ABOUT PEOPLE

Southland Times, Issue 19457, 22 January 1925, Page 4

ABOUT PEOPLE

MINISTERIAL. It has been definitely arranged that the Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Minister of Marine), will leave Auckland on January 29 for New York. It is understood that his trip is prompted by the desire of his eol leagues that he lose no possible chance of improvement in his physical condition. If opportunity offers, be will visit Canada to discuss tariff questions. Sergeant Packer, late of Timaru, arrived in’ Bluff yesterday to take charge of the Police Force there. Mr G. V. Edge, of Bluff, is at present on a holiday fishing trip to the West Coast Sounds on the steamer Awarua. ’A Sydney cable records the death of the Rev John Nicholas Cocks, a prominent Congregational minister. Mr John Neil, of Napier, formerly secretary to the Southland Education Board, is at present on a visit to Invercargill. Mr Gordon Corbet, of the staff of J. G. Ward and Co., Invercargill, returned by the steamer Manuka last night after a holiday visit to Sydney and Melbourne. Senior-Sergeant Martin, who has been transferred from Bluff on promotion Io Wellington, passed through Invercargill yesterday on his way north. Mr and Mrs M. George, Wellington, arrived from Melbourne by the liner Manuka last night, and will leave Invercargill for the north by the first express this morning. After rendering faithful and unbroken sendee to the Bluff Harbour Board for over 3f) years as signalman, Mr John Burrage has resigned his position. Mrs R. C. Lindsay and her daughter, Miss J. M. Lindsay, of Waianawa, who have been on a nine months' tour of Britain and Europe, returned 4o Southland last week. It is understood that Mr Justice Hosking, of Wellington, who is nearing his time of retirement, will occupy the Supreme Court bench at Auckland for at least three months of the period during which Mr Justice Stringer will be absent on leave. That misfortunes never come singly in families was evidenced recently in the case of Mr and Mrs W. Walker, Otautau. A week or two ago their son, Robert, met with an accident from a horse, from the effects of which he has practically recovered. Word was received on Monday evening that an older son, John, was in a serious condition in the Dunedin Hospital. On receiving this advice Mr and Mrs Walker immediately left for Dunedin. Mr R. A. Farkuharson, formerly of Dunedin, who was the New Zealand Rhodes Scholar in 1906, arrived in England in the spring from Somaliland, accompanied by Mrs Farquharson, and has for some months been engaged in writing up a report of the geology and mineral resources of British Somaliland for the Colonial Office, and now he is making preparations to institute further investigations of a few areas. On the completion of the report Mr and Mrs Farquharson spent some time in Paris, prior to their departure on their way back to East Africa.

Mr Albert R. Bateman, formerly in the employ of Duff Bros., Edievale, for seven years and a-half, who has been appointed to the position of assistant stock agent for the Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association at Waitahuna, was tendered a public farewell, and was the recipient of a gold watch, chain, and wallet as a tangible token of the firm’s esteem. Mr Alex. McLachlan, who had held that position for the last two years at Waitahuna, and who has been promoted to the Milton branch of the same firm as assistant agent, was presented with an auto shaving outfit from the Wailahuna Lawn Tennis Club. It is officially announced that Captain J. S. M. Ritchie, R.N., son of Mrs J. M. Ritchie, of Dunedin, who was promoted a year ago, after being in the gunnery division of the Royal Naval Staff, has begun duty at the Ordnance Committee at Woolwich, of which he becomes naval member, in succession to Captain St. Aubyn Wake, who has been appointed to command the Cardiff as flag-captain and chief staff officer to the rear-admiral commanding Third Cruiser Squadron. Captain Ritchie served during the war as gunnery officer of the battleship St. Vincent, which was commanded by Captain W. W. Fisher at Jutland, and he was afterwards in the Anti-Submarine Division at the Admiralty, of which Captain Fisher was director.

Hie burial of the remains of Gordon Donald Watson, who was killed in the motor accident near Gore on Sunday last, took place at the Anderson Bay Cemetery, Dunedin, on Tuesday. Deceased, who left New Zealand with the 29th Reinforcements, saw service in the fighting line in France. Prior to leaving Dunedin some months ago to enter the service of the legal firm of Messrs Bowler and Bannerman, at Gore, he was an enthusiastic member of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers Choir, and took a keen interest in the affairs of the Dunedin R.S.A. Representatives of the Association and the Choir attended the funeral. Numerous wreaths were forwarded from the Tennis Club and Golf Club at Gore, and from friends.

Mr W. A. Mansell, of the Post and Telegraph Department, has just retired on supperannuation. Prior to his departure from Wellington, he was farewelled by the members in the inspectoral branch. The Chief Inspector (Mr R. D. Kelly) said he was sorry Mr Mansell had decided to retire, as he was doing good work as an inspector and was still full of energy. In extending hearty good wishes for the future Mr Kelly, on behalf of the staff, presented Mr Mansell with a handsome hall clock. In acknowledging the gift and the kindly remarks of the Chief Inspector, the recipient said he was sorry to part with such loyal fnends as he had in the service generally, particularly in the inspectoral branch. The Department had been a good master and he had endeavoured to be a faithful servant. Mr Mansell entered the service at Christchurch, where he was stationed until 1907. Since that time he has occupied jxisitions as postmaster at Ross, Leeston, Riverton and Lower Hutt. From the last mentioned office he was appointed inspector. Mr Mansell has decided to settle in Christchurch.