PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 2, 27 September 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Tlio Hon. A. L. D. Eraser has been appointed a member of the Licensing Committee for the district of Hawke's Bay. . ■

A Router message from London last evening recorded the death of Sergeant Ben Uzzell, a noted footracer, who was serving with the New Zealand Forces. Ho was killed in action.

Major-General Sir Alfred Robin, Commandant of tho Forces, and SurgeoiiGeneral R. S. F. Henderson, DirectorGeneral of Medical Services,. aro at present in the South Island'on a visit of inspection. They will retnm to Wellington next week. •

The Direotor of Military Training (Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Slceman) has returned to Wellington after a tour of inspection in the South.lsland; He has inspected units and given lectures at various centres during recont weeks, and will shortly go north on similar duty.

At yesterday's meeting of the Hospital Board, Dr. Hislop (honorary surgeon) was granted leave of absence on his taking tip military duties. Dr. Holmes lias been appointed to the vacanoy on the honorary staff.

Mr. O. E. Stathnm, member for Dnnedin Central, has been in Wellington on public business this week.

Tho resignation of Dr. Morton as house surgeon was accepted with regret by the Wellington Hospital Board yesterday.

Lieutonant Henry T. Marshall (of Wellington), 3rd Battalion of the Now Zealand Rifle Brigade, who was, as reported by cablegram on Tuesday, presented by His Majesty the King •with tho Military Cross, has been appointed an instruotor of musketry at the camp of the N.Z.R.B. in England. Lieutenant Marshall, who was formerly on the staff of E. W. Mills and Co., was president of the Karori Rifle Club, and was a fine marksman.

A Press Association telegram from Melbourne states that the Rev. John Walker, of Ballarat/' has boon elected moderator of tho Presbyterian Church of Australia, succeeding Professor MacIntyre (retired).

Tho Police Force of Now Zealand (says the "Public Service Journal") have lost a good comrade, in tho death of Trooper Patrick Butler, who was killed in action in France on August 23. Trooper Butler Mjas stationed at Dunodin for many vente, and ho made niany friends by his quiet and manly ways. He resigned, in company with Constable P. Mullens, on August 31, 1917, to enlist with the Now Zealand Forces. He was watch-house-keeper at the Dunedin City Police Station for some years, and was gaoler when ho resigned. Three other constables from the Dunedin City Police liavo given their lives in tho fight for freedom— namely, Constables D. Caven, G. Eckford, and J. Johnston—all of whom lvere killed in aotion on the Western front.

Mr. E. C. Huie, editor of the Christchurch "Sun," and Mrs. Huie will leave for Sydney by the Manuka this morning.

Lance-Sergeant Claude E. Clementson, who was killed in action 011 September 12, was well known in atlilctic circles in Wellington. Ho was a prominont hockey player, and represented Wellington on several occasions. Ho was also lieutenant of St. Andrew's Cadets. Lance-Sergeant Clomentson left New Zealand with the Seventeenth Reinforcements, just two years ago, and was wounded twico previous to having met his death. Ho was in tho employ of Mr. Georgo Winder for eleven years. The greatest sympathy is extended to his mother, he being her only child.

Bombardier John Charles M'Erlean, who was killed in action on September 11, was a son of Mrs. M'Erlean, of Itintoul Street, avid an officer of the Stores Branch of the Post and Telegraph Department. Ho was a prominent member of tho Hibernian Society, and for several terms occupicd tho presidential chair of tho . St. Aloysius branch, Wellington South. Ho was also a prominent member of St. Mr. Arnold Boat, accountant, has been appointed acting agent for tho Public Trustco at Dawievirko.

Tho sorviees of Sir. Bond (acting dental surgeon to the Wellington Hospital) are to be retained for a further six months or until Mr. Bender is released from _ military duties and resumes his position.

Advice has been received that Lieutenant G. W. Morris, who was recently seriously wounded, is improving.

Anne's Club. As an entertainer, Bombardier M'Erlean possessed considerable talent, and his services wero largely availed of. Prior to his departure for the front over three years ago a social ovoning was tendered to liim and several presentations made from tho various societies and clubs of which ho was a'member. During his furlough last year he visited his parents' borne in Ireland, and wrote an interesting account of his travels in that country.

Among those who recently returned to New Zealand from France was Sergeant R. K. M'Donell, son of Mr. A. A. M'Donell, of "Inverhoo," -Lower Rangitikei. Sergeant M'Donell, who left with tho Eleventh Reinforcement, was 'all through the big engagements on the Western front until ho was dangerously wounded at Passehendaelef which necessitated his return to tho Dominion.

Advice has btflen received in Foxton that Gunner L. A. Daniel], N.Z.F.A., is returning to Now Zealand on furlough in a fortnight's time after over three years of war. Gunner Daniell has served in Egypt, France, and Belgium. Ho was badly wounded in October of last year.

Mr. H. S. St. Paul, late manager of the Bank of Australasia, Napier, has spent the last six. years in Bournemouth, England, and intends returning to Now Zealand by the next Vancouver boat, and will probably make his future home in New Plymouth.

Mr. Arthur C. St. Paul, of Now Plymouth, has been appointed manager of the Zealand Farmers' Cooperative Organisation Society's wool department at Wanganui asi from the beginning of next month.

Sir. W. R. Col jet, of tho Defence Department staff, is retiring' on superannuation on account of ill-health. His former colleagues recently presented him with a piece of silver plate and a cut-glass decanter. In making the presentation, Captain J. F. Rockstrow referred to Mr. - Collet's kindly disposition and the esteem in which ho v:as held by members of the staff. Mr. Collet joined tho Government' service, in 1899, and was a member of the Post' and Telegraph staff until 1901, when he was transferred to the Defence Department. In his young days ho enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery, at the same time as Brigadier-General. G. N. Johnston, and did garrison duty at Bermuda. He now intends engaging in farming in the Gisbomo district.

Mr. J. Rose, of tlio Government Printing Office staff, received advice by cablegram yesterday that his third son, Private Charts H. Rose, had been killed in action. The late Private Rose, who was born and educated at Brooklyn, was 28 years of age, and before enlisting was in the employ of Mesßrs. Edward Collie, Lt-d., cabinetmakers. He went away with • tlio Twenty-third Reinforcements, and "had only just returned to the front after recovering from a. wound and the effects of gas received earlier in the war. The late Private Rose leaves a widow and one child. His brother, Sapper Douglas Rose, is on service in France.

Second-Lieutenant Evan . Gibb Hudson, killed in action, was the younger son of Mr. Harold W. Hudson, of Auoklnnd. Ho was a civil engineer by profession, and was educated at King's College and the Auckland University College, enlisting on the completion of his course. He was a sergeant of cadets at King's College, and was subsequently a lieutenant iu the No. 3, Field Company, New Zealand Engineers. _. He left in Marcli last as sec-ond-lieutenant in tjio thirty-fifth reinforcements, and on arriving in England was posted to the Rifle Brigade, going to France about August 16.

Second-Lieutenant Hugh L. Patton, M.M., killed in action on August 1 27, was the youngest son of Mrs. Patton and the lata Mr. W. Patton, of To Awamutu. He was a member of', the advance corps io Samoa, and served at the island for nine months. On lis return to New Zealand ho re-enlisted, and sailed with the Seventh Reinforcements to Egypt and then to Franco, where lie served continuously for three years. During the Messines offensive he was awarded tho Military Medal for gallantry in the field, and almost simultaneously received liis commission. For a time ho was a member of the instructional staff at Sling Camp. Ho was recalled to Franco last July, and was in action for six weeks prior to his deatli. He was 20 years of age.

The death of Mrs. Mary Gray, in her 89th year, has removed one of the oldest settlers on Waiheke Island. Hire. Gray and her husband, the late Mr. E. B. Gray, arrived in Auckland prior to the Maori War, and settled in the first instance in the Kaipara district. More than 50 years ago they removed to TVaiheke, where they acquired an extensive property, beyond, Cowos, the whole of one end of the island. Mr. Gray died some years ago. Only onco in her 50,0dd years' residence on the island did the late Mrs. Gray visit Auckland, and then only when, somo twelve years ago, she was obliged to seek mcdical attendance in connection with an injury to her,leg.

Tho death of Dr. Walter Thomas, ono of tho oldest and best-known medical practitioners of Christchurch, is announced in a Press Association message. Deceased was 70 years of age.

Mr. William Fletcher, whose death oocurred at his residence, Hall Street, » few days ago, had been a citizen of Wellington for about ''forty years. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, 88 years ago, and on completing his education he learned the-wine and spirit business in that city. Over fifty yeai;s ago he came out to Dunedin in the ship Suffolk, and then settled in Nelson. He was in tho office of Messrs. Adams aiid Kingdon, solicitors, in Nelson for 6ome time, and afterwards became a wine and spirit merchant in that town. Coming to Wellington ho joined tho stp.tl of Messrs. Staples and Co., brewers, and was the firm's accountant until he retired > on a pension about soventeen years ago. He lias left a widow and four sons, viz., Mr. William Fletcher (Deputy-Commissioner or Stamps, Auckland), Mr. Arthur Flet■clier (Lauds and Deeds Office, Auckland), Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Fletcher, of Gisborne' (just returned from the front invalided), and Mr. Nathaniel Fletcher (Hancock and Co., Auckland), and three daughters—Mrs. W. J. Berry, and the Misses Fletcher, all residents of Wellington.