PERSONAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1943, 29 December 1913, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

Tho Hon. \V. F. Massoy (Prime Minister) is reported to bo making satisfactory progress towards recovery, but ho is still confined to bed, Tho Hon. H. D. 801 l and the Hon. Dr. Ponia.ro arc the only Ministers in town at present-. Tlie Hon. W. Fraser, tho Hon. W. H. Hemes, and the Hon. F. M. C. Fisher nro at Auckland, tho Hon. J. Allen at Bunedin, and the Hon. 1!. H. Rhodes at Chrtstclnwch. The Hon. A. T». Herdman is camping in the bush at Oroua with his family, but ho Will probably bo in town for a day or two during tho week.

Mr. G. Willing-Butcher,-■ who retired from tho Mines Department;:'n lew months ago to become organiser nn-d secretary of tho New Zealand Catholic federation, Ims been presented by his late colleagues with a substantial cheque as a token of tlioir esteem and regard. At tho same time they expressed sineei-o regret at the continued ill-health which no'ccssitated his retirement from the service.

The Government Astronomer, Mr. C. E. Adams, is spending the holidays at Akaroa. During his absence the Hector Observatory (Wellington) is in charge of Mr. Dall, soil of Mr. G. B. Ball, Assistant-Secrctnry of the Postal Department. Mr. Hatch, of Melbourne, general manager for Australasia of Messrs) Thos. Cook and Son, is to visit the Dominion next month.

Mr. J. J. Hammond, the aviator, who is to fly the gift* acroplaiw Britannia at Auckland towards llio end of the week, will accompany tha ma> chine to Auckland to-day.

Jlv; Charles Berkeley is the manager of the "Within, the Law" Company now playing at the Opera House. Mr. Frank Talbot is tho advance, representative.

Sergeant Swinard, of Oamarti, who won tho aggregate championship ai tho Wellington Wiiio Association's meeting, which, concluded at TrCnthnm on Saturday, proceeds on to Auckland to eonspete "at tho Auckland Rifle Association's Exhibition mooting on January 1, 2, and 3.

As some recognition of their_ appreciation of tho services- given is.y Mr. I). G. Sullivan in tho Christchureh Journalists' Union's eases before tho Court of Arbitration in Ghristclmrch and Timar'u during the present year, members of Iho union derided to make a presentation to Mr. Sullivan, and on Christmas Eve there was a largo gathering at' tlm residence of Sir. A. Dickson, the president of tho union, when the presentation was Made. In handing Mr. Sullivan a fountain pon, which was appropriately inscribed, Mr. Dickson spoke in euiogUtic terms of the manner in which Mr. Sullivan conducted both cases. He also asked Mr, Sullivan to accuit, on behalf of Mrs. Sullivan, a purse of sovereigns.

Mr. H. C. Braithwaite, M.f.E.1j1,, of the. London staff of the-Marconi Wireless Company, is expected to reach Neiv Zealand early in January, via Sydney. Mr. Braithwaite, who formerly resided in Christchureh, intends' to spend n holiday in the Dominion.

Sir 01ms. P. Lucas, Assistant-TJnder-Secretary for State, Head of Dominions Department, Colonial Office, 1897-1011, who Visited Now Zealand soiuo years ago, has sent the fallowing greetings to tlio Auckland Orphans' Club':—"l vrrito one line to send best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to my brother Orplians at Auckland. I bear in mind their kindness to mo when I was ■ m New Zealand in 10(19, and hope the club is flourishing, and will hnvo a happv now yoar." Sir Chnrks was inaflo an '''Orphan" ' during his visit in 1909, and evidently still has kindly recollections of Aucisliimlo'rs.

Before leaving for Wellington to take up his duties as Deputy-llegistrar of tho Supreme Court, Mr. W. W. Samson wag presented by the staff of the Christ' church Supreme Court with a. silvorraonntwl lottei'-book. T!» presentation was mndo bv the Registrar, Mr. W. A. Hawkins, i" suitable terms.