PERSONAL ITEMS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 29 December 1927, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Air M. B. lgguldcn, of Auckland, and formerly of Masterton, is spending a holiday in Masterton. An Auckland Press Association telegram reports the death of Air J. Blair Mason, harbour engineer, aged seventy years. Tito death took place rather unexpectedly late on Tuesday afternoon of Airs Catherine A. Benton, wife of Air C. E. Benton, of Underhill Eoad, Featherston. Air L. Lewis, of the Pahiatua of the Bank of New Zealand, has been transferred to Wellington, and will leave next week to take up his new appointment. Air AY. Franks, of Alasterton, has been appointed to the position of manager of the drapery department of the Wairarapa Trading Co., Feathfrston, to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Air E. R. Sinclair. As Air Franks is a bowler of some note he will be a great acquisition to the Fcatherston club.

Advice has been received by the Government Publicity Office that the writer Zane Grey will make his next fishing expedition to New Zealand in the summer of 11)28. He writes to the Department that from the pictures lie filmed himself on his last visit, combined with those dealing with National Park and the Southern Alps and Lakes supplied by the Department, three two-reel productions have been made, and these will be released shortly. Air if. J. Francis. District Manager of the A.ALP. Society, who will leave shortly for England on a twelve months’ vacation, was recently met by the local staff and agents of the Society and made the recipient of a presentation on the eve of his departure. Air Symes, superintendent, in handing Air Francis a handsome travelling bag, on behalf of those present, referred to liis long association with the Society extending over a period of forty years. All present joined in wishing Air and Airs Francis an enjoyable holiday and a safe return.

The death occurred on Monday at Riecarton, of Air R. D. Harman, one of tlie best-known architects in the Dominion. Educated at 'Christ’s College, on the cleath of the founder of the firm of Armson, Collins, and Harman, he and Air J. J. Collins carried on the business. A sporting tennis player, lie had a considerable influence on the strides made in the game in Canterbury. He won the Dominion singles title in IS9I, and, partnered with Air F. Wilding, sen., won the doubles championship of New Zealand live times, in PS'S”, 1888, ].sDO, 1892, 1894, and in 1595, partnered with J. J. Collins, again won the doubles title. The late Air Harman was also a keen cricketer.

Captain Alexander Adair Johnson, a well-known veterinary surgeon, died at Christchurch on Saturday. The late Captain Johnson -was born at Ipswich in 187.'!. He was educated at the Ipswich Grammar School and later at the Royal Veterinary College, London, gaining iiis fellowship degree in 1902. lie lost a brother, Commander R. Johnson. torpedoed in iI.AI.S. Crcssv in the war. The late Captain Johnson was a son of tlie late Vice-Admiral John Orinsby Johnson. He served with the Mounted Rifles in tlie war, taking part in tlie Egyptian and Palestine operations. He leaves a widow, two sons, and three daughters.

The death occurred in Pahiatua at an early hour on Christmas Day of Mrs Anna Parley, relict of the late Mr "William Parley, formerly of Mastcrton. The deceased, who was a very old and esteemed colonist, was in her Slst year, and first settled in Pahiauta 33 years ago. She was born in Wellington, her parents arriving in New Zealand by the ship Martha ft id g way in March, 1.840. Her husband, who predeceased her in 1000, was one of the very ears liest teamsters to drive over the Bimutaka ranges, and those were very rugged days. The couple lived in the Wairarapa district for a lengthy period prior to settling in Pahiatua district. The deceased leaves one son, Mr E. L. Parley, of Remuera, Auckland. The interment took place at Mastcrton on Tuesday.