educated at the Napier Boys’ High School, University, and Edinburgh University During the war he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a captain, in France and afterwards in Palestine, with the 53rd Division under General Allenby, where he developed encephalitis, from which he never really recovered. He is survived by a wife and three young children. It is stated unofficially that Brigadiergeneral Richardson is an applicant for the post of Governor of Western Samoa- (wires our "Wellington correspondent), and that he is likely to receive the appointment. So far the Government has not come to any decision. There are several other applicants. Mr Sidney G. Pilling, a returned soldier and fourtii-year medical student, whose death occurred recently at Pleasant Yalley after a long illness, was the younger son* of Mr E. Pilling, of Mosgiel, whose other son fell in the war. He was an old High School boy, and held in turn the Education Board’s ior and senior scholarships, and the University junior scholarship. He entered upon his medical course in Otago University in 1916, but enlisted with the 36th Reinforcements on coming of military age in 1917. He was 25 years of age at the time of his death, which Was due to pulmonary tuberculosis, contracted since his return from active service. The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Work 3 and Postmaster-general, during his southern tour paid a hurried visit to the Mount Cook district, and made the ascent of a glacier some 8947 ft high, a rock and enow climb on the eastern route to th# summit of Mount Cook. From this vantage point a wonderful view of the great Tasman Glacier far below, and of all the snow-capped giants of the Mount Cook range is obtainable. A Wellington Press Association message states that Brigadier-general Richardson’s appointment as Administrator of Samoa is announced officially.

Dr Christie, of the War Pensions Department, has resigned his position, and will shortly leave for England. Six New Zealanders at least were successful at the last primary examination for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons. Of the 152 candidates, 56 were approved and 96 were rejected. The successful New Zealanders were: —Drs L. A. Bennett, M.Q., Ch.B., Now Zealand, L. M.R.C.S., Otago, London, and Middlesex; H. K. Christie, M. 8., Ch.B., B.Sc.. New’ Zealand, Otaco. and Middlesex; w. M. Cotter, M.B", Ch. 8., New Zealand and St. Bart.’s; C. M. Greenslade, M. Cli. 8., New’ Zealand. Otago, and St. Bart.’s; If J. B. Hall, M. 8.. Ch. B„ New Zealand, Otago, and St. Bart.’s; and A. E. Park. M. 8., Ch. 8., New Zealand. Otago, and Middlesex. Drs Christie and Greenslade belong to Dunedin, and Dr Park to Wellington. A Wellington Press Association message states that Mr M. C. Barnett, Assistant Public Trustee, who is retiring after 40 years in the Government service. 30 years of which were spent in the Public Trust, received a handsome presentation on Saturday. The lion. J. G. Coates eulogised his set\ices, and, in the course of reply. Mr Barnett referred to tlie extent of advertising of the office, saying that the office was rather disinclined to parade its efficiency. It should be judged by its work; there was no need to rush into the highways and byways for business, which would come of its ow’ii accord if efficiency was maintained. The Rev. G. N. Turner has been appointed vicar of the parish of St. Peter’s, Caversham, in succession to the Rev. W. Uphill, who recently resigned for the purpose of proceeding to Australia.