PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1916, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Mr. E. Sysses, of Waverley, it sert« ously ill. Mr. J. C. Brechin, of Wanganui, cele« brated his 94th birthday last week. Amongst those who enlisted at Auckland last week was Mr. E. R. Bloofafield, of Reamer a, brother of the lats Colonel W. R. Bloomfield.

The Rev. C, C, Harper, formerly vicar of Patea, and more' recently of St, Peter's, Wellington, has secured on# qf the richest benefices in the South of England, the parish of Xewing, to Which Mr. Harper was recently appointed, being worth, according to the Bristol Times, about £I2OO a yeat net, together with a fine residence. A telegram has been sent by the Prime Minister to Mr. C. Mackay, Mayor of Wanganui, who has enlisted, as follows:—"Permit me to congratulate you on your expressed intention to join ono of the New Zealand Reinforcements fpr service at the front.' Your action as ■ public man will have not only it good effect throughout the Dominion,/ but Is a further proof that New Zealanders are determined to do their full share in the war in which the Empire is engaged, and that no sacrifice is too great to maintain the honor of Britain, and assist in bringing about a victory Which we all desire and which must comje before there is a slackening off tfl our united efforts."—W. F. Massey.

Admiral Ernest Tr«ubridge, fch« was reported to be dangerously wotinded in the defence of Nith, in Serbia; is the officer who was in command of one of the cruiser squadrons • of the Mediterranean fleet at the outbreak of war. Hi was relieved and summoned Hoole in order to appear before a Court ffl Enquiry at Portsmouth, presided over by Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Hepw6rth Meux, on a charge of having allowed the German cruisers Breslau and GK>eben to escape from the Bay of Mwsiha, where they were blockaded, and to reach in safety Constantinople. He was cleared when it was developed that if lit had permitted the German warships to steam out of the Bay of Messina, it was because he had received the most peremptory wirelees orders by means of the British Admiralty secret code to allow them to pass out of the Bay without let or hindrance. It was too late that Admiral Troubridge ascertained that the wireless orders were of a bogus character and had originated with a German who, through some treachery, had obtained possession of the British Admiralty secret code. The latter wa« supposed to be so carefully guarded that Troubridge could have no idea that the Germans had obtained access thereto, and there was not time to sen* Home is order to have the instruction# verified.