PERSONALS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1012, 10 May 1917, Page 4

PERSONALS.

Mr ,1. London has been elected chair man of the Otago Harbour Hoard. The Acting Prime Minister, Sir .las. Allen, returned to Wellington hist evening. Visitors to Warner's Hotel include Messrs W. (Scott ( Dunediii) and J. Arnold ( London.). Mr R. M. Speirs has boon appointed a member of the Licensing Committee for the distrid of Axon. .Messrs C. B. Shaw (Trent h.-inn and 11. 11. Hriarley < Wellington) are slaying at the United Service Hotel. Air J. A. Sim, who recently returned invalided from England, has resumed his position as associate to Mr Justice Sim. Messrs C. McDonald (Dunedin). P. McEvedy (Dunedin), and 11. .1. IMpli (Wellington) are among the guests at the Clarendon. Major-General Sir A. Robin. Cominrin dant 'of the New Zealand Forces, who was coiilined to his home through illness. is reported to be much improved in health. Mi- C. W. W. H. Hughes left Dunedin for the north on Tnesdnv. In due course be will proceed to England, and thence to Fram-o. to take charge of the Y.M.C.A. work in the interests of New Zealand soldiers. Trooper Clutha Mackenzie, son of Sir Thomas Mackenzie, New Zealand High Commissioner, who was blinded in tho lighting at CaHipoli, has returned to New Zealand, lie is now in Wellington, and will be (here Cor some days prior to leaving for the south on a visit to his relatives. Draughts players throughout Austin lia and New Zealand will regret to hear of the death of I'rivate Francis T. Rest, who eras killed in action in Frame on March 2li. lie was for many years draughts champion of Victoria, and he and his brother, John Host, did much to popularise the game in Australia.

Lieut. Gerald Mathias, son of Mr Lewis Mathias, Fairviow, South Canterbury, has been awarded the Military Cross. After leaving school he was farming in the south, but soon after the outbreak of the war joined the Canterbury Mounted Rides, and has seen a good deal of service with the troops in Fgypt. The official note attached to the award says: "He led his troops with great courage am! determination, and as a result between 40 and 50 of the enemy were taken prisoners." Mr C. 0. Trownson, Collector of Customs and Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, at Blenheim, has received notice of transfer to Wellington, where he will act as an examining officer on the wharf. Mr William Sibbald has been appointed to succeed Mr Trownson. Mr Sibbald was formerly Collector of Customs at Dunedin. and has been living in retirement for some years, but offered. to rejoin the service, in view of the drain caused on the department's staff by the war. Nelson papers record the death of Mr W. (~'. Barley, 82 years of age. who had been closely identified with Nelson for a great number of years, but for some considerable time had not been engaged in active business. Until recently, however, he was a familiar figure in and about the city. The late Mr Barley leaves a, widow and a son and daughter. Captain Carol Barley, who is at present home on sack leave from the front, and Miss C. Barley, of Nelson. The other son, the late Captain 11. S. Hurley, was killed in action in France some months ago. Sergeant !!. Fllen, of Kaiapoi, is returning to New Zealand to receive a commission. Sergeant Ellen, who was wool-buyer for the Kaiapoi Woollen Co., left with the sth Reinforcement: (Infantry), going direct to (iallipoli, and seeing service there. He contracted gastritis, and was invalided to Malta and Bug-land. On recovery he rejoined his company in Fgypt, and proceeded with them to France, where he has been up to the present, lie took part in the memorable battle of the Somme, and was awarded the Military Medal, and shortly afterwards recommended for a commission.