PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2839, 2 August 1916, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

A report is current that Mr. MaSECjr and Sir Joseph Ward are leaving on. their way homo to England by the Niagara, leaving Auckland on August 8. Mr. Massey stated last night that this was not a fact.A Press Association cablegram from London states that Lieutenant John Ritchie, of the Seaforth Highlanders, and a nativo of Dunediu, has been killed in, action. Major J. E. Barton, general staff officer, Auckland military district, has been appointed assistant instructor of infantry, Expeditionary Force camps, and has been asked to report at Trontbam as soon as convenient. Colonel G. A. Ward, officer commanding the Auckland Mounted Rifles Brigade, will take over tho duties of general ataft' officer. Tho Rev. J. Gibson Smith intends to retire from the pastorate of St'. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Wellington. As his' hoalth has not improved, Mr. Smith will place his resignation before the annual meeting of the congregation next week. Referring to the reverend gentlomen's impending retirement, the annual report of the Church Session and Board of Managers says: "The session willnever forget tho arduous three years devoted to placing the congregation's title to its property beyond dispute. Thoir fear in "connection with that great effort is that the minister is suffering today from tho self-sacrifice displayed during that most trying period. Mr. Smith, can, however, look back to his labours with much gratitude to God in that ho has been enabled, in.spite of hi 6 failing health, to leave a final year's report of, 6uch an encouraging nature, with tha church funds showing a substantial balonco in credit and the church property with its hall and class-rooms constituting what is perhaps .is complete an equipment as any in the city for Sabbath school and other church work. Siucn it becamo known a year ago that our minister's health would probably cause him-to resign his pastorate, members of €ession have received many letters and expressions of regret that so distinguished a, scholar should be compelled to to. tire so early in life from active work'. Tho session prays that the church" may long onjoy the great gifts possessed by tho Rev. J; Gibson Smith, though perhaps they may bo manifested in somo portion" of- the Master's vineyard requiring less of strain and strcnuousness. Of one thing our minister can lie sure:'/ wherever his lot is cast he will always retain tho lovo and sympathy of many loyal souls in St. Andrew's congregation." News of the death of Mr. George Grant, father of,the late Chaplain-Major . Grant, has been received in Gisborne, Air. Grant was born at Kcrrimuir, Forfarshire, Scotland, in 1831, and had reached the age of eighty-five years. Until a few days a"go, when he was attacked byj influenza, he had enjoyed remarkably good health. Ho came to New Zealand ui 1870 with Mrs. Grant and family, and settled in Hawke's Bay, where he entered the sawmilling industry at' Waipukiirau, subsequently moving to Ormondville. In the early days he took a keen interest in educational and political matters.' Mr. Herbert B. Bridge, of Wellington, who was G7 years of age on Monday last, is probably one of the oldest living residents of New Zealand who was born at Waiapu (Bay of Islands). He is the son of the luto Colonel Cyprian Bridge, of the 58th Regiment, who was at that time Resident Magistrate in tho Bay of Islands, and who fought through the Heke war. That, gallant officer took part in nino engagements, and led one of tho forlorn hopes against the well fortified Ohaiewai Pa, being threo times mentioned in dispatches. Tho family of Mr. H. B. Bridge is admirably sustaining its military traditions. Two of his sons are at present fighting in-France, another is in camp at Foathorston, and still another, is employed in the Base Records Office at /Trontham. These, in addition to another son, who was so seriously injured in the fight at Rhododendron Hill in Gallipoli that he died when en route to Egypt. ' . Mr. Peroy T! Crawford, who is managing the New Zealand tour of the Tivoli Follies, will arrive in Wellington to-day. Ho reports that the business in Auckland and' throughout the countrv has been extremely satisfactory. Mr. .Malcolm M'Cartney, LL.B., l of Wellington, killed in