ABOUT PEOPLE

Southland Times, Issue 21431, 27 June 1931, Page 4

ABOUT PEOPLE

MINISTERIAL. The Hon. W. B. Taverner was granted seven days’ leave of absence in the House of Representatives yesterday on account of illness, advises our Parliamentary reporter. Mr J. R. Hamilton left Winton during the week on a visit to Christchurch. Mr P. A. N. Williams, of Christchurch, has arrived in Invercargill to join the pleasure yacht Mandalay. Mr .Alex. Derbio,.manager of the Southland Frozen Meat Company, returned from Wellington by the express yesterday afternoon. Mr P. A. Bradley, stationmaster at Winton, left at the beginning of the week on annual leave, and during his absence Mr A. Auld will fill his position. Mr W. Grieve has been appointed by the Southland Education Board as its representative on the executive of the Southland League for the current year. Messrs D. J. Wcsney and J. R. Haigh, who represented the Southland Motor Association at the quarterly meeting of the South Island Motor Union at Timarti, returned to Invercargill by the express yesterday afternoon.

Mr S. Dickey, who for the past seven and a-half years has been manager of Dickeys, Ltd., has resigned his position to accept a responsible position with the Bristol Piano Company, Christchurch, and left for Christchurch yesterday afternoon.

Consequent upon the retirement; at the end of this month of Mr Newton from the position of Under—Secret ary for Internal Affairs, Mr P. J. Kelleher, Assistant Under-Secretary, has been appointed to succeed him, and commences his duties on July 1.-Press Association message. At the annual meeting of the Southland branch of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture last evening Mr J. A. McPherson, superintendent of city reserves, was presented by the executive with a smoker’s outfit in recognition of his services in founding the branch and his work as its secretary.

Dr R. H. Stewart, medical registrar at Christchurch Hospital, tendered his resignation on Wednesday to the North Canterbury Hospital Board. Dr Stewart stated that he wished to return to England and practice, and he intended leaving the hospital on August 10. “I am grateful to the hospital for the opportunity it has afforded me of seeing New Zealand,” stated Dr Stewart. His resignation was accepted.

Mrs Ellen Gavey, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Clifton, died on Tuesday last at Invercargill at the advanced age of' 82 years. She and her late husband, Mr Frank Gavey, settled at Clifton in the early days, and carved out a home for themselves. The family early identified themselves with tiie Christ Church (Anglican) where their son, Mr Frank Gavey, is at present a lay reader. Mrs A. Cooper, of Princes street, is a daughter. Mrs Gavey was a kindly natured, neighbourly woman and was beloved by all who knew her.

An adventurous career was closed on Saturday by the death of Mr Edward John Martin, of Foxton, aged 91 years. When a young man he was attached to the French Foreign Legion and served with the French transport service during the Crimean War. At Balaclava he deserted and succeeded in boarding one of the British vessels engaged in the bombardment of Sebastapol. In 1863 the late Mr Martin arrived in New Zealand aboard the ship Accrington. At Lyttelton he left the vessel, which, after leaving New Zealand, was lost with all hands. For the next fourteen years he was engaged in various occupations in the South Island, including gold mining on the West Coast. In 1877 the deceased married and settled in Christchurch, where he went into business as a well borer. Two years later he went to the North Island and settled in Palmerston North, where he continued operating as a well-borer. About twenty-five years ago he removed to Foxton, where he resided until the time of his death.

Mr J. W. Railion, ticket inspector, New Zealand Railways, Invercargill, who recently retired on superannuation, was met by a representative body of railwaymen and as a small token of the esteem in which he was held by all of the railwaymen of Southland he was presented with a travelling rug for himself and a Royal Amphora ware vase for Mrs Railton. Mr J. A. Lindsay, acting district traffic manager, made the presentation and eulogized the many sterling qualities of Mr Railton and referred to the high esteem in which he was held by the management. He was sorry to lose such a conscientious officer, but all members of the department had to face retirement sooner or later and as Mr Railton was in splendid health he hoped he would be long spared to enjoy his well-earned retirement. Mr F. J. Raines, acting chief clerk in the district traffic manager’s office, also spoke highly of Mr Railton’s capabilities and of his cheery nature which went a long way in helping him to make a success of a position which brought him in contact with the public in many ways. His position demanded tact and this he exercised in all cases. Of course there were times when the public did not see eye to eye with him but nevertheless his tact and cheery manner invariably succeeded in bringing about an amicable settlement. Mr W. 11. Jarman, acting stationmaster, also spoke highly of Mr Railton, and on behalf of the guards Messrs J. Aitken, W. Currie and W. Gardner spoke stressing their guest’s fairness at all times and his willingness to assist should the occasion arise. Mr Railton expressed, on behalf of Mrs Railton and himself, sincere thanks for the handsome presents and the many kind expressions made by the various speakers