ABOUT PEOPLE

Southland Times, Issue 20791, 4 June 1929, Page 6

ABOUT PEOPLE

The members of the visiting Dunedin men’s hockey team left Invercargill by the 4 o’clock train for Gore, where they were to connect with a special express to Dunedin. Mr W. Young, lighthouse-keeper at Moeraki, has been appointed to the staff at Dog Island. He replaces Mr F. Babbage, who is now in the employ of the Bluff Harbour Board. Messrs A. W. Jones (chairman), R. Brownlie (secretary), and J. C. Thomson, of the Education Board, returned to Invercargill yesterday from Wellington, where they have been attending an educational conference. News has been received from Hamilton of the death of Mr Peter Salvester Kirker, youngest son of Mrs Kirker, of 174 Biggar street, Invercargill, and the late William Kirker. He was born at Riversdale in January, 1900, and was educated at the Wyndham Public School and the Southland Boys’ High School. He joined the staff of the Bank of New Zealand at Invercargill at the. age of 16 years, being transferred subsequently to Oamaru and Hamilton, and was promoted to the position of accountant at Pukekohe. He held this position at the time of the accident which eventually led to his death. Of a quiet and reserved disposition, Mr Kirker was well liked by all who knew him. He was married to Nita, daughter of Mr and Mrs Ewan, of Hamilton. He leaves a widow and one son to mourn their loss, and to them the sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended. Mr T. R. Toovey, Principal Assistant to the General Manager, Port of London Authority, is visiting New Zealand as part of a world tour to make better known the marketing and distributing facilities of the Port of London, and to confer with producers and shippers in regard to the great volume of merchandise which goes to London every year. During the tour, Mr Toovey will' endeavour to inspect the port facilities of the Dominion to gain ideas which may be of value to the Port of London. He is accompanied by Mr R. Letch, of the Authority’s Commercial Department, and they have already spent three months visiting the principal cities of Australia. Mr Toovey is expected to arrive in Invercargill next Monday evening. He has spent, his business life of over 30 years in the Port, of London, and has had practical experience in all branches of the service. He was the staff manager of the Authority for several years, and was intimately connected with the organizing of the Port Labour Registration and Conciliation schemes which have proved so successful in London. During the last seven years he has been closely connected with the general management of the Port.