PERSONAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3854, 24 January 1928, Page 32

PERSONAL.

Vice-Regal. Sir Charles Fergusson, Governor-General who has been on a visit to the Southland district, arrived m Dunedin on Saturday morning, and journeyed to Christchurch by the second express. His Excellency will E P £ ‘. n< l three weeks in Canterbury, after wnicn lie uili visit Westland and and then go on to Auckland, where he will arrive early in March. His Excellency is accompanied by Lady Alice Fergusson, Mrs Baird (sister of his Excellency), and Miss Dugdale. A Press Association message from Christchurch states : His Excellency the GovernorGeneral and Lady Alice Fergusson arrived from Invercargill on Saturday evening and went into residence at "Elmwood Papanui, for a month. Ministerial. Concluding 1900 miles’ tour of North Auckland, where he has spent the last four weeks, the Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates) returned to Auckland on Thursday night, and left for Wellington on Friday evening, accompanied by Mr A. D. M’Leod (Minister of Lands). Mr J. A. Young, Minister of Health, arrived in Dunedin by the first express from Christchurch on Saturday and is staving at the . Grand Hotel. Mr Young will pay a visit to the Seacliff Mental Hospital to-day, and will return to Wellington by the second express to-morrow.

Air Les Lewis, a prominent runholder in South Australia, is at present engaged in a motoring tour through New Zealand. He arrived in Dunedin on Saturday week, and was visiting Queenstown last week, after which he will leave for Auckland, en route to the Commonwealth. Air J. C. Alurray left by the second express on Tuesday morning, en route to Perth, to take up the position of general manager for Western Australia of the A acuum Oil Company Proprietary, Ltd. He was met by members of the local staff last night and presented, on behalf of the Otago and Southland staffs, with a handsome travelling rug and smoker’s outfit, lhe presentation was made by Air W. H Woodward. Mr Alurray has been on the i V l6 com Pany for 15 years, seven of which have been spent in New Zealand. Mr W. Burton, general manager in New Zealand of Alessr s John Fuller and Sons, Ltd., who has been in Dunedin in connection with the impending alterations to the Princess Theatre, returned north b/ the through express on Tuesday. A cablegram from London states that Sir John Simon, who is going to India in a few days as chairman of the new commission, announces his retirement from the Bar.

Mr A. H. Gibson, of the Supreme Court staff, Duneain, has received notice if transfer to the Magistrate’s Court office at Christchurch.

Air George Thomson (formerly of Oamaru and the Otago School of Mines) nns been m London for some time (states our London correspondent, writing on December 14). He came from Japan, where he had been managing a tin mine tor Japanese proprietors. He is shortly returning to Japan to manage a tin mine winch has been taken over by an English company. s ~ Ou £ iV° nd i°- n corres P°ndent states that the Fellowship of the Royal College of w rg t? nS r> has been con f e rred upon Dr W. H. Bremner M. 8., and Dr J Fitzsimmons, M. 8., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P both o whom were formerly students of the Otago University. The following Dunedin students at the Auckland University College satisfied the examiners in the undermentioned subjects for the degree of Bachelor of Architectural Science History of Architecture II: C. J. E. M'Lean, A. L. Salmond, C. Sanderson; architectural construction lI—A. L. Salmond, C. Sanderson ; structural mechanics I and perspective and sciagraphy—C. J. E. Lean, A. L. Salmond, C. Sanderson. ' ; Prior to his departure from Christchurch for Dunedin, where he will take lip his duty as Dairy Inspector, Air J. K. Hoss, of the Agricultural Department, was met by fellow-officers and presented with an entree dish, suitably inscribed, and ■ a gold Eversharp pencil. Air Ross was also met by die staff and employees of Messrs T. Borthwick and Sons’ Freezing Works, and was the recipient of a Kaiapoi rug and leather travelling bag. At a social itv the Presbyterian Sunday schoolroom

Mr E. Swinerd presented Mr Ross with a rug and fountain pen, and Mrs Ross with an oak dinner waggon. Air T. Z. Koo, one of the leaders of the Student Christian Alovement in China, has felt compelled to decline the invitation of the Movement in New Zealand to visit this country this year. Writing from Shanghai on November 22 last Air Koo says: “ I have taken up the matter of my visit to Australia and New Zealand next year with my colleagues as well as members of our executive Committee. It is the united judgment of these men that it would be unwise for me to plan such a visit with conditions so uncertain in our own country. They felt that even if I were to promise definitely to visit New Zealand next year, I might be called on to cancel the visit again at the last i loment on account of unforseen developments in our situation here. Under the circumstances they felt that I ought not to make any definite arrangement for this contemplated visit.”

