PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 176, 15 April 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Lance-Corporal Herbert M'Lichlan Hogban, 62,313, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, killed in action on March 27, 1018, was Hie third son of Mr. George Hog-ben, Khandallah {late Director of Education). Ho was lx>rn in Christchiu'cli on October 21, 1888, anil was educated at Waimataitai Public School, Tiniaru, Thorndon Public School, and Wellington College. After leaving (he lastnamcd school he was engaged in farming in various places for about five years, then ho spent ai year at Lincoln Agricultural College. In 1912 he took up a section of land in the King Country, seven mile.? back from Otorohanga, a considerable, iiortion of which ho had improved and brought under cultivation, when he enlisted last year/ <l!) 17). Ho went to Europe with the Thirtieth fieinfni'conients. He belonged to the Farmers' Union at and to several local societies and committee*. He was secretary of a settlors' rommitlpo to obtain a school for Hie district, there being no school within five or six miles, and by his persistence succeeded heforo ho left in getting tho school. Tie was very popular and much respected in the dislrict in which he lived. His eldoft brother. Sergeant Georgo M'LacMan Hogben (w'"i enlisted in the Main Body) was lrillMl at Gallipoli in August, 191")! His youngest brother, K. ' Noel M'Lachlan TTogbcn. is still at the AVestern front in Ihe Machine-gun Corps.

Lieutenant Lance Girling-Butcher, reported killod in action on March 31, was (li« third son of Mr. Georgo Girlingliulehor, secretary of Iho New Zealand Cntholic Federation. Ho was bom at Talcnkffl. Nelson, and enlisted at the ago of 20. He was a member of the N.C.O. Class of the Eighth Beinforcomonts, and on Raining his commission was transferred to Iho Eleventh Reinforcements, with whom lie went to Egypt, and later to France. Thc.ro ho sustained injuries necessitating some months in. hospital in England, and his return ,lo New Zoa.lixnd. Upon recovery he resumed duty, and sailed with the Twenty-fifth Reinforcements. Lieutenant Girling-Butcher was well known in tennis circles. Ho was educated at the schools of (ho Convent of Morcy, Iho Marist Brothers School, Boulcott Streot, and St. Patrick's College, and was a law student at Victoria University at tho linio he enlisted. Of his three, brothers, Eric was killed on tliß Somme in October. 1916. Hoy is with tho artillery in Prance, and Bertram a monilwr of tho Thirty-ninth Reinforcements at Fcathorston Camp.

Mr W. J. Napier, barrister, of Auckland, arrived by tho Main Trunk on Saturday to attend the sittings of tho Court of Appeal.

Mr. Scott Colvillo, well known in theatrical circles, is at presentf m Wellington, en ron.to to Chnstchnrch, with the Sydney James's Revue Company.

Following on/ an operation for appendicitis. Mr. Thomas Mercer well known in Palinersion North, died there on l'Tldav lust. Flo was born in Kent England IT vears ago, and had. resided in Now Zealand since ho was six years o „ B e. Until a few years ago ho earned on a tobacconist's business al Stratford, and later went to Falmcrston North Tho late Mr. Mercer was a member ol Lodro Stratford, and of the Manawatu Koyal Arch Chapter. Ho leaves a widow and a family of six. The Bev. Clement Houchen, M.C., who wi among those mentioned in d.smate:l at tho end of December by Sir Douglas Haig will return to New Zealand ehortly" Wing been declared by a medical bVard unfit for general duty- wUin a year. Ho was severely wounded, in tno l ad on October 4 •< improvm« generally, has lost Iho sight of Ms eft eye. Mr. llouchen left New Braami as chaplain to the Ist and 2nd Batatas of tho Bide Brigade in October 1015 Ho was wilh that brigade until tho beginning of 1017, when he was appealed senior Church of England chaplain to tho New Zealand Divisioni in France, which appointment ho held unlii wounded. Mr. Houchen was vicar of To Kuiti prior to leaving for the front. Mr. John Farrell, manager of the J. C. Williamson Boyal Comic Opera to.. will leave for Christchuvch this evening.

Tho Wellington Presbytery at its last meeting, unanimously passed Uie iollowing resolution, on the motion of the Kev. James Paterson:-"The Presbytery places on record its hearty appreciation of tho pood work done by the Kev. R. ttood during his thrco years' engagement at Mnn<! Bay and Seatoun. It is largely duo to tho organising capacity ol Air. Wood that the debt on Seatoun Church has been largely reduced, and at Island Bay over £400 raised for buildings yet to'bo erected, and the ordinary incomeincreased'over JO per cent, the pulpit and pastoral work of.Mr. Wood has been fruitful in spiritual blessing, and members of Bible Class have won distinction in Sabbath school examination. }ne Presbytery notes with satisfaction that within the last few weeks at Seatoun and Island Bay the thanks and appreciation of tho people took tho form of generous gifts of money. The Presbytery further recognises the valuable literary services rendered (o the Church by tho publication of Mr. Wood's booklet on Martin Luther, which reached a circulation o. 10,000, and which has won tho praiso of literary experts here and in tho Ilome Land; and tho Presbytery expresses its best wishes for Mr. Wood's future usefulness in tho Church and in the community.,".