PERSONAL ITEMS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15869, 7 April 1917, Page 10

PERSONAL ITEMS.

— « . Sir Robert and Lady Stout arrived from Wellington on Thursday morning. The Hon. W. D. S. M.icDonald, Minister of Agriculture, left for "Wellington last night. Major J. L. Conlan. military representative on the Auckland District Military Service Board, is at present on a visit to Kaiapoi, and returns North on Monday. Sir James Allen, Acting-Prime Minister, pasted through C'hristchurch on Thursdav evening on his way from Dunedin to Wellington. He will be in the capital city for some days to come. Mr L. Roberts, of the staff of the Bank of Australasia at Asliburton, has been transferred on promotion to Whangamomona, near Stratford, and left on Thursday to take up bis new position. The resignation of Mr B. Moodic as assistant instructor in agriculture, lvas received at Thursday's meeting of the Education Board on the grounds of illhealth. and accepted with regret. It ivas resolved that Mr ,J. G. Ellis be asked to continue as temporary instructor in the meantime. The Rev. Father Murphy, who is now chaplain-captain to the forces at Trcntham. and who was assistant-priest at the Roman Catholic Cathedral, is at present in Christchurc'n on leave, being the guest of the Bishop at the Presbyterv On Monday night ChaplainCaptain Murphy will be .entertained at a social in the Hibernian HaJl. Mr A. B. Wanty, who has been in charge of tho Oaniaru branch of 'the New Zealand Express Company for the past.twelve months, has been promoted to the Christchurch branch of the firm. His successor at Oamaru is Mr McMenamin,. who has been with tho Wanganui branch for tho past ten years. Leave of absence to enable them to join the Expeditionary Force was granted by tho Education Board on Thursday to the following teachers: — Messrs R. W. Maxwell, assistant master. Adding ton: C. F. Pratt, master, Doyleston; J. Colt-hart, assistant master, Fendalton; A. F. McMurtrie, headmaster, Morven; R. C. Cartner, assistant master, Tinwald; J. E. Maxwell, assistant master, Wharenui. Under date of February 27th our London correspondent writes: At Buckingham Palace a few days ago, the C.M.G. was bestowed upon Lieut.Colonel Montagu Cradock, King Edward's Horse, Lieut.-Colonel A. Plugge, N.Z. Infantry, and MajorGeneral A. P. Penton; the D.S.O. upon Major John Studholnie, N.Z. Mounted Rifles; the Military Cross upon LieutColonel Hugh Stewart, N.Z. Infantry, and upon Captain H. B. D. Willcox, Sherwood Foresters. Word was received in Sumner en Thursday, afternoon from the High Commissioner, London, stating that Private G. H. Pearey had been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field. Private Pearcy left- with the C. Company Infantry, Seventh Reinforcements, and is well-known in Sumner, having resided there with his sister, Mrs R Piercv, Grafton street, previously to enlisting. He was educated at the Normal School, and was in the employ of Munro and Hiclcinbottom, Christchurch. He interested himself in lifesaving matters, and his' name appears on tho Taylor's Mistake Life-saving Club's roll of honour.

A farewell 'social wa s tendered to the Rev. A. i\". Scotter, 8.A., and f Mrs Scotter. by the members and adherents of the Sydenham Methodist Church en Wednesday evening in tho schoolroom, Mr Scotter having been appointed by Conference to the Waimato circuit. There was a very largo attendance, and Mr L. J. Berry occupied the chair. Addresses were delivered bv the chairman. Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., tie Rev. A. C. Lawry, the Rev. S. Lawry, the Rev. P. Knight, the Rev. D. Murray, and the Hev. Mr Busfield. The speakers made eulogistic references to Mr Scotter ant} his work during ' his five years' ministry in Sydenham. Mr W. Dobbs, o_n behalf of the congregation of the church, expressed the appreciation and esteem in which Mr Scotter was held by them, and presented him with a Cutler's roll-top desk as a practical expression of their regard. Mrs Peacock, on behalf of the ladies J presented Mrs Scotter • with a silver cake-disli and a copper vase. • The Yov*i£r Men's Bible-class, renresented by Mr W. Turner, presented Mr Scotter with a set-of military brushes. Mr Scotter feeling]v responded. The programme was interspersed with musical items, contributed by Misses E. Field and A. Kay. and Mr H. Belshaw, and a recitation by Mr L. J. Mitchcll.