PERSONAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17246, 12 January 1924, Page 12

PERSONAL.

MINISTERIAL. Tho Wellington correspondent of tho “Star’’ states that Sir Francis Bell has now quite recovered and has resumed his ministerial duties. The Hon W. Nosworthv, Minister of Agriculture, will open the annual conference of the New Zealand Nurserymen’s Association at Palmersaon North next Wednesday, Tho Hon G. J. Anderson, Minister of Internal Affairs, arrived in Christchurch from tho West Coast yesterday, and went on to Wellington last night.

Mr J. M’Combs. M.P., and Mrs -u Combs were passengers by the West Coast express this morning from Ofcira. Mr IT. R. Smth, who will retire from the position of town clerk early this year, and Councillor C. I*. Agar, who has been granted six months’ leave of absence from council duties for health reasons, were entertained by members of tho City Council last night. Mr and Mrs Farquhar Young have been specially engaged to sing at Burns’s birthday festival, which takes place at Dunedin on June 25. They then fulfil northern engagements. Mr and Mrs Young have also been offered the position of sole adjudicators at the Mastertou competitions this year. A . Sydney cablegram says that Mr R. W. Robson, general manager of the “ Daily Telegraph,” is going to London to tal>e charge of the “ Daily Telegraph's ” affairs during the Empire Exhibition. The report that he has resigned is denied. Mr T. W. Henev, editor of the Brisbane “ Telegraph ” succeeds Mr Farmer Whyte, editor of the “ Daily Telegraph,” who is transferred to the leader-writing staff. Colonel K. P. JSurne, who was for many yeans on the frontier in India with tho British orces, and who on the outbreak of the Great War was appointed to the Secret Intelligence Department of the War Office, was a pas senger from Sydney by the Ulimaroa to Wellington on Wednesday. Colonel Burn© is on a world tour, and has already visited South Africa and Australia- On leaving New Zealand lie will return to England via the United States.

i A Wellington message states that Brigadier-General J. O. Travers, who arrived yesterday from England on a fishing excursion in New Zealand, com menting on the immigrants aboard the steamer Rotorua, declared that they were young men of a splendid type. It surprised him to find such large numbers of England’s most promising youths coming out to the colonies, but it was a good thing and all to the advantage of New Zealand. During the war Brigadier-General Travers was in charge of the Sixty sixth Division in France and also served in other theatres of war. Later he was appointed, to the difficult pose of commanding the troops in South Ireland, where there was excitement enough to satisfy any normal person, as lie summed it up. Mr H. J. Constable, who left Ashburton last March in order to visit the Mother Country has received a commission from a London firm of publishers to write an outline historv of New Zealand. It is intended that the book shall be published coincident with the opening of the British Empire Exhibition. It is hoped that the Prime Minister. Sir Massey, will write a foreword. Sir Constable (lias been writing a series of signed articles on New Zealand for tho London Morning Post," and he lias written for other papers. An article on “What Refrigeration has meant t-o New Zealand " appeared below his name in a recent number of a trade paper. On Thursday afternoon the Christcburch Retail Drapers’ Association assembled to welcome back Mr E. H. Wyles. of Strange and Co., Ltd., who recently returned from a business trip to Great Britain. Mr O. C. Cox. pre Bident, presided, and Mr Reynolds Carey, vie-presideent. with the leadlng drapers of the city, formed a representative and enthusiastic gatherl.nK- Cox, in welcoming back their gpuest, spoke of the pleasant relations that existed in the association, and their unanimous pleasure at the safe return of Mr Wyles. Thev were glad tc know that Mrs Wyles had also bene flted by tho trip. Mr Wyles was not only a prominent member of their own association and federation, but was one of the most prominent workers in the business affairs of the city. His was ft most lovable personality, and this was not the least appreieated of his many good qualities. Mr Wyles. who was received with applause, gave an interesting account of his trip through Canada and Great Britain. He stress ed the sacrifices tho Mother C'ountry had made, and gave it as his opinion that, although that might be delayed, she would once more take her rightful Pjace at the head of the trading natjons. He was very much pleased by the farewell the Drapers’ Association him, and to he so welcomed oacic could not fail to be a source of pride and pleasure. Mr J. Sykes, Fed oration secretary, spoke of the work of Mr Wyles as Dominion president, and ; conveved the greetings of the Advisors j Council. A pleasant hour was spent over a most enjoyable afternoon tea.