About 40 officers and non-commissioned officers of the Second Battalion, Otago Regiment, under Captain R. H. Cleland, went north on Wednesday to attend a' musketry course at Burnham. Mr A. Aloritzson, at one time wellknown m this city in the fruit business, arrived m Dunedin on Wednesday evening from the north for a short stay. Air Aloritzson is now resident in ' Sydney. Air J. F. Alenzics, who has resigned his position of borough manager at Eastbourne to become town clerk of Sumner, was tendered a farewell by the staff of the Eastbourne Ferry and Motor Bus Service recently (writes our Mataura correspondent) lhe traffic manager, Mr A. T. R. Duncan on behalf of the staff, presented Mr Menzies with a set of stainless cutlery, a tea set,, and an oak cake stand, and in doin°so expressed the regret of the staff at his departure. Mr Menzies, who is to take up his new duties on February 1, was some years ago town clerk of Mataura Prior to his departure for the Malay States, Mr T. M‘Carroll was met by the members of the Southland Rugby Union and presented with a shaving outfit in recognition of the work he had done while connected with that body. Mr A. H. Courtis referred to Mr M’CarroH’s long association with football in Southland and to the. conscientious and willing manner in "which he had carried out his duties while in office.

According to a letter received from Sydney Aliss Eva Webb Jones, of Wanganui, who has been studying at the Conserva torium of Music, sang before Dame Nellie Melba in a test for voices for grand opera, her selected piece being Puccini’s “ One Fine Day.” Dame Nellie Alelba said that Miss Webb Jones had a beautiful voice. This complimentary statement coincides with that of Air Joseph Hislop, the great tenor, who tested the voices (between 200 and 300) just prior to Miss Webb Jones leaving Sydney for New Zealand with the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company. Miss Webb Jones was informed that she had a very fine voice, and that her name was included in the first eight. To become a member of the Grand Opera Company entails the work of learning over 20 operas. Although Major-general J. A. Douglas, C.M.G., C.1.E., is almost a stranger to New Zealand, he was born at Dunedin in 1862. He left the Dominion when he was a boy, and is now making his first return visit, arriving at Auckland by the Niagara on Alonday. General Douglas has had a distinguished military career, and has served in many dangerous expeditions on the Indian frontier. During the Great War he served in Mesopotamia, Persia and Afghanistan. A long list of distinctions, including being mentioned in despatches four times, tells of'brave military service. General Douglas was educated at Haileybury and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was given his commission with the Dorset Regiment in 1885, and soon gained promotion after being transferred to India, where he has spent many years. From 1903 to 1907 he was military attache at Teheran. He was at the relief of Pekin in 1900. From 1911 to 1913 he commanded the 39th (K.G.0.) Central Horse in Persia. These are but a few of the expeditions and positions with which General Douglas has been associated. In addition to his British distinctions he hold Persian and Serbian orders. Sir Francis Bell, Leader of the Legislative Coundtl, returned north by the through express on Thursday. The Rev. Father Keane, S.J.. of Sydney, who has been on a viist to Dunedin, left on his return home by the second express yesterday. Air J. Barr, M.L.C., who has been on a visit to Otago in company with Sir Francis Bell, returned to Christchurch by the through express on Thursday. On Wednesday Sir Francis and Air Barr paid a visit to Waipori. Mr W. Afarr, of Sydney, who has been on a holiday, trip through New Zealand, left on his return home by the second express on Thursday. Mr F. W. Oakdep arrived in, Dunedin on Wednesday from Sydney. Advice has been received that Mr T. R. Bavin, Premier of New South Wales, accompanied by Aliss Bavin, will arrive in Dunedin from the Southern Lakes district on Thursday, February 9, and will stay at the Grand Hotel for two days.

Mr Forgan Smith, Deputy Premier of Queensland, accompanied by his wife and family and Mr Hope, private secretary, will arrive in Dunedin on Friday, February <3, and will depart for Queenstown on the following Tuesday. On their return a further stay of three days will be made in this city. A cablegram from London states that the appointment, to date from June 5 is announced of Vice-admiral Cyril T. M Fuller to be Commander-in-chief on the American and West Indies station, in succession to Admiral Sir Walter Cowan.

i On January 2 a happy gathering assembled at the St. Clair home of Air and Airs T. C. Harrison, who celebrated their golden wedding. It was a family reunion, and those present were Dr T. Harrison and his wif e (Cromwell), Airs English and her husband (Hamilton), Mr s Scott and her husband (Anderson’s Bay), and the grandchildren were brought from far and near Sir Thomas Mackenzie and many other old friends sent congratulations.

Amateur athletes to the number of about 30 assembled at the Caledonian Ground on Wednesday evening for the purpose of bidding farewell to Air Eino Keskinen, the visiting athlete who has done valuable coaching . work among Dunedin runners during his short stay in th e city. Mr . d. D. Rolfe presented Air Keskinen with a pocket wallet and cigarette case, and in doing so referred in eulogistic terms to his services to all branches of Dunedin neld atldetics. Mr F. Gibson also spoke. Mi Koskinen, who hails from Queensland, ablV 3 a Dative ° f Finlan d, replied suit-

Air H. C. Sonith, of Wellington, who has been president of the New Zealand Booksellers’ Association since July, 1921, has retired (says the Wanganui - fe)- -At a social gathering given in Wanganui at the close of the conference, delegates entertained Air South, the new president, Mr G. H. Bennett, presented. him with cheques for himself and Mrs South, eulogising their services to the association.

