PERSONAL NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 22, 1 June 1910, Page 7

PERSONAL NOTES.

• Among visitors to the Star Hotel, >ho arrived by Saturday’s train from the South are Mr. C- L Low. of London, and Mr. W. Y. Brown, of Wellington. The many friends of the Rev. Father Bowen will be pleased to learn that he is making steady progress towards recovery at Coromandel hospital.— (Own Correspondent.) Mr. Wm. Coffey, secretary of the Wellington Boxing Association, and prominent in Rugby circles, is dangerously ill, and has been removed to a private hospital. Lieutenant-Colonel Baucliop, C.M.G., officer commanding the Wellington military district, leaves for England shortly to undergo a two years’ course of military training at the Camberly Staff College. Lieutenant-Colonel E. W. C. Chaytor is announced as the new successor of Lieutenant-Colonel Bauchop, in the command of the Wellington district. Prior to their departure from Auckland ton an extended tour to Europe, Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Dadley on Thursday night entertained a number of their personal friends. In proposing the health of the host and hostess, Mr. lA. J. Hall voiced the general regret at their departure, and wished them “Bon voyage” and a safe return to the fairest city in the Dominion of New' Zealand. Mr. Dadley replied, and the function closed by singing “Auld Lang Syne.” Mr. T. N. Peek, of Ellerslie, was the of a handsome presentation last week from members and ex-mem-(bers of the Ellerslie School Committee, as a memento of his ten years’ membership of the committee, and for his painstaking services as secretary and treasurer to it during the whole of that lime. In the unavoidable absence of the chairman (Mr. C. McKinney), who is unwell, the presentation was made by Mr. >F. Lawry, M.P., who eulogised the good work done by Mr. Peek, and the intelligent interest taken by him in educational matters at all time's. Other members present supplemented the remarks of Mr. Lawry, which were suitably' replied to by Mr. Peek.

Mr. Dunean McLennan, an old resident of Papakura, was a passenger by the Tofua on a holiday trip to the Islands last week.

The Anglican Bishop of Auckland (Dr. Neligan), who is making good progress towards recovery from his attack of nervous breakdown, has gone for a change and rest to Rotorua, accompanied by Mrs. Neligan.

Mr. Beswiek, postmaster at Te Arolia, has been transferred to Pieton; Mr. Hollywood, postmaster at Russell, is promoted to Te Aroha; Mr. Coster, telegraphist at Masterton, is transferred to Russell as postmaster; Mr. Hunt, postmaster at Mangonui, is transferred to Methven. The vacancy at Mangonui has not yet been filled. Mr. W. D. Lysnar, Mayor of Gisborne, left Wellington last week, accompanied by Mrs. and Miss Lysnar, for Tahiti, (where he joins the Mariposa for San Francisco, en route for Home. The mission of Mr. Lysnar is to endeavour to float a municipal loan of £175,000 on the English market. Yesterday afternoon he was presented with a travelling case by the citizens of Gisborne, and (received another presentation from the borough employees. Mr. J. B. Teasdale, who has been on a visit to Auckland for the past few days, returned to Te Awamutu on Wednesday. Mr. George Laurensou is reported to be rather better in health, but his condition is still very far from satisfactory '(•wires our Christchurch correspondent). Mr W. 11. Swanger, of the Wanganui Education Board’s secretarial staff, has been appointed to the position of secreiary of the Wanganui College Board of Trustees. There were 30 applicants from all parts of the Dominion. Miss Rees, daughter of Mr W. L. Rees, received advice from the University authorities last week that she had passed the LL.B, examination. This, with her M.A. degree, entitles her to be called to the Bar.—(Gisborne Correspondent,) Miss Gladys Montgomery, of Auckland, Jias passed her first examination in Chemistry at Glasgow, with distinction. Mr. ,1. Wensley Gray, of Waihi, left by the Victoria on Monday for Sydney, where he joins the P. and O. liner Persia for England. Mr. Henry Winkelinann, who formed tone of Mr. Ij. K. McClean’s solar eclipse parly to Port Davey, Tasmania, returned by the Wimmera to Auckland on Sunday. Major McDonald, officer-commanding the New Zealand cadet force, was *

