PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 53, 26 November 1917, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Sir Joseph Ward returned to Wellington yesterday morning from Invorcargill. , Mr. W. A. Flavell returned to Wellington from Christchurch by the ferry steamer yesterday morning. Professor Jack arrived in -Wellington yesterday morning from Dunedin. Captain H. Patorson, who died at Dunedin on Thursday evening in his eighty-first year, was well known throughout New Zealand. While a lad the call of the sea came to him, and, without consulting his parents, he left his native town of Campbelltown, Argyleshire, and went to Glasgow, where ho joined a sailing ship bound for China. He made many voyages before the mast to all parts, of the world. He joined the ship Pladda as an officer, and landed in Now Zealand in 1859. He purchased the ' schooner Maggio Patcrson for timber-carrying purposes and was engaged in the coastal trade until his vessel was wrecked on an uncharted rock at Wellington Heads. He was subsequently in command of several sailing vessels, and joined the Union Company's service, serving as mate of the old steamer Waihora,'and later on the To Anau. He left the Union Company's employment about fourteen years ago, and went back to the "windjammers," being appointed master of the harque Onyx. On his return Zealand with the Onyx from South Africa he retired from the eea, and since then had followed the occupation of coastal pilot and surveyor of ships, with his headquarters at Dunedin.

Mr. M. P. Cameron, of Khandallah, has been advised that his second son, Trooper Duncan Camei'on, who left with the 2Cth Reinforcements, was wounded on November 14. Another son of Mr. Cameron, Corporal Jack Cameron, of the Mounteds, is still on the Western front.

Sergeant A. J. Gapes (wounded) is a son of the late Mr. George Gapes, of Northland, and, left with, the Main Body as a private. He was at the landing, and fought all through Gallipoli. He went with the New Zealanders to France, and received a gunshot wound on October 8 last. At latest advices he was at Brockeiihur6t.

Major R. W. Hannah, of the Royal Field Artillery (second son of Mr. Robert Hannah, of Boulcott Street) was wounded in the thigh in action. On November 12 he was reported to be dangerously ill, and at the latest his condition was reported to be unchanged) Major Hannah is an exstudent of Wellington College.

The Rev. W. Raine, vicar of Foxton, and formerly curate at St. Peter's Church, Wellington, who was drawn in tho recent ballot, has been classified for home service.

Mr. Brownley, district traffic manager at Ohakuno, is to succeed Mr. J. E. Armstrong at Wanganui.

Miss M'Naught, of Amberlcy, has (says a Christchurch paper) recoived otficial intimation from Major; Osborne, Officer in Charge of Base Records for the Commonwealth of Australia, that her brother, Sergeant Douglas J. M'Naught, was mentioned in dispatches by Sir Douglas Haig for conspicuous services rendered in tho First Mobilo Veterinary Section in Flanders. The publication has been gazetted m the "Commonwealth of Australia," No. 169, of October 4, 1917. Sergeant M'Naught left with tho main Australian Forces and served through the Gallipoli campaign, and later wont to. France. . A very pleasinc little function took place in Wanganui on Friday, when Mr J. E. Armstrong.'district traffic manager of railways at Wanganui, who is retiring after 47 years' service, was unofficially entertained at dinner by the heads' of the Railway Department. Thero wero present ■ Messrs. E. H. Hiley (General Manager of ■ Railways). F W. M'Lean (chief engineer), H. }H. Jackson (chief mechanical engineer), and H. Buxton (chief traffic manager), together with tho local district officers. Eulogistic reference was made to Mr. Armstrong's long and efficient services with tho Department, and regret was expressed at his approaching retirement.