PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2699, 19 February 1916, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Hon. W. H. Herries, Minister of Railways, is at present in Hamilton.

The Hon. A. At. Myers, Minister of Customs, left by last night's express for Auckland. He expects to remain there a few days.

Tli© Minister of Finance (Sir Joseph Ward) is visiting Christcliurch.

The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. D. S. is at present on a visit to Westport.

Captain W. Hardham, Y.C., underwent an operation at Hobart, the operalion being entirely successful, and lio is now about again. He writes tliat the lieople of Hobart have been exceedingly kind to him—so much so that at .timos "he is quite embarrassed. Ho expected'to leave for New Zealand last week.

Mr. R. W. Dalton, British Trado Commissioner, will be tlic chief guest at the New JJealand Club's luncheon on Tuesday next.

Dr. and Mrs. Mackiii returned to Wellington yesterday from a motoring tour to New Plymouth and Mount Egmont.

Many will regret to learn of the death of Mr. Morton R. S. Clark, of the staff of the Bank of New Zealand, which occurred suddenly at Ws resitdeuce. No. 5 Goring Street, 'at 11.30 o'clock 011 Thursday night. Mr. Ufark had attended a picture show during fclic evening, and on returning homo complained of acute indigestion, after which lie suddenly collapsed and died. Dr. Pattie was called in. but could not give a certificate as to the cause of death. Tlie late Mr. Clark was very well known among tho commercial community, having for many years attended fo *£ho wool and produce interests of the Bank of New Zealand. Ho was present at the big wool sale 011 Monday and Tuesday last, when ho was in his accustomed good spirits. Mr. Clark, who leaves a widow and one child, was 52 years of age. Mr. Edwin Geacli, of Sydney, formerly a well-known theatrical manager, who has been touring' the North Island, will reach Wellington on Monday. Mr. J. Letbbridge King, the wellknown Sydney Magistrate, is on a visit to New Zealand. Captain Benjamin Oxner, who in tho early days was a well-known figure on tho waterfront in Wellington, died at his residence, Edinburgh' Terrace, on Thursday, at tho age of eighty-seven years. Ho was at 0110 time engaged in the New Zealand coastal trade, but left it to go into the hotelkecpmg business at Picton, and later 011 at Wellington. News has been received from the War Office, Loudon, that Lieut. I{. G. Sellar, K.F.A., .has been severely wounded wliilo serving in France. Lieut. Sellar, lato a solicitor of Liawera, left New Zealand for England last May, on account of his he;

Mr. J. O'Shea, City Solicitor, left for tho West Coast of the South Island yesterday 011 Corporation business.

Mr. J. B. Forbes, of the plumbing staff of tlio Public Works Department, has been presented by his fellow-work-men with a gold watch and chain, on retiring from the serrae on superannuation after twenty years' scmce. The presentation was made by tho Inspector, Mr. G. E. Smith, who warmly eulogised the services of Mr. Forbes.

Mr. Charles Tunbridgc, an old settler of New Plymouth, died last week. Ha was born in June, 1845, at Plymouth, England, and in 1860 enlisted at Madras in the 42nd Light Infantry, being a member of the band. Three years later ho came to New Zealand with his regiment, being stationed at Otahuhu, and afterwards at Tauranga. Subsequently bo fought at the Gate Pa. Tauranga.He returned to England -with his Tegimont, and shortly after obtaining Ilia discharge, in 1873, returned to New Plymouth. He was a prominent Forester, and was recently elected.treasurer of tho Subsidiary High Court of Foresters for New Zealand.

Mj. John Martyn Nicholas, who dien at Invercargill, aged 83 years, was a native of Cornwall, and worked In tha mines there when 14 years of age. Ten years later ho -went to the Ballarat goldfield, and stayed in Victoria 6 vears. Ha landed in No," Zealand in iS63, following tho go'idfields. He twicc visited England, and ultimatclv settled down on a farm at Colac Bay.

The Eoman Catholic Mission in Samoat deplores the loss of one of its oldest and most deserving members, in tho of' the Rev. Father Jabonlay, who died on January 13 at Moaniua. The event, though cxpected, came very suddenly. His latest station was Manono. It was there that he was visited with the first signs of the imsparbig disease that was to bo the cause of his death. Ho knew from the first what it meant. But, though under the shadow of sudden death, he stayed gallantly .at his post to complete the "work inf band. It -was and ho was finally called back to Moamoa in December last, to there await the end.

Among the officeis of the Australian Expeditionary Force who fell oil Gallipoli was Lieut. C. C. Oliver, 9tli Infantry Battalion, formerly of Petone. Ho fell while engaged in sniping at the, enemy. A high tribute to his memory; is paid by Licut.-Ooloncl Robertson, Officer Commanding his battalion. Writing from Leronos, on November 25, t« Lieut. Oliver's relatives at J'etonoj I.ieut.-Colonel Robertson states:—"ltwas' during my absence that, Lieut. Oliver .bad the misfortune to ( have been' hit by a Turkish bullet. The poor boy was aii> enthusiastic sniper, and each' day amongst his men he spent half an hour at a loophole, encouraging to eilence the snipers who were always busy in the opposite trcnches. He was a, most promising young officer, and would have, I am confident, made his mark in the battalion had been spared.Kindly accept the deepest sympathy of, myself and officers in this your great bereavement. Ho died in his uniform, his rifle in his hand. Surely it is ar glorious death, <uul one that every soldier -would envy. Your sorrow is also ours. (Signed) J. Campbell Robertson, 0.C., 9th Infantry Battalion, Lieut.--Colonel."