passenger by the mail train from Wellington on Sunday, and is staying at the Central Hotel.. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan, of Huntervillc, are on a visit to Auckland, staying at the Central Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Russell, of Dunedin, who have been on a visit to the Hot Lakes district and Auckland, left by the express on Monday for Taumarunui, en route for Home, via the Wanganui River. Sir Joseph Ward, the Hon. J. A. Millar, and Hon. Geo. Eowlds, Mr. W. F. Massey, M.P., and a number of members of Parliament have signified their intention of being present at the Auckland Chamber of Commerce dinner on June 7. The Ellwood trio and party, including Miss Winnie Nixon (soloist) and Miss Prouse (accompanist), who concluded a series of successful concerts in Auckland on Saturday night, left for Wanganui by the Main Trunk express on Monday. Mr. Frank Beck, son of the Rev. Mr. Beck, who is now stationed at Devonport Methodist Church, was tendered a farewell social by the members of St. Paul’s Church choir, Cambridge, on Friday evening, and he was presented with a pair of gold sleeve links as a token of their respect. Mr. Beck will be greatly missed, for he was not only a prominent member of the church choir, but also an active member of the Town Band, he being -a first-class cornet player. Last year he won first prize at the Waikato Musical Competition for his cornet solo, and this year he was second, being only four points behind the winner, a player of well-known repute. He is a jeweller by trade, and goes to work in Auckland. He is equally good in brass band or orchestra, and should prove an acquisition to those who secure him. Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Blundell, of Wairarapa, arrived from Rotorua last week, and are staying for a few days at the Central Hotel. Mr. Alexander McDonald died at Wanganui on Thursday, at the age of 73. Deceased was connected with the police force for 33 years. “Father” of Post and Telegraphs. Mr J. A. Hutton, Chief Postmaster, Wellington, whose retirement on pension lias just been approved, has had a very long career as a postal officer. He received his first appointment in the month of October. 1861, personally from the hands of the then Postmaster-General of Victoria, Dr. McAdam, and served a term of ‘two years ’and three months as junior at Warrnambool. This was shortly after the (amalgamation of the post and telegraph services in that colony. Towards the end of 1563 Mr. Hutton was offered and accepted an appointment with the Provincial Government of Southland in connection with the line of telegraph then being constructed between Invercargill and Bluff Harbour. Coming over to Invercargill in January, 1864, it fell to his lot to set up and open one of the earliest telegraph installations in the Dominion, the line being opened as near as lie can remember on January 24th, 1864. His associate at the Bluff was Mr. J. W. Mason, late officer in charge, telegraph office, Christchurch. Later on Mr Hutton was in charge of the Bluff office, and in Febrary, 1867, was appointed officer in charge, telegraph office, Christchurch, which position he held until the end of June, 1868, when indifferent health compelled his return to Australia. In the month of February, 1870, Mr Hutton rejoined the New Zealand service, and held the appointment of postmaster at Patea until .September, 1876, when he was appointed to the position of Chief Clerk in the General Post Office. In April of 1881 he became Chief Postmaster at Oaniaru. In 1896 he went to Tiinaru, and in September of 1963 came up to take charge of the Wellington postal district. Mr Hutton's term of service, including his time in Victoria and his early service in New Zealand up to 1868, totals over 47 years. He was born at Edinburgh, Soetlaml, in 1846, and educated at George Watson's College, Edinburgh (gold medallist and Dudgeon medallist, 1860). He was practically the “father” of the post and telegraph service, as well ns one of its most popular officers. He gained a reputation in the service through the number of excellent officers 'he turned out. Mr Hutton's period of leave expires on August 16th. lie will settle in Greytown, Wuirarapa. The name of his successor lias not yet been announced. In the meantime, Mr R. B. Morris will continue to act as Chief Postmaster at Wellington.