PERSONAL

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1931, Page 4

PERSONAL

Air. Franklin White leaves this week On a trip to the Old Country. Air. A. P. O’Leary, formerly of New Plymouth, is on a visit here. The retirement of Air. W. A. G. Skinner, who has been Government Printer fox a number of years, is considered to be imminent, states a Wellington Press Association message. It is expected he will relinquish his duties on March 31.

Mr. P. Cooney, stationmaster at Waitara, will retire on superannuation on Saturday and it is his intention to reside on his farm in the Whangarei district. Mr. Cooney’s successor will be Air. Carmine, Wanganui.

A Wellington message reports the death of Mr. Norman Hugh Macfarlane, aged 87. He was a well-known run-holder and early Canterbury pioneer. He arrived ip New Zealand in 1850 with his father, Lieutenant Dugald Macfarlane, who was a Waterloo veteran.

The death occurred at New Plymouth recently after a comparatively short illness of Airs. Graham, wife of Mr. Alex Graham, who for many years lived at Onaero’but retired to live in New Plymouth about eight years ago. The late Airs. Graham was of a very kindly disposition and was always ready to help those in sickness or trouble. Many friends will miss her. Much sympathy is felt for her husband and family of six—two sons, James (Onaero), George (Durham Road School) and four daughters, Mrs. P. Sorrenson (New Plymouth), Mrs. F. Feasey (Palmerston North), Mrs. W. Smee (Tarata), and Miss Jessie Graham (New Plymouth). Another son John was killed at Gallipoli. There are also nine grand-children.

Clear for a period yesterday, Mt. Egmont showed a heavy fall of snow, which extended well below the bush line in the gullfes, though it did not reach to the North Egmoht hostel. There was no snow on the main track up from the hostel until above the bush line. A terrific hailstorm occurred about the houses on Tuesday, leaving, the clearing a mass of white, though there was no snow with the hail.

A lady at present in Wanganui had the unique experience of seeing the business portion of Napier fall in ruins. She was standing on the Bluff Hill overlooking the town when the earthquake occurred and saw part of the hill topple down towards the sea. On looking towards the town she Saw building after building crunible amid a cloud of dust, to be followed by dense smoke from the fires that had broken out. It was an awe-inspiring experience not likely to be forgotten. In December, 1929, Canada exported 103,945 gallons of liquor to the United States. Last summer Canada put a ban on such export to a prohibition country. As a result, in December, 1930, the direct trade across the border had vanished but exports to the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon on the Atlantic coast had increased by 112,485 gallons. The liquor, it is presumed, finds its ultimate destination in the United States, but takes a more circuitous route than in the past. At a recent meeting of the committee of the New Plymouth Choral Society arrangements were made for the annual meeting next week, and 'he commencement of work for the coming season. The secretary reported that the financial position of the society had improved slightly. It was decided to select Sir Edward Elgar’s “King Olaf” for the first concert, and to make certain recommendations through the annual meeting to the incoming committee for the programme for the remainder of the season, with a view to effecting further economies in the preparation of programmes.

One undefended petition in divorce was heard by Mr. Justice Adams in New Plymouth yesterday. On the grounds of separation Leonard James Barton Grant, Taumarunui, was granted a decree nisi, to be made absolute after three months, against Amy Helena Grant, New Plymouth. The petitioner, a civil servant, said he was married on March 22, 1910. There were no children. On December 22, 1927, he and his wife entered into a deed of separation, and since then the terms of the deed had remained .in full force. John Marshall McKenzie, solicitor, Taumarunui, said he knew that during the past two years Grant had not been living with his wife.

The early troubled days of the Taranaki coast were discussed at Rahotu yesterday when Air. J. Paynter, a war veteran, 87 years of age, met Mr. T. P. Hughson, Rahotu. Mr. Paynter, who is a residept of the Hawke’s Bay district, was spending a holiday with his nephew, Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., at the time of the earthquake and he accompanied Mr. Wilkinson to Rahotu yesterday. It was just half a century ago that he first visited Rahotu as a soldier. in connection with the native troubles at Parihaka. The troops camped at the redoubt on what is now the Rahotu recreation grounds. Mr, T. P. Hughson, then but a youth, also took his part in quelling, the troubles and the pair spent a pleasant hour reminiscing and revisiting the site of the camp. Though that victory was a bloodless one, Mr. Paynter was already a veteran as he had taken part in the Maori wars of the lS6o’s. He was a noted Dominion rifle shot.

Showing the indomitable spirit of the business men of Hastings and Napier, the following from a letter received by a New Plymouth resident is eloquent:—“Our losses have been tremendous, and, on a rough estimate, it will take 12 or 15 years’ profits to restore our financial position to what it was before the upheaval. However, those of us that are left are thankful to have been spared otir lives and health and spirit to work. It has been a great consolation to have so many messages of sympathy and offers to help from our friends. Everyone has been most kind. Even our bankers have poured out a little milk of human kindness, not enough, certainly, but the little they have is helping us forward out of the jungle.” The effect of the present rate of exchange between Australia and New Zealand in the payment of dividends on Australian securities in Australian currency to New Zealand shareholders has led the Taranaki Stock Exchange to send the following protest to the New Plymouth manager of the Bank of New South Wales, to be forwarded to the president of the bank: ‘This exchange joins with all other stock exchanges in New Zealand in makjng a strong protest against the action of the Bank of New South Wales in payment of dividends in Australian currency and contends that as the bank earns profits in New Zealand, dividends should be payable at any branch of the Bank of New South Wales in New Zealand in (New Zealand currency to all shareholders on the New Zealand register.”

To-day is a busy day in New Plymouth for school pjenies. The Central School is holding its annual picnic at the East Epd Reserve and it is understcad that the Midhirst School will hold its annual picnic at the same place. The Eltham School annual excursion will be at Ngaiiiotu beach.

36 x 36 Supper or Breakfast Damask Cloths, with rich coloured borders, in pretty Floral design. In Gold, Saxe, Pink, Helio with Serviettes to match, 10/6 the set. Gent’s, pure Silk Neckties, in a large range of colours and patterns, at 1/11. Coloured Alhambra Bed Quilts, in helio, gold, red, at 6/6. Large size Beach and House 'Towels, 42 x 21. A nice and varied assortment of many useful gifts at genuine gift prices. Your inspection asked at The Hustlers, Drapers, New HwrnnutK*-