PERSONAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 75, 26 February 1918, Page 5

PERSONAL.

Wanganui's oldest resident, Mr Ed ward Hines, celebrated his 93rd birth day on Wednesday last.

Lance-Corporal H. Fake, of the New Zealand Engineers, who has been awarded the Military Medal ? is 35 years of age. and was educated at the Newtown School.

The Rev. J. W. Burton, a former minister of ; Whiteley Church, New Plymouth, will visit New Zealand probably during June and July as a foreign missionarj'- deputation.

Mural tablets to the memory of Lieut. L. W. Metfli and Corporal A. J. Gilmour both of whom have fallen in the war, and a Roll of Honor of about 60 names were unveiled at the Presbyterian Church, Manaia, last week.

Mr Cross the father of Mr A. Cross of Morrinsville, is within five months of reaching the century ■■ and has the distinction of being the oldest Crimean veteran alive, having served through that great campaign as a trooper in the renowned Scots Greys He won the .V.C, during the war, and has for over 60 years drawn pension of £lO attached to it.

The Hon. Colonel Baillie, M.L.C., celebrated his- ninety-first birthday Friday last. Owing to a recent family bereavement the birthday was kept very quietly, only a few old friends visiting him, but many congratulatory telegrams were received during the day, one being from the Bishop of Nelson conveying greetings from that diocese.

Dr. Steven, who has recently been Suffering from the effects of overwork, for some months has been trying to obtain a locum tenens and had decided to have Dr. Gordon's services as soon as Dr. Paget returned, but last' week his throat troubled him. Alarming symptoms rapidly developed and he had to admit himself to the observation ward at the local hospital. His many friends will be pleased to learn that he is much improved but it will be a little while before he is well enough to take his holiday. In the meantime Dr Gordon is looking after his private practice and Dr. Cooper is taking his place at the hospital, but Dr. Ferguson, of Palmerston North, is expected by the mail train to-night to take charge. . Gunner "Paddy" Murphy, who fell in action in France on the 4th of this month, was, says the Riverlea correspondent of the Star, one of the most promising athletes of Taranaki, when nearly three years ago he answered the call. As a wrestler he had few equals, and was also a promising boxer and a runner of considerable speed; It was in football, however, that I came mostly into contact with him, and had he lived I. am quite sure he would have won the All Black jersey before his career had ended. He ; comenced his football as a second junior of the Kaponga club, and quickly rose to the seniors, and he-. fore he left had already gained a place in the. Taranaki B representative team. He was a keen and hard player, but always a good sport. Personally he was a light-hearted and good comrade, and was liked by all who knew him, and it came as a great shock to liis many friends to hear of his "death.