PERSONAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 22

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Our London correspondent, writing on January 12, reports that Bishop WestWatson (Bishop-designate of Christchurch) and Mrs West-Watson had booked passages for New Zealand by the Rotorua. A Reuter message from London reports that Vice-admiral Sir Walter Cowan has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the North American and West Indies Station from June 1. Dr A. Stenliouse and Mrs Stenhouse, of Balclu-tlia, have booked passages for England in the Remuera, which leaves Wellington direct for the United Kingdom, via the Panama Canal, on May 22. Dr Stenhouse has been in practice in Balclutha for close on 24 years, having taken over the practice of the late Dr J. Gibson Smith in July, 1902. He goes Home partly on business and partly on pleasure, and hopes to investigate overseas hospital methods before retiring to the Dominion. Changes affecting the Southland officers of the Railway Department announced on Tuesday were as follows:—Mr W. O’Malle, at present stationmaster at Orcpuki, promoted to the position of chief clerk at Port Chalmers; Mr W. Sinclair, stationmaster at Waiwera to go to Orepuki; Mr A. W. Yates stationmaster at Kingston, to be transferred to Waiwera; Mr N. Wilkinson, clerk at Riverton, to be stationmaster at Kingston. Sir Georgs Fenwick was on Wednesday made a life member of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of New Zealand. A Westport message states that Monsignor WaLhe, of that town, on Wednesday celebrated his diamond jubilee, having been GO years in the priesthood. He was ordained by Bishop Pompalller, of Auckland, in 1866. at the age of 23 years. He was transferred to the West Coast in 1567 and took over the parish of Westport, which he administered up to two years ago. Ho is at present an inmate of the O'Connor Home, and is getting feeble. Congratulations were received by him from public bodies and friends all over the Dominion. Hosts of townspeople of all denominations visited him during the (lay. He has a wonderful record as a pioneer. A cable mesasge from Sydney states that the Rev. F. W. Hynes has been elected President of the New South Wales Methodist Conference. Mr J. W. Mattliewson, assistant general traffic manager of the Union Company, has been unpointed manager of the company’s branch at Newcastle, has left for Sydney. Miss Christina S. Bell, 8.A., of Dunedin, has been awarded the Cook memorial prize for mathematics. The prize is given for the most distinguisheJ graduate in mathe matics in the examination for the degree of Master of Arts. Mr Robert Mitchell, an officer on the local staff of the Telegraph Department, lias resigned his position to tokp over a station in the Wairarnpn district. A number of friends assembled in the (Irani Hotel last wight to bid farewell and to present him with a silver cigarette box. / Mr A. A. Paape, who made the presentation, said that Mr Mitchell had been a resident 'f Dunedin all his life except when he served in the Great War. No man in Dunedin was held in higher esteem. Mr Mitchell would be very much missed. He was one of the links that, made Dunedin differec* from any other part of New Zealand. Mr H. B. Pattrick referred to Mr Mitchell as a brave soldier and a true comrade. Mr D. Solomon and Mr C. Pryce also referred to the esteem in which Mr Mitchell wo3 held. Mr Mitchell sultobly returned thanks. Mr lan D. Cameron, Islington street, North-East Valley, has been awarded a Mines’ Scholarship, of the value of £45. tenable for three years, at tho Otago University, on the results of last December’s examinations. The Rev. J. K. Archer (Christchurch) and Messrs R. Semple and W. T. Young

both of Wellington) have been nominated for the position of president of the New Zealand Labour Party. Mr T. Brindle, who holds office at the present time is not seeking re-election. Six candidates have been nominated for the position of vice-president—tho Rev. J. K. Archer (Christchurch), Messrs T. Bloodworth (Auckland), C. H. Chapman (Wellington), H. G. R. Mason (Auckland). J. Thorn (Wellington), and P. C. Webb. Prior to his leaving the district, Mr Hugh M’Feely, who has acted as head master at the Upper Junction School for the past year, was entertained by the residents at a social on Wednesday evening. On behalf of the residents, Mr John Buttar presented the guest of the evening with a travelling case and a brief bag. and in doing so spoke of Mr M'Feely’s popularity and his good work as a teacher. Miss Phyllis Simmons, on behalf of the pupils, presented the departing teacher with a fountain pen. Mr MTeely suitably returned thanks. On Thursday evening a large meeting of the parishioners of St. Marys Catholic Church, presided over by Mr J. P. Eagar, was held in St. Josephs Convent Schoolroom, Port Chalmers. The occasion Van a welcome tendered to the Rev. Father Farthing, who has been appointed to the charge of the district. Representatives were present from the Waitati and St. Leonards Churches. On behalf of the congregation, the chairman warmly welcomed the rev. gentleman, and assured him that he would receive the loyal support of his people in all his undertakings. Mr Albertson, a visitor, also mado some happy and complimentary remarks. The Rev. Father Farthing made an appropriate reply, thanking all for their presence that evening, and for the words addressed to him, and assured his hearers that he would endeavour always to give them of his best. During the course of the evening vocal and instrumental itemt were given by the pupijs of St. Joseph’s Convent School. Mr Parfitt, Mayor of Grey mouth, is in Dunedin for a few days. Dr Winifred Bathgate, who has been attending the Medical Conference at Nelson, has returned to Dunedin.