PERSONAL ITEMS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 16 October 1929, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

At the annual conference of the New Zealand Associated Chambers of Commerce yesterday, Mr H. T. Merritt (Auckland) was elected vice-president. The following were elected as the exe-cutive:—-Messrs H. S. Turner (Canterbury), A. 11. Allen (Dunedin), C. M. Bowden (Mastcrton), D. J. McGowan and E. Salmond (Wellington). A Dunedin telegram states that Mother Mary Bertrand, the last of a band of pioneer Dominican sisters who came to New Zealand sixty years ago, and who established the Dominican Convent at Dunedin, celebrated the sixtieth year of her life as a nun yesterday. The celebrations included Pontifical High Mass and a garden fete, also a presentation which took the form of a scholarship in her name providing tuition at the convent for secondary pupils.

Although reported to be up and about again, the Prime Minister (Et. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) has not yet resumed his official duties. The following official statement was issued yesterday: —‘‘The Prime Minister continues to improve in health and today again took a motor drive in the sunshine. He is regularly seeing his Cabinet colleagues and taking a keen interest in affairs. As his strength is building up satisfactorily, under these conditions, Sir Joseph accepts with equanimity his friend’s advice for a few days, but he stated to-day that he is looking forward to the Opportunity of getting his taxation measures through the final stages.' ’

As the result of an exhaustive enquiry into the affairs of the Hutt Valley Power Board, Mr E. R. Hollands, late manager of the Timaru Municipal Electricity Department, has been appointed engineer-manager to that board at a. salary of £IOOO a year. Mr Hollands was born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, in 1536. He is a registered chartered electrical engineer of New Zealand, a member of the Institute of Electric Engineers, South Africa, a member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, England, and an Associate Member of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers.

At a largely-attended meeting of members of the Auckland districts group executives of the Protestant Political Association, the Rev. Howard Elliott was presented with a wallet of notes by Mr W. Glibbery on behalf of members and friends (states the Auckland “Star”). Mr Glibbery expressed the esteem in which Mr Elliott is held for his great services rendered to Protestantism and the personal regard by those associated with him. The meeting, at which Messrs L. A. Taylor (Dominion president) and I. J. Bridger (past president) were present, enthusiastically carried a resolution of continued confidence in Mr Elliott.

At the annual meeting of the Masterton Amateur Athletic Club last night, the election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —President, Mr G. McKay; vice-presidents, Messrs W. 8. L. Dickson, E. J. Eastwood, G. W. Sellar, E. L. Ilolmwood, J. Bradbury, L. A. Wadham; secretary, Mr E. 11. Doherty; treasurer, Mr J. Cross; auditor, Mr F. Wright; starter, Mr W. S. L. Dickson; deputy starter, Mr G. W. Sellar; handicappcrs: running, Mr J. Nyhan; cycling, Mr W. Grantham; club captain, Mr J. W. Bird; committee, Messrs E. L. Ilolmwood, W. E. Knott, J. Bradbury, C. Pickering, S. Carr, A. Dolan, B. Ward, 11. Oakley, W. S. L. Dickson, W. Grantham, J. Nyhan, E. H. Doherty and J. Cross; delegates to the Wairarapa sub-centre, Messrs W. E. Knott and J‘. Nyhan; delegate to Memorial Park Board, Mr E. L. Ilolmwood.

A special meeting of the Wairarapa Presbytery was held at Carterton yesterday. The Rev. R. Dickie presided. The Clerk laid on the table a call from Otautau to the Rev. W. If. Howes, and read extract minutes from the Southland Presbytery. The Rev. G. Macßac acted as commissioner for that Presbytery and submitted reasons for the transfer. Messrs A. E. Hack and T. Arcus represented the session and congregation of St. Andrews. They expressed regret at the prospect of losing tjieir minister and testified to their appreciation of his services but placed no obstacle in the way of his acceptance. Mr Howes accepted the call and tho Rev. Geo. Macßae, of Featherston, was appointed interim Moderator. Mr Howes resigned his position as Clerk and Treasurer of the Presbytery and the Rev. A. Hardie of Martinborough -was appointed. Mr Howes also tendered his resignation as a member of the Solway Collego Board, which was accepted. The Revs. A. Hardic and G. Macßae were appointed to draft a minute of appreciation to submit to the next meeting of the Presbytery.