PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 214, 29 May 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Commandant, of the Forces, MajorGeneral Sir Alfred Robin, is due to reach Wellington from the south to-day. Ho has been on a visit of inspection as far south as Dunedin. Surgeon-General R. S. J' 1 . Henderson, Director-General of Medical Services, returned to Wellington from the South Island yesterday. Lieut. F. F. Newman, R-.F.A., of 'Wellington, was in General Gonglv's division which was pushed back towards Amieiio He was all through the days of despcrato fighting, but came through it safely anil in good health. Advice has been received from England of tho death of the Rev. James Flannagan, founder of St. George's Hali, London. The deceased gentleman was well known in Wellington, having conducted a very successful Methodist mission in the. Town Hall nine years ago. Mr. R. W. Dalton, His Majesty's Trade Commissioner for New Zealand, is expected to leave Auckland for Wellington to-day. He may break his journey en voute.

Private Edward King, only son of Mr. W. King, of Wellington, who has been awarded the Military Medal, is 21 years of age, having enlisted when 181 years old. 110 left with' the Eighth Reinforcements, and served 011 Headquarters '2nd Anzac Intelligence Section and Headquarters Base Depot. 011 returning to Sling Camp, he was promoted lo ser-geant-major. From Sling he went back to France, being appointed a warrant officer at Divisional Headquarters. In October he forfeited his stripes, and entered the trenches. When lie enlisted, Private King was on the staff of Findlay, Dalziell, and Co. He played football for the Poneke senior team, rind also was a keen member of the Island Bay Surf and Life-saving Club. When only fifteen he distinguished himself on. two occasions by rescuing a man and a girl from drowning.

The death occurred in tho Bowen Street Hospital on Monday night of Mr. John Alnepherson, senior engineer member of the Transport Board, aged about (ia. Tho late Mr. Macplierson was born in Glasgow, and served an apprenticeship to one of tho largest engineering firms there. After being- with Denny Bros., of Dumbarton, for some time; 110 entered tho service of Hnrlaud and Wolff. About 30 years ago he came to New Zealand as second engineer of the old Arawa, of the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Co. Subsequently he became chief engineer of the Tninni (sister ship to the Arawa). He occupied a similar position 011 the Waiwera, another SliawSavill steamer, when she look troops from New Zealand for tho Boer War, and 011 his return he was presented by the Right Hon. R. .T. Seddon, on behalf of the' Marine Engineers' Institute, with the gold emblem of that organisation. Retiring from the sen, he represented some large mining interests in Westland. lie then came to Wellington, and was appointed chief engineer of the New Zealand' Government (raining ship Amokura, afterwards transferring to tho Tutanekai in a similar capacity. Soon after the present war began he became a member of the Transport Hoard, and did valuable wurk in that connection. Mr. Macplierson, who hud been ill illhealth for a long lime, was well liked by all who knew him. He has left a widow (nee Miss Burns), but no family.

Private \V. B. Kenny, late of tho staff of tho Co-operative I'ilm Supply Company, und a member of the Wellington Savag'o Club, who has been active in promoting entertainments in the Awapuni Camp, lias left to take up his duties abroad. Among the men reported missing in the Entrenching Battalion between April 12 and 19, is Private liobert Ueorgo. Slaveley, elder son of Mr. liobcrt Stavclcy, solicitor, and Mrs. Slaveley, Levin. 110 was born in Wellington, but since early childhood had lived in the Otaki and' Levin districts. He had only just returned to the trenches after an attack of trench fever. Driver If. T. Ifeaney, killed in action on April 18 in France, was the only son of Mrs. H. J. O'Lcary, of Mastodon. Ho was in the employ of the Wellington Corporation Tramways at tho time of his enlistment, and leaves a widow (formerly Miss Brandon), whose brothers (Major Percy Brandon and Private Gerald Brandon) and sister (Nurse Louise Brandon, Royal Ked Cross) are on active service still. Corporal F. B. Young, of tho Twentyseventh'Reinforcements, who is well known in the musical and business circles, and who was wounded in the head and leg in the last big offensive, is progressing favourably.

Mr. George Russell Rankin, who died in Cliristcliure'ii a few 'days ago, was horn in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in ISfl, and came lo New Zealand in tho Mystery, arriving in J.yUrlton in January, 18(52. Shortly afterwards he comnienccd business as a builder and contractor, and later entered into partnership with the late Mr._ Thomas Greig, under the 111111111 of Rankin and Greig. The firm built a large number of public buildings, fn the curly years Mr. Kankin took a keen interest in the Order of Oddfellows, holding the position of Grand Master. 110 was also for some years a member of the Spreydon Road Board, but of Into lie had lived a retired life. Mr. Rankin leaves a widow, two suns ami throe daughters.

iho death occurred at Christchurch Inst night, after a short illness, of Mr. 11. S. Bourn, a well-known Canterbury business man. Ho was for some voars Christchurch manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Company, but retired from that position three years ago, and took np hind at Rakaia. Mr. Bourn held office as president of the New Zealand WooibrokoM 1 Association and president of the Caiit"rbury Chamber if Commerce, •-Press Assn.