PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2697, 17 February 1916, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Minister of Defence (Hon. J. Allen) yesterday paid a visit to the Feathorstou military camp and the Masterton show.

The Hon. W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, left for Christchurch last evening. Ho will go on to-day to Duncdin, where he is to remain until Monday, afterwards proceeding to Invereargill. .Mr. Fraser is expected to return to Wellington about ten days hence.

The Minister of Education (Hon. J. A. Hanan) returned to Wellington from a visit to Invercargill yesterday.

Mr. W. I). Conley, manager of the "Sydney Morning Herald," is a visitor to Rotorua. He is accompanied by Miss Conley.

News was received at "Woodville racecourse during yesterday's race meeting of the death of Mr. E. J. Gothard, after a short but severe illness. Mr. Gothard had been secretary of the Jockey Club for the last fifteen years, and had witnessed its growth from a small club to one of the most important in the North Island. He was a popular official, and it is not less than 30 years since he commenced practice as a solici. tor in Woodville. He was formerly in Westport, where his two brothers are living. The late Mr. Gothard occupied various public positions, and had been several times Mayor, and a member of the Borough Council. He took the keenest interest in all sports. He was 53 years of age, and leaves a widow and five children, all grown up. One son left a week ago for the front, and a second son is in America. Feeling reference to the late secretary was made by, the president at the course.-. Press Association.

There' was no change yesterday in the condition of Mr. Solomon Myers, who was knocked down by a motor-car the other day. Mr. Myers is in the Kensington Street private hospital. Mr. J. J. Kerslake, overseer of the Wellington Corporation's street works, arrived at Auckland from Sydney by fine Westralia on Tuesday. Mr. George Hoggen who was amongst those who perished when the Persia was torpedoed, was a native of Sydney, and used to travel through New Zealand as representative of a wholesale cigar firm. Ho paid a flying visit to New Zealand last year, leaving Auckland by the Niagara in July. After that he visited Amsterdam, to the headquarters of his firm, and then took passage in the Persia to visit Egypt, after which he intended to return to Australia.

The death' is reported of Mr. Thos. Chaplin, of Grey Lynn,, Auckland. Mr. Chaplin came to New Zealand with hi 6 family in 1860, and took up land at ■Ahuroa. Later ho was appointed clerk to Rodney County Council, and was also for 22 years clerk to the Warkworth Road Board. He was a prominent temperance worker in his younger days, and held various offices connected with the Methodist Church.

Mr. G. T. Trechman, a geologist, who is interested in the manufacture of cement in England, who has been touring the Dominion, will leave for London by the Tainui on Monday next.

The funeral of the late Captain A. G. • Withers, district secretary of the National Reserve, and 1 a soldier of forty years' experience, took place yesterday afternoon, the interment taking place at the Karori Cemetery. The deceased was accorded a full military funeral, the firing party and gun-carriage being furnished hy the N.Z.G.A., whilst the Tramways Band played at intervals throughout the long march to the graveside. The pall-bearers were four men who had been longest associated with the deceased in the R.N.Z.A., whilst many of his old comrades and friends were present. The National Reserve was represented by.the Commandant, Colonel Porter, C.8., who was accompanied by Major Daris and Captain M'Leod. The firing of the salute and the sounding of the "Last Post" at the graveside was not the least impressive part of the obsequies.

Mr. J. de Cordova, together with his wife, Mrs. Harris, and Miss Shaw, all of Boston, Mass., are touring New Zealand. They have arrived in Wellington, via the Wanganui River, with which they were delighted. The party left by the Pateena on Tuesday for the purpose of doing the Nelson-West Coast trip. On their return they will visit Taupo and Botorua, proceeding via Napier.

Mr. H. Webber, a director of a Johannesburg bank, together with Mrs. Webber, are visiting New Zealand at present. They loft for the 60uth on Tuesday evening for the purpose of visiting Mount Cook,-the Cold Lakes, and Milford Sound, and on their return will visit Eotorua and Auckland, leaving by the Niagara in April for Honolulu anad San Francisco. After visiting the States they are to tour through South America. Mr. W. Perry, the well-known barrister and solicitor, lias admitted into partnership Mr. H. Linklater, for many years chief clerk in the office of the legal firm of Messrs. Gray and Jacksoli, of this City. >