PERSONAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16307, 23 December 1920, Page 6

PERSONAL.

A cable message from London states that Mr Andrew Fisher,. High Commissioner for Australia, is now convalescent, after an attack of congestion of the lungs.

Sir E. H. Hiley, formerly General Manager of New Zealand railways, has accepted an important railway appointment in India, and has proceeded to that country.

At tho Wharcnui school prize distribution yesterday tlie pupils of the sixth standard presented the headmaster, Mr F. J. Alley, with a goldmounted fountain pen. Mr R. J. Moimsey, first assistant master and Mr Maxwell, were presented by their pupils with a plated inkstand and a shaving set, respectively. On Tuesday afternoon, at the Normal School v the pupils of Standard VI. gathered together to do honour to their teacher, Mr Pearson. Harry Pyne, on behalf of tho boys and girls' presented Mr Pearson with a gold-mounted fountain pen. Vocal and instrumental 1 items were given, and the singing of “ For He's a Jolly Good Fellow” concluded a happy little function. Mr H, Kennedy, who has been relieving headmaster at the Ashburton Borough School during tho past few months,-was yesterday presented with a handsome travelling' rug in recognition of his faithful and disinterested services. Mr W. (L Hillier. chairman of the; school committee, made tho presentation on behalf of parents, staff, committee, and senior scholars. Private advice was received at Invercargill of the death at Mount Gambler, South, Australia, of Mr Thomas Chpto Ellis, for forty years associated with the pastoral industry in Southland, aud owner of the well-known Five Rivers and Merivale estates, which were cut up for closer settlement a few years ago, and other properties. Mr -Bills owned some fine properties iu Australia.

A complimentary social was tendered to Mr Brian M’Clearv, the wellknown Ashburton and Christchurch amateur boxer, in tho' Theatre Roval. Ashburton, m honour ■of 'his winning the Australasian heavyweight championship ;ft Brisbane last month. The gathering, of about 150 members of the Ashburton Athletic Club and representatives of kindred sporting clubs, was presided over by the club’s president, Mr J. C. N. Grieg In proposing tho toast of tho evening! , ou . r Mr Gri ® rongratnlatwl Mr M; Cleary on his success at Brisbane. Their guest, who in the recent Australasian tournament had been opposed to an opponent G feet 4 inches high, had shown his qualifications, because ho was comparatively light for a hoary.weight. " ‘

i c^vr^T^ u i ls:crs °* 10 Crown have lett Wellington to commence the Clivirtmas holidays, but (ho Prime Minister, Mr Massey, remains “on dock” in Wellington, and will not bo able to get away to his old homo in Auckland until after Christmas Day. Ho will then spend about a week in th o northern city, return to "Wellington for a while, and renew his northern associations ■ater in January when’New Zealand’s cruiser, the Chatham, arrives in Auckland. Mr Massey is finishing a hard year m remarkably good health (writes fhe Wellington correspondent of tho “Star”). The operation ho underwent bet ore tho session was success! ul, and the heavy physical ordeal imposed on him by all-night sittings of Parliament docs not seem to have done harm to his health.