PERSONAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1553, 24 September 1912, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The new member for Egmont, Mr. C. A, Wilkinson is expected to arrive in Wellington in time for to-day's sitting.

Mr. E. C. Huie, who has edited iho "Evening News," Christchurcli, for the past, six years, has resigned.—Press Association.

The death is announced of Mr. Hector Maekinnon, a Highlander, of Cnvershaiu, Dunsdiu; aged 105.—Press Association.

Mr. John Barr, of the sub-editorial staff of the Sydney "Bulletin," who has been on a liealth-recruiting trip to Wellington, leaves for Sydney on Friday.

Mr. Fred Pirani was, last evening, reelected chairman of the AYnnganui Education Board.—Press Association.

Mr. C. "onovan, assistant sfntionmaster at Johnsonville, who has been promoted to another position in tho service, was made the recipient of a travelling-rug and a cose of pipes, from members of the local Tennis Club and railway staff. When presenting the rug, Jfr. F. T. Moore said that Sir. Donovan had won tho respect of every resident of Johnsonville by the courteous and efficient manner in which lie had discharged his duties. Mr. A. 3. May endorsed these.remarks.

Professor W. G. J. Land, of the University of Chicago, arrived in Sydney on September 17 by the Sonoma. He has been conducting investigations at Pago Pago, and went on to Australia for » brief visit. He will return to Pago Pago. Professor Land studies the scientific rather than the commercial side of plant life, especially mosses and liverworts, and he is particularly interested in (he eyends of Northern Queensland, a form of plant which examination showed was closely related to a plant which apparently disappeared after the coal'measures were formed millions of years ago. The species growing in Queensland appeared to be tho sole survivor, as it had beeii searched for in other parts of the world without success.

A presentation in the shape of a handsome photograph of the staff under his control was made to Mr. YV. B. Robinson by tho staff of the Auckland division, No. 35, of the Mutual Life and Citizens' Assurance. Company, Limited, at a banquet on Thursday evening. Various toasts were proposed and responded to.

The committee of the Koyal Wellington Choral Society has engaged the following soloists for the performance of "A Tale of Old 'Japan," the' Into Mr. ColeridgeTaylor's cantata, to be sung in the Town Hall on November B—Madame Emily Brings (soprano), Mr. Sidney Butler (tenor), Miss Denliard (contralto)i and Mr. Hamilton Hodges (baritone).

Mr. Edwin Hall, who after twenty years' service has retired from the position of secretary to the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association,' was the recipient of valuable presentations on Friday last. Among them was a purse of sovereigns from tho members of the .association, and a full-sized roller-top desk, which 'bore the following inscription on a silver plate:—"lol2.—Presented to Mr. Hall by a few personal friends on his retirement from tho secretaryship of the Auckland Agricultural ami Pastoral Association as a token of appreciation of his past valuable services in,the agricultural and pastoral interest in the Dominion.— Auckland, September 20, 1912." Two arm-chairs, for Mrs. Hall, accompanied tho latter gift. A presentation of a double inkstand of oak was made by the staff.

.Mr. T. W. Leslie, of the Town Hall staff, has left for Sydney on holiday leave.