PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2344, 29 December 1914, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Hon. J. Allen returns to Wellington from the wroth by the Maori this morning. News has been received that Mr. Wm. Orichton, of the firm of Messrs. Cnchton arid M'Kay, architects and Mrs. Crioiton left London by the Orient liner Osterley on Dfeceiriber 18. They are due back in. Wellington early hi February. Mr R. W. Shallorass, secretary of the New Zealand . Sports ' Protection League, left on a holiday trip to Nelson yesterday. Mr. J. R. Sinclair, who was New Zealand's representative in the British Empire Trade Commission, returned to Now Zealand by the Manuka yesterday afternoon. Tho following officers have been appointed on probation to the Reinforcements of tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force—Wellington Mounted Rifles: Captain C. E. Clifton. Wellington Infantry Regiment: Major A. G. Hume, N.Z. Garrison^ Artillery.; Second Lieutenant F. A. R-uolc Otngb Infantry Regiment: Hon. Captain and Quartormaster E. V. Sahdersoii. Mr. Lionel Groenstroet, eldest son of Captain Greenstreet (New Zealand), of the Remuera, has been appointod chief officer of tho Endurance, winch takes Sir E. Shackleton's expedition -to tho Antarctic. Mr. and Mrs. A. Levy and family, of Wellington, are passengers by the Osterley, Much left London, for Melbourno'and Sydney on December 18. Tho death occurred :it Stewart Island oh Friday of Professor James Gow Black, 70 years of a«c Siiicb his retirement from Hie OWgo University, the professor had resided oil tile island, where ho took up land. Messrs. H. W. Kersley and Alex. Smith, of Wellington, were passengers by the Pateena which left lor Pictoii ..Aid Nelson yesterday afternoon.

Mr. and Mrs.' E. B. Grange, of Wellington, leave on a trip to Australia on January 8. Tbo death took place on Christmas Evo of Mrs. I. Watts, a very old resident of Auckland, who camo out to the colony fifty-two years ago from iiugland. ■ For over half a century she had boon associated with the Baptist Church, in which she was a worker arid much-esteerned member. Captain Penniugton, who is to take the harbour steamer Awaroa to Melbourne, arrived from Sydney by the Manuka yesterday. Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Lewis, of Westport, have received information of the death of their son Robert Henry,' who was killed in action at Muissy, France, on September 20. Young Lewis joined the Ist Liverpool Regiment, and cross-. Ed over to France with Kitchener's Army. Mr. Arthur Parfitt, one of Westland's crack hookey players, is being transferred from the Greymouth Post Office to tho staff of the Seoretary of the Post' and Telegraph Department in Wellington. Mr. James Stephens, who died at hia' residence, "Tahuna," Seatoun, on Christmas Eve, was born in London in 1844 and came out to Melbourne in the' : ship Lincolnshire, arriving there on August 17, 1867, where ho joined the Bank of Australasia. The following year he left for New Zealand/arriving at Hokitika in the s.s. Alhambra. on July 12, 1868. He rejoined the Bank of Australasia, and formed one of the original staff who opened the Hokitika branch on September 1 of that year. He subsequently was transferred to Staffordtown and Ahaura, opening and closing the latter branoh within a year owing \ to the vagaries of the gold-mining industry. In 1875 he joined the National ■ Bank of New Zealand as accountant,' and afterwards filled the position of ■ manager at Timaru and then at Napier.' From 1888 until his retirement on pen-' sion in 1910 he held the position of accountant in the General Manager's office, Wellington. He was well known in musical circles, having an excellent tenor voice and for very many years gave his services' ungrudgingly to choirs and musical societies in the var- v ious towns where he was stationed. Hβ. was choirmaster of St. John's, Napier, ■ for some years in the 'eighties, and for | many years was a valued member of St. Paul's choir in this city. The funeral, which was attended by many' friends and a number of members of the Seatoun Bowling Club (of which he was a director), took place on Saturday. Mr. Stephens leaves a widow.

Visitors staying at the Albert Hotel; aro: Miss Pearl Robinson, Miss Lena Hinerick, Mr - Charles Berkeley, and) Sir. Alex. Wilson, of the J. C. Williamson's Julius Knight Co.; also Mr. and,. Mrs. F. W. Connell, of Palmerston; North; Mr. and Mrs. Ken Johnston,| of Masterton; and Mr. A. Curtayne and' Mr. J, A. Nelson, of Wairoa. The death is announced from Mel-, bourno of Mr. John Spotswood, brother! of Mrs. R. J. Seddon and Mrs. W. H< Hennah, Wellington, at theage of-(9. The deceased gentleman settled at Wil- j. liamstown in tlio early days, and for,.; many years took ah active part in affairs.