PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2772, 16 May 1916, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Hon. Jas. Allen. (Minister of Defence), accompanied by the Mayor (Mr. J. V. Luke), paid a visit to the big military camp-at Featherston yesterday morning. . The Hev. Robert Steel, one of the most prominent Presbyterian ministers, in New South Wales, died at his home in Burwood, Sydney, on Tuesday last.

Mr. F. W. Venn, formerly employed in Crabtree's foundry in Wellington, and who subsequently became an electrical engineer, now holds a good position In the Marconi Wireless Company, and comparatively recently visited 'the Straits Settlement and East Africa on its behalf. Mr. Venn is now on furlough in Wellington.

Mr. Henry Kember, the well-known ac-. countant, died yesterday morning after a short illness, at the age of 80 years. A native of Surrey, England, he went to ■; America when a young man and fought for the South in the Civil War. He was also engaged in tihe cotton : producing business, nnd was ruined by the "smnsh" which had such a paralysing effect on the Lancashire cotton industries in the early 'sixties. In 187G he came to ■Wellington, where he has ever since been a familiar and prominent figure in commercial circles. After some years he went into business as an accountant. Until it. was taken over by the Government, he was auditor for the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company, and when the State Advances to Settlers Department w;as constituted in 1895 he was appointed the commercial representative on the Board of Management, a position whidli he held until the constitution of the board was changed, about two years ago. He was also concerned in important investigations into the affairs of the Assets Realisation Board and the Public Trust Office, and -was auditor for many public and private concerns, including the New Zealand Deposit, Mortgage, and Investment Co., the Metropolitan Building Society, the Wellington Woollen Co., and Sharlnnd and Co. He was also a prominent member of the Wellington Racing Club. He leaves a widow and a family of two sons and one daughterMiss Olive Kember and; Messrs. Oscar G. Kember (who was associated w.ith him in business), and Mr. Claude E. Kember, who is a ranch manager in South America.

Mr. J. Wallace, local secretary of the Marino Engineers' Institute, arrived from Sydney by the Moeraki yesterday. Mr. Wallace lias.been attending'a conference of marine engineers at' Melbourne.

Mr. Joiliu Murray, M.L.A., of Victoria, died in tragically sudden circumstances at Warrnambool on May 4. He had been staying with his.sister (Miss Murray) for some months, and just before noon drove into town and called'on, Mrs. Helpman, another sister. Ho left shortly afterwards with the intention of returning to Miss Murray's residence, on the outskirts of the town, hut had not travelled manv yards when the bolt, which attached the" shaft to the body of the vehicle, came out. The horse became frightened, and raced down Timor Street East. Mr, Murray managed to control the animal remarkably well, and was not long In pulling it up. He then proceeded to alight from the phaeton, but 'had no sooner put his foot to the ground, than he was seen to sway and fall heavily. Immediate assistance was rendered, but it was at onc6 evident that death had occurred.

Ex-Detective Maurice O'Sullivan, who has been living at Morton since 1906, died on Friday, and was buried at Marton Cemetery on Saturday. He was born at Castlemain, County: Kerry, Ireland, in 1841, and was the .'youngest son of Dr. O'Sullivan. Ho came to New Zealand in the ship Howard, landing at Nelson in 1874, and joined the Armed Constabulary. He served as both constable and 'detective, and was most successful in the recovery of all the' silver in ■ the great Waneanui robbery. For many years Tie Aiad been a messenger at the Government Buildings. The late Mr. O'Sullivan is survived by a widow and a son (Mr. M. O'Sullivan, Brooklyn), and daughter (Mrs. G. Odlin, Brooklyn). He left also four step-sons, one of whom is away with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, and another is in camp at Featherston. Lieut. Stenhcuse will be the guest, of honour at a luncheon to held .by, the New Zealand Club'to-day. ■": : s : -