PERSONAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 5 September 1908, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Sergt. Bourke is at present confined to his room by an attack of influenza.

A Sydney cable announces the death of Mr Maeken, the well-known racehorse owner.

Constable Ryan, of Christchurch, who is to succeed Constable Gleeson (appointed gaoler at Palmerston North), arrived in Wanganui yesterday afternoon.

Constable Wright, who has-been stationed for two years at the Mount Cook Police Station (Wellington), has been transferred to Ohakune. On Thursday evening Mr Wright was presented by his comrades at the station with a valuable case of pipes and a tobacco pouch as a token of their regard, and friendly wishes were expressed for his success in his new sphere of duties.

Mr Frederick Gibblin, who has been a popular engine-driver on the Castlecliff Railway Company's line for a number of years, has resigned owing to entering into business of another kind on his own account. The directors, at their meeting yesterday, appointed Mr J. E. Marshall to fill the vacancy, and he takes up his duties on October Ist. Mr Marshall is an engine-driver of considerable experience, and is at present engaged on the Main Trunk line

Herr Benno Scherek, the well-known •musician, who has been settled in Christchurch for some six months, has accepted the appointment of director of Mr J. C. Williamson's musical enterprises, and leaves for Melbourne in about a fortnight. The salary is not announced, but it is believed to be somewhere in the neighbourhood of four figures. Since he came to Christchurch, Herr Scherek, in addition to establishing a large connection with private pupils, has created the Christchurch Orchestra, of which he is the honorary conductor. The orchestra has 55 members, and has already become most popular. Herr Scherek has also received the appointments of organist of the Catholic Cathedral and conductor and musical director of the Ohristchurch Amateur Operatic Society and the Ashburton Orchestral Society. He has be come, in fact, a musical power in the city, and his loss will be greatly felt. Constable James Gleeson, who has been stationed at Wanganui for the past twelve months, has been appointed gaoler at Palmerston North, where he takes up his duties on the 10th inst. Constable Gleeson, who has been 30 years in the force, has had a veiy interesting career, and he well deserves the promotion which has come to him. He has been in charge of many stations in the Dominion. Thirty years ago he was stationed at Bulls, and while there was vested with power to seize all goods on which Customs duty had not been paid, and to detain all persons liable to detention for any offence under any Act relating to the Customs. The warrant of office, which is still in force, and which is the only one possessed, by a constable in this district, was issued at Wanganui on September ,23rd, 1869. Constable Gleeson was for many-years on the West Coast, where, in addition to his other duties, he was Crown Lands Ranger and Inspector of Miners' Rights and Business Licenses. As may be imaged, the constable had to cover some rough country to collect the fees, and he had every reason to carry a loaded revolver. Eighteen years ago Constable Gleeson opened the Manners' Street Police Station. We congratulate Constable Gleeson on his new appointment, and hope that his sojourn in Palmerston may be pleasant. The . following were visitors at Foster's Hotel during the week:—Mr J. D. -bugdale, -Mr W. Beauchamp-Platts Mr L McGamm, Mr J. V.. Devine, Mr H. Budgett, Mr J. L. Rollet, Mr N. Burnett, Wellington; Mr G. S. H. Cunningham, Dunedin; Mr T. Mather. Christchurch; Mr F G. Hinds, Melbourne; Mrs W. Simpson, Miss Simpson, Bonny Glen; a&J/T. Guinn, Mtham; Mr F. -A-.: Guinn,Mr W. H.\Guinn, Mr A, C. Johnson, Mr J. Gray, Hawera; Mr G. A. McDonald, Napier; Mr W. Mitchell, Mr E. L. Lees, Mr and Mrs J. B. Guthrie, Palmerston North, 'Mr A. W Young, Mr G. Sandford Baylis, Mr A. M. Potts, New Plymouth; Mr R. Wl Hammerton, Mr A. Christenson, Mr h ,'' Howitt > Patea; Miss Ward, Miss Maodonald, Mr F. J. White, Waipukurauj Mr M. A. Kennedy, Waverley; Mr J. G. Oldham, Taihape; Mrs Mont■f? m nry WM 5. A- P- Francis» Feilding, Mr C. W. Fea, Dunedin.