ABOUT PEOPLE

Southland Times, Issue 20011, 27 October 1926, Page 6

ABOUT PEOPLE

Captain F. C. Foster returned to Invercargill by the express last evening. Mr S. Bowman, manager of the Waitaki Dairy Company Dunedin, was a passenger to Invercargill by last night’s express. Mr S. Benn ell, manager of the Bristol Piano Company, Dunedin, arrived in Invercargill by last night’s express. Miss Vida Todd, who has been appointed to work in association with Dr. R. Collier, school medical officer, is expected to arrive in Invercargill during the coming week. A Sydney cable states that a Chinese pastor, Mr Liang, has arrived at Sydney by rhp steamer St. Albans en route for New Zealand. Sir James Allen left Dunedin by the 11.30 train yesterday for Timaru. He intends to go on to Wellington to-day, and be at Palmerston North for' the week-end. Senior-Sergeant Scandrett. who has been stationed in Invercargill since February, 1922, has been transferred to Westport, where he will be in charge. Mr E. P. Norman, Wellington’s new town clerk accompanied by his family arrived in Wellington yesterday by the Maheno. states a Press Association message. He will take up his duties immediately. A Wellington telegram states: “The personnel was announced yesterday by the At-torney-General of the Royal Commission set up by the Government to inquire into and report upon grievances of the Maoris in respect to native lands confiscated after the Maori War. The Commission is to consist of Judge Sim (chairman), Hon. Vernon Reed and Mr W. Cooper. Mr V. E. Sanders, secretary and treasurer of the Thames Harbour Board, has been appointed clerk and treasurer of the Dannevirke Power Board from 138 applicants, states a Dannevirke Press Association message. Last Friday afternoon Mr T. O. Fcx was met by a semi-official gathering consisting of members of the Public Works, Quarry, Abattoir and Waterworks staffs and made the recipient of a small presentation. Opportunity was taken at the same time of welcoming the newlv appointed engineer, Mr E. A. Gumbley. In making the presentation Mr R. A. Strang. Foreman of Works, referred to the good quality of the work done by their guest and wished him the best of luck in his new position. These remarks were heartily endorsed by the heads of the departments. Mr Fox suitably replied. The death of Mr Fred Pirani, the wellknown newspaper proprietor and journalist, is announced by a Press Association message from Wellington. Born in Melbourne in 1859, Mr Pirani arrived in New Zealand in 1864. He finished his apprenticeship as printer at the Wanganui Herald in 1879 and purchased the Manawatu Standard in 1891. He held almost every public office in Palmerston North and was elected to Parliament from 1893 till 1902, when he retired for private reasons. A very pleasant function took place on Saturday morning at the Lands and Deeds Registry office when the staffs of the Lands and Deeds and Stamp Duties Departments met to say farewell to Mr H. 0. Govan, Assistant Land Registrar, who has recently been promoted to the position of District Land Registrar and Assistant Commissioner of Stamp Duties at Blenheim. The opportunity was taken to present Mr Govan with a case of stainless cutlery and a set of military hair brushes. Mr J. A. Fraser, District Land Registrar, in making the presentation referred in glowing terms to the efficiency with which Mr Govan’s duties had been performed, and, while congratulating him on his well-merited promotion, expressed regret at his departure. Mr P. E. M ebb, Land Transfer Draughtsman, and Mr F. Downey endorsed Mr Fraser’s remarks and made eulogistic reference to the happy relationship that had always existed between Mr Govan and the staff. Mr Govan in a happy speech thanked the staff for their handsome presents and stated that he was sorry to sever his connection with the local office where he had spent over eight years. Mr Govan was also farewelled on Friday by the Law Society, Mr A. M. Macdonald, the president, stating that he had always been most courteous and j obliging to members of the legal profession. I Messrs V. Raines and 6. S. Longuet also ; spoke. Mr Govan suitably replied. Mr ‘ Govan left for Blenheim by the mid-day i express on Monday.