PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 150, 14 March 1918, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister of Justice, left for the north by tho Main Trunk train yesterday. Ho expects, to return to Wellington on Saturday.

Mr. George Allport, secretary of the Marine Department, yesterday left for the north on a matter of business.

Sergeant Basil Croker, awarded the Military Medal, is the only son of Mr. P. W. Croker, architect, of Tnuranga, and formerly of Auckland. He left with the Eighth Reinforcements, and saw service in Egypt, being later sent to France with the Otajzo Regiment, where he took part in the Somme offensive. Hβ is 22 years of age.

The death occurred at the Wellington Hospital on Tuesday afternoon of Mr. Abraham (Fred.) Billmau, formerly a well-known builder, but more generally known in connection with the musical direction, year after year, of the Taranaki Street Methodist Church. Hie work in this direction was so thorough that the anniversary services of the Sunday School were at one time a splendid musical feature which wero wont to .attract great crowds. He was also choirmaster for about a quarter of a century, and in Miss Harriet Randall and Mr. John Prouse had two of the finest vocalists Wellington has ever possessed. The late Mr. Billman, who wae held in great regard by many thonsands of people who had sung under his baton as children, was born in Lancashire nearly seventy_ years ago, coming to New Zealand with his parents by the barque Alma some sixty years ago. He was twice married, and has left a widow.and six grown-up children, and twenty grandchildren There are two sons—Mr. Frcdk. Billmnn, coachbiulder, of Feilding, and Mr. Walter Billman, of Messrs. Edward Pearce and Co.. Wellington, and four daughters—Mesdames L. James and Waddell (both of Timaru), and Mesdames James Wilson and Buckley Joyce (of Wellington^. , Mr. Billman endeared himself to all the young people with whom ho. was associated in Sunday school work.

Mr. J. H. W. Uru, M.P. for Southern Maori electorate, has been on a. visit to Wellington in connection with his Parliamentary duties. The Maori and pakeha residents of Tunhiwi, hifi nntivo town, are tenderi'icr him a brniouet on Friday- next in honour of his election. The Prime Minister. Sir Josptih Ward. Sir .Tames Allen, the Hon. W. H. Horries. the Hon. Dr. Pomare, rind the Canterbury representatives in Parliament have been invited to attend. Mr. Uru went south last evening.