PERSONAL.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 24, 26 March 1918, Page 3

PERSONAL.

Mrs W. H. Smith’s friends will bo glad to hear she is now reported out of danger after her serious operation. The friends of Mr Frank Galloway will bo pleased to hear that he was successfully operated upon at Brougham Street Hospital, Wellington, yesterday. In a letter just received it is stated that Mr Clarence Mills has recovered from his attack of trench fever. He was tc leave the hospital for a fortnight’s visit to Scotland.

Captain J. B Hinc, M.P. for Stratford, returned to New Zealand to-day in charge of a draft of soldiers invalided home from a campaign in Palestine. Captain Hinc, who was second in command of the second Wellington squadron of Mounted Rifles, left New Zealand in October, 1916, and since that time has been on active service in Egypt and Palestine. The saddest feature of the disastrous Arcs which recently devastated Kaetihi and surrounding district was the finding of the bodies of Mr J. Akerstcn, his wife and child, who were unable to escape the flamos. Mr Akcrsten was a native of Kaikoura, where he resided until recently. Mrs G. Stokes, of Kaikoura, is his sister, and he was a nephew of Mr Akersten of Havelock. Sympathy is extended to the relatives of the unfortunate family.

Mr and Mrs Thompson have received several sympathetic tributes on the death of their son Bruce, who was killed in action at the latter end of last year. One of his mates writes from Belgium: “He and I were mates in England and later in France, and it eomes as a great blow to me to know that our friendship has ended. I need not toll you how straight he was in all his ways and true to his mates—that always seemed to me his greatest characteristic.” “The late Private Bruce Thompson had only been in the fighting line three days when a shell landed a few yards from him while on guard duty, a splinter from which killed him instantly.

Mr W. H. Marriott was installed Worshipful Master of Lodge Havelock on Saturday evening last. There was a most representative gathering of Masons from all parts of the district, including Picton, Blenheim, and Nelson. Worshipful Bro. C. H. Mills was the Installing Master. The following is the full list of officers for the ensuing year:—W.M. Bro. W. H. Marriott; 1.P.M., Wor. Bro. W. A. Eussell; S.W. Bro. E. J. Eocho; J.W., Bro. L. S. Humphries; Chaplain, Wor. Bro. A. H. Scott; Treasurer, Bro. E. B. Williams; Secretary, Bro. A. E. Barrowclough; S.D., Bro. J. B. Torrance; J.D., Bro. E. Forrest; I. G., Bro. F. G., Thomas; Tyler, Bro. W. E. Bead; Stewards, Bros. W. Hears and J. M. Twidle; Director of Ceremonies, Wor. Bro. Thomas (P.G.5.8.)