PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3133, 11 July 1917, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Lieutenant F. G. Massey, who is included amongst those New Zealand officers who have won the Military Cross, is a son of the Right Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister of New Zealand. Lieutenant Massey was a solicitor by profession. Ho was trained in the office of the Messrs. Hesketh and Richmond, in Auckland, and later joined the firm of Messrs. Earl and Kent. Not long before the war he had commonced practising for himself, but ho gave up his practice to enlist; He had been for many years a member of the Auckland Mounted Rifles, holding the rank of quartermaster-ser-geant. He joined the N.C.O. class in camp, and was eventuallv posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, receiving bis commission as second-lieuten-ant before embarkation. At the front he was transferred for a time to a British division for staff training. He bad returned to the New Zealand Division some time before the Messines offensive. Second Lieutenant A. R. Isaac, who is reported as having won tho Military Cross, left New Zealand in the Main Bodv. Prior to enlistment he was a member of the Freights Department tf the local office of the Union Company. Tho death of Mr. Duncan Rutherford was referred to in the House of Representatives yesterday by the Hon. G. W. Russell, who expressed his extreme appreciation of the generosity shown by the lato Mr. Rutherford towards returned soldiers. Mr. Russell referred especially to the Hnnmer Hospital, and said that Mr. Rutherford had a few days before his death expressed an intention of purchasing and giving to the Government property in North Canterbury to be used as an institution for the treatment of sick and wounded soldiers. Private W. T. Douglas, a brother of Mr. Hugh Douglas, of Masterton, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. A special service was held at. the Seatoun Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening, when tho Rev. .T. K.. Elliott, D.D., unveiled a marble tablet in memory of Mr. James Bain, the first pastor of that church, who died last March at Oxford, Christchurch. Fo.eliivg reference was made concerning tho late pastor's earnest preaching, and his kindness and humbleness of heart, and bow much he had endeared himself to everyone who came in contact, with. him. Through the energy of Mrs. Willard, sen., a sufficient sum was collected (o enable the purchase of this tablet in memory of the late Mr. Bain.

The Prime Minister received a telegram yesterday announcing the death of his sister, Mrs. Gow, of Hawke's Bay, wife of the Rev. Mr. Gow. a well-known Presbyterian minister of that district.

The Hon. Arthur M. Myers, Minister of Pensions, states that, in view of |the difficulty experienced by' the General Post Office in dealing with the large number of payments made ay that i>partment (not only on account <>l the I'c-r.sions Department, but on account <>* other State services) at or abrivt tho first of each month, it has been decided by Ccibinet that instalments t:f pension usually falling due on ihe first of each month may be paid on any day in the preceding month not earlier than Ine 23rd. The new arrangement takes effect with thu instalments falling due on August 1, so that pensions will be available for payment at the various post offices throughout the Dominion from July 23 to September 1 inclusive. Future instalments falling due on the first of any month will be available from the 23rd of the preceding month to the first day of the month following the ordinary due date.

Lieutenant Howard E. Jackson, N.Z.D.C, who has been disabled for some timo .through breaking his right arm, has now returned to duty in camp.

Mr. Hugh J. Ward lias left Sydney for America. Before leaving Sydney he was entertained by the lord Mayor at a luncheon in the Sydney Town Hall, when references were made to the great work he had accomplished in organising Australia Day. The Lord Mayor, in proposing Mr. Ward's health, said that they all hoped to see him back at the end of the year playing Santa Glaus in mufti for the. benefit of thousands. The toast was supported by Mr. James (Minister of Education).

Mr. W. H. Derry, who for the past fourteen years has been acting as Auckland manager for the Australian Mutual Provident Society, was on Friday last presented by his office colleagues with a gold watch and a gold-mounted fountain pen, prior to his taking oyer the managership of the society in West Australia. Mr. Derry has arrived from Auckland, and -after a short stay hero ia to go on to Perth. "I should liko to refer to all those who have gono forth to battle and have offered their lives so gallantly in. the glorious happenings of the war," said Mr. .Tohn Eowe (prosident). when addressing the Trotting Conference yesterday. "Among them are a number cf New Zealand horsemen, some well-known owners, trainers, and drivers, and others who have identified themselves with the management of clubs or the good government of tho sport. Of at least four of our confreres who have assembled at these annual conferences and who have enlisted, one has returned invalided and another was recently wounded. Whilst it is to be regretted that in nearly ever.v list wc notice familiar names as of thoje reported killed in action, we may find some consolation in the faefc that. 'like true sportsmen, they responded so nobly to the country's call and mad ethe supreme sacrifice."

Have you soon our special show of Wide-end Tiea at la., or three for 2s. fid.P George Fowlds, Ltd., Manners Street. -Ad-rt.