PERSONALS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 884, 9 December 1916, Page 7

PERSONALS.

Corporal P. »T # Amodeo. formerly a solicitor in this city, is now in town on leave.

Messrs M. A. Key (Auckland) and .1. A. Munro (Sydney) are staying at the Clarendon Hotel.

Mr A. A. Eeddie, a returned soldier, has been appointed to the position of county clerk to the Geraldiue County Council.

Messrs P. 11. B. Ashum (Auckland). and P. P. C. Lovallor (Auckland) arc among the guests at the United Service Hotel.

Visitors to Warner's Hotel include Messrs L. A. Russell (Dunedin), J. L. Webb "(Wellington), A. B. Thomson (Auckland), and Corporal T. W. Bell (Teniuka).

Private advice received in Gisborno states that Private Prank Ratcliffe, who left with the 7th Reinforcement, has been recommended for the Victoria Cross for rescuing wounded under fir ■ during the battle of the Somme. Br W. N. Benson, lecturer on geology at the Sydney University, has been selected by the Otago University Council as the successor to Dr Marshall. Professor of Geology, who has accepted the rectorship at Wanganui College. There were 11 applications for the position.

Lieuts. 11. P. N. Jarvis, G. D. Hill. and S. Simpson, Chief Mechanic C. Butcher, and Second Mechanic A. 11. Ritchie, members of the New Brighton Motor Boat Club, left by Wednesday night's boat to join he Motor Boat Patrol. The Minister of Defence has intimated to the Otago University Council that Dr I'ickerill would be required at Home as a jaw specialist in the treatment of injured soldiers. The necessary leave has been granted, and during his absence it has been arranged that Mr 0. V. Davies should undertake some of his work.

Mjr H. F. Johnston, who was in New Zealand some time ago with the survey yacht Carnegie, has enlisted in Canada in the University of Toronto Officers' Training Company, and has been appointed to the position of assistant to the superintendent of compasses and compass adjustment for the .admiralty. He carries the rank of lieutenant.

News received from 'England states that Lieut. Roy J. Fitzgerald, son of the late Mr William C. Fitzgerald, who was for many years in Wellington as a chemist, has been awarded the Military Cross, in recognition of his services during the Sominc battle, lie enlisted early in the war in the 12th Gloucestershire Regiment. He has two brothers at the front.

Captain Starnes, who has been awarded the D.5.0., belongs to the Nelson district, ivhere, prior to his joining the Expeditionary Forces, he was engaged in fruit growing. He left with the Main Expeditionary Force, with the rank of lieutenant. Up took part in the Gallipoli campaign, and was wounded during thebig attack in August. He was sent to England, and on recovery returned to Egypt, where he received his promotion. He went with the New Zealauders to France, fliwl his gallantry at Flers was described in one of Mr Philip Gibbs' graphic messages. Captain Starnes is described by an old comrade-in-arms as "one of those quiet young fellows, who always did the right thing at the right time.'''