PERSONAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1081, 21 March 1911, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

To-day the Hon. J. Carroll (ActingPrime Minister) will bp returning from Parihaka, the Hon. G. Fowlds i.s in the nouth, the Hon. J. A. Millar will be in frollington, the lien. 'I'. Mackenzie in Duiiedin, the If on. D. lluddo in Wellington, the Hon. 1!. M'Kenzie on the East Coast, the lion. A. T. Ngata on the East Coast. The Hon. I?. M'Kenzie will be at Gisborno to-morrow evening, and he will leave there on Thursday morninir for He will proceed over the route ol the proposed Nnpicr-Gisborns railway. Mr. Justice Cgoper returned from Auckland yesterday afternoon. Mr. W. C. Kensington (Under-Secretary tor Lands) has returned to Wellingtui Ji'om a Departmental visit to the West (.oast. 9- Commissioner ot 1 olice, is at present in the vicinity ot Jfotorua. He is visiting the various prison establishments with Mr. M'Farland, of Prisons iu Xew South Males, ami Mr. Hav, Director of Forestry in Now South Wales. Tliea; gentlemen have been sent over expressly from New South Wales to inquire into matters of prison reform in New Zealand, paying particular attention to the tree-planting camps. Mr. H. L. Friend, of Auckland, arrived yesterday' by the Main Trunk express, and is staying at the Grand Hotel. Dr. Bowen Hogg (Christchurch) is spending a few days in Wellington on his way to Rotorua. He is staying at the Occidental Hotel. Mr. Forsyth Connolly (Auckland) is a visitor to Wellington, and is staying at the Occidental Hotel." Before commencing business at its annual meeting last evening the Old Boys' Football Club passed a motion expressive of its sympathy with Mr. J. 11.I 1 . Blackloek (a member of long standing) whose mother died recently.

A feeling of painful surprise was created in town this morning (s3ys Thursday's "Auckland Star") when it became known that Mr. Donald Smith, secretary of the Auckland Club, had died suddenly in Sydney, and was buried yesterday Mr. Smith, who had been suffering some trouble with his eyes, left on a holidav trip to Sydney about u fortnight ago, but thonsjli he had complained of pain in the direction mentioned, none of his friends anticipated anything serious, Or entertained any fears for his general health Mr. Smith, win was appointed secretary of the Auckland Club nearly two .years since, had held a similar position in the Australian Club, Sydney. Ho was a quiet, but kindly, courteous gejt.lrmHh. whoso Sudden death is .much' deplored by members of the club and citizens who knew him. 1

Mr. Thomas P>ldtchford. chief-warden at Ihe Terrace Gaol, died yesterday after a brief illness. Peceused complained al feeling unwell on Tuesday, last, and was compelled to take to his bed. He developed pleuro-pncumonia, gradually grow worse, and passed away yesterday morning at the age of 0.. The lab Sir. lilatcliford was a, native of Devonshire, and, prior to joining the prison service, he followed the occupation of stone mason. Tie entered the service at Lyttelton in 1882, and, subscnuelitly, was stationed at Mount Cook, Nelson, New Plymouth, 'anil Dunedin, reaching the rank of principal warder at I.yttelton. In IDOO, when I'.t Coylc was appointed gaoler at New Plymouth, Mr. Blatchford. becamc chiefwarder at the Terrace Gaol, Wellingt.ii, where he was stationed until the (imo of his death. He leaves a widow and one son. His funeral will take place on Wednesday. , Mr. C. N. Heward, the newly-appointed physical director of the Young Men's Christian Association, will, arrive by the Mararoa to-day and will at once enter upon his duties.

Piper P. H. Farquhar, of the Wellington Pipe Band and Dancers' Club, was the recipient of a handsome gold pendant, suitably inscribed, from the members of the club on the occasion of his leaving New Zealand. for Ai|Stralia:"<'ln tho unavoidable absence of the president, Mr. W. 11. Boyd, the oldest member of the club, in making the presentation, spoico in eulogistic terms of Mr. Farqnhar's sterling "qualities, and while regretting his loss to the club, wished him every success in his new sphere of life. Piper Farquhar responded in 4 few well-choSen words. Dancing afforded entertainment for 50 couples. Mr. W. E. Boyd proved an efficient M.C. Songs were rendered by Mrs. Reid and MiSs Clark, and Messrs. G. Paton, .T. Simpson, and A. Reid. Highland dancing by Misses I;. Shaw, L. and M. Reid, and Mr. J, Simpson. Selection by the Pipe Band. Pipe solo by Pipe-Sergeant T. A. Macdonald. Miss Isa Keid and Messrs. A. Deutice and Milliar provided the music for the dancing. also the accompaniments, e.nd PipeMajor J. Simpson and Sergeant' T. A. Macdonald that for the Highland dancing. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" brought a most enjoyable evening to a close.