Personal Items

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24898, 11 June 1946, Page 4

Personal Items

Dr. Walter Schmidt, who has been Consul for Switzerland in Wellington since 1937, will shortly relinquish his position. His successor will be Mr Ernest Theiler, who has been attached to the Consulate-General in New York. Mr Theiler will arrive at Auckland in the Monterey early in July. Mr Schmidt, accompanied by Mrs Schmidt, will return to Switzerland on leave next month.—(P.A.) Mr W. H. Overton was elected chairman of the Papafua County Council at the council’s annual meeting last evening.

Appreciation of the services of Mr J. F. Menzies, former town clerk of Sumner, was recorded by the Christchurch City Council last evening on the motion of Cr. M. E. Lyons, who said Mr Menzies had an outstanding record in local government in New Zealand. The Mayor (Mr E. H Andrews) and councillors also paid tribute to Mr Menzies’s services.

Cr. J. J. Hurley, who took his seat at the table of the Christchurch City Council last evening after a long absence caused by ill-health, was congratulated on his recovery by the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) and councillors.

Mr M. Wallace (Whangarei), for the last seven years dairy instructor for Northland, will leave ’shortly for London, where he has been appointed inspector of New Zealand dairy produce. Mr Wallace was formerly on the staff of the Arahura Dairy Company Mr and Mrs Wallace are at present visiting the West Coast before their departure for England. A resolution of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr G. M. Telfer, stores superintendent at the Municipal Electricity Department, was passed by the Christchurch City Council last evening. The Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) and councillors referred to his valuable services to the community as president of the Justices of the Peace Association the Scottish Society, and in musical organisations. The Consul-General for the Netherlands (Dr. Jonkheer van Panhuys) announced yesterday that Queen Wilhelmina had bestowed upon the Di-rector-General of Medical Services (Sir Fred Bowerbahk) the rank of Grand Officer of the Cross of the Order of Oranje-Nassau. There are five divisions of the order, and that conferred on Sir Fred Bowerbank is the highest. He is believed to be the first New Zealander to receive the distinction, which is bestowed upon both Dutch nationals and foreigners for distinguished service to Holland. Sir Fred Bowerbank’s award is in recognition of his special services in connexion with the hospital ship Oranje.— (P.A.)

After an association of 20 years with the National Union of Mine Workers of New Zealand, the Hon. A. McLagan relinquished his position as national secretary at a gathering of the national executive. The president (Mr A. C. Prenderville) presented him with a sum of money subscribed by branches of the union as a token of the high esteem in which he is held and in appreciation of the manner in which he has fulfilled his duties. In reply, Mr McLagan thanked members for their loyalty to him during the years he had been secretary, and assured them he would continue to devote himself to the cause of Labour. —(P.A.)