Bishop Cleary, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, celebrated his 70th birthday on Sunday week last. Although stiff a patient at the Alatcr Alisericordiae HosP? ta b.“ e was able to enjoy a walk during the afternoon, and received a number of callers.’ A fine testimonial to Bishop Cleary s widespread popularity (says the N.Z. Herald) was a large number of messages of congratulation he received from .people of all denominations from different parts of the world. He is making a rapid recovery, and should soon be actively engaged in his work in the diocese. Adjutant Coombs, left by the second express on Friday for Wellington, to which town she has been transferred. A large number of people were on the station to see the popular Salvation Army officer off. Air R. H. Neilson left for Wellington by the second express on Friday. Mr Neilson is a member of the committee which is to select 16 pictures by New Zealand artists for exhibition at the Imperial Gallery at South Kensington. Air W. A. Hayward, Al. Sc., of the Otago University, has been elected an associate of the Institute of Chemists.

Air S. H. Jenkinson, formerly sub-editor of the Otago Daily Times, and latterly assistant sub-editor of the Melbourne Argus, has been spending a few months’ holiday in New Zealand, and is at present in Dunedin. Dr A. W. Hill, director of Kew Gardens, London, and Dr A. H. Cockayne will arrive in Dunedin by the second express on February 1. Mr Arnold Thomas Hilliker, who rescued Aliss Maisy Purvis from drowning at Alilford Beach, Auckland, on Wednesday afternoon, is the youngest son of Mr and Mrs F. E. Hilliker, Lee street, Dunedin. Air A. T. Hilliker, who is 26 years of age, was born in this city and was educated at the High Street and the Otago Boys’ High Schools. He was also for a number of years a prominent member of the St. Clair Life Saving Club. Air Hilliker is at present employed in the Birkenhead Post Office at Auckland. At the meeting of the Otago Harbour Board last week the secretary (Air W. J. Bardsley) reported that, acting under instructions from the chairman, he had forwarded telegrams of condolence to Mrs Alason, wife of the late Air J. Blair Mason, at one time secretary and engineer to the board, and also to Airs Cook, wife of the late Air J. Cook, a member of the firm of Alessrs Stevenson and Cook. The acknowledgements received from Airs Alason and Airs Cook were read at the meeting. Mr Robert C. Carr, who has been a director of the New Zealand Insurance Company, Ltd., for the past 21 years, and prior to that for a considerable time on the board of the New Zealand Accident Insurance Company before its acquirement, recently tendered his resignation owing to ill-health. To fill the vacancy the directors have invited Air Charles I. Nathan to join them. Air Nathan is a well-known citizen of Auckland, and is the endest son of the late Air A. H. Nathan, who from 1893 to 1904 was a director of the New Zealand Insurance Company and in 1903 and 1904 chairman of the board.

The appointment of Dr J. G. Alyers, a young New Zealander, to the staff of the new entomological station at Farnham Royal, is a step in the career of a young man who is now regarded as one of the world’s leading entomologists. Di' Alyers, who is a graduate of Victoria University College, "was (says - the Dominion) once on the scientific staff of the Department of Agriculture attached to the Fields Division, and left New Zealand in 1925 on two years’ leave to take up an 1851 Exhibition Science Scholarship and study at Harvard University. At Victoria University College he obtained his Al. Sc. degree. and at Harvard took his D.Sc. While Dr Alyers was .in the United States he carried out investigations for the Department of Agriculture in England and on the Continent, and represented New Zealand at the Imperial Entomological Conference in 1926. When his studies were concluded he intended to return to the Dominion, but was offered a position in the Imperial Bureau of Entomologyin London, and accepted this. The institute at Farnham Royal. Kent, is a scientific establishment, highly equipped, and operating on much the same lines as the Cawthron Institute in New Zealand. Mr A. H. Fisher left Dunedin on Saturday morning for Wellington. The Rev. W. 8., Airs, and Miss R. Scott left this morning for Central Otago for their annual holiday. Queenstown will bo visited, and the return home will be made via Gore.

Mr N. Al. Ross, deputy-superintendent of the Wanganui Fire Brigade, who has been visiting Dunedin, left by Saturday’s express for the north. Air Ross was formerly a member of the Dunedin Fira Brigade.

By the death of Mr Arthur Bray early this month, Waikouaiti lost one of its oldest identities. The late Mr Bray arrived here by the Lord Wolsey in 1858, and except for a year o r two after his arrival, he resided here ever since. Although he took little or no part in public affairs, Air Bray was widely known, and he was very highly respected by all. Besides his widow, lie leaves a family ol two daughters and three sons —Mrs R. Templeton, jun. (AVaikonaiti), Mrs A. ' Campbell (Christchurch), Mr R. B. Bray (Middlemarch), Mr AV. Bray (Dunedin), Mr S. J. Bray (Waikouaiti),