PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2924, 9 November 1916, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Hon. C. J. Johnston, Speaker of the Legislative Council, with Mrs. Johnston and their daughter, Mrs. A. Duncan, returned to Wellington yesterday. Mr. Johnston has been_ to Australia on a. health recruiting ttip, and ha 6 returned benefited in health.

Advice has been received of tho death of Driver John F. Mallard, of the 3rd Brigado, N.Z.F.A., who. left New Zealand with the Fifth Reinforcements. He was the eldest son of Mr. J. J. Mallard, secretary of tho National Insurance Company at Dunedin, and formerly of Wellington. He was educated at Clifton School and Wellington College, and at the time ho'enlisted was in tho service of the Gear Company, Wellington. News of his death has taken a long time coming to hand. It occurred, as the resrtilt of wounds, as long ago as September 27, and only on Tuesday was the advico received "that ho had succumbed to wounds which had been tho subject of a previous report. The Into Driver .Mallard was about 22 years of age.

Yesterday afternoon Mr. A. D. Johnston, of the 20th Reinforcements, who previous to enlistment Had been in the employ of Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd., for some years, was the recipient of a substantial presentation from the staff of that firm. The _ present consisted of a silver wristlet watch, puttees, leather waistcoat, fountain pen, money belt, and khaki handkerchiefs. The presentation was made by. Mr. J. B. Teasdale, on behalf of the subscribers. Mr. Teasdale mentioned that Mr. Johnston would carry with him tho best wishes of all. These little tokens were but an expression of the goodwill felt towards him by everyone, and admiration for his desire to serve his King and country by volunteering at this period when so many are needed. He wished Mr. Johnston good luck and a safe return.

Mr. Fred. Hunn, who is shortly leaving Masterton for Sydney, was presented by the Masterton Masonic Lodge on Wednesday evening with a secretary's jewel. Mr. Hunn, who, says our Masterton correspondent, has taken an active interest in many local institutions, is to receive a public presentation prior to his departure.

On Monday afternoon the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, at a special meeting, inserted in its articles of association provision for honouring those who have rendered it conspicous service by appointing them life members. Immediately afterwards Mr. G. L. Denniston was made the first recipient of this honour. • The president (Mr. G. Fenwick),'who moved that Mr. Denniston be declared a life member of the Chamber, said that Mr. Denniston had been in commercial life in the city for a period of almost '50 years.

At a social gathering held at the Marine Engineers' Institute last evening, Mr. C. J. Drewette, a well-known member of the electrical world in Wellington, was farewelled by his numerous friends. Mr. Drewette Berved his apprenticeship with Vickers, Maxim and Co., and has recently been called up for service with the Navy. During his stay in Wellington he has taken a keen interest in electrical matters, and has devoted much of his time to teaching the scholars attending the Wellington Technical School the intricacies of the study of electricity. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, presided at the function, and paid a high tribute to Mr. Drewette's sterling qualities. On behalf of the electrical firms in Wellington, the chairman presented the guest _ of the evening with a purse containing 100 sovs., and a silver rose-bowl for Mrs. Drewette. Several speeches were made, during the courso 'of the evening, on the lines of the chairman's opening remarks, and these, were interspersed with musicj song, and story. The death in Christchurch is announced of Mrs. Pemberton, widow of Dr. T. Pemberton, for some time in practice in Wellington. Among her sons are Mr. 0. B. Pemberton, secretary of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, Dr. C. A. Pemberton, of Littlo River, and Lieut. J. T. Pemberton, late of the "Otago Daily Times" staff, and now on active service. There has of late been several changes in the personnel at the British Consulate at Tonga, states the Auckland "Star." Some few months ago Mr. H. E. W. Grant, C.M.G., H.B.M.'g agent and Consul, through ill-health, was compelled to seek a change of climate, and io act in his absence Mr. J. M'Lean, Mastorton, was appointed to tako up consular duties, which position he fulfilled until September 25 last. On that date Mr. G. B. Smith-Rewso arived in Tonga with a commission appointing him Acting-British Consul at Tonga. The nowly-appointcd Consul, who is accompanied by Mrs. SmithKewse, also holds the position of a deputy-commissioner for the Western Pacific.

\ Mr. Alfred Monk, of Reikiorangi, whose death was reported this week, was the third son of Mr. John Monk (who cam© to New Zealand .in-1842), was born in Wellington, and in 1880 married the third daughter of Mr. Geo. Hawkins, of H.M. Customs (Wellington). I'or many year.s the late Mr. .Monk lived at Reikiorangi, and identified himsolf with several local bodies, in which ho always took a leading part. He was 1 ii member of the Makara Highways Board, the To lloro Road Board, and the Horowheiiua- County Council. In his early days he was a very enthusiastic rifleman, and in the '70's was lieutenant of the Karon Rifle Volunteers. Ho was at that timo one of the finest shots in the Dominion, and in 1879 was runner-up for the Championship Belt of iNew Zealand. The lato Mr. Monk leaves a widow and grown-up family. Among the sons and daughters left are: —Mr. G. Ales. Monk (at present chairman of the Horowhemta County Council); Mrs. Geo. Carter, of Reikiorangi; Mrs. Len. Howell, Paraparaumu ; Mrs. Clonic, Paraparaumu ; Mrs. Liddle, Johnsonville; Mr. Sid Monk and Miss Pearl Monk, of Reikiorangi. Mrs. Thos. Smith, of Palmers!ton North, and Mrs. Scholes, of Manakau, are sisters.