PERSONALS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1101, 22 August 1917, Page 4

PERSONALS.

Captain Ward was a passenger by the ferry steamer this morning. The Rev. T. W. Potts, Manungaturoto, has accepted a call to the Timaru Congregational Church. Messrs L. W. Whitcombe (Wellington) and Dr O'Sullivan arrived from the north this morning. Mr James Cuiiens, of Dunedin, has accepted the position of assistant engineer to 'the Christchurch Drainage Board.

Mr W. Lee, of Rakaia, who has been seriously ill in the Christchurch Hospital, has now improved, and a good recovery is expected. Among the arrivals from the north this morning were the Rev. Fathers Hay and Herring, and Mr Just, headmaster of the Lyttelton District High School. Sir James Carroll celebrated his sixtieth birthday on Monday, when he received gifts from the Central Club and the Commercial Travellers' Club, Wellington. Mr Frank Campbell, manager of the Wyndham branch, of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, has received a transfer to Christchurch. He leaves to take up his new position in about a fortnight's time. Members of the Ashburton Bowling Club attended in large numbers at the Masonic Hall last evening, in order to farewell their treasurer, Mr J. Stewart, who is taking up land at Dun'sandel. In the course of the evening Mr R. Bell, the chairman, presented the guest with a handsome oak secretaire, as a mark of esteem in which he was held by the members.

Mr Thos. A. Field, M.P., for Nelson, lias received news that his brother-in-law, the Eev. Frank E. Harbord, viear of Dunchureh, Rugby, was killed in France on August 8. Mr Harbord, who was a chaplain in the 8.E.F., had been at the front for a year, and had been through the battle of Messines. In his letters he always spoke in admiration of the New Zealand men, and said no soldiers were thought more of by the English officers. Chaplain-Captain Harbord had also served through the South Afri-, can war as chaplain. He was married to a daughter of Mr Thos. Field, sen., of Auckland, formerly of Nelson. '■

Private Percy James Benbow, second eon of Mr James Benbow, who enlisted with the 22nd Reinforcement, was reported wounded in France on July 26. Prior to enlisting he was farming on Carriantee with his father, who now resides in Otago.

Mr H. D. Atkinson, who joined the staff ojE the Hutt County Council 25 years ago as inspector of works, and for the past 24 years has been clerk and of that body is retiring from aetive duty at the end of the present month. In recognition of his long and faithful service, the council has granted him six months' leave of absence. Private Peter Considine who was admitted to the Walton-on-Thames Hospital on July 21, suffering from bronchitis, was, prior to enlisting with the 18th Reinforcement, working in the Rakaia district for a number of years. He was also engaged in goldmining operations at the mouth of the Rakaia River. His nearest relatives reside in Victoria.

Staff Sergt.-Major Massey, of the Christchurch District Defence Office, has left for Trentham, where he expects orders to proceed to the front. Since the outbreak of the war, he has been connected with the Recruiting Office, and before he left, he was presented by Captain Northcote, officer in charge of the Recruiting Office, with a handsome leather wallet. He is the ,third son of Mr and Mrs C. B. Massey, and had two brothers in the Main Body."

A cable has been received from the Base Records Office stating that Rfm. J. R. Walter, of Marshland, has been admitted to the Brockenhurst Hospital in London, where he has been operated on for ventra hernia following on appendicitis, for which he was operated on last February. Prior to this he was wounded in the Somme battle in October last year, and conveyed to London, where, after being in hospital some time, he had to undergo an operation.

Major Dudley, Commandant of Awapuni Camp, has received an appointment for service abroad. Major Gabitea, who has joined the camp staff, succeeds Major Dudley as Commandant. His Excellency the Governor-General last night, at Auckland, presented to Mr John Cullen, ex-Commissioner of Police, the King's Police Medal, the first to come to New Zealand, states a Press Association message. The Prime Minister (the Bight Hon. W. F. Massey) stated last evening in the House that he had forwarded a congratulatory cablegram to Captain J. G. Coates, M.P., upon the distinction he had received. He added that he hoped Captain Coates would not be the last of the members of the New Zealand Parliament at the front to win distinction.