PERSONAL ITEMS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16258, 8 July 1918, Page 7

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Sir William Fraser, Minister of Public Works, arrived from the south by the exnress on Saturday, and left by the same evening's ferry steamer for Wellington.

_Tho condition of Mr J. W. Black, private secretary to the Attorney-Gen-eral (the Hon. Sir Francis Bell), who is seriously ill, showed a decided improvement on Saturday.

Captain Seldon, Mr Wm. Reece, Mr C. J. Ward, Mr H. D. Acland, Mx C. J. Cooper, and Mr E. J. Howard were passengers from Wellington by Saturday's ferry steamer.

Mr Thomas Lambie, officer in charge of the Dunedin Telephone Exchange eince its inception, has retired on superannuation after 40 years' service.

Dr. 11. Ick-hewins, of Manaia, has been appointed resident surgeon to the Dunstan Hospital. Among the applications for tho position were three women doctors.

Sir James Allen left Wellington for Auckland on Saturday. To-morrow he will go on to Helensville, and thence to Dargaville. He expects that he will be absent from Wellington about a week.

Corporal J. Fry, who is down on final leave, was presented with a shaving outfit by tho members of f he Christchurch Master Plumbers' Association at a largely-attended meeting on Saturday evening. The health of CorCor.il Frv was drunk, and several memers spolve of liis many good qualities and wished him a safe return.

On Saturday afternoon, at Shirley, members of the Christehurch Golf Club bade farewell to Mr \V. lies, who has been the club's professional for the pnst five yoars, and who goes into "amp with the 41st Reinforcements. On behalf of tho club the president, Mr W. Wood, presented Mr lies with cheque for a substantial amount, voicing the wish of all members that the rocipient would have the good luck and return safely to the Dominion. _ Mr Wood also presented Mr lies with a cheque, a farewell gift from the Ladies' Golf Club.

On Saturday a presentation was made bv the employees of the Christchurch Gasworks to Mr Magnus Hay, who is on final leave. The presentation was made by Mr J. J. Hui-ley, assistant-engineer, and consisted of a wristlet wat-ch, a money-belt, a pipe, and a silver teapot for Mrs Hay. Mr Hay has been connected with oiio works for over five years, and is held in high esteem by his fellow-workers. Mr Hav suitably responded, and cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Hay and family. Mr R. M. McKnight, honorary treasurer of tho Munawatu A. and I'. Association, has resigned that position, owing to his impending departuro from Palmerston North lor Ciiristchurch. At a meeting of tho general committee of tho Association the president (Mr J. Balsillio) and other members referred to tho great service Mr McKnight had rondered to tho Association, and a resolution expressing appreciation of -his work and. regret at his departure was ordered to be recorded in tho minutes. Mr J. M. Johnston was olected to the position of treasurer of the Association.

Lieutenant E. R. Black, who has been awarded the Military Cross «n Egypt, is a native of Akaroa, and : s the youngest son of Mr G. J. Black, of Gisborne. He left with tho Second Reinforcements in 1914, and has

seen service in Egypt, Gallipoli, ®and France, whore he was severely wounded at Armentieres. Returning to Egypt he was attached to the Wellington Mounted Regiment, and took part in the battles at Rafa, Gaza, and Beorshoba. With his men he captured two 7.7 guns and turned them on the I Turks. His last fighting was in the Jordan Valley, where he lost 13 men in a rearguard action. He is returning to New Zealand on duty, and is expected to arrive in August. The appointment of Mr E. C. Purdie to the position of secretary and treasurer of tho Auckland Board of Education was made last week. Thirtyseven applications were considered, this number being reduccd to four—E. C. Purdie, advisory inspector to tne Board; Chas. W. Garrard, 8.A., Auckland; R. P. J. Ray, acting-secretary; and W. H. §wanger, Wanganui. In the final count an equal number of votes were recorded for Messrs Purdie and Garrard, the result of the election being determined on the casting vote of the chairman, Mr J. D. McKenzie. Mr Purdie has a record of 31 years' service with the Education Board, 23 years as teacher and eight years as inspector of schools. He has also Iwen a member of the Board, and for some time past has been acting as advisory inspector.