action, was a membar of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church' Board of Management, and-for some'time its secretary. Mr. McCartney was a graduate of the University of New Zealand, and according to St. Andrew's Church report was a young man "of such outstanding personality that he had promise of a highly successful career." , News has been received of the death of the Rev. P. G. Alexander, chaplain of H.M.S. .Hampshire, and brother of Mr. E. D. Alexander, of tho Harbour Board staff, and Mr. A. M. Alexander, of Lower'Hutt. The deceased arrived in Wellington with his patents by tho lonia in 1892. He spent seven years in Newtown, afterwards returning "to England withfhis parents in 1899. Ho took his degree at St. John's College, Qambridge in 1908, aud went to Bristol the 6amo year, when lie was ordained. He served his dea'con'ate at Christ Church, Barton Hill, Bristol, .being ordained priest in 1909. In 1912 he took ud a chaplaincy on H.M.S. Blenheim, from which he was transferred to H.M.S. Falmouth, and afterwards to -H.M.S. Hampshire.! on which-he lost. Ms life. At, Christ Church a memorial service for the late Lord Kitchener, the lato Rev. P. G. Alexander, and the men who perished in the North Sea, was conducted by. the Hev. D. Marcus Brown. The Dead March in "Saul" ivas played by the organist (Mr. Thatcher) at the opening of the service, the choir proceeding up the centre aisle followed bv the 28th'Bristol, and 76th Bristol Boy Scouts, in charge of Scoutmaster E.. H. Chappell. At the sido of the chancel was iung a. laurel wreath bearing the inscription: "Jutland." and through this Scoutmaster Chappell placed the Union Jack in black streamers, the flag being the original colours boruo by the Scouts when the late Mr. Alexander was in charge of the Bristol East Division, in which" he displayed much interest. The hvmn, "Blessed are tho Dead," having !beeri sung, the vicar offered specinl collects, and the service concluded with the singing of "God the" All Terrible." ' At last night's meeting of tho Wellington branch of tho Navy League, Mr. Cecil Palmer intimated his intention, of resigning iis position lis- secretary, on account of the pressure of privato business. He had come to this decision, he said, with very groat regret, having been associated with the work of the branch since its inception twelve and a half years ago. Mr. Palmer's resignation was received with regret, and eulogistic tributes to his work as secretary were offerod by Mr. J. B. Harcourt (the president), the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), and Mr. Wm. Foster (Headmasters' Association). The last-named sneaker specially stressed Mr. Palmer's efforts on behalf of the school members of the league, thousands of whom had been enabled to inspect the warships on the occasion of their visits to the port. Canterbury- has lost another pioneer in the person of Mr. W. B. Andrew, of Greonpark, who had passed his 80th year. The lato Mr. Andrew arrived in Nelson in tho early sixties, and after spending a few years there, turned his attention to cattle-droving from NclEon to Canterbury, which in those days wasa difficult and hazardous occupation. Ho foresaw a great future for the'farming industry in Canterbury, and purchased what was to form tho nucleus of his splendid homestead at Greonpark. Captain C. S. Algie, killed in action, was second assistant at the Rotorua District High School prior to enlisting in the early stage' of tho war. His father was postmastor at Queonstown, Lake WakaMpu. Captain Algio was always enthnsiastio in' military affairs, and hold a commission ip tho Territorial Force. Ho was married but a few months before war broke out, and leaves a widow aud infant son. Some Sine ago the name of Lieutenant A. Henderson was cabled among thoso who, by conspicuously gallant conduct, ha'-d earned the distinction of the D.O.M. Thero is more than one Now Zealander of this name on active service, however, and for a time there was room for doubt as to tho identity of the winner <-f the medal. All doubt has now been set at rest by letters receiver! at the end of Inst week from .Lieutenant A. G. Henderson, son of Mr. R. Henderson, of ' Duitftlln. Lieutenant Henderson refers to the fact that he'has been granted the coveted award, but characteristically makes no mention of anything he did to earn such recognition, -y.