PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2820, 11 July 1916, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

: The Prime Minister (tho Right Hon. W.-F. Massey), who is confined, to his room by an attack of influenza, is making good progress towards recovery, but Is. not likely to be able to resume his Parliamentary duties for two or three days. . . Mr. Peter M'C'oll, chief engineer of the Municipal Power Houses, has been advised that his son, Captain Alexander M'Coll, of Wellington, was killed in the big offensive in France on July 2. This news will bo received with very general regret, as the late Captain M Coll was extremely popular. The late Captain M'Coll was born in Wellington in 1892, and was educated at the Terrace School, and later at Wellington College. He was fond of field sports as a youth,'and represented the college against the Wanganui Collegiate School in the annual football match. He also took a lively interest in soldiering, and was a sergeant of the College Cadets he left, having won a gold medal for his knowledge of drill. On leaving college ho took up survey work, and was jn the.employ of the Gisborne Borough Council when that borough was instituting its water, drainage, and tramway works. After serving three years there ho accepted an appointment in the' office of Messrs. Thompson and Farrar, surveyors, of Hamilton, and was engaged in some field work at Taumarunui when the war broke out. He at once enlisted, and was appointed lieutenant of the Taranaki Company in the Wellington Infantry Battalion. He was ono of the herpes who participated in tho landing at Gnllipoli on April 25, 1915, and five days later he was shot by a sniper. His wound was not a serious one, for ho was back: again in tho trenches on May 26 last year, and saw the campaign through, being among, the last to leave. In August last year he wi)s ; appointed' captain-adjutant of his regiment, in' which rank ho was con--1 firmed last December.

A Reuter message from Ottawa states that Major Laird, the champion Canadian golfer, has been killed in. France. Mrs. C. Bayly, of Toko, has just received intelligence by cablegram from Mr. C. Bayly (who went Home to offer his services at tho front) that SeJgeant Clifford Mather, his nephew, has died ■ from 1 wounds ill Franco. Sergeant Mather was about 21 years of age. Captain A. Whitney arrived from Auckland by the Main Trunk express ! yesterday. An old identity of the Wairarapa, in the person of Mrs. George Wyeth, died at Masterton on Saturday, at the age of 75 years. The deceased, who was tho eldest son of the late Mr. Robert Wyeth, was born in Wellington in 18-11. For a number of years ho carried on a storekeeping business in the southern end of Masterton. A Press Association ' telegram from London, on .Tuly 8 stated that Lieutenant Harold Fitzherbert, Sussex Regiment, of Wellington, has been killed in Franoe, tand that the late Lieutenant Fitzherbert 'was a son of. tho late Mr. Henry Fitzher•bert, who formerly practised as a solicifor in Wellington, and was later a Magistrate at New Plymouth. Lieut. Earold ICancelot Fitzherbert was in fact tho youngest son of tho lato Mr. William Fitzherbert, who was for many years a reahlcnt of Lower Hutt. Deceased was 22> years of age, and was oducatod partly at; Wanganui College, and later at MarlIxfrough, England. Ho and his brother, W> W. Fitzherbort (who was wounded tlier same day), were both 2nd lieutenants in Itlip Royal Sussex Regiment. s\'r. E. W. Lowe, secretary for tho A.M'.P. Society, who has been on a trip to Australia, returned to Wellington •by the 'Manuka yesterday. Mi*. Millward, manager of the Pscific CabSo Bonrd, was a passenger from Sydney 'by the Manuka yesterday. Mrt and Mrs. Friedlandor, of Canterbury,, and Mr. and Mrs. P. L. Hallenstein, of Christchurch, were passengers from Sydney by the Manuka yesterday afternoon. Prirtato Lawrence Freeth, ail ex-Mas-terton boy, and cousin: to Mr. P. C. Freethi. of Palmjyston North, died fit Eremawtle. Western , Australia, last month.. He had enlisted for active service, and died while in camp. His mother ,;is resident in Wellington. Caption E. C. Dovcy, N.Z.S.C., who has filfcd the position of Adjutant at the Trisvitham Training Camp during the past) twelve months, and who is pioceeding '.to the front with tho Fifteenth Reinforcements, was tendered a farewell dinner l.v>" the Camp Headquarters Staff at the (3 ivmd Hotel on Saturday evening. Lieutenant-Colonel 11. R. Potter, Camp Commandliint, .presided. During the evening (ft)loncl Potter made kindly reference to Captain Dovcy's valuable work at the caiiip, and spoko of tho friendly relations li'iat had existed between him as Adjutant and the Staff. On behalf of those present he wished Captain Dovcy every success at the front. Captain Dovcy" suitably replied. Mr. Jaims Willis, well known in business circles in Christchurch, and who ha<" been a resident of that city for sixty-four years, died on Thursday. Mr. David Nairn died at his residence in ChnslchijtiTh oil Friday liight, aged S!2. Deceased, who was a well-known seedsman, came to the 'Dominion in ■ISGS from Fil'eshiro. and took un horticulture. later' establishing the business which is kncHvn throughout New Zealand. Mr. Culford., Bell leaves this morning for Pahiatua, to judge fio clucutionary section of the competitions being held there this weeSk. Mr. "Bell will return on Saturday. Tho Mayor and Mayoress of Newmarket (Mr. and Mrs. M'Coll) aro at present visiting Wellington,

Mv. T. A. Pettigmr has Tocei tod word that his son, Gordon Pettigrew las granted a commission in, the Ri tral Flying Corps. Ho is twenty years' of age, and was educated at Wanganui Collegp, where he was a prominent tennii player and athlete. Mr, C. H. Cranby, of Napier, ;wlio Is shortly leaving for Ancklanrl, Has resigned from the Hawke's Bay H iospital Board. 11. Piostro, one of tiro Russian I .musicians recently in Sydney, nhs been exempted from military service by order of the Tsar. It was made becau-tve of his connection with the Conservatoire, and this special distil; fction he shares with Mischa Elman and! ono other artist. 31. Mirovitch, the cither travelling musician, is also exempt . from' military seryice. Both have near relatives occupying high military positions, who are fighting at one or other of v;ihe fronts.