PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3026, 13 March 1917, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Tho Hon. G. W. Russell left for tho south last night, on route for Balclutha, there to attend tho annual conference of firo brigades of tho Dominion.

Mr. Justice Chapman left Wellington yesterday to preside at tho Nelson sittings of the Supremo Court, which open to-day.

Having completed 43 years or service with tho Government. Mr. P. K. de Castro, Secretary for Education, retires on superannuation on Juno 30, and in the meantime will take the usual three months' leave of absence. Mr. dn Castro entered the Civil Service as a cadet in tho Treasury, and from that Department he was transferred to the Education Department on its creation in 1878. He worked his way up to be Chief Clerk, and when Sir Edward Gibbes retired he succeeded to the secretaryship.

In the death of Mr. William Ward, at Ngawlia, Bay of Islands, there passed away a link with the old days as far as educational matters at;o conoorned. Mr. Ward was one of the six teachers appointed in 1874 in London by Lord Lyttelton to proceed to Canterbury to reorganise the schools under tho now Education Act. .Of tlioso six teachers, Mr. Hill, the recently retired Inspector of Schools in Hawke's Bay, is now tho only survivor. Tho late Mr. Ward was in the first instance appointed to Waimate, South Canterbury, and whilst thero lie participated in tho formation of the New Zealand Educational Institute, of which he was tho first Canterbury delegate. He was well known in the teaching world for his ability and integrity, and his kindly disposition made him friends everywhere. He retired on superannuation twelve years ago, and has lived during the past few years at thg Bay of Islands. Ho was predeceased by his wife a year ago. Ho leaves three children—Mr. W. F. Ward, barrister, of Wellington; Mr. H. H. Ward, of Napier; and Mrs. John M'Namara, of ( the Bay of Islands.

A Press Association message'' from Christcliurch states tliat Mr. A. H. Turnbull, tlio well-known merchant and shipping agent,\ died thero yesterday morning as tho result of a paralytic stroke. He was a son of Mr. Richard Turnbull, for many years member of Parliament for Tiraaru. Deceased leaves a widow and two sons. On® is Captain John Turnbull, who is on his way back to New Zealand from tho front on a. health-recruiting trip, and the other is now in camp.

Trooper Cameron was tho only returned soldier to arrive by the Riverina yesterday.

■ Mr. Aleo Lorimore, representing some important American picturo interests, arrived from Sydney ov tho R.ivorina yesterday afternoon.

Driver Jesse Lambert, late of the Artillery of the New Exv>editionary Force, who returned 'invalided to Nm Zealand some months ago, died at Vi'ellington Hospital on Thursday. Prior to being admitted to that institution he was employed as an orderly in A.G. (2) Branch, Lambton Quay. That office was closed yesterday morning, and some fifty home serrice men from there, under Captain Cosgrovo anu Limits. M'Kechnie and Miles, and Staff Sorgt.-Majors Smith, Foster. and Sharpe, attended the funeral. Members of -J Company, 23rd Reinforcements, under Lieut. King, supplied the firing party. The Trentham Band was also present. The remains wero conveyed on a gun-carriage to Karori, whero the burial service was conducted. Inmates of Victoria Hospital were also present.

j Private 5)1. A. Wilier, whose name i appeared in Saturday'ii casualty list, jwas born in Napier, but town j for Auckland when very young. Ho ; was educated at tho Newton ' East School and Auckland Technical College, and was afterwards on the staff of Messrs. A. andT. Surf., Auckland, up to tho tinio of his enlistment. Private Wille.v comes from a fighting stock i that has been represented in all BriI tain's wars (afloat and ashore) for the past 120 years. ' His cousin went down in tho cruiser Defence during the, Battle of Jutland, and other cousins have fallen in 'France.