PERSONAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1248, 6 October 1911, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

His Excellency tho Governor, Lord Islington, who has been on a visit to Ilawke's Bay, returned to Wellington last night by tho Napier Exprcs?. During his stav in the district Lord Islington was the guest of Mr. G. P. Donnelly, Hastings. Amongst the places of interest visited wcro Mr. Bernard Chambers's To J fata vineyard, iraveloclc. Captain Shannon, aide-de-camp, and Mr. Arthur Guise, privato secretary, who wero in attendance on his Excellency, also returned by last night's express.

At tho invitation of his Excellency the Governor (Lord Islington), LieutenantColonel Birkenshaw (Provincial Commander, Salvation Army) recently attended nt Government Jlouso, and discussed with the Governor various matters of interest in connection with tho work of tho Salvation Army. His Excellency expressed great sympathy with the Army's operations, at the same time closing the interview with a generous and practical manifestation of his sympathy with the selfdenial appeal now in currency. On Wednesday, 11th inst., his Excellency will umlertako a tour of inspection of all tho Salvation Army social institutions in and around Wellington (of which there aro six). He will bo accompanied by Lieuten-ant-Colonel Birkenshaw, also Brigadier .Tas. Bray, secretary for the Men's Social Work, ami Major Sarah Young, secretary for the Women's Social Work. It is expected the programmo of itinerary will occupy part of the morning aoid afternoon, with luncheon provided by Staff-Captain Koi, matron of tho Children's Homo.

Sir. L. C. Gibbons, chief clerk in tho ollice of the council of the Firo Underwriters' Association, Auckland, has teen appointed secretary of the Wellington Fire Underwriters' Association, and will tako up his now duties at tho end of the present month. Prior to going to Auckland Mr. Gibbons was on the staff of tho Melbourne Underwriters' Association. His Excellency tho Governor will attend tho Wellington Musical Union's concert at tho Town Hall this evening. Mr. P. 11. M. Macintosh, assistant engineer to tho Wellington Harbour Board, lias been appointed assistant engineer and surveyor to tho Mount Bischoff Tin Mining Company, Tasmania. Mr. M. J. Brookes, manager of tho Dresden Piano Company, 'and. Mrs. Brookes, who have boon on a visit to Hawko's Bay, returned to Wellington by last night's Napier express. Amongst tho passengers to Wellington by last night's Napier express were Mr. Bernard Chambers, of Te Mata, Havelock North, and Mr. David Wliyte, of Hastings. . Mr. R. R. Martin, the Reform party organiser, leaves Wellington to-day for Auckland, via Napier and Gisborno. Ho oxpects to reach Auckland on Sunday, and will be absent from Wellington about throe wepks. Mr. Reginald Davis, of Palmcrston North, has been licensed as a public auditor under the Friendly Societies Act. The Waimea County Council (Nelson district) yesterday appointed Mr. J. S. Whiteside, of Opotiki, to,the position of county engineer.—Press Association. The appointment of Mr. William Duncan to succeed Mr. J. Bcvan, deceased, as Deputy-Official Assignee at Hokitika, is gazetted.

Twenty-six candidates presented themselves at the last September examination for land surveyors. Of these, Mr. E. 11.I 1 . Roberts (Dunedin) passed with credit j Mr. David Nelson (Gisburne), Mr. Jarl Adolph Syvcrstou (Groytown), Mr. Louis Percy Dyctt (Wellington)' passed the examination; and Mr. Allan Francis Waters (Wellington), ami Mr. Ernest Gordon Wilson (Gore) completed their examination. A Press Association messago from Sydney states that Mr. H. N. Holmes, the late secretary of the Wellington Young Men's Christian Association, lias arraiigcd for Sir John Kirk, president of the Ragged School Union, to visit vanouo cities in New Zealand early ia December. Mr. R. B. Williams, Opposition candidate for tho Wellington Suburbs and Country District, has retired from the contest. It is understood that another Reform Party candidate will bo announced within the next tew days. Lieutenant-Colonel .T. T. Burnett-Stuart, D.S.O. (Imperial General Staff), Director of Military Operations nnd Intelligence at New Zealand Defence Headquarters, will take temporary charge of the Canterbury Military District, in addition to his present duties, pending tho appointment of an officer from tho New Zealand Staff Corps to succeed tho late Colonel J. Hawkins. There are two eligible officers of tho New Zealand Staff Corps "in sight," as it wore, for the Canterbury command—A. Bnuchop, C.M.G., formerly in command of the M : ellington district, and Lieutenant-Colonel Abbott, formerly of Auckland. A Press Association telegram from Christchiirch arrived here last evening, conveying a reference to Colonel Burnett-Stuart, which might lead to the supposition that that officer had received a permanent appointment in the Canterbury district. This is not correct.

The death has occurred at Palmcrsttm North of Mr. James Skennan, one of tho pioneers of the district. Mr. Sherman arrived in New Zealand in the ship Hiina lava in IS7G, and settled in this district, taking up land near Newbury. 110 was prominently connected with (ho early history of the dairying industry in Mnna w;ttn,'and established the first cheese factory in the district at his property at Silvcrley. Mr. Skennan celebrated his golden wedding in 1002, and his wife, who accompanied him from England, died iu 1905.—Press Association.