PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2852, 17 August 1916, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Lieut.' George Massey, son of the Prime Minister, who left New Zealand as a platoon commander in the Rifle Brigade, and who until recently has been in the trenches with that force, has been appointed adjutant to his battalion.

Dr. C. A. Cotton, of tho professorial staff of Victoria College, loaves on a trip to England by tho Rotorua this month.

A Press Association message from Sydnoy states that advico has been received that Lieut. W. T. Appleton, Melbourne manager for Huddart, Parker and Co., has been killed in France.

A presentation of a handsomo dross-ing-caso was mado to the Primo Minister by the members of the Manukau County Council at the complimentary luncheon extended to him subsequent to the opening of tho new bridge across the Tamaki River at Panmure. Tho chairman of the council (Mr. H. li. Mackenzie) made tho presentation, and said that it was intended to be a memento of Mr. Massey's visit to tlie district, a visit not specially in his capacity as head of the Government, but a. visit to seo his old friends. (Applause.) In acknowledging tlie gift, Mr. Massey said that ho had a room full of mementoes, which he hoped to hand down to the descendants of the Massey family. Ho said ho would probably bo in the position shortly to make a practical and special use of tho dressingcase which the-Manukau County Council had kindly given him.

A Press Association message from Sydnoy states that Lieut. A. E. Pratt, who was killed in France, was employed by tho South British Insuranco Company. Ho was a resident of Sydney, but was educated at tho Auckland Church of England Grammar School.

Mr. T. A. Morgan, a marine engineer in tho employ of the Indian Government, is at prosont visiting New Zealand. Ho is to leavo for England shortly by tho Rotorua.

Mr. C. H. Mitchell, Hataitai, who recently returned from Englu-nd, goes into camp next week with tho 22nd Re- V inforcements N.C.O.'s. After obtaining his A.R.LB.A. degree, Sir. Mitchell was employed on drawings for munition buildings for the last nine months ho spent, in England. Ho is tho eldest son of Mr. James Mitchell, Wellington manager for Messrs. Alex. Cowan and Son.

_ Mr. S. H. Macky, headmaster of tho Tc Papapa Public School, died at his resideuce, Onehunga, on Monday; The deceased, who was 43 years of age, was tho only son of the late Mr. S. Cochrane Macky, of Devonport.'

Tho few remaining pioseers conversant with the iirst Maori war sustained another loss on Sunday ; in tho death of Mrs. Julia Mitchell, Auckland. Tho deceased, who was tho widow of tho lato Captain John Mitchell, was born at Naas, Tipperary, Ireland, in 1827. She arrived in Australia in. tho early forties, with her parents, her father being attached to the 58th Imperial Regiment. In 1847, sho married her late husband, who was also attached to the 58th Regiment, and took up her residence in the Dominion in the same year. Captain Mitchell took part in the first -Maori war, known as Hone Heke's war, in which ho was wounded, and when his regiment returned to England he resigned and settled, with his family, in the Auckland Province. Subsequently ho was appointed in chargo of the Government Armoury and Stores Department, in which capacity he acted during tho .second Maori war. Ho was also one 'of tho first drill instructors to tho old Auckland Rifle Volunteers, for the formation of whicli ho was an active worker.

Mr. W. Sneddon, Auckland manager for Messrs. Ross and Glendming, is at present visiting Wellington to farewell his youngest son, who leaves on activo service . shortly. A second son is at. present at tho front, and a- third is shortly to go into camp. Both Messrs. N. C. and C. H. Sneddon are well-known in Auckland cricketing circles, the former having represented Auckland in several Plunket Shield matches.

Mr. C. W. Palmer has resigned from tho position of honorary secretary of tho Wellington branch of tho • Navy League, and at tho meeting of tho league oil Tuesday great regret was expressed at his retirement. It was mentioned that when the London envoy of the league, Mr. Harold. Wyatt, left Wellington in February, 1904, .there were but eleven financial members enrolled in tho new branch, and Mr. Palmer, who was one of the original executive, enrolled 150 members within a. few weeks. Ho then visited Nelson and Napier at his own expense, and formed branches at each of thoso places, handing over tho whole of tho subscriptions collected by him fo tlio local committees. Later on' ho visited Marlborough, Wancanui, Gisborne, Taranaki, Palmerston, Feilding, and other places, with the result that numerous school branches as well as' fresh adult sub-branches were formed. Tho total enrolments from personal canvass numbered over 700, and in tho aggregate (including the Wellington schools) over 3500 juvenile members wero enrolled. Mr. Palmer was instrumental in persuading Lieutenant Ejio± to como to New Zealand in 1906 and deliver lectures hero. As the result of that visit, New Zealand was aroused to such an extent ,that Sir Joseph Ward's offer of a Dreadnought was made practicable. Mr. Palmer has received from all directions letters, or warm congratulation on the work of tho league, including communications from Lord Islington and Lord Plunket, from Lords of tlio Admiralty, and several other admirals, active and retired. It was resolved to have a minute drafted recording the league's appreciation Mr._ Palmer's twelve years of continuous service.