PERSONAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18637, 5 August 1930, Page 8

PERSONAL.

The chairman of the Mackenzie County Council (Mr C. J. Talbot) stated at yesterday’s meeting that during the month two distinguished New Zealand statesmen had passed away—Sir Joseph Ward and Sir Robert Stout. The late statesmen had both been Prime Ministers of New 'Zealand, their useful lives having been devoted to the interests of the community. A motion expressing appreciation of the lengthy and valuable service to the Dominion, and sympathising with the relatives, was carried in the usual manner.

Mr Jas Methven, until recently headmaster at the South School, was present by invitation at a meeting of the Schools Sports Association, when he was presented with a reading lamp, the gift of the Association. Mr H. Oram, in making the presentation, stressed the great assistance Mr Methven had given to the Association both as a member and a vice-president and as an official at the sports activities controlled by the body. He thanked Mr Methven for this assistance, and for his wise guidance, which had been of great value to the Association during difficult times. The presentation was then made with musical honours. Mr Methven, who had been connected with the Association since the days of its infancy, traced its growth to its present position as a live and powerful body controlling the sports of the schools of the district. He expressed his admiration for the work of members of the Association, especially of those younger members who give their time both as coaches and as executive members. He accepted the gift with thanks and said that it had given him the greatest pleasure to have been connected with the Schools Sports Association for so many years.