PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 219, 5 June 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Hon. G. W. Russell left for Auckland yesterday. • He is to deliver a lecture in Auckland on "The Future of New Zealand Trade."

Mr. J. S. Dickson, M.P. for Parnell, who has been on a visit to Wellington, will return to Aucldand to-day.

The latest news concerning Major E. Balcombc Brown, M.C., Boyal Flying Corps, does not bring much cheer to his friends in Wellington. Major Balcombe Brown was recently reported missing, and hopes were entertained that lie was a prisoner of war, but a cablegram received from London states that Gqrman aviators dropped a jioto ovpr the 'British lines announcing his death, but giving no details.

Commissioner J. O'Donovan, of the New Zealand Polico Headquarters, lias been granted extended holiday leave of absence, his place .being filled by Senior Superintendent N. Kiely, of Auckland.

Air. Win. Watson, a director of tho Bank of New Zealand, who underwent a si.ght operation recently, has now practically recovered, and expects lo be able to rcsunio his duties ill tho course of a lew days.

News has been received in Otaki to (he effect that the liev. Father De Lacli, who for many years was stationed at Otaki, where ho was much respecttu, is still in indifferent health, and had arrived in England from France on Apsi! U.

News lias Leon received that Lce.Corpor.il li. 'I'. Webb, of Wungamii,- has died of wounds. Lce.-Corporal Webb was well known and highly respected toy everyone wlio knew him, and word of. his death conies as a great shook to his relatives and friends. He was well known in athletic circles, being vice-president of the Aramoho floating Club, and a prominent player in the Phoenix Hockey Club. Lce.-Corporal W.ebb left with part of tho Twenty-Eighth Reinforcements, and remained in England for special training in machine gunnery, leaving there for France in the latter part of December with tho Jlachinc-Gun Section.

A Press Association message from Dunedin records tho death there of Mr. T. S. Graham, D.G.M. of the English Constitution of Freemasons. Tho lato Mr. Graham was a native of Ireland, and went to Melbourne in ISK! to joiu the Union Baid; of Australia. Home years later ho joined the' firm of Messrs. Bins, Harris and Co.,'first as manager and su'bseijuently as partner. Subsequently he became a partner in the firm of Messrs. ( lleymanson, Low and Co., and also took a prominent part in the management of various public institutions, As a Mason ho held the distinguished position of Night Worsliinful District Grand Master for iiianv years alter taking that position in 18*81. He was also District Grand Master for the South Island of the Mark Degree,'' English Constitution, besides bc-iits; Past Hsisllm- of Lodge Shamrock. No. "-1-181, Irish Constitutionnml of Lodge St. Patrick, No. ICS, Irish Constitution, and a member of several private lodge*. He was an lionorurv n.niliher of lodge SI. Jlar.v's Chapol, Edinburgh, No. 1; Past Prior of tho Priory of -Otaeo (Knight Templar); Past. Sovereign of tho Knights of Eoino and of tho It«l Cross of Constantino, and Past Z, of the Otaeo Koyal Arch Chapter, ,

li f 2 occasion of his retirement from » 1 Tnranaki Education uoard, Mr. Seldon was last week presented by tlicS inspectors and start with a silver tea service. Mr. P. S. Whitcombe inado the presentation, and in doing so spoko in high terms of Mr. beldon s ability and character. Chaplain D. Macrae Stewart was unanimously elected Moderator of tho 1 resbyterian Church of Victoria on May 27.

The death occurred on May 25, at liis home at Abbotsford, of Mr. William Pitt, formerly a member of the Victorian Legislative .• Council, and one of Victoria's best-known architects. Mr. Pitt specialised in theatre design and construction, and among his works were the Irincess, Royal, Tivoli, and King's theatres, and Hoyt's Palais de Luxe, in Melbourne; Her Slajesty's Theatre, Sydney; and Theatre Royal, Adelaide. In New Zealand ho designed tho Wellington Grand Opera House, the municipal theatres in Napier and Dannevirko. For many years ho was the Government representative on the Melbourne Harbour Trust. He leaves a widow, three daugli' ters, and a son.

Dr. P. M. Gellatly, financial writer for tho "Sydiiey Morning Herald," has resigned that appointment to take over the directorship of the new Federal Bureau of Science and Industry. Mr. Farmer Whyte (formerly of tile Auckland "Herald") has also severed his connection with tho "Sydney Morning Herald" to take up the editorship of the Brisbane "Daily Mail."

"Mr. George F. Glen, City Reserves Superintendent, and officer in charge of the Botanical Gardens since the year 1901, has tendered his resignation. He has already been relieved of his duties, and is now on leave until the end of tho month. Mr. Glen ia a skilled gardener and arboriculturist of wido experience, and the Botanical Gardens during his regime have been the admiration of all who have visited them. Prior to coining to New Zealand, Mr. Glen was for some years employed on the estate of Lord Fitzstephen, in Scotland. Applications, to close at the end of the month, are now being received for the position of Reserves Superintendent in succession to Mr. Glen.

Cable advico has been received that Sergeant W.' E. A. Newenham, New Zealand, Field Artillery, son of Mrs. W. H. Newenham, Wellington, who acted as gunner on a boat reconjtly torpedoed, has arrived in London.

A Press Association telegram from Opotiki announces tho death of Mr. James Connor, a veteran of tlio Crimea and Maori Wars, The late Mr. Connor was 83 years of age, and was born in Ireland. He onlisted in the Imperial Army and served in tho Crimea War, participating in the battles of Alma, Balaclava, and Inkermahn. He then proceeded to India ivith hi# regiment, and assisted in restoring order following the Mutiny, his service in India lasting several years. Ho camo to Now Zealand in 1864, and served in tho Maori War, participating m the attack at Gato Pa, Tauranga. After obtaining his discharge ho settled in Opotiki in 18GG. and participated in stirring incidents in tho district. .He thoi settled on a section of land which he {farmed to the date of his death.