PERSONAL.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14865, 12 September 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL.

It is understood that Mr. H. Atmore ex-M.P. for Nelson, will be a candidate tor the Wellington Central seat.

Miss Kathleen Levi, who won the Sterndalo Bennett Prize at the Royal Academy .of Music, for pianoforte playing, has also been awarded Chap pell juul Sons' gold medal for the best pfaying by lady students at the annual examination. She played two of her own compositions at the Wigmore Hall. Miss Levi belongs to Dunediii.

A private cablegram records the death in England of Mr. Samuel Hallamore, who was well known in New Zealand as manager and iiispectpr of the Union Bank, and was subsequently general manager for Australasia. He retired seven years ago.

Private F. Jones, reported wounded, is a son of the Hon. George Jones, M.L.C., of Oamarn. Prior to his enlistment for active service, Private Jones Vias editor of the Oamaru "Mail."

Word has been received that Captain E. A. Winchester. M.C., who left with the 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, has 'been Mounded, and is now in a hospital iv France.

Mr Stratford, the lately arrived Government orehardist, who is to work with Mr Courtier in the Canterbury province, was cordially welcomed at a meeting of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association.

Mr W. Surrell received word yesterday afternoon- of the death of his father, Mr Geoige Sujjell. and lpffc by the Kaitoa last evening in order to be present at his funeral.. The late Mr Surrell was a very old and highly respected resident of Wellington, and had been connected with the Wellington City Council for over 25 years. He leaves two sons Mr W. Surrell, of Nelson, and Gunner Andrew Surrell, who has been on active service for over three years, and two daughters, Mrs Still and Miss Surrell both of -Wellington.

1 he-death occurred at Kihikihi, Waikyto, last week, of Mrs. Lee,, who, as Miss Nelhe Gage, many years : ago was a iurourite singer on the amateur concert platform in Wellington. She was a sister of Dave Gage (the finest allround back that New Zoaland ever put into the Rugby field) and of Joe Gage, formerly of the Government Printmo Office. .

Sergeant-Major _ Lawrence Meuli (killed) was a prominent Wanganui footballer. He left New Zealand in October, 191(3, as a sergeant with the 18th Reinforcements, and on arrival at Slin<i he was detained there for instructional .purposes. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant-major, and when the latest news was received from him in France he was expecting to return to England for a commission.

At the Drill Hall, Wellington, on Monday evening, the Governor-Generai presented three decorations won during the war. In every case the soldier who won the honour is now dead, and the decoration's were received by relatives. Mrs. J. Keir (widow), Seatoun, received the Military Cross awarded to Captain J. Keir (deceased), Ist Battalion Wellington Regiment. Mr. W. H. Gavin (brother), on behalf of Mrs. L. Gavin (mother), Hatton street, Karori, received the Military Cross a^id the Bar awarded to Captain N. J. H. Gavin deceased), R.A.M.C. Mrs. Tait (mother), Stirling streot, Karori, received the Military Cross awarded to Lieutenant K. J. Taib (deceased), Auckland Mounted Rifles.

After his return from the Antarctic last year Sir Ernest Shackleton. was sent on a special mission by the Imperial Government to South America., lie' Vent fcack to London in April last, and after, preparing an important report he was given charge of a certain ex 4 pcditiou connected with military operations. He holds the rank of major in the' British Army, and has serving r,nder him several of the members of his Antarctic expedition. Mr. Frank |Wild is his second in command, and Dr. j M'llroy. and Dr. Macklin are also with him. Sir Ernest Shackleton expected to return to London this month. i

Private advice has been received by Mr. ,S. Hill, of Auckland, that his son, Lieutenant W. J. R. Hill, formerly a member of the Auckland "Herald and Wellington "Evening Post" reporting staffs, is dangerously ill in hospital in France. Lieutenant Hill is sufferng from a gunshot wound in the back, the missile having penetrated his spine. He was a member of the advance guard which occupied Samoa, and, sailing later/with the Fifth Reinforcements, took part in the fighting on Gallipoli. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in France, and returned to New Zealand last year with the rank of second-lieutenant. He left again for France towards the end of last year.

Tlie death lias occurred at Onehunga of Mrs. Elizabeth Yates, formerly Mayor of that .borough. Mrs. Yates and her late husband had the unique record of having both in turn occupied the. mayoral chair. Mrs. Yates was elected Mayor of Onehunga in 1893, and continued in office for one year. She was the first woman to preside over a council in New Zealand. She was also the first of her sex to be elected mayor of any borough in the British : Empire. By virtue of her office, Mrs. Yates was also the only woman Justice of the Peace in the British Empire at that period. This fact was referred to in a letter forwarded by the late Queen Victoria to; Mrs. Yates, expressing satisfaction at the position achieved by v,omen in New Zealand. Mrs. Yates, who died at the ago of 78. was bern in ■■Cais-hvS-s; Scotland. '