PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 1, 26 September 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Lieutenant Leslie Buchanan, whoso death in Franco ia reported, was at tho outbreak of tho war editor of tho "Darling Downs Gazette," Queensland. Ho enlisted and underwent n course of training at Duntroon Military School. Ho'-obtained a commission and was sent to France as 2nd lieutenant in Fobruacy, 1917, Later lie was nromoted a full lieutenant. In May of "this year he was wounded in tho chest,, but the wound was not,severe, and he was soon back with' his unit. Nowr has now been recoived of his death in-Franco. He is a brother of Mr. B.' S. Buchanan, M.A. R.Sc., and Mr. A. J. Buchanan, M.A., LL.B., both well known at Canterbury Collogo in the early 'nineties, and of Mrs. Richmond Hnrsthonsp, wife nf Major Hursthouso, N.Z.D.C.. Lieutenant Buchanan leaves a widow and aii adopted child.

Mr. C. 13. Norwood last evening took his seat on the Harbuur Board (in succession to the lnte Mr. Robert Fletcher, M.P.), and was heartily welcomed by the chairman (Mr. C. E. Daniell), who said that Mr. Norwood was a business man , who had already made himself very useful to the city, particularly in respect to the milk business, in which he (the -speaker) had taken an interest. Mr. Norwood would, ho felt sure, bo a valuable acquisition to (he board, and he welcomed him as one who was .taking an interest in the public welfare.

The personnel of the French Mission at present in Sydney is as follows:— M. le General Pau. M. Andre Seigfricd, M. le Commandant d'Andre, M. Corbiere, M. Mathieu, M. Leclerc-Motte, and M. Bader. Mr. 6. F. Rudkin. of the Dctenco Department, has been advised of the death from wounds in France of his brother, Private E. It. lUidkin. This is the fourth brother to go on actwo service and tho third to give his life for his country. Private Rudkin left with (she Thirty-fifth Reinforcements, and on September 11 received, the wounds which caused his death two days later. Ho was 22 years old, and prior to his enlistment was on tho staff of the Bank of New Zealand at Hokitikn. The other brothers were: Private G. N. Rudkin, killed at, Passchendaelo in October, 1917; Private E. N. Rudkin, killed in December, 1917.Sergeant A. R. Rudkin, a teacher by profession, won the Military Medal, and was severely wounded when the New Zealanders helped to stop the gap beforo Amiens in March. Ho returned to New Zealand with the draft _ of wounded men which reached Wellington this week. ' .

Tho death occurred' at Masterton Hospital yesterday of Mr. William Pickin, our correspondent telegraphs. Deceased, who was SO years of age, whs born at Johnsonville, and was well known at Petone.

A pleasing little ceremony took placo on Tuesday evening at Everybody's Theatre, when the staff of the New Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd. (> -assembled for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr: J. S. Vinson by way of wishing him "good hick" on the eve of his entry into camp. The presentation, which consisted of a gold wrist-watch and silver cigarette-case, Was made by Mr. H. Hayward, who, in the course of his remarks, stated that the Picture Supplies was the largest single picture company South of the Line, and employed close on 600' hands. Otf this large number Mr. Viiisen was one of tho most popular and highly-esteemed. Mr. Viivsen returned thanks in a felicitous little speech, and musical items and dancing were then indulged! in. The guests included members of visiting theatrical 'companies. ■ ■ , The death ccurrod a few _ days ago of Mr. H. H , . ■ Mortensen, a pioneer settler of. Hawke's ..Bay.,-The .late: ( Mr. Mortensen, who was 87 years.of age, arrived at Napier by tho ship Ballarat, being one of tho settlers from Donmark, who,- in the early days, shared all the hardships in the settlement of Dannevirke. For a number of years he lived both in Napier and at Westshore. Some 26 years ago he removed to Wairoa, where he hnd resided ever since. He leaves a widow and grownup family.. Mr. I. Salok, of Wellington Terrace, has boen advised that his son, Private Louis Salek/who enlisted in the Australian Expeditionary Force early in tho war, and has up till recently been engaged in the military operations in Palestine, is included in the first draft of Anzacs who have boen grunted k trip home on holiday furlough. Lieutenant-Colonel H. F Bornau, N.Z.M.0., has taken up the position of Principal Medical Officer at the, Queeu Mary Convalescent Hospital for Soldiers, Hanmer. With this appointment the former system of dual control .of the institution, by a military disciplinary officer and a military medical officer, ceases entirely.. Captain Clifton, who has bewv commandant of the hospital for some time, goes on leave. Captain Hendry, N.Z.M.0., medical officer at the' institution, becomes assistant- to Lieutenant-Colouol Bornau. ' Sergeant William Bey, recently.-re-ported killed in action in France on August 25, was the only 6on of Dr. W. Bey, Groytown. Educated at Wanganui College, lie was studying electrical engineering at Cable's Foundry, but left that to take up farming. He was farming the "Springbank" estate, Gladstone, when war broke out. Enlisting as a private, he ftft as sergeant with the Twenty-fifth Reinforcements. Sergeant Bey was the eldest grandson of tho Rev. T. Porritt, Seatoun, who resided for a number of years in. tho Wairarapa distrit.

Rifleman A. G. Murdoch, Omaha, Marlborougli, was amongst the first New Zealanders to dio in France, and now news has been received that his brother, Corporal C. G. Murdoch, has died of wounds on the Western front.

Mr. J. H. A. Laughton, of tlio Wei- 1 lington Education Board, who has been for some years connected with friendly society work, and is at present tho secrotary of tho Coronation Lodge, TJ.A.O.D., and a P.D.P. of tho Order, lias been appointed by the Grand Lodgo Executive to succeed the late Mr. R. Fletcher, M.P., as Grand Lodge Treasurer. The position is an honorary one.

' Sereeant J. W. Clayson (Military Medal), killed in action, was born in Masterton, and was a stepson of. Mr. F. 0. Polling, of Eketahuna, nnd a brother of Mr. Bryce Clayson, of Masterton. He was for a numbor of vears employed at tho Eketahuna brand) of the W.F.C.A.,' and was also' in that firm's employ at the Wellington branch. Sergeant Clayson, who was about forty years of ase, was prominent in football circles in the Eketahuna district somo years back.

Lieutenant Farmsworth, who has been killed in action, was connected with tho Railway Department when ho enlisted. He leaves a wife and child at Masterton, our.correspondent telegraphs.

Mr. G.-F. Roach, chairman of • tho Hawko's Bay Education Board, was advised on Monday that his son Corporal Eric Roach, of the N.Z.E.F., had ocen killed in action. The . late Corporal Roach left Now Zealand with tho Twenty-fourth Reinforcements, and had seen a good deal of. service on the Western front. In civil life he was engaged in _ business at Hastings with Roachs, Limited. Mr. G. F. Roach has two other sons wearing the King's uniform, Lieutenant Gordon Roach, now on his way back to New Zealand, and Private Harold Roach, who is with the army in Palestine.