ABOUT PEOPLE

Southland Times, Issue 17793, 24 July 1916, Page 5

ABOUT PEOPLE

Sir Joseph Ward was confined to his room over the week-end as the result of an attack of influenza. Mr T. B. Handley, J.P., formerly editor of the Marlborough Express, Bienheim, but more recently proprietor of the Orepuki Advocate, has been appointed editor of the Thames Star. Mr R. T. Caldow, who has been on th* staff at the Kaiwarra Railway Workshops for over twelve years, was given a send-off prior to his leaving for Invercargill, whither he has been transferred. Mr McKay, workshop foreman, referred to Mr Caldow’s good relations with the staff, and presented Mr Caldow with a gold-mounted umbrella. Mr F. Norris, honorary - organiser for the National Sendee League, arrived in Invercargill on Saturday night. Ho will speak at any lodge meeting, patriotic meetings, to boy scouts or cadets during his visit. Mr Norris is a South African war veteran, and is devoting a year ot his time voluntarily for the purpose of putting in a plea for the better treatment of returned’ soldiers, and especially those who are wounded or invalided. A smoke concert was heid in the Gorge Road Coronation Hall on Wednesday evening for the purpose pf bidding farewell to Rifleman A. Blomfield (who is home on final leave) and to Mr Arthur O’Brien, who is to leave with the 19th for Trentham. Mr T. P. Beck (chairman), on behalf of the residents of the district, presented Mr A. Blomfield with a case of pipes, and Mr O'Brien with a shaving outfit. ' The chairmau referred to the need of men, congratulated both on volunteering, and wished them a safe return, promising them a hearty welcome. Messrs Blomfield and O’Brien suitably responded. Several other speakers endorsed the chairman’s remarks, and several musical items wer« much enjoyed. The Rev. Jas. Baird lias received a very interesting letter from his son. Captain J. Bruce Baird, R.A.M.C., describing his visit to Buckingham Palaco on 10th May, when he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal from the hands of His Majesty the King. Captain Baird, an old Southland High School boy, went Home soon after the outbreak of war. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and saw service in France, where he was attached to the Black Watch, one of the most famous of Scottish regiments. It was in the great battle at Loos that Captain Baird won the D.C.M. According to the Gazette notice it was awarded “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty from September 23 to 27, 1916, when in charge of different bearer sections collecting wounded in the area between Lone Tree and Hulluch Rond under shell and machine-gun tire.” Captain Baird was a lieutenant at the and won not only the D.C.M. but alnn promotion to the rank of Captain. Captain Baird is at present in charge of an ambulance train conveying woundnd from tbe Flanders front. One who saw Ireland at its worst wh«n landlordism was intolerable and the condition of the people deplorable, passed away at his residence, Earn street, on Wednesday, in the person of John Sheehan, who was 88 years of age at thn time of his death. The deceased experienced the trials and troubles,.of thoae dark days when, in order to pay tbn exorbitant rent charged, many wern forced to go to England occasionally, find work, and with their earnings return. The late Mr Sheehan was born in Mellow (County Cork), and took labouring work at a very small remuneration when he con Id get it, but conditions were so unpromising that he cast his lot in England, remaining in Bristol for some time. Returning to his native land and thing* being no better, he decided to try his fortunes in New Zealand, and thirty-five years ago he and Mrs Sheehan, with their family .set out for the dominion in the s.s. Dunedin, landing at Port Chalmers. They then came down to Invercargill, where the deceased resided until the time of his death. He leave* a widow and six of a family, all grown up.