ABOUT PEOPLE

Southland Times, Issue 17652, 9 February 1916, Page 6

ABOUT PEOPLE

Miss Iwa Skerret (of Bluff) is at present touring England with Aladame Ada Crossley, the famous vocalist.

East week Mrs Searell, Yarrow street, received word that her daughter, Nurse •Searell, had left Alexandria for England in the hospital ship Gascon. The death is announced at Christchurch of Air 11. G. Hornibrook, a well-known citizen and father of Mr I'. A. Hornibrook, whose work as a physical cultuie expert is known throughout New Zealand.

Mr A. H. Oxley, who has been assistant superintendent in the local Telegraph Office since the retirement of Mr Bush, lias been transferred to Nelson and went forward yesterday afternoon. The vacant position is being tilled temporarily by Mr C. K. Holt. Recent enlistments for the Reinforcements include Mr Joseph Hazlett, of South Hillcnd, and Mr R. C. Patterson, of the same locality. Hr Hazlett is a prosperous farmer with a valuable property (says the Winton Record), and must be heartily congratulated on making the sacrifice.

Sapper Hutchins, of Waimntaitai, formerly employed at the Timaru Railway Station, will leave for the war tills week for the third time’. He first went away as a member of the Samoan Force: ra-r turning from there lie became a member of the Reinforcements, and saw a good deal of active service at the Dardanelles, where lie was eventually wounded and invalided home. Having recovered from his wounds, he was passed by the Medical Board last week as fit for service again, and he will go into camp at Trcntham this week.

Mrs Eleanor Cooper, who died at her residence, Shakespeare road, last week, was Napier’s oldest resident, halving been within a month and one day of 91 years of age. Deceased was born at Henley-on-Thames, and lived in the reigns of George IV., William IV., Victoria, Edward VII., and George V. During her lifetime steamers, gas as an illuminant, telegraph, telephones, and electric lighting and power have all been introduced. Airs Cooper arrived in Auckland with her husband in 1860 in the old Blue Jacket. Th.e family went to Mangonui, and in 1874 removed to Napier.

Two Japanese citizens, Mr S. Kawanishi, of Kobe ,and Mr T. Hibiya, of Tokio, who are at present visiting Christchurch, expect to leave the Bluff for Melbourne about February 16. Their fathers are prominent in the wool manufacturing industry in Japan, and the young men are here to arrange for supplies of the raw material. Their visit was originally intended solely for Australia,but good accounts of New Zealand which they received while in Sydney induced them to extend the tour. The visitors say that in Japan the war is the absorbing topic, and the making of munitions has become a great and growing industry.

Last Monday the North Canterbury Educational Institute nominated Mr T. S. Foster, M.A., Principal of the Christchurch Normal Training College, as representative of the South Island teachers on the Council of Education, in succession to Mr J. Caughley, M.A., who has been appointed Assistant-Director of Education. Mr Foster was for many years the headmaster of the West Christchurch School, after which he was appointed as an inspector of schools. He became Chief Inspector in course of time and now holds the position of Principal of the Training College, and lecturer on Educatian at the Canterbury University College. The New Zealand Educational Institute claims Mr Foster as one of its founders, and elected him as President in IS9S. He was the first president of the North Canterbury Education Institute, was treasurer for three years, and still holds office on the executive. Mr Foster is well-known as one of the leading educationists in New Zealand, and the teachers are naturally pleased that Mr Foster has consented to 'be nominated, as they feel that in his hands their interests will be zealously